FANTASTIC FRIDAY 12-5-14

ASK ME ABOUT...

...how many letters are in the word, winter.

...where I went and what I did for Work Stations.

...what I did in P.E.

...what I did in Spanish.

...the story, Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Birthday.

...the fire drill.

...how many days we've been in school.

...what we did to celebrate Zero the Hero Day!

CALENDAR~

There is a new activity we do during Calendar called, "missing number".  Each day, a number is removed from our kid collection of number of days we've been in school.  At the end of Calendar, the Friendly Frog has to figure out which number is missing.

ZERO THE HERO DAY!~

Today we celebrated our 70th day of school.  Luke's mom came in and read us a story about Zero the Hero and helped us count to 70.  Next, we had Zero the Hero puppets to create, including ordering the "tens" numbers from 10 to 70.  Thank you for a fun activity!

 STORYTIME~

Today we read the story Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Birthday.  Next week, we are going to make a class birthday book.

 

EXTENDED DAY PRE-K~

Today was Technology Day!  We played 2 different language games (rhyming and syllables) on the SMARTBoard.

In the activity pictured below, children had to determine which pictures rhyme with tree and three.

 In the activity pictured below, children have to determine how many syllables are in the word.  To help them figure this out, we have the children clap the word to determine the number of syllables.  For example, raspberries is 3 claps.

THRILLING THURSDAY 12-4-14

ASK ME ABOUT...

...where I went and what I did for Work Stations.

...why my teachers used the peace rose with each other.

...what letter I learned and practiced writing.

...what the "missing number" was today at Calendar.

...what letter sound we practiced today.

...what we used to decorate the letter "I".

...what book Mrs. Arner read to us in the library.

...what book I checked out from the library.

WRITING STATION~ 

It is AMAZING how many authors we have in our classroom!!  To help keep everyone organized, we have a new system to help us know who is ready to share a book. 

 HANDWRITING~

Children learned and practiced how to write upper case "D" today!

 LETTER SOUND~

Today we learned and practiced making the short /I/ sound.  We decorated our letter "I" with instruments.  We also talked about what initials are.  Be sure to ask your child what his/her initials are.

EXTENDED DAY~

Today we did another Empathy Training lesson.  We explained to the children that empathy means helping, caring and being kind to others.  

Today's lesson involved brainstorming and discussion about what to do if 2 friends want to play different things at the same time.   

After our empathy lesson, we played "Mr. Potato Head", which is the Pre-K version of "Hangman".   To play the game, we used our previous passwords and color words.

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY 12-3-14

ASK ME ABOUT...

...the question on the Morning Message.

...where I went and what I did for Work Stations.

...the new Work Stations we are doing.

...what I did in Drama.

...what I did in Music.

...whose birthday we celebrated.

...Author Sharing today.

FREE CHOICE LEARNING~

We now have cardboard bricks in our Construction Zone.  Gabriel, George, Margo and Lianna worked cooperatively building and writing signs/labels for their construction.

 NEW WORK STATIONS~

At the Sensory Tub, children search for hidden numbers and then locate them on a chart.

 At the Discovery Station, children review what they have learned about primary and secondary colors.

 At the Work Work Station, children review 3 of our previous passwords.

 Also at the Word Work Station is a password writing activity.  Children choose a password from the Word Wall and record it on the paper using a pencil, a marker and a crayon.

At the Alphabet Station, children choose a letter and trace it on to white paper.  Next, the children draw 3 objects that begin with that letter sound.  Finally, children label their pictures.

At the Creation Station, children do marble painting with primary colors.

 At the Lily Pad, children use cubes to build structures.  The structures start out simple and then become more complex.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!~

Today we helped Scarlett celebrate her December birthday.  Scarlett's mom read the story, Beep Beep, Vroom Vroom!

We then enjoyed donuts and juice for Scarlett's birthday treat!

EXTENDED DAY~

Today was a Discovery Day!  We discussed the terms opaque and transparent and then demonstrated the meaning of these concepts using a flashlight.  A flashlight was shone on to a black piece of paper.  We then used various objects (clear plastic bag, clear plastic cup, red plastic cup, etc.) and held them up to the flashlight.  If the children could still see the light shone on the black paper, then the object was transparent.  If the children could not see the light on the black paper, then the object was opaque.   We will continue this activity and add in objects that are translucent. 

TERRIFIC TUESDAY 12-2-14

ASK ME ABOUT...

...what I did in Spanish.

...our new Star of the Week.

 ...the alphabet story we read.

...the new activities available during Free Choice time.

FREE CHOICE LEARNING~

 Graham practices his counting skills at Math Magic.

 Claire and Scarlett enjoy playing with "flubber" at the Fine Motor Station.

 Anna S. and Mitch enjoying books in the Book Nook.

 Lianna completes a mosaic picture at the Creation Station.

 George makes his own creation at the Creation Station.

 STAR OF THE WEEK~

Elliott is our Star of the Week!  Today we learned that Elliott's favorite things include:  cupcakes with vanilla frosting and sprinkles (favorite dessert); California (favorite place to visit); and a cheetah (favorite animal).  Thank you for helping us get to know you better, Elliott!

 

MARVELOUS MONDAY 12-1-14

ASK ME ABOUT...

...the new password.

...what I did in P.E.

...the new month!

...what is happening in the month of December on our calendar.

...how I practiced writing my letters today.

...practicing writing my first name with lower case letters.

...what holidays/celebrations use lights, candles, etc. to celebrate.

HANDWRITING~

Today's handwriting lesson involved practicing the letters we have learned so far by writing them in shaving cream!

 FRIENDLY FROG~

We dressed our "Friendly Frog" today so he is ready for cold weather!

 NEW MONTH!~

Today marks the first day of December!  Our December calendar is full with birthdays, holidays and "No School" days!

 EXTENDED DAY PRE-K~

Today was a Cooking Day!  After reading the story, The Popcorn Dragon, we watched, listened and smelled popcorn as it cooked in a popcorn popper!