Thursday, January 15, 2015

Today was the first day signing in using the estimation jar!  The estimation jar helps the children to practice counting, one to one correspondence, number recognition, and writing! 





Some friends chose to incorporate writing into their play this morning.  This provides a great opportunity to work on writing skills and sounding out words in a meaningful way. 


We love working together with the waffle blocks! 


YAY!!  We were able to go outside today!!! 





Brynne was our alphabet helper today.  As we practice the letters in the alphabet, we attach a concrete item to each letter to help the children remember the letter and its sound.  (G-G-GUM)


We also practiced writing letters on the SMARTboard.  We thought of words that began with the letter.  I attempted to draw pictures of the words for the friends. You will notice that drawing is not one of my God given talents. ;) 



We then watched a fun song about shapes in the environment. We identified the shapes in the music video, and discussed other shapes we know. 




During small group time, we played a shape identifying Go Fish game.  The children identified a shape on their card, and then asked their friends if anyone had the other shape on their card. 

"I have a heart.  Who has a rectangle?" 

Learning about shapes is a foundational math concept! 




We then practiced writing letters on the SMARTboard again! 




We continued to work on our mosaic snowman art piece. 




During second free choice time, some of the friends practiced rhyming words!  Rhyming is an important pre-reading concept. 


As I have shared before, one of the goals of free choice play is to scaffold the children's play so that it reaches mature play.  Children engage in mature play when they work to plan their play.  Planning play sounds like:

"Ok you are the mom and you have to go to work."
"Then when I get home, I have to cook dinner, right?"

"The cows were sad because they didn't have any food, but then you gave them some."
"Then they didn't like the food and they said, 'Gross'" 





Creative thinking is a higher level thinking skill and promotes cognitive development! 


Bryson worked hard to practice writing names for the cards he was making.  This is an example of meaningful writing.  It is a great, child-initiated way to help children form their letters and sound out words


During Jesus time, we did a special Baptism remembrance.  (If your child has not been baptized and you would like him/her to be baptized, please contact me. :) )  The children dipped a finger in water, and made the sign of the cross on their friend's head.  They reminded their friend that "You are a child of God!"  Because of Jesus death and resurrection, we are all children of God! 













After Jesus time, we were able to go back outside!  Yay!! 





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