Mrs. Buchholz brought in a nature sounds CD this morning to enhance our outdoor center.  The children loved dancing to the CD! 

Brynne worked hard to make a card!  She has been working for the past few weeks to do it independently, and today she succeeded!  She is learning persistence!  Great job Brynne! 

We also love books on CD!  

Working together in the blocks

We placed one of our rivers for the children to use for fishing.  The problem was we had no fish to catch!  I asked the friends how we were going to solve that problem, and they worked to make their own fish. 

They also worked to make their own fishing rods!  This was a perfect time to practice problem solving skills.  Rather than showing the children how to make a fishing rod, we asked the friends how they thought they could make one.  Problem solving skills increase cognitive development and independence. 

What a beautiful day outside! 

Once a month we begin our chapel with praise songs that I play on the guitar.  This morning was a praise chapel!  

After we finished singing the praise song, Mrs. Kuhlmann led our chapel.  We learned about different numbers in bible stories.  Matthew 18:20 tells us that "Where ever two or more are gathered in my name, I am there with them."  We learned that Jesus is always with us!  He loves us very much! 

During small group time we painted flowers for our outdoor center. 

The friends played the dog and bone matching game independently also.  This game helps children practice number recognition, counting, and one to one correspondence.  The children are also learning valuable social skills such as taking turns and conflict resolution. 

With me, we practiced writing as we made labels for the various parts of our outside center.  (Be sure to look for our labels the next time you are in our room.  The friends worked so hard on them!)

During second free choice time the friends worked to set up the outdoor center. 

Some friends used the fishing poles and fish that they created earlier to go fishing.  

Some of the friends then cooked their fish over the campfire!  

Painting

Building and creating

Another item that the friends wanted to create was binoculars.  

This was another opportunity to practice problem solving skills.  Rather than telling the children how to create the binoculars, we asked what they could use to make them.  We continue to ask questions to help the children figure out the problem. 

When children ask for help solving a problem, it is important to have them tell you what they have tried so far.  This not only increases language skills and recall, but also encourages reflection.  

Signing in for a turn at the sensory table outside. 

I just wanted to share some of our hard work!  :)  

Zack worked hard to complete this puzzle this morning!  He is strengthening his problem solving skills as well as his spatial reasoning! 

Signing in 

The friends really enjoyed engaging in dramatic play in our new center!  Their play has matured over the course of the year.  They are planning their play, assigning roles, and playing with larger groups of children.  Mature play promotes cognitive development.  

Outside time!  (I apologize; I did not get a picture of each child outside today.) 

During small group time the friends played the dog and bone matching game independently.  This game helps children practice number recognition, counting, and one to one correspondence.  The children are also learning valuable social skills such as taking turns and conflict resolution. 

We painted paper for the leaves for our outdoor center too! 

With me, we practiced writing as we made labels for the animals and insects that the friends asked to print off for our outside center.  

During second free choice the friends continued their outside play. 

We also put our sensory table outside.  The friends had to sign up to go outside at the table.  They also knew that they had to stay right by the table in order to play there.

(Ms. Emma and I watched closely to ensure that the children stayed at the sensory table while it was outside.)

Some of the friends wanted to make leaves for the trees, so they did! 

Riley and Zack played the dog and bone matching game together! 

Collaborating

Some friends had an idea to add stones to our water as we walk into the classroom!  They worked hard to cut out, place, and estimate how many stones we need for the water.  Great work! 

During Jesus time we learned the story of the ascension.  We learned that sometimes we don't show God's love.  However, because of Jesus' death and resurrection we will be able to be in heaven with Him!  By the power of the Holy Spirit, we can share the love of Jesus with everyone!