Happy rainy Wednesday!

Some of our friends continued their game of hockey this morning!  They worked together to score goals, and they were sure to remind each other to keep their sticks on the ground. 

Some of the friends worked in the block area.  Blocks are a great way to explore spatial relationships, which are a foundational math skill. 

We love the sand table! 

Claire and Brain used the Wiki sticks to write their names! 

Some friends explored science concepts such as cause and effect with Ms. Emma! 

During morning meeting we compared an orange and a grapefruit, and we predicted how they would taste.   

I told the children that we would be comparing the taste of the orange and grapefruit, and the friends helped me count how many pieces to cut the fruit into so each person would have a piece. (We discussed knife safety, and how only grown ups use knives.) 

During small group time, we tasted each fruit and described how they tasted. 

"Sour!"

"Sweet!" 

"Juicy!" 

This sensory experience provides a great language development opportunity.  Children can't define parts of language until they've experienced the true meaning of the word.  Today children had the opportunity to experience a sour taste and feel a juicy fruit.  This experience enables the students to trouble understand and be able to use the new language.    

The children also practiced recognizing numbers, counting, and one to one correspondence today.  Each child drew a number and jumped that many times.  Because the activity involves movement, the children are more likely to retain the information.  

We also worked on a handprint art collage for the church Palm Sunday bulletin! 

We then put our senses to the test! 

Which one is it?  Orange or grapefruit? 

Because we were unable to go outside today, we did large motor activities in our classroom.  We danced to some of our favorite SMARTboard songs...

and had fun with an obstacle course in the hallway! 

The friends were so excited about and interested in all of the rain coming down today!  We used this interest as a platform for some other learning experiences! 

We made our own storm artwork!  The children colored with markers, and then sprayed "rain"on the paper.  We noticed that the marker spreads and some of it even washes away in the "rain"! 

We also put a bowl outside in which to collect rain. We predicted how full the bowl would be by the end of the day.  Some friends predicted that the bowl would blow away in the wind!  Ask your child what happened to the bowl at the end of the day!  :) 

We also enjoyed some indoor recess in Mrs. Mudd's room! 

During Jesus time we had a special visitor-one of Jesus' disciples!  He told us how special it was when Jesus washed his feet.  He told us how Jesus washing his feet was just like how Jesus washes our sins away.  We thanked Jesus together for washing away our sins through His death and resurrection on the cross!  

Happy Tuesday!

This morning our friends really enjoyed creating with the Wiki sticks.  What a great way to increase fine motor strength and express creativity! 

Some of our friends chose to play hockey today!  They did a great job making rules to keep everyone safe. They made teams and used the blocks as their hockey sticks.  Great job cooperating friends! 

Other friends cooked in the kitchen.  Brynne made a delicious soup! 

Sammie and Brynne worked together to be sure the food was just right! 

Ethan offered his friends a corn dog!  How creative! 

Other friends explored the ramps in the block area! 

This morning we discussed graphs and why they are important.  I know you might be thinking, "Graphs?!  In preschool?!"  Yes!  Graphs in preschool allow the children exposure to learning various ways to visually organize their thoughts.  Graphs enhance learning experiences as they are a visual representation of collected information.  Graphs provide a platform to learning quantity, counting, and comparing.

During small group time, I worked with half of the class and Mrs. Buchholz  took the other half of the class outside.  This allows for more specific differentiated instruction for each child. 

On the graph, we decided to see if children in our class like popcorn or apples better.  The children added their names to the graph to represent their votes, then they compared the amount on the graph.  As they wrote their names, they practiced how to form the letters, and strengthened comparing skills.  

Because each child is unique, as teachers we celebrate the unique strengths of each child.  Some children drew their own graph and some children completed graph that was pre-made.  

Some of the friends who were at school yesterday created their own graph.  They applied the knowledge that they learned yesterday as they made their own graph.  

"Remember, we have to be sure the lines go from side to side."

We then practiced asking questions and documenting the responses. This activity increases organized cognitive development.  The children are learning how to find answers to their own questions and create a representation that is easy to understand and compare. 

We then practiced making pattern with our bodies.  You read correctly!  Patterning in this kinesthetic way extends and deepens the children's understanding of patterns.  

 During Jesus time we read the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet.  We also learned that just as we wash the dirt off of our bodies, Jesus washes away our sins.  He saves us by His death and resurrection!