During this unit we will be observing and comparing trees to learn about what lives in them, what they're made of, and who cares for them. As we study trees, we will use literacy, math and the arts to explore our topic.

Nature Walk

Nature walks offer preschoolers an opportunity to explore, generating curiosity and a sense of wonder. These walks can help enhance their sensory development as they observe vibrant colors, listen to different sounds, and touch various textures in nature. Additionally, being in nature supports physical well-being by encouraging movement and exercise, which is essential for their growing bodies.

Leaf Observations

To kick off our tree unit, we went outside where all the children collected a leaf. We then brought them inside and examined the leaves as well as other parts of a tree. Observing leaves and other parts of trees allows preschoolers to develop cognitive and sensory skills by enhancing their observational abilities and stimulating curiosity. This interaction with nature improves focus, supports emotional well-being, and fosters a lasting connection to the environment.

Tree Painting

Using an easel helps with hand-eye coordination, as well as core strength and balance. Having the children stand at the easel to paint builds shoulder, arm and trunk strength. The vertical position encourages the wrist to bend upward, similar to handwriting.

Pumpkins

Primary had a week consisting of all things pumpkin-related. In class, we carved pumpkins and explored their insides, making guesses about what we would discover within. Then, we enjoyed a skit presented by the students from St. James Middle School, which illustrated the lifecycle of a pumpkin. This was followed by books written for each student and a visit to the pumpkin patch itself.

Hayrides, Carnival Games, and Trick-Or-Treat the Trail

A very special thank you to Mrs. Denise and all of middle school for hosting these wonderful festivities for us.

What special clothes do people wear to work?

This week, we welcomed two special guests who shared insights about their work attire. We had a police officer and an EMT join us. We explored the unique aspects of their uniforms, including the lettering, buttons, pockets, belts, shoes, and various pieces of equipment that are important to their roles.

Mary and the Lamb

Last week, we had a delightful visit from Mary and her lamb, adding a very special visitor to our clothing unit. As part of our exploration of how clothes are made, we discovered that one of the materials used is wool. This sparked conversations about how different animals provide materials for our clothing, such as wool from sheep, and the importance of understanding where everyday items come from. This also was a perfect opportunity to connect our current learning with our first unit of the school year, which focused on nursery rhymes. The children were excited to recall the rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb," and they discussed why a lamb might not belong at school.

Clothesline Patterns

We have begun forming patterns, focusing primarily on AB patterns, with a touch of ABC and ABBA patterns for variety. To make the lesson more engaging, we integrated our clothing unit by using colored clothespins to create patterns on a clothesline. This activity not only reinforces the concept of patterns but also serves a dual purpose: the act of pinching the clothespins and arranging them on the line helps strengthen hand muscles, thereby enhancing fine motor skills and improving hand-eye coordination.

Patterns:

Patterns are an essential aspect of early learning. They help children recognize and predict sequences, which are foundational skills in mathematics. By understanding patterns, preschoolers develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Patterns also aid in enhancing memory and attention to detail, as children learn to identify and replicate sequences. This foundational skill set lays the groundwork for more complex mathematical concepts they will encounter in the future. Furthermore, recognizing and creating patterns encourages creativity.

With October being fire safety month, we have been going over all things fire safety related and even had some special visitors stop by to see us.

So far, we have covered:

• Stop, drop, and roll

• Calling 9-1-1 if there is a fire or an emergency

• The importance of not being afraid of firefighters in their gear and realizing they are here to help us.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

This week, Goldilocks and the Three Bears visited our classroom. Throughout the week, we sorted and discussed items as small, medium, or large. This exploration of sizes allows children to make direct comparisons. Beyond enhancing math skills, the story also fosters literacy development, including language acquisition and memory recall.

Sorting, Tallying, and Classifying

The children have been exploring the concept of grouping, identifying items as belonging to a group of red, a group of blue, a large group, or a small group. They engaged in sorting and classifying various objects found around the classroom according to their color. Additionally, the children sorted and classified leaves and pine straw collected during an outdoor walk. To deepen their understanding, we took it a step further by grouping ourselves based on the color of our shirts. Then, we tallied our numbers on the board, recognizing that each tally mark represented one of us.