Tree Unit:

Building Christmas Trees

What better opportunity to introduce Christmas trees into a math lesson than during the holiday season when the tree unit is happening! The children not only enjoyed crafting but also engaged in measurement as part of the project, organizing from longest to shortest.

Counting Bows

Each child was given a number, and they had to pull the corresponding number of bows out of the bag, this is a fun activity that helps with number recognition and value recognition all while soaking in the Christmas spirit!

Leaf Rubbings

Making a leaf rubbing allows the children to engage their senses and enhance their understanding of trees in a tactile and visual way. By placing a leaf under a piece of paper and rubbing a crayon over it, children can observe the patterns and veins that are unique to each type of leaf. This activity helps them recognize the differences of trees and connects them to nature. The process of creating leaf rubbings also aids in improving fine motor skills.

Christmas Caparisons

For one of our math lessons this week, we included Christmas ornaments as a fun tool to get into the spirit. Each child was given two ornaments and then was instructed to examine the ornament, answering questions like:

• “Which one is larger?”

• “Which one is smaller?”

• “What are the similarities?”

• “What are the differences?”

• “Is one smooth while the other is rough?”

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.