Welcome BacK!

The beginning of the school year is not only exciting but emotional too! So many routines to teach and so many little learners to get to know! It's important that our classroom family builds trust and relationships with each other so they can feel safe and happy. Being able to establish relationships are essential skills for school and for success in life. On the first day of school, students made name tags and introduced themselves to each other. It’s important to support each student as they say good-bye to their family, become familiar with the classroom and school routines, and learn to find comfort in being a member of the classroom community while maintaining a secure connection to home.

Nursery Rhymes

We recited the nursery rhymes: Humpty Dumpty, The Three Little Kittens, and Little Miss Muffet. These nursery rhymes teach Phonological awareness, or phonological sensitivity, which is the ability to discern the sounds and patterns of spoken language. Children become phonologically aware through experiences such as reciting poems and nursery rhymes, singing, and clapping the syllables of chanted words.

Humpty Dumpty

We also discussed how an egg is easily broken when mishandled. Once cracked, an eggshell can't be put back together. I asked the students, "Is it safe for Humpty Dumpty to sit on the wall?" This led to an entire discussion about safety and making good choices.

Three Little Kittens

After reciting The Three Little Kittens we went outside to find their mittens. Once we found all the mittens we matched them by color and size to make a pair. I also asked them, “Why did the kittens lose their mittens?” The children said, “they lost them because they didn’t take care of them.” We talked about taking care of our things in the classroom and at home. We also learned where things go in our classroom so we don’t lose them(backpack, folder, lunch box, toys).

Little Miss Muffet

What should we do if we get scared at school? A lot of the children said they would tell me or their parents. After reciting the nursery rhyme Little Miss Muffet, I asked them “How do you think Little Miss Muffet felt?" Everyone said “scared.” Each student had a chance to pretend they were scared as we reenacted Little Miss Muffet.

We’re off to a great start!