One of the focus questions we discussed in class was,  “What are rules and why are they important?” The children shared rules they followed at home, and then we decided to make our own class rules.  No running in the room, no pushing, and stay together in a line, were a few they came up with. They discovered that rules can help keep them safe.  

We also read The Gingerbread Man and discussed the many choices he made.  The boys and girls even came up with their own ideas about how he could of stayed out of trouble.  The highlight of the week was when the children made their own gingerbread man cookie. After pouring, measuring, and mixing, the gingerbread man was placed in the oven.  However, when we went to check on him, he was gone! After searching throughout the school, we finally found him back in the room ready to decorate and eat. What a yummy experience!

Gingerbread cloud dough was made by the boys and girls for our Sensory Bin.  The children took turns adding each ingredient. We discussed the importance of following a recipe in order.  We also discussed what might happen if we didn’t.

I also introduced geoboards to the class.  What a great hit! Using rubber bands we made shapes such as triangles, squares, and circles.  Geoboards are used to help develop fine motor skills, as well as understanding spatial relationships and shapes.  All of this helps build the foundation for geometry later on.

This week we started our Clothing unit.  We’re already learning about clothing and the many features different clothes have.  The boys and girls will be featured in a Halloween fashion/costume show on October 31st.  The weeks ahead will be very busy learning fun Halloween songs and poems.

Check back in a few weeks to find out about more fun Pre-K3 activities.

Ms. Amanda  

The first couple of days at school are exhausting for both teachers and students! So many routines to teach and so many little learners to get to know!  The most important thing I do the first few weeks is to begin building trust and relationships with each child so they can feel safe and happy. If they feel safe and happy, their parents will feel safe and happy leaving their child with me each day.  Being able to establish caring relationships and to enter successfully into ongoing social interactions are essential skills for school and for success in life. For most of our little learners, this is the FIRST time they have been to school. Most have no idea how to sit at circle time, get in line, eat lunch at school, wash their hands, clean up, or wait their turn.

The focus question for the week was, what names do we need to know at school?  The children quickly decided that they needed to know my name, as well as, their friends name.  During circle time we are demonstrating phonological awareness by learning the following nursery rhymes:  Humpty Dumpty and The Three Little Kittens. Phonological awareness, or phonological sensitivity, is the ability to discern the sounds and patterns of spoken language.  Phonological awareness is an important skill in learning to read. Children become phonologically aware through experiences such as reciting poems and nursery rhymes, singing, and clapping the syllables of chanted words.   

We discussed how Humpty Dumpty is an egg and easily broken when mishandled. Once cracked, an egg shell can't be put back together. I asked the students, "Where is Humpty Dumpty, and is it a safe place for him to be?" This led to an entire discussion about safety and making good choices so we stay safe.  

We acted out The Three Little Kittens by going outside to find their mittens.  Once we found all the mittens we matched them by color and size to make a pair.  We talked about where things go in our classroom so we don’t lose them (backpack, folder, lunch box, toys).  

As you can see, we’ve been busy!  Check back with us in a couple of weeks to see what else we’ve been learning in Pre-K3.