During our building study we discussed maps and how to use them. For a fun adventure, Mrs. Diane and I put together a treasure hunt. At recess the children noticed something dangling from a tree, it was a treasure map. Using positional words, we followed our map. We had a blast!

Who builds buildings and what tools do they use?

I asked everyone our focus question and wrote down their answers. Everyone said a construction worker and named several tools (hammer, drill, backhoe, and saw.) We also took a tour of our school with Mrs. Denise who maintains our campus.

Tower of Babel

After our Bible lesson, we discussed the meaning of pride and language. The children built a tower and complemented each other on their work. We also discussed why they used the largest pieces on the bottom.

This week we started a new study about buildings. This study features five investigations that we will explore. The investigations offer children an opportunity to learn more about the characteristics and features of buildings, the people who build them, and the role buildings play in our communities. Each investigation will also help children explore science and social studies and strengthen their skills in literacy, math, technology, and the arts.

As a group, we built a city with houses, a space center, a farm, and a skyscraper.

One of our focus questions was, “Which would you use to build your house: straw, sticks, or bricks?” Each student had a chance to vote and tell the class what material they would use and why. We tallied our answers and then read the book, The Three Little Pigs. After reading the story, we discussed each house and the definition of the word “collapse.”

In pairs, I asked the boys and girls to walk around the room and count the doors. Each student tallied the number of doors they found on a clipboard. I was impressed that they counted cabinet doors, refrigerator doors, and the doors in the barbie house. We counted twenty-one.

After the boys and girls observed 2 boxes with different items in them, I asked “Which has more, the box with the blocks or the box with pigs?” Each student recorded their answer by placing a mark under blocks or pigs. We then counted the items to see whose prediction was correct.

After reading Noah’s Ark, we built our own. We also discussed what a pair is. They put a pair of animals in their ark.

Noah’s Ark

The boys and girls also reenacted the story. One at a time, Noah let the animals onboard.

It’s important to start working with children on building their fine motor skills early on. Fine motor skills will develop and improve as they move through childhood. It just takes the right kind of practice. They traced lines using crayons and folded paper like an accordion for a Valentine's Craft.

Valentines Party

The boys and girls enjoyed a Valentines brunch and craft. They made jewelry with pipe cleaners and beads.

Grandparents Day

To show our affection, we sang a song for our Grandparents.

A wonderful book that we’ve been reading is The Paper Bag Princess. Princess Elizabeth is excited to marry dreamy Prince Ronald, but then a dragon attacks the castle, kidnaps her prince, and burns all her clothes. In resourceful and humorous fashion, Elizabeth uses a paper bag, finds and outsmarts the dragon, and rescues Ronald—who is less than pleased at her unprincess like appearance. What’s a modern-day princess to do? Using paper bags, the children made their own clothing to re-enact the story. We compared the story to others where the hero outsmarts the villain, for example, Three Little Pigs. This story also teaches us conflict and resolution, what makes a good friend, and practice for our public speaking skills.

This week we started our investigation of clothing. We discussed how there are many features that make them unique. Each child explored the fabric's color, texture, and pattern.

BIGGER THAN, SMALLER THAN, OR EQUAL TO

After reading and discussing the book Goldilocks and the Three Bears, we discussed how clothes are different sizes. Using 3 shirts, we placed them in descending order.

MEMORY GAME

Using memory cards with images of clothing, each child tried to make a match. When children determine whether something is the same as, similar to, or different, they are using recognition memory.

PRESCHOOLS COMPUTER LAB

This semester we'll be using the Computer Lab. Using their fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination, the students had to use the mouse to create their own snowman.