Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Praise the LORD, O my soul

What a crazy week! The kids are extremely excited about Christmas! It is wonderful to see the joy on their faces as we talk about the birth of our Savior. They get especially excited when they remember parts of the story and can help share in Bible time. This week we were able to practice for the Christmas program with the older students at school as well as at UAA. 
A student enjoyed using the shovels
to play hockey this week!
Morning Stories:
Christmas is Here! by Lauren Castillo
Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson
Catch that Cookie! by Hallie Durand
An Otis Christmas by Doren Long
If you take a mouse to the movies by Laura Numeroff

Planning Time:
The students were able to recognize their written name again, pulled from a mailbox. The students planned and then I wrote down what the students planned for the day. When we recalled, I checked off the items that students followed through with on from their plan.

Sensory Table:
The table was filled with rice this week. Students were able to use a toy version of the Nativity with animals and people to represent the story of Christmas.

Bible Time:
This week the students were able to hear the story of Jesus birth! We even touched on the visiting of the wise men this week. The students enjoyed being able to contribute to the telling of the story. We were able to focus on Psalm 103:1, "Praise the LORD, O my soul." Throughout bible and music time this week, the students were able to practice singing their songs for the Christmas program on Friday. We worked on "Sing Glory Glory", "How Deep the Father's Love", and "Joy to the World" (verse 1). The students have done a very good job of learning the words as well as the actions for the songs.

Movement Time:
The students were able to work on the star jump this week. They have been working on developing their skills to move their bodies a certain way. Last week we focused on single leg balance. The students continue to review this. The new star jump this week caused some difficulty for students. Moving your arms and legs at the same time can be difficult. They continue to practice. This is something we will introduce again after break so that the students can review a lot of the information we covered before break.

Music Time:
They have been learning more about pitch this week. The students were focusing on a new song, "We can make a new song!". They were also able to review previous lessons from music and also singing their songs for the Christmas performance. The students have been doing well focusing on a given concept and reviewing the songs. The actions are coming along and they now know them well enough that they can focus more on the words of the songs.

Small Group Time:
In small group this week the students have been focusing on Art for Christmas specifically. This is the KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) for Art: Children express and represent what they observe, think, imagine, and feel through two- and three- dimensional art. 

Monday: The students were able to  decorate a paper ornament with glitter and stickers. This helped them work on fine motor and the art concept.


Tuesday: They were able to decorate a paper Christmas tree. The students used sequins and stickers to decorate. We also placed ribbon the tree. 

Wednesday: The students were able to use scrubbing brushes to create a wreath. The students then used their fingerprints to create berries on the wreath. We placed a bow on the finished product.



Thursday: They were able to finger paint today. We then turned our finger painting projects into presents with a bow on the top. 
Friday: No small group due to our Christmas practice.

Afternoon Story:
The Berenstain Bears and the First Christmas by Joy and Mike Berenstain

Afternoon Tables:
The students are able to choose between the sensory table, snack, and the following activities:

Monday(Math): geoboards, number puzzles, and counting bears.
Tuesday(Fine Motor): red and green pipecleaners to make candy canes with beads, tweezers with pom poms (muffin tins with numbered bottoms), and letter clothes pins (match upper and lower case letters)
Wednesday(Manipulatives): plastic blocks to build, marble run, and animals books.
Thursday(Art/Literacy): reflection art projects with paint, candy cane painting (shaving cream, red food coloring)
Friday(Sensory): No Table activities, we have a half day of school!


I pray you all have a wonderful Christmas break as you celebrate the birth of our Savior! 





Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Joy to the World

This week the students have been preparing for Christmas! Next week is our last week of preschool before break. What a joy it is to help your children prepare their hearts for the coming of their Savior. I pray that you all are having a wonderful week leading up to Christmas. I know it is a busy time of year, but I hope you are having time with your family and friends to celebrate the birth of our Savior!

Morning Stories:
Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late by Mo Willems
The Berenstain Bears and the Nutcracker by Jan and Mike Berenstain
Llama Llama Holiday Drama by Anna Dewdney
Mooseletoe by Margie Palatini
Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

Planning:
The students were given the opportunity to recognize their written name. The students names were pulled from a bag and the students were asked to recognize it and plan.

Sensory Table:
Students were able to experiment this week. We brought in snow for the students to use with colored water. The students were able to use eyedroppers to add the color to the snow.

Bible Time:
The students were able to hear God's Message for Mary this week. Pastor Chris Ewings was able to visit with the students and share with them the story as well. The students are able to better prepare for the coming of Christ. They focused on John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son." The students were also able to learn 'Joy to the World' this week. We will be singing verse 1 in the Christmas program next week. The students are very excited to be able to sing and perform in front of their fellow students and parents. 

Movement Time:
During movement this week, the students were able to review various locomotor movements once again. They also worked on balancing on a single leg. This proved to be a difficult task for the students. We have been working on lifting our leg and straightening our arms so that we can balance on one leg. The students are doing their best to be able to do this. We will continue to work on it throughout the rest of the week as well as next week.

Music Time:
This week the students are taking a step back from their typical lessons. We have been focusing on reviewing the songs we will sing for Christmas. The students have been singing 'Sing Glory Glory', 'How Deep the Father's Love' and 'Joy to the World'. When there is time, I have brought out our bells for the students to use. We have been singing Jingle Bells this week. The students enjoy being able to play an instrument and learn actions throughout the lesson.

Small Group Time:
This weeks KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) is under Social Studies. The students have been focusing on Community Roles: Children recognize that people have different roles and functions in the community. Each day the students have been focusing on a new role and reading a book to go with an activity.

Monday: They were learning about Doctors this day. The students were able to create an ambulance after reading about the duties of a Doctor.

Tuesday: It was all about the Dentist. The students were able to read a story as well as practice brushing their teeth with brand new toothbrushes!
Wednesday: Their focus was on the police or state troopers. We were able to read a story about the police and talk about what a state troopers does in the state of Alaska.
Thursday: The students were focusing on Firefighters. The students were able to hear a story and create their own firetruck.
Friday: The students were able to sort through various roles and do a puzzle based on the community roles that were covered this week.

Afternoon Story:
Franklin and the Tooth Fairy by Paulette Bourgeois

Afternoon Tables:
The students were able to choose from one of the following activities, the sensory table or snack.

Monday (Math): tracing numbers and stacking numbered cups.
Tuesday (Fine Motor): stencils with pencils and paper and floor puzzles
Wednesday(Manipulatives): Sort it out books, link n logs, and blocks
Thursday (Art & Literacy): design a snowflake using shaving cream and glue, contact paper with blue and white tissue squares, or books
Friday (Sensory): personal sensory bins with beans and corn.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

How Deep the Father's Love for Us

The students have been busy and full of energy this week! What a wonderful way to start the celebration of Christ's coming. It is a joy to serve your children as their teacher. It is wonderful to see how much these children have grown in only a few short months. What a blessing! The students were able to have their normal rotations this week. They also had a field trip this week to see Madeline and the Bad Hat at the Atwood Concert Hall! 

Morning Stories:
Thud, Thump, Moo by Doreen Cronin
I wish you more by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Beep Beep Go to Sleep! by Todd Tarpley
Alexsander and the wind up mouse by Leo Lionni
Bark, George! by Jules Feiffer

Planning/Recall Time:
The students were able to see a map of the room (taped onto a cookie sheet) and used a magnetic letter (the first letter of their name) to place on the map of the classroom. 

Sensory Table:
The students were able to use beans, ladles, cups, spoons, and dishes to make 'hot chocolate'. In the sensory table were beans for the students and cotton balls. They were able to create the hot chocolate with the given items. A few students chose to make soup instead!

Bible Time:
This week the students were able to learn about the three men and the fiery furnace. The students were able to have a visit from Pastor Chris Ewings. He was able to have a devotion with the students about the Bible story this week. They were also able to learn a new song for Christmas. They focused on Matthew 4:10b, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." They students were able to understand that in the Bible story, the people were worshipping other gods. Not the true God. We are to remain focused on Him and prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord. They continue to learn more verses of their song, "Sing Glory Glory" for the Christmas program.

Movement Time:
The students were able to focus on reviewing several locomotor movements this week. In the past, the students were learning about animal movements. This week we reviewed those animals movements, but also had the students reviewing some of the other types of movements they can do with their bodies. The students continue to practice doing these different types of movements. They can be difficult at times.
The students were having 'nap time' during work time!
Music Time:
The students are still learning about Pitch this week. They were able to focus on using their voices in different ways. The students learned a new song, "Hey, Hey - Look at me!" as well as review "How Deep the Father's Love for Us" which they will sing for the Christmas program on the 18th of December. They have been working on reviewing several different concepts as well. The students have been learning more songs and fingerplays this week. 

Small Group Time: 
The KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) for this week is under Mathematics- Number words and symbols: Children recognize and use number words and symbols. 

Monday: The students were able to use a chart. They recognized the numbers at the bottom of the chart and were able to place a certain number of bears in the column based on that number.


Tuesday: The students were able to use a coloring sheet of cookies. They were in charge of putting the proper amount of chocolate chips on the cookies as given by the number.


Wednesday: The students used the same chart from Monday. This time, the students were able to glue tissue squares to the chart to represent the number at the bottom!


Thursday: The students were given muffin tins. At the bottom of each muffin tin, there were numbers. The students had to place the correct amount of buttons in each muffin tin.
Friday: The students were able to match the number of dots with the written number using clothespins and a paper chart for the students to follow. 

Afternoon Story:
Franklin and the Bike Helmet by Paulette Bourgeois

Afternoon Table Activities:
This week the students could choose from the sensory table activity (making 'hot chocolate'), having snack, or one of the following items:
Monday (Math): measuring cups with beans, number popsicle stick game, and counting bears.
Tuesday (Fine Motor): beads with pipe cleaners to take home and a pie sorting game with tweezers
Wednesday (Manipulatives): alphabet letter game, tiny legos, and small colorful blocks to build.
Thursday (Art/Literacy): matching lowercase and uppercase with clothespins, books, and making a snowman with shaving cream, glue, and various items.
Friday (Sensory): kinetic sand (the kids loved it!), sensory bins with rice and the sensory table.


Wednesday, November 25, 2015

I'm in the Lord's Army

Such a short week this week! The students only had three days of school. We did our best to keep the students focused on the content we wanted to teach. They did a wonderful job! It's amazing to hear what the children are thankful for this week. God continues to bless Faith Lutheran Preschool. I pray you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

Morning Stories:
Gobble, Gobble Crash by Julie Stiegemeyer
Give Thanks Each Day by Steve Metzger
Cloudy with a Change of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
Clark the Shark Afraid of the Dark by Bruce Hale
Click Clack Peep! by Doreen Cronin
The students were able to dig for fossils this week!
Planning/Recall:
The students were able to use flashlights this week. This is very easy during planning time when it is still dark outside. We turn off the lights and the students are able to shine on the areas they want to work in that day. The students really enjoyed being able to use the flashlights.

Sensory Table:
The students were able to place buttons (as leaves) on pipecleaner trees inside the sensory table. The students enjoyed being able to do this activity and it worked on their fine motor skills!


Bible Time:
This week the students heard the story of David and Goliath. We used visual aids to help the students realize the size difference between David and Goliath. This helped them to better understand the importance of God being on David's side. They were able to look at Psalm 56:11a, "In God I trust and am not afraid." The students were also able to learn the song, I'm in the Lord's Army! They have also worked on learning the song, Sing Glory Glory! which will be for our Christmas program on December 18th. The students enjoy singing the refrain as well as the verses. We have been doing actions with the words.

Movement Time:
This week the students are reviewing and adding onto last weeks lesson. We are again doing animal movements. The students love being able to act like the animals and learn more about how exactly these animals move. We have been playing the Sleeping Animal game. The students go to sleep and when they wake up they are to act like a certain animal. They enjoy this activity quite a bit!
Last week the students enjoyed exploring with
hairgel and beads in the sensory bowls.
Music Time:
The students have been working with the concept of pitch this week. They are able to understand that we can use our voices to sing high, low, and in the middle. We have been working on demonstrating these pitches as well as having each other guess which pitch we are demonstrating. The students have been willing to demonstrate on their own - what a wonderful surprise! They have been singing songs that we previously learned and demonstrating with their hands when the pitch is high or when the pitch is low. 

Small Group:
The KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) for this week is Art. Since it is Thanksgiving this week, we wanted to the students to have the opportunity to make projects that relate to the holiday. 

Monday: The students were about to put feather on a turkey and say what they were thankful for. It was wonderful to see the different ideas the students said. The one that touched me the most was a student that said, "I'm thankful I get to go to heaven one day." What a wonderful thing to hear as we prepare for Thanksgiving.
Tuesday: The students were able to take orange, brown and green paint to create a pumpkin. The students were able to fold the paper in half and spread the paint using their hands - to attempt to make a pumpkin. We had a wide variety of pumpkins come out!
Wednesday: They were able to create turkeys for Thanksgiving! The students were provided the body of the turkey - they were in charge of making its feathers. The students did this by painting with dish brushes. The students really enjoyed this activity!

Afternoon Story:
Franklin and the bike helmet by Paulette Bourgeois
The hairdressers returned to the classroom this week!
Afternoon Tables:
The students were able to use the sensory table in the afternoon as well as choose from snack and one of the following activities:
Monday (Math): number flashcards, linking cubes with number cards to create a representation of the number with the cubes.
Tuesday (Fine Motor): marshmallows and toothpicks, pipe cleaners with letter cards to create the letter.
Wednesday (Manipulatives): Nuts, screws, bolts, and magnetic shapes.


I pray you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!


Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Sing Glory Glory

The week has started out very chilly for the students. They have not been able to enjoy the outdoors as much as they are use to. Hopefully by the end of the week the students will be able to enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather. The students have been busy learning more about Alaska this week. A few of the things the students have learned about this week are: the size of Alaska, animals that live here and mountains. The students were especially excited to voice their knowledge of animals and learn some fun facts too.
The students enjoyed being ballerinas this week and last week!
Morning Stories:
Who took the cookie from the cookie jar? by Viviana Garofoli
The Dot by Peter Reynolds
This is a Moose by Richard Morris
Giggle Giggle Quack by Doreen Cronin
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Planning Time:
The students have been challenged this week. There are three cups in front of them. They have to find the square hidden under one of the cups in order to plan. We do this while rotating in a circle. The students have picked up on it very well! They are now watching the cups very closely to see which one the square is under.

Sensory Table:
The students were able to play in the sensory table this week. It was filled with water, bubbles and sponges. The students started the week by just playing with the sponges. Today I added dishes for the students to use in the table. They ended up using the sponges to wash the dishes.

Bible Time:
The students have been focusing on God giving his people Jericho. They are quite familiar with the story already! Pastor Chris Ewings was able to come in on Tuesday to spend some time with the students learning more about this Bible story. They have been focusing on 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." The song this week is pretty simple. They have been learning Joshua fought the battle of Jericho. The students really enjoy being able to create visual representations of the walls of Jericho and acting out the story. 

Movement Time:
This week the students are focusing on animals movements. They are able to explore different animals and see that all animals move differently. This is a great way for the students to get their bodies moving while learning more about how animals move! The students have been able to explore how rabbits, cheetahs, snakes, horses, and snails move. They enjoy demonstrating these movements to one another. They are even able to choose what animal they want to learn about next.

Music Time:
The students have been focusing on pitch once again. The students are able to understand that you can make your voice sing high and low. The students also enjoy demonstrating a pitch and having their fellow students guess what pitch they are showing us. Every week the students review previous songs from the weeks before. The students are able to voice their opinions on which songs are their favorite. The song for this week is Driving Down the Highway." They are also able to use bells with this song. 

Small Group:
The KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) this week is Geography. Children recognize and interpret features and locations in their environment. 

Monday: The students were able to discuss the size of Alaska. They were also able to look on a map to see how small Anchorage was in comparison to the whole state. The students were able to use a puzzle of the United States to see that there are many other states (along with Alaska) that make up the U.S.


Tuesday: They were able to look at several different pictures of animals living in Alaska. I asked the students to share their knowledge of the animals and I also provided them with some fun facts about the animals.


Wednesday: The students focused on mountains. I was able to show them a picture of Mt. Denali. The name of the mountain was very difficult for the students. After seeing pictures of the mountains, the students were able to create a mountain on their own using playdough.


Thursday: The students were able to look at the pictures of Alaskan animals and choose which one was their favorite. After choosing their favorite animal, the students attempted to create their own picture!
Friday: They were able to watch a video on Alaska. The students were able to draw pictures of mountains and various items they saw in the video on Alaska. 

Afternoon Story:
Franklin and the Baby by Paulette Bourgeois

Afternoon Tables:
The sensory table was full of water and sponges this week. The students were able to play in the table or 'wash dishes', choose one of the following table activities, or have snack.

Monday (Math): number cards with pipecleaners and beads, numbered cups with buttons, and bear counters.
Tuesday (Fine Motor): foam beads with string, buttons with string, and lacing cards.
Wednesday (Manipulatives): giant floor puzzles, blocks, and mini legos.
Thursday (Art): creating a collage with feathers, buttons, and pom poms or painting with legos.
Friday (Sensory): small containers filled with hair gel and small animals.

This week the students were introduced to our mailboxes!
They were able to write and deliver letters.







Wednesday, November 11, 2015

My God is so Great!

This week the students have been practicing in the church for singing on Sunday! They continue to show excitement and no longer need help with the words to the song! (I am Jesus Little Lamb) I pray you will all be able to attend this Sunday at 10:30am for our service. They students are excited to be able to stand in front of church to sing. What a blessing!

Morning Stories:
If you give a dog a donut by Laura Numeroff
Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend by Melanie Watt
Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Ish by Peter Reynolds
Clark the Shark Time to Share by Bruce Hale

Bible Time:
During the week the students have been hearing about God giving the 10 commandments. Pastor Chris Ewings came in to talk to the students more about each of those commandments and what they mean. The students were able to practice singing I am Jesus Little Lamb - as well as learn a new song called My God is so Great! The students have enjoyed practicing the song for church on Sunday. They also enjoy learning new songs. By Wednesday the students are usually very familiar with the new material for the week. During the week the students have been focusing on Psalm 119:47, "I delight in your commands." 
The students enjoyed a demonstration from Pastor Ewings
last week on parting the Red Sea.

Movement Time:
The students have been working on leaping this week. They are still review other movements too. They are able to do a warm up activity and stretching before focusing on the task during the week. This week we have even practiced doing our movements outside. The students have demonstrated their abilities despite the snow and heavy layers of clothing.

Music Time:
They have had the opportunity to have music inside of church this week. We have practiced walking to the front of church, lining up so we can see, and also singing the verses for our sing. The students have also been focusing on high and slow sounds. They are able to make the sounds while singing as well as distinguish if a note is high or if the note is low. We have been using the piano for the demonstration of these notes. 

Small Group Time:
The KDI (Key Developmental Indicator from the SPARK curriculum) is Art. Children express and represent what they observe, think, imagine, and feel through two and three dimensional art. We have had a variety of activities this week. I am trying to get the students to create accurate representations each day. You will notice on their art I have been writing what they made. For example when a student was using paint to create a picture, I asked what the picture was. He responded with "I made a dino house!" 

Monday: The students were able to use contact paper and tissue squares to create a type of stain glass window. You will find these located on our windows of the classroom.


Tuesday: They had the opportunity to paint with toothbrushes. They had the option of four different colors of paint (some even had glitter) to create a picture with.


Wednesday: The students used watercolor paints to create a representation of something. Another task this day was recognizing the first letter of their names - it was located on their picture. They had to find it before beginning. 



Thursday: They had the chance to create pictures using balloons and paint. The students were using the balloons as their paint brushes throughout the activity.
Friday: They were able to do some finger painting. Again, we asked the students to tel us what they made a picture of.

Afternoon Story:
Franklin Goes Canoeing by Paulette Bourgeois

Afternoon Tables:
Monday (Math): using number cards and pipe cleaners to place a certain number of beads on each pipe cleaner. Students were also able to take a cup with a certain number of dots as well as the written number and place buttons inside.


Tuesday (Fine Motor): sewing and weaving cards with string, tweezers with pom poms and muffin trays to sort by color.
Wednesday (Manipulatives): fishing by number game, marble run, legos.
Thursday (Art): glitter glue art project, drawing and coloring on paper.
Friday (Sensory): Playdough


New sunglasses made an appearance in our
Dramatic Play area this week!