Wednesday, March 30, 2016

His Battle Ended Here

The students have had a wonderful week. They are enjoying that the weather is changing and soon they will be able to play outside without snow pants (hopefully). With the weather change, the students have been able to play with bubbles and chalk outside.

This week the students were able to learn more about the Easter season and why we take time off of school to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord.
Last week the students were able to make a snowman! Now the snow is all gone.
Morning Stories:
The Very Cranky Bear by Nick Bland
Don't forget I love you! by Miriam Moss
The Littlest Owl by Caroline Pitcher
The Pirate Jamboree by Mark Teague
Here comes the big, mean dust bunny! by Jan Thomas

Planning and Recall Time:
The students were able to use a microphone this week as they planned and recalled what they did during work time. We have done this in the past for planning and recall and the students enjoy being able to use the microphones as they plan and recall.

Sensory Table:
In the sensory table this week the students have been able to play with various animals in the easter grass as their 'jungle'. The students have been using the easter grass as a jungle, water and mud! It is wonderful to see them using their imaginations. 

Bible Time:
This week the students have been able to learn more about the resurrection of our Lord. Easter is often times celebrated as a spring holiday with chicks, flowers and bunnies. New life is what Easter is all about - Christ's new life, his victory over sin and death! Christ is risen, He is risen indeed. Alleluia! They were able to focus their attention on the importance of Easter. Pastor Chris Ewings was able to come in and teach the bible story to the students on Tuesday. They were able to learn a song with sign language. 'His battle ended there, death was overcome. Jesus alive again, wore the victor's crown. Clearly sin had failed; goodness had prevailed. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!' The students love being able to learn sign language with our bible songs. They also focused on John 11:25, "I am the resurrection and the life."

Movement Time:
The students are once again working on using their underhand throw this week. The students were challenged a bit more and are now working on distance throwing. They were able to focus on close tossing with a partner and target. Now they will be using their knowledge of tossing to toss to an even further partner or target. They have enjoyed being able to work on this skill. I encourage you to review this skill with them using various items. We are using beanbags at school.

Music Time:
The students have been working on keeping a steady beat in music time this week. They have been able to review several songs from the school year. Starting next week, the students will begin learning new songs for the spring musical. The students will have a slight role in the musical and will help sing songs with the grade school students here at Faith.

Small Group Time:
In small group this week the students are doing various activities that relate to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

Tuesday: The students were able to use counting bears to creating different patterns. This was a test for the students mathematical skills that they have been working on throughout the school year.
Wednesday: They were able to use gears, screws and wood to create various items. This was to explore their knowledge in engineering and creating using the given items.
Thursday: The students will be creating galaxy slime. They will be able to help shape and create this item. The will be able to watch a video on what to do to make the slime using technology.
Friday: They will be able to perform a science experiment outside using mentos and soda. 

Afternoon Story:
Clifford Goes to Dog School by Norman Bridwell

Afternoon Table Activities:
The students are able to choose from snack, the sensory table and one of the table activities. 

Tuesday(Fine Motor): Straws with containers, sorting pie, and beads with string.
Wednesday(Manipulatives): LCR, Candyland and giant link n logs.
Thursday(Art/Literacy): Milk painting, galaxy slime.
Friday(Sensory): tice tubs with magnifying glasses and galaxy slime.


JOIN US FOR THE UNDERWATER ADVENTURE
at Faith Lutheran in the fellowship hall




Wednesday, March 23, 2016

In my Father's House

The students are just returning from their Spring Break! What a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. I am excited that we are back in the school schedule and that the students are able to see one another again. Due to Easter this weekend, the students will have a short week this week and the next. You will be able to spend time as a family and celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. What a blessing!

Morning Stories:
I am invited to a party! by Mo Willems
Chicka Chicka 1,2,3 by Bill Martin Jr.
The Night Pirates by Peter Harris
5 Little Penguins Slipping on the Ice by Steve Metzger
Rhyming Dust Bunnies by Jan Thomas

Planning/Recall Time:
The students were able to use a pointer stick this week to show where they wanted to play during work time. They were able to use the pointer stick again during recall to show where they spent their time throughout work time.

Sensory Table:
They were able to have an Easter themed sensory table this week. There was fake grass, egg cartons, tongs and jelly beans. The students were able to sort them into colors and use their imagination to create different types of activities in the table.

Bible Time:
This week the students were able to hear two bible stories. They heard the story of Jesus before Pilate and Jesus death on the cross. The students were able to hear about the pain and suffering Jesus went through on our behalf. What a humbling story for us to hear. He was willing to give his life to save the world! What an incredible blessing. The students were able to have a visit from Pastor Chris Ewings on Tuesday. He was able to bring in a crown of thorns for the students. They were able to better understand the suffering that He went through for us. They were focusing on Ephesians 1:7, "We have... through Jesus' blood, the forgiveness of sins." They were able to learn a new song this week called 'In my Father's House'. It will be a great experience to have the Easter story told to us on Sunday. The students will be able to hear more about it next week during Bible time.

Movement Time:
This week during movement the students have been learning how to throw underhand. We have used several different targets to toss at. The students are focusing on throwing underhand and letting go of the beanbag in time for it to hit the target. They were also able to toss with a partner while working on this skill. The students have been doing fairly well at this skill. They do struggle with catching the beanbag, but that is a difficult task at their age! They will continue to practice the underhand throw throughout the week and review it in the future.

Music Time:
This week the students are reviewing the long and short concept. I have let the student's request songs they would like to sing again and review. They have enjoyed being able to choose the songs on their own but still focus on the concept for the week. 

Small Group Time:
The KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) for the week is Measuring. Children measure to describe, compare and order things. 

Monday: They were able to use rulers to measure various items. The students were working on recognizing which items were longer and which items were shorter in comparison to one another. 
Tuesday: The students were able to measure items using linking cubes. They were able to recognize how many cubes it took to measure an item.
Wednesday: They were able to go into the hallway and measure themselves on the wall. They were able to see the comparison of their own height to their peers.
Thursday: The students used counting bears and string to measure various items. They were able to see how many bears it took to measure items as well as how long the string had to be to measure.

Afternoon Story:
Clifford and the Grouchy Neighbors by Norman Bridwell

Afternoon Table Activities:
The students are able to choose from one of the table activities, snack or the sensory table.

Monday(Math): sorting pie, clothes pins with colors to match up
Tuesday(Fine Motor): scissors with yarn, paper and glue
Wednesday(Manipulatives): animal magazines, giant link n logs and playdough
Thursday(Art/Literacy): letter cards to trace and watercolors







Wednesday, March 9, 2016

He Died to Save Me

The students are getting very excited to have spring break! Luckily, we have had some beautiful weather and an exciting event happen in preschool to help keep them focused until break. This week we were supposed to have the State Troopers visit, but there was an emergency. Instead, the students were able to see and explore the inside of a semi-truck!



Morning Stories:
Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do you See? by Bill Martin Jr.
Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
I really like slop! by Mo Willems
Bear Sees Colors by Karma Wilson
Pajama Pirates by Andrew Kramer

Planning/Recall Time:
This week the students were able to find the hidden block under a cup to plan. The students love this challenge and often times are watching carefully to make sure they follow where the hidden cups is moved.

Sensory Table:
In the sensory table for this week was spaghetti noodles. The students were able to play and manipulate the noodles with various other foods and tongs. Our intention was for the students to connect the sensory activity with a book we read previously. (Cloudy with a chance of meatballs)

Bible Time:
In Bible this week, the students were able to hear about Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the lesson the students were able to see how Jesus prayed that his Father's will would be done. We also know that we can pray that our Father's will be done too.The students understand that sometimes our Father will say yes and he will also say no. He answers our prayers in the way that is best for us. The students were also able to have Pastor Chris Ewings come in to share the bible story with them on Tuesday. They have been focusing on Mark 10:45, "Jesus did not come to serve, but to serve, and to give his life." They have been able to learn a new song this week to the tune of 'Jesus Savior Wash Away'. The words to our song are, "Jesus died to save me on the cross at Calvary. Help me show my love to you in all I say and do."

Movement Time:
The students have been able to use the beanbags once again this week. They have been able to work on beanbag tricks. The students are able to continue working on self-tossing and adding in a challenge throughout the activity. The students have enjoyed being able to focus on tossing the beanbag up but also catching it once it starts to come back down. This is a difficult task for some, but eventually they will be able to master it through practice.

Music Time:
They have been learning more about long and short sounds in music this week. They have been reviewing several different sounds including BINGO which helps them solidify the concept and better understand it. The students are still struggling with understand the difference in long and short sounds when they hear them. It helps to use our hands to show when it is long and short. The students are able to better pick up on the concept.

Small Group Time:
The KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) for this week was creating patterns. Children identify, describe, copy, complete and create patterns. 

Monday: They were able to take linking cubes to create patterns. The students started with a A,B,A,B pattern. If they were up for the challenge students could attempt an AA,B,AA,B pattern.


Tuesday: The students were able to create patterns using pattern blocks. They could create patterns based on the shape or on the color of the item.

Wednesday: They were able to create fruit loop patterns on a necklace. The students were asked to create an A,B,C pattern on the necklace. Once they were home, the students had to ask permission to eat their creation.

Thursday: The students were able to use stickers to create a pattern. The stickers could vary from items or dots based on the students interest.
Friday: They were able to create patterns using legos to create a tower. The students were asked to create an A,A,B,B pattern for their tower.

Afternoon Stories:
Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory by Margret & H.A Rey's

Afternoon Table Activities:
The students are able to choose from a table activity, the sensory table or snack in the afternoon after rest time.

Monday(Math): tracing numbers, a scale with various items to balance with
Tuesday(Fine Motor): connector game, pencils and paper, beads with string
Wednesday(Manipulatives): mini legos, fruit loop necklace,and gears
Thursday(Art/Literacy): painting with big brushes, eggs letter match up, and lego painting.
Friday(Sensory): Oobleck and personal rice tubs. 







Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Praise the LORD, O my soul

The students have had fun preparing to sing in church this week. They are all excited to show their actions and singing talents to not only their parents but the grade school students. We have been blessed with some beautiful weather this week. The ice has finally melted and dried. We are able to walk up our hill without difficulty. The students have loved this weather but do not be surprised if they come home full of dust and dirt! 

Morning Stories:
Please, Mr. Panda by Steve Antony
Goodnight Already! by Jory John and Benji Davis
There is a bird on your head! by Mo Willems
Snow Happy to be Here! by Cheryl Hawkinson
Gaston by Kelly Dipucchio

Planning/Recall Time:
This week the students are able to use binoculars to plan and recall. They are able to look through the binoculars and see several items throughout the room and tell us their plan or recall what they did during work time.

Sensory Table:
The students were able to have shredded paper in the sensory table this week. They had tongs and paper towel tubes as well. They loved being able to play in the paper and use their imagination. 

Bible Time:
Due to our spring break happening soon, the children heard the story about Jesus riding into Jerusalem. They were able to have a visit from Pastor Chris Ewings on Tuesday to tell them more about the Bible story and to sing some songs. The students enjoyed being able to learn the Doxology this week and add movement to the song. They looked at Psalm 103:1, "Praise the LORD, O my soul." They have really enjoyed being able to hear more about the moments in Jesus life that led to the cross. 

Movement Time:
This week the students have been working on self-tossing. We are using beanbags. The students have started the week by sitting and self-tossing using two hands and then one hand. For the rest of the week the students will be able to work on using two hands or one hand while standing. This concept is something that we will continue to review and work on throughout the rest of the school year. We have been doing various locomotor movements to warm up for this activity. We have review skipping, hopping, running, and galloping.

Music Time:
In music, the students have been able to practice their song, "I Got Peace Like a River" in front of church. The students enjoy being able to stand in front of the church and get use to the view while singing the song. I am encouraging the students to sing nice and loud so that people can hear them sing and not the teacher. They are enjoying using the actions throughout the practice.

Small Group Time:
The KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) for this week is focusing on sorting and matching various items.

Monday: The students were able to match the outlines of several items with the object that the outline belonged to. This was a new activity for the students but they were able to do this activity very quickly!

Tuesday: They were able to sort and match several different paint shades using clothespins. The students loved this activity and it challenged them to look closely at the colors. Several of the shades were very similar. 


Wednesday: The students were able to go on a classroom hunt for various items. The students had to find items that matched a certain color they were assigned.
Thursday: They were asked to find and classify the proper animal mother to their child. The students were able to do this through various pictures.
Friday: The students were able to sort and match the four seasons. The students had to look at what items would be used in each season, what the weather would be like, what clothes you might wear, etc. 

Afternoon Story:
Curious George visits the Toy Store by Margret & H.A Rey
Our Hair salon changed into a Cafe
for the students to use!
Afternoon Tables:
In the afternoon the students can choose from snack, the sensory table, or one of the table activities. 

Monday(Math): The students were able to trace various numbers, finger-paint numbers with dots, and use blocks to create a number.
Tuesday(Fine Motor): noodles and string, tracing letters, and using connectors.
Wednesday(Manipulatives): creating ramps with cars and blocks, colored race car tracks and small table puzzles.
Thursday(Art/Literacy): books on 'sorting it out!' and marble art.
Friday(Sensory): sensory bags and glurch.