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.