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