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.