My times are in Your hands

The students were able to start off the week with a visit from the Anchorage Fire Department. The firemen were able to talk to them about fire safety. They were able to see the firemen in all of their gear, hear a smoke detector go off, practice stop drop and roll, and crawl under 'smoke' (a tarp). After learning more about fire safety the students were able to check out two fire trucks outside. While were outside on of the trucks got called on an emergency. The students were able to see what happens when a call for help comes to the firefighters! They looked at several items on the firetruck and even crawled inside to take a closer look! The students had a blast being able to do this!

Morning Stories:

The Duckling gets a cookie?! by Mo Willems

Giggle, Giggle Quack! by Doreen Cronin

Clark the Shark: Afraid of the Dark by Bruce Hale

The Biggest Apple Ever by Steven Kroll

The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat

Bible Time (One in Christ Curriculum):

The students heard the story of Moses this week. They were able to see the importance of being able to trust God with their futures. It shows us how families are part of God's plan for our well-being. Scary and sad things happen, but with God's power we are safe and protected. All our bible stories this year will point us to one thing, our Savior. Our God is a God of surprises, and He has a loving plan for our lives. Even when things become difficult or bad things happen, He is there for us. As it says in Psalm 31:15, "My times are in Your hands" we can rest assured that God will continue to watch over us and keep us in His loving arms.

Movement Time (SPARK Curriculum):

Students are focusing on different pathways this week. The best way to describe this is by using different lines for the students. We have curvy, zig-zag and straight. The students have been doing several activities that help them understand the difference between each pathway. They have been doing a warm up song to help get their bodies moving. They have also worked on their stretching of their muscles before doing the set concept for the day. They are doing a great job of listening to the instructions they are given by the teacher and the CD during the warm-up songs.

Music Time (Sing and Make Music Curriculum):

This week, the concept the students are focusing on is tempo. The students have been learning about the different types of tempos that a song can have. While learning this concept, the students have been singing 'Did you ever see a turtle?' and 'Head and shoulders'. These songs have been very helpful for the students who are struggling with the concept this week. They have to listen careful to their teacher as they are singing the song.

Small Group Time (HighScope Curriculum):

This week the students are learning about a new artist: Wassily Kandinsky. They are hearing about abstract art. They have been able to do several activities and projects that are similar to Kandinsky's pieces. They have focused on 'Squares with Concentric Circles' created in 1913.

Monday- The students were introduced to our artist for the week. We were able to review what an artist is. The students were able to created layered circles (similar to Kandinsky's work) with several colors.

Tuesday- They saw more of Kandinsky's pieces and saw the different shapes he puts into his art. They traced several different shapes and colored them to create a picture.

Wednesday- They were given a chart of squares to create circles or color in the squares with a variety of watercolor paints.

Thursday- The students colored a variety of triangles with different markers. Then they cut the triangles out for the project on Friday.

Friday- They were able to create a layered triangle project using the items that they cut out on Thursday.

Planning and Recall Time (HighScope Curriculum):

This week the students were asked to once again recognize their written name on a piece of paper. After recognizing, the students were able to plan or recall before work time.

Afternoon Table Activities:

They are able to choose from one of the table activities, snack or the water table! This week the water table was not available to the students.

Monday(Math): painting numbers with paintbrushes.

Tuesday(Fine Motor): creating pumpkins with beads and pipe cleaners, matching colored clothespins to the right name and connectors.

Wednesday(Manipulatives): the game LCR and Candyland.

Thursday(Art and Literacy): using straws to blow paint on paper and Fairytale books.

Friday(Sensory): No activities due to the half day of school.