Thursday, March 9, 2017

Have mercy upon us, O LORD

It is the last week of school before spring break! It is a wonderful thing to be able to enjoy with out students before we have a week off of school. This week they have been able to make several different art projects (during work time and small group). They have been busy enjoying this wonderful sunshine and chilly weather. We are thankful for time spent outside!
Students were getting creative outside!
Here we have a bonfire while roasting marshmallows.

Morning Stories:
The elves and the shoemaker by Mara Alperin
Grumpy Cat by Britta Teckentrup
We are growing! by Laurie Keller ** (a new favorite for the kids)
I am invited to a party! by Mo Willems
Please, Mr. Panda? by Steve Antony

Bible Time (One in Christ Curriculum):
This week the students having been hearing a story about a man named Zacchaeus. Zacchaeus was hated by most people in his town. He had lied, cheated and stolen money from those around him. One day, Jesus was in town. Zacchaeus attempted to go and see Jesus and hear him speak. He was a short man and had to climb into a tree to be able to see Jesus. To the crowds amazement, Jesus walked over to Zacchaeus and told him to get down out of the tree. Jesus wanted to go to his house and have dinner with him. Zacchaeus saw the mercy of his Savior. Despite the mistakes Zacchaeus had made in his life, Jesus provided him the forgiveness he so desperately needed. It is amazing to see the love that He shows to all of us - even though we do not deserve it.


Movement Time (SPARK Curriculum):
This week students were able to play the Circus Act song and game. The students were asked to display a knowledge of how an animal moves throughout the game (gallop, hop, etc). The students loved being able to show their knowledge of animals, but also how far they have come being able to do large motor movements.

Music Time (Sing and Make Music Curriculum):
Students have been reviewing songs from music this week as well as bible time. They are able to do the actions for songs and act them out when applicable. The students were able to choose what songs they would like to sing throughout music time.

Small Group Time (HighScope Curriculum):
This week, students are looking at an artist: Claude Monet, who was a leading figure of French Impressionism. The students were able to recreate their own versions of some of his paintings this week.

Monday: free paint with watercolors, students then designed their flower using the paper that they painted with watercolors.
Tuesday: students created a sunset background using red, yellow and orange.
Wednesday: they created a shadow for their sunset picture using black paint. Many students chose to do buildings, mountains or a person!
Thursday: ice painting with Miss Schneck!

Afternoon Table Activites:
Monday(Math): numbered muffin tins with beads, number puzzles, tracing numbers and number books.
Tuesday(Fine Motor): connectors, blocks, lacing cards, and tracing items.
Wednesday(Manipulatives): legos, small puzzles, stacking blocks, and 'I Spy' books.
Thursday(Art&Literacy): word puzzles, boggle jr., alphabet puzzles, and finger paints.
Friday(Sensory): happy half day of school! No activities.  
Painting with ice!
 

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Jesus said, "Learn from me."

God has blessed us with some beautiful (but cold) weather this week. The kids have enjoyed being able to get some sun shine. We have had a fun week being able to learn more about measuring, the letter T and Jesus! It is amazing to see how far the students have come from the beginning of the year. Some of the students are showing amazing steps since Christmas too! God is so good. Enrollment is now open for our 2017-18 school. It is a blessing to know that we will be able to share time with your children (and some new children) this next year! I am so thankful I am able to see these children grow each day. They continue to surprise me in wonderful ways!
Students enjoyed a game of 'duck duck goose'
with Miss Schneck during outside time!
Morning Stories:
Rumpelstiltskin by Mara Alperin
If you give a mouse a brownie by Laura Numerof
Ada Twist Scientist by Andrea Beaty
The thing about Yetis by Vin Vogel
There's a giraffe in my soup! by Ross Burach

Bible Time (One in Christ Curriculum):
For the week, students are hearing the story about Jesus visiting his friends Mary and Martha. In this story the students see that Martha was busy cleaning and cooking preparing for Jesus. While she was doing this, her sister Mary was not helping her. Instead, Mary was listening to Jesus speak. Martha shared her frustrations with Jesus asking Mary to help. Jesus reminds Martha that Mary has chosen something far more important than anything else - His Word. As it says in our passage this week from Matthew 11:29, "Jesus said, 'Learn from me'." It is important that we realize no matter how busy life may be, a priority should be to learn more about our Savior. He is our provider and strength. In good times and in bad, we can find our strength in Him. He will always be there for us, no matter the circumstances. God is good.

Shine Jesus Shine
Lord the light of your love is shining
in the midst of the darkness shining
Jesus light of the world shine upon us
set us free with the truths you now bring us
shine on me, shine on me

Shine Jesus shine
fill this land with the Father's glory
blaze Spirit blaze
set our hearts on fire
flow river flow
floods the nations with grace and mercy
send forth Your Word
Lord and let there be light

Movement Time (SPARK Curriculum):
The students have been working with different types of lines this week! They are able to several different movements such as: running, hopping, skipping, galloping and walking while staying on these different lines. On the floor we have zig-zag, curvy and straight! They have enjoyed being able to show their skill on the lines. As a challenge the students can go backwards as well! That will be introduced later this week.

Music Time (Sing and Make Music Curriculum):
Students have reviewed several songs from this year so far! The new song this week is 'Down in my heart' which is a song they will also be using later this month in Bible. They are using egg shakers to keep a steady beat while singing. They are able to using them by hitting their lap or shaking them in the air.

Small Group Time (HighScope Curriculum):
Our letter this week is the letter Tt. The KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) is measuring.

Monday- The students were able to measure themselves in the hallway. Students were asked who was the tallest in the class and who was the shortest. They were reminded that it does not matter if you are tall or short, we are all growing!
Tuesday- The students were able to use rulers to measure items. We were able to count the numbers on the ruler (inches) up to twelve. The students were then asked to find items that would reach the 3, 5, 7 and 12 (etc) through the small group activity.


Wednesday- The students worked on tracing their Tt's and also practiced writing their numbers. After our activity on Tuesday, several students asked if we could work on writing our numbers! I adapted our small group for Wednesday to meet their request.
Thursday- Students used linking cubes to be able to measure items! Once again they were asked to use a certain amount of cubes and find an item to match. After a few rounds of that activity, they were able to pick an item and count how many cubes it would take to measure it.
Friday- We are having a 'fun friday' activity based on the letter Tt. Students will be able to paint with TOOTHBRUSHES!

Afternoon Table Activities:
Students can choose from floor puzzles, table activities or snack.

Monday(Math): number puzzle, beads with numbered pipecleaners, linking cubes and memory.
Tuesday(Fine Motor): sorting pie with tweezers, straws with tubes that have small holes, beads with string and lacing cards.
Wednesday(Manipulatives): blocks, mini legos, tracks and pictureka!
Thursday(Art and Literacy): National Geographic for Kids magazines, finger painting and whiteboards with markers.
Friday(Sensory): sensory bottles, kinetic sand and floor puzzles.