I am Jesus Little Lamb

Today we start a new week! It is hard to believe that we only have two more months of preschool before summer vacation. I am so proud of our students and how much they have grown this year. I know they will be well prepared for the following school year. 

In our blog, I will do my best to share our lessons each week as well as photos of our students. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know! 

Bible Time (One in Christ Curriculum)
This week we will hear about Paul teaching Timothy. You can find our bible story in 2 Timothy 1:1-5, 3:14-17. As with Timothy long ago, God gives us a family and friends who love us and share the story of Jesus' love with us. What a gift that we can share God's Word with others. Pray for each other every night and every day.

Here are the discovery points for our lesson this week:
Law- On our own, we would never know God or love Him.

Gospel- God uses parents and teachers to teach us about Jesus, our Savior, who forgives our sins and makes us God's own children.

Sanctification- Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can grow up as God's children, learning more about Him and following Jesus in how we live.

Song & Passage
Each week we focus on a new song and passage during bible time. This week we will continue learning "I am Jesus Little Lamb" (verse 1) and "He's Still Working On Me" which they will sing in church on Sunday, April 7th. 

Our Passage this week is from 2 Timothy 1:3, "I remember you... in my prayers night and day" throughout the week we work on this passage and on Friday, the students can try saying the passage on their own!

Small Group (HighScope Curriculum)
This week our KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) is: Numbers.

Monday: Students will use a muffin tin with various numbers on the bottom. They will need to use tweezers to pick up foam shapes and place the proper amount in each container.

Tuesday: They will be tracing different numbers using paint and Q tips. 

Wednesday: Our students will be working on a number hunt in the classroom. As students find numbers, they will need to place them in the correct spot on our number line that has been created on the floor.

Thursday: Students will be tracing numbers and writing numbers on their own using their fine motor skills. 

Friday: Each student will be given a different number card. Based on the number card, students will create a tower with that amount of blocks. 

Movement Time (SPARK Curriculum)
During movement time this week, students will continue working on tossing with beanbags. They have worked on self tossing, target tossing and this week they will work on underhand tossing with a partner. 

As the week continues, students will move farther and farther away from one another to help them add an extra challenge to their lesson. 

Music Time (Sing and Make Music Curriculum)
This week, our students will take a look at sing along stories. Specifically, they will look at "Peanut Butter and Jelly"... They will also review our songs for singing in church on Sunday. We will be practicing in the church each day. I can't wait for you to hear them! They are doing such a great job.

Sensory Table
Our students helped collect rocks this past week from outside. They helped us wash the rocks and now this week they will help us create an underwater sensory tub with animals, rocks, boats and more! I'm excited to see what they choose to create in the sensory tub 
when given the proper supplies.

Art 
The students will be able to create art projects throughout the week. We will be creating a spring flower project. Hopefully we continue to have wonderful weather and the students will be able to create some projects outside using chalk.

My God is SO great!

WELCOME!
We are starting our blog posts once again! Faith Lutheran Preschool would like to share our lessons, activities and students with you each week. We are so grateful that you have joined us to read our blog. Enjoy!

Bible Time (using One in Christ as our curriculum): 
Our lesson this week is about "The Man from Africa"
Read about the man from Africa using your handout from class or in Acts 8:26-40. This week, we are working to help our students celebrate God's grace in their lives and the joy of knowing Jesus, and encourage them to share the Good News with others. 

Here are our 'Discovery Points' this week during bible time... 
Law: Sometimes, we don't listen to or understand God's Word. 
Gospel: Through God's Word, the Holy Spirit works faith in our hearts so we will believe in Jesus, our Savior. 
Sanctification: Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can share the love of Jesus with others.

Acts 8:12, "He preached good news about... Jesus Christ."

Small Group (using the High Scope Curriculum):
Our lessons this week will be focusing on our KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) Shapes.

Monday: We will be using shape cards and little legos to create a variety of shapes (circles, squares, rectangles, triangles, and more!)
Tuesday: We will be using shape cards and our geoboards (with rubberbands) to create a variety of shapes. Students will also have the opportunity to explore creating pictures with our pattern blocks.
Wednesday: The students will be "block printing" using various wooden blocks and paint to create a picture! 
Thursday: Students will use shape cards as their guide while they work to create various shapes using PlayDough.
Friday: They will create shapes and structures using toothpicks and mini marshmallows. 

Music Time (using Sing and Music curriculum):
This week the students will be working on "I am Jesus Little Lamb" which will be sung in church as a class during April. They will also focus on singing high and singing low.

Movement Time (using the SPARK curriculum):
As a warm up, students will using movement songs (provided by the SPARK curriculum) and work on stretching their muscles before we begin the lesson.

The students have been working on self tossing with beanbags last week and have now added a target in the movement room. The students will be using their "homes" as a target while they work on tossing underhand.

Sensory Table:
The students use the sensory table 2-3 times per week. This week, the students will be able to use their "great barrier reef" from our Australia project to enjoy some time with some sea creatures, urchins and more!

God Bless Your Week!

He is risen! He is risen indeed.

This week I will not be having a typical blog post.

I apologize for not writing the blog sooner! As the school year comes to an end, there are many things to finish before our time is up! I am excited to share with a few pictures and items that we have been learning about the past few weeks.

In the past weeks, the students have covered a variety of topics in their class time! In bible, the students have talked about Zacchaeus, the man who says thank you, Jesus riding into Jerusalem and the last supper. It is amazing to see the students picking up on these stories. Since it is holy week, the students have been focusing on Jesus suffering and dying on the cross. An amazing story about Jesus death but also his resurrection. The students will hear the amazing Easter story next week as we talk about Jesus resurrection even more! What a blessing to share this news with them. I pray you all have time to focus on not only Jesus suffering and death - but his victory over the grave! He is risen. He is risen indeed. God bless your Easter celebration this weekend.

The students have been able to look at two artists in the past week: Claude Monet and Georgia O'Keefe. The students were able to recreate sunsets, flowers and other projects based on these two artists. In small group they have also focused more on the letters U, V, and W. The students were able to look at making patterns, work on their writing skills (first and last names!) and counting. It is amazing to see the progress that the students have had from just after Christmas! God is good. I am excited to share more information with you all at our parent/teacher conferences next week.

In the past weeks, the students had been preparing to sing in church this past Sunday. They did an amazing job singing Hosanna and Shine Jesus Shine.  I am so thankful that so many of the children were able to join us during the church service to sing. They were so excited to sing these songs for all of you! Lately the students have been looking at sing along books such as: Peanut Butter and Jelly, 5 Little Monkeys, There's a hole in my bucket and 5 speckled frogs. They love learning actions and hearing a story while singing along!

As the weeks become busier and busier, I will do my best to post little bits of information on the students each week. If I am able, I will continue to write a blog post as well!

Check out our Facebook page for photo updates each week on what the students are doing!

Happy Easter!

He is risen!

He is risen indeed!

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!

 

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.

Forgive as the Lord forgave you

It has been an exciting week in preschool! Not only have we had the opportunity to celebrate Valentine's Day together - but we have started our kindergarten for a day experiences! For the students who are old enough to go into kindergarten next year, they are able to head into our kindergarten classroom at Faith with Miss Snyder to experience what it is like for a day! They are able to go in pairs and select a full or half day experience. What a joy it is to see these children grow up each day! It is hard to believe so many of them will be going into kindergarten next year.

Morning Stories:
The three billy goats gruff by Mara Alperin
Pigloo by Anne Marie Pace
One more dino on the floor by Kelly Starling Lyons
I hear a pickle by Rachel Isadora
Snowy Bear by Tony Mitton

Bible Time (One in Christ Curriculum):
"Jesus' parable of the lost son begins with the sinful son selfishly squandering his premature inheritance. His downward spiral continues, and the son finds himself empty with hunger and loneliness, filthy in soil and sin." (Concordia Publishing House) Ashamed the son returns home to his father. He is expecting to be scolded, even shunned for his actions. The father, however, is so happy to see his son once again that he welcomes him home with loving arms, despite the mistakes he had made. We can be like the lost son. We can be confused and lost in our own sin, yet despite our mistakes God shows us mercy. He sacrificed His own Son to be our sacrifice. He restores us and brings us home with Him in heaven one day. What an amazing blessing for us to know that despite the mistakes we have and the wrong turns we may make in life - God is always ready to take us in His loving arms. We truly have a reason to celebrate!

Our passage this week:

Movement Time (SPARK Curriculum):

This week we have had a crazy schedule! We have had Valentine's Day, a visit from Pastor Chris Ewings and new teachers floating in and out! The kids have done a great job of staying focused with them. For movement this week, since we have two teachers switching in and out of the room, we have done a lot of GoNoodle as our exercise. We have also reviewed making a bridge and table to our movement time when we are able to.

Music Time (Sing and Make Music Curriculum):

The students are able to review several songs that we have learned throughout the year such as: slippery fish, shine Jesus shine, Jesus loves me, Baby Bumblebee, and more! The kids especially enjoy music time when we are to do actions with our songs. It is wonderful to see how quickly the students have been able to learn the songs that we are singing.

Small Group Time (High Scope Curriculum):

For small group this week, our students are focusing on an artist: Piet Mondrian. They are looking at his art pieces and attempting to recreate them as best they can! Piet Mondrian is best known for cubism.

Monday: red, yellow and blue art projects with squares traced for the students.

Tuesday: VALENTINE'S DAY! Students were able to create pictures, pass out valentines and enjoy a movie.

Wednesday: students worked with partners to paint square with different colors. On the paper there was tape that was later removed to reveal the squares and rectangles on the paper.

Thursday: students use rulers to create their own squares and rectangles on a piece of paper.

Friday: we have a half day of school and the students will be reviewing their artist!

Afternoon Table Activites:

The students can choose from snack, the sensory table (when it is open) and items on the tables.

Monday(Math): numbers with straws, tracing numbers, number memory, sorting shapes.

Tuesday(Fine Motor): tweezers with fruit to sort, beads with string, connectors and geoboards.

Wednesday(manipulatives): stacking blocks, farm yard uno, wooden blocks and puzzles.

Thursday(Art and Literacy): finger painting, National Geographic animal magazines, and floor puzzles.

 

We love because He first loved us

It has a very busy week! The students have been working hard to learn more and more about the lessons we have during class time. As whole, our class is struggling a bit with patience and the classroom rules. We are starting to review the goals of our classroom and how we need to act as we prepare for kindergarten. I would love for you all to focus on this at home as well!

Morning Stories:

Number One Sam by Greg Pizzoli

The Gingerbread Man by Mara Alperin

Max at Night by Ed Vere

Little Penguin gets the hiccups by Tadgh Bentley

Plankton is Pushy by Jonathan Fenske

Bible Time (One in Christ Curriculum):

In our story this week, we hear about the good Samaritan. We learn an important lesson on mercy and showing love to those around us. We are all born imperfect. We all have our own selfish wants in life. We especially can see this at the preschool level. They are just learning what it means to show mercy and love and to care more about others than about yourself. The idea of putting others before themselves can be difficult to imagine. This lesson really shows us the importance of helping other children in the classroom by sharing, helping and thinking of others first. I encourage all of you to reinforce these ideas at home! It can be hard to try and show love to one another. "We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). It is a blessing to know that despite our weaknesses and selfish desires, God shows us His love. What an amazing gift to share with one another, our families and our friends!

Shine Jesus shine

fill this land with the Father's glory

blaze Spirit blaze

set our hearts on fire

flow river flow

flood the nations, with grace and mercy

send forth your Word

Lord and let there be light

Movement Time (SPARK Curriculum):

For the week, the students have been working on making a bridge with their bodies. They have been using several movements (running, jumping, skipping, galloping, etc) to move around the room and warm up for the activities that we have for the week. They have enjoyed learning how to make a bridge and adding 'challenges' to it. They push their stomachs to the sky and together we come up with 'challenges' for the students (kicking one leg while doing a bridge, moving around, etc). They enjoy coming up with creative ways to 'challenge' themselves.

Music Time (Sing and Make Music Curriculum):

In music this week the students have been learning "The Eency Weency Spider" (with a book that has multiple verses). We have been working on actions with this song and reviewing songs that we have been singing in Chapel. The students have enjoyed being able to learn songs with actions or sign language.

Small Group Time (HighScope Curriculum):

This week students have been looking at the letter Rr. We have also been focusing on art projects this week.

Monday- The students took upper and lower case Rs and practice them while also creating rain on their letters! The students added cotton balls for clouds and rain drops.

Tuesday- They were able to work on creating a valentine's day project for their families.

Wednesday- We started to look at the letter R once again. Students practicing writing the letter and were then able to create rainbows using watercolors.

Thursday- They were able to once again work on creating a valentine's day project for their families.

Friday- We are going on an R hunt. Any items in the classroom that are the color RED or begin with the letter R will be on our list as we search throughout the room.

Afternoon Table Activities:

Students can choose between snack, floor puzzles or the items at the tables.

Monday(Math)- practicing writing their numbers with whiteboards, numbered popsicles, and memory.

Tuesday(Fine Motor)- connectors, different types of locks, architextric, and lacing cards.

Wednesday(Manipulatives)- blocks, mini legos, books and Noah's Ark.

Thursday(Art and Literacy)- magnetic blocks, Pictureka!, Jenga and animal books.

Friday(Sensory)- kinetic sand and sensory bottles.