I've Got Joy Like an Fountain

The weather this week has been wonderful! Sadly our play area is switching from ice to water and mud each day. The students love being able to play in the mud and water and slide on the ice. I want you all to know that your children will be getting dirty this week and for the weeks to come if the weather continues. When we have beautiful sunny days, I try to make sure the students have extra time outside to enjoy the weather. 

Morning Stories:
Little Owl's Night by Divya Srinivasan
The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
I love my new toy! by Mo Willems
Journey by Aaron Becker
Snow Babies by Camilla de la Bedoyere

"My Family!"

Planning and Recall Time:
This week we have been using whiteboards and markers with the students. We write their names and the students must recognize there name on the board. In order to go play, the students must also recognize the first letter of their name. They are doing very well!

Sensory Table:
This week the students are able to 'wash dishes'. We have several different items available in the water table with soap and sponges for the students to use.

Bible Time:
This week we heard about how Jesus taught his disciples to trust him in times of trouble. We focused on Jesus walking on water. They saw him walk on water and quiet the wind and the waves. Jesus continues to show his almighty power through miracles. They were able to have a visit from Pastor Chris Ewings this Tuesday to talk more about the bible story. They even did some experimenting with items that would sink or float on top of the water. This helped the students realize the amazing power Jesus had since he could walk on water. We looked at Psalm 50:15, "Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you." We were able to learn this passage as our song this week. They were able to quickly pick up on the passage this way.

Movement Time:
This week the students were able to once again review the Go Car Go game. They really enjoy this activity. In warm ups the students used scarves to dance and manipulate while they were warming up their muscles for the activity. This week is circle act. The students are able to show various ways to use and move their bodies. The students have also enjoyed being able to do some dancing in the classroom during work time. We have been using Go Noodle to keep the kids active and use their bodies.

Music Time:
This week the students have been able to do an activity and learn a song through 'Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush' and they have been reviewing their song 'I've Got Peace Like a River' which they will be singing in church in March. They students have been able to review several previous songs and learn some fingerplays as well during music time.

Small Group Time:
The KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) for this week is Natural and Physical World. The students are able to explore different activities and items throughout the week.

Monday: The students were able to experiment with magnets. They were able to go throughout the room to hunt for items that they thought would work with magnets. After experimenting, we discussed what works with a magnet and what does not.

Tuesday: We talked about water surface tension. They students were able to see and experiment with having a cup float on top of the water. They added coins while it was floating and counting how many it took to get the cup to flip and sink.
Wednesday: The students were able to take a look at our sensory bags and figure out what might be inside of these bags to make them look and feel the way that they do.

Thursday: We took a look at snow and what happens when it melts. What will be left after the snow melts? Hopefully this will help the children realize how dirty and filled our snow is.
Friday: They were able to take a look at buoyancy. We experimented with several different types of items and recognized which items were able to float and which sank.

Afternoon Story:
Curious George Goes Sledding by Alan Shalleck

Afternoon Table Time:
During this time, the students are able to choose from one of the table activities, snack or the sensory table.

Monday(math):numbered popsicle game and clothespins with number cards and dots.
Tuesday(fine motor): pieces of straws with string and foam stickers.
Wednesday(manipulatives): link n logs, floor puzzles and magnetic shapes.
Thursday(art/Literacy): watercolors and Dr. Seuss books
Friday(sensory): fossil search in sand and rocks and sensory bottles

Isn't He Wonderful

The students enjoyed being able to have an extra stay at home day! This week was shorter than usual but the students have been full of energy and ready to learn more about our concepts this week! It has been a beautiful week for playing outside! The students have enjoyed being able to go outside another time in the afternoon after nap. 

Once again, I wanted to say thank you to all of you who came to our Family Movie Night. It was a joy to see all of you as a family and spend some time with you outside of the classroom.

Morning Stories:
Frog on a Log by Kes Gray and Jim Field
Avalanche by Michael J. Rosen
Can I play too? by Mo Willems
Looks Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw
The Foolish Tortoise by Eric Carle and Richard Buckley

Planning/Recall Time:
This week the students are using hula hoops to plan and recall. The students sit in a circle and spin the hoop with a rhyme, "Acka backa soda cracker acka backa pow, acka backa soda cracker (students name) plans/recalls now."

Sensory Table:
The students were able to play with chocolate cloud dough this week! The students were able to use cookie cutters to create various items while 'baking'.

Bible Time:
This week the students have been learning about Jesus feeding the 5,000. This lesson helps remind us of God's gracious love. He provided for those people in our story, knowing we have bodily needs. He was able to feed those people despite the difficulty. This is a great reminder that we need to rely on God to provide for our needs too. In our memory passage this week, "Give us today our daily bread" (from the Fourth Petition) we remember that he promises to give us what we need in this life. If we look at the blessings in our lives, we can easily see the love he has shown us. The students have also been learning "Isn't He Wonderful". This is great song that reminds us of all the wonderful things God has done for us.

Movement Time:
In movement this week the students have been able to continue playing the Go Car Go game. I have introduced signs into the game for the students. One sign is red and says 'STOP' and the other is green and says 'GO'. The students have to pay attention to which sign is being shown throughout the game so that they do not get in a 'car accident'. We have also been warming up with scarves this week. The students are able to dance and move throughout the warm up songs with the scarves.

Music Time:
In music, the students have been able to use shakers. We are working on keeping a steady beat. The students have been learn 'Alleluia, Praise be the Lord!' as well as 'We Are Marching in the Light of God'. The students use the shakers to keep the beat throughout Alleluia. They are also able to do some actions with the songs to get their bodies moving. 

Small Group Time:
The KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) this week is about the Natural and Physical World. The students are working on their 5 senses this week.

Tuesday: The students were able to look into touch. They focused on being able to describe various items using different words like: hard, soft, sticky, smooth, rough.
Wednesday: They were using touch and smell this day. The students were given a mystery basket to feel and smell the items. They had to figure out what type of item they thought was in the bag. They were also asked to describe the item.
Thursday: The students were able to taste, smell and describe fruits. They were able to use various descriptive words to complete this task.
Friday: The students had to listen and identify sounds. They were given an activity in which their eyes were closed and they needed to identify the mystery sound.

Afternoon Story:
Just Go to Bed by Mercer Mayer

Afternoon Tables:
The students can choose from snack, the sensory table or one of the table activities that are available to them.

Tuesday(Fine Motor): sorting pie with tweezers, LCR and memory matching.
Wednesday(Manipulatives): cutting out their own letters, alphabet tree matching activity and cutting yarn.
Thursday(Art/Literacy): Eric Carle books available to look at, creating a picture like Eric Carle using various art supplies 
Friday(Sensory): hair gel with beads and spoons or sensory bottles

Jesus Loves the Little Children

The students have been very busy this week! They have been able to use new items in the art area to create cards and little gifts for people in their lives. They continue to make items for those they care about and use the valentine's theme of the items to create for their friends in the room too! The students are also excited because we have been using Go Noodle to do some new Zumba videos. The students love being able to dance with one another during work time. We also do a few silly songs and stretching through this website!

The students doing Go Noodle!

Morning Stories:
Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
Sugar White Snow and Evergreens by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky
Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni
The Tree House that Jack Built by Bonnie Verburg and Mark Teague
A Big Guy Took My Ball by Mo Willems

Planning/Recall Time:
The students have been able to 'pass the beanbag' to plan this week. We use a jingle, "Pass and pass the beanbag, pass it pass it 'round. Pass and pass the beanbag (student's name) plans (or recalls) now!"

Sensory Table:
This week the students have been able to play in water. In the water we have two boats, penguins and some whales for the students to use! The students love being able to play in the water. This is something we have not done it a long time. 

Bible Time:
In bible this week, the students have been able to learn about Jairus' Daughter. In this lesson, the students are able to see Jesus demonstrate his almighty power. A man named Jairus came to Jesus with a plea for help. His daughter was sick and dying. Throughout their journey to see Jairus' daughter, he received news that his daughter had died. Jesus wanted the man to keep his trust in Him. He needed to believe in Jesus and His power. When they got to the house, Jesus used his almighty power to bring the daughter back to life. It is wonderful for the students to hear about God's power and how he is able to perform miracles. The students focused on John 14:19, "Because I live, you also will live." They have been singing the song 'Jesus loves the little Children.' What wonderful reminder of God's grace in our lives. *We use the Christ Light curriculum. 

Movement Time:
The students have been playing a new game this week! They have been playing Go Car Go! They have been learning what green lights, yellow lights, and red lights mean. The students are focusing on being able to listen to the directions and follow them immediately. They have to watch out for those around them and make sure to listen so that they do not get in a 'car accident.' They have had to listen to the instruction, but now the students will need to follow the signs that they see for the rest of the week. Is the sign green, yellow or red? They need to comprehend what each color is telling them to do and then demonstrate their knowledge throughout the game. *We use the SPARK curriculum.

Music Time:
In music this week, they have been focusing on phrases. They have been reviewing different songs to help them understand this concept. They have also learned a new song this week, the 'Wiggle Song.' In reviewing other songs, the students will also begin to review 'I've Got Peace Like A River' since the students will be singing in church early in March.

Small Group Time:

The KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) this week is Numbers. The students have been doing various activities to help them recognize a written number.

Monday: The students went on a number hunt. The students worked as partners to be able to find the three hidden numbers in the room. They were given a written example of the number before having to search in the classroom.

Tuesday: They had to go on another number hunt, but this time the students were given magazine pages. When they found a number, they had to cut it out of the magazine and identify it.

Wednesday: They were given number cards and a pipe cleaner. The students then had to make the numbers using their pipe cleaner. This proved to be difficult for some of the numbers, but the students persevered throughout the activity.

Thursday: The students were given numbered cars. They had to find the matching 'parking spots' for these cards on a piece of paper. The numbers ranged from 1 to 20.
Friday: The students were asked to go on another number hunt in the classroom. This time the students were to do the hunt independently. They were given a number card and had to find the three matches in the classroom.

Afternoon Story: 
Franklin Plants a Tree by Paulette Bourgeois

Afternoon Table Activities:
The students are able to choose from snack, the sensory table, or one of the given activities.

Monday(Math): egg carton numbers and match the dot sticks to the written number, cut out various shapes (circle, square, rectangle and triangle)
Tuesday(Fine Motor): written names on a popsicle stick and find the matching clothespins for each letter, putting beads into various holes in a container
Wednesday(Manipulatives): straws being placed into containers through holes, link n logs and floor puzzles
Thursday(Art/Literacy): animal foot print art, lego painting, animal books
Friday(Sensory): sensory bags and oobleck!

I've Got Love Like An Ocean

The students have had a busy week! We are excited to be preparing for Family Movie Night on February 14th. I strongly encourage you all to attend this event as a family. There will be games, snacks and obviously a movie! It will be a fun time for socializing with fellow families of not only the preschool but also the grade school!

Our new hair salon!

Morning Stories:
The Snowy Rescue by M. Christina Butler
My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems
Peter's Chair by Ezra Jack Keats
The Bag I'm Taking to Grandma's by Shirley Neitzel
There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow by Lucille Colandro

Planning/Recall Time:
This week the students have been using a telescope to do their planning. They are able to look through the telescope at the various items in the classroom to be able to plan and also recall.

Sensory Table:
In the sensory table this week we have dinosaurs, volcanoes and lentils. The students have really enjoyed being able to use the dinosaurs and during work time. They can create an environment or scenery to help with their play. 

Bible Time:
Just a reminder: we use the Christ Light bible curriculum during this time. The students have been studying more about Jesus and the Paralyzed Man. God is a great blessing in this story as well as in our lives. We know that he can help heal our bodies and our souls. As it says in 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." We can always remember that we can cast any of our worries or burdens on Him who strengthens us. He will continue to provide for us each day just as he provided and blessed the paralyzed man. The students were able to review a song from September this week, 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus'. The students have also shown interest in reviewing 'I've Got Peace Like a River'.

Movement Time:
We use the SPARK curriculum for our movement time. This week the students have been focusing more on created a T for Table. They are able to successfully lift their stomachs to the sky. We have been working on stomping our feet while counting to ten in this hold position. The students have challenged themselves to lifting a hand or leg as well. This can be difficult for some, with practice the students will continue to get better!

Music Time:
During music we use the Sing and Make Music curriculum. This week we have been focusing on phrases. The students have been learning the "Eency Weency Spider." I have also introduced them to the story book that goes with the song that has several other verses and pictures to go along with the book. The students enjoy being able to add more verses to their knowledge. It is hard for them to realize the words change when each verse begins the same. We are working on this while reading the story. 

Small Group Time:
We use the HighScope Curriculum in our classroom. During small group the students focus on a KDI (Key Developmental Indicator). This week the students focused on fine motor skills. Children demonstrate dexterity and hand-eye coordination in using their small muscles. 

Monday: The students were able to use their fine motor skills by attempting to 'free' the beads from the yarn. The students had to remove the knots in the string to get the bead free. This proved to be challenging for the students but helped them show perseverance to solve the problem.
Tuesday: They were able to use stickers. This proves to be difficult for some of the students. We continue to review this concept throughout the year. 
Wednesday: The students were able to sort pom poms using clothespins. The idea of having to use a clothespin is difficult for some to do. They were able to practice this skill and do it to the best of their ability.

Thursday: The students were able to place straws into the holes of containers. They had to focus on being able to place the straw inside of the hole throughout the activity.
Friday: The students were challenged to cut various types of lines. The students worked with straight, zigzag, and wavy lines.

Afternoon Stories:
Franklin and the Birthday Party by Paulette Bourgeois

The students were able to create a ramp
using some of our toys!

Afternoon Table Activities:
During this part of the day, the students are waking up from nap. They are able to choose from snack, the table activities or the sensory table.

Monday(Math): taped shapes were on the table - students must sort actual items into the right shape.
Tuesday(Fine Motor): Sorting noodles by color with tweezers and spelling words with letter cards and clothespins.
Wednesday(Manipulatives): Magnets, ramps and a marble run.
Thursday(Art/Literacy): making a coat using buttons and various items, various letters that students must place counting bears on.
Friday(Sensory): rices with scoops and finding your letters that are hiding in the rice.

I've Got Peace Like a River

It has been a busy week! The students were able to have a visit from the Alaska Zoo and do some celebrating. They were able to celebrate their 100th day of school! For the last few weeks we have been collecting change, pajamas, books, jeans, puzzles, and items for a homeless care package! The students were very excited to be able to help put these items together to be sent to those in need. What a wonderful way to celebrate our blessings! 

Morning Stories:
Whistle for Willie by Ezra Jack Keats
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
The Hat by Jan Brett
Llama Llama Gram and Grandpa by Anna Dewdney
Goodnight Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

Planning/Recall Time:
The students were able to fill out a sticker chart. In the chart, the students placed a sticker where ever they wanted to play in the classroom. When recalling, the students were able to add another sticker to the areas that they followed through with in their plan.

Sensory Table:
This week the students were able to have paper towels tubes and various tubes with pom poms. The students were able to use sticks to push the pom poms through the tubes.

Bible Time:
The students have been able to hear the story of how Jesus calms the storm this week! Pastor Ewings was able to come in to share this story with the children and act out what a storm might be like! He used his almighty power to help the disciples when they were afraid. Jesus is our help in every need, our source of peace and confidence! Through him we know that everything will be ok. We have no reason to be afraid when God is on our side. They also focused on Psalm 124:8, "Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." The students have learned 'I've Got Peace like a River' which helps us remember that God is in control over our lives.

Movement Time:
The students have been focusing on a bridge once again. They are working on doing various movements and challenges along with making a bridge. They are getting better at this and are able to hold themselves up for a good amount of time. They enjoy being able to do a warm up activity before class begins. 

Music Time:
This week they have been using various instruments to help them with Timbre. They have been learning a new song about using instruments as well as reviewing old songs but adding instruments to them. The students enjoy being able to learn more about the instruments and how to use them. There are several different types of instruments for the students to choose from throughout the music lesson.

Small Group Time:
This week they are focusing on a KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) about alphabet knowledge. Children are able to identify letter names and their sounds.

Monday: The students were able to complete an activity based on one of their morning stories this week. This activity was a coconut tree with all lowercase letters. The students had to take stickers with the lowercase letters and match them up.

Tuesday: They were able to trace their name a few times and write their names on the bottom. Students were able to work on using an uppercase letter to begin their name, followed by lowercase letters for the rest.

Wednesday: The students were able to help create care packages and organize items for the 100th day of school!
Thursday: The students were able to search through various sensory bins looking for the letters to spell their names. The students were given their names written out and went on a hunt to find those letters in the tubs.
Friday: They were able to find their letters in the letter tile groups. The students attempted to spell their names using these letters.

Afternoon Story:
Franklin and the Hero by Paulette Bourgeois

Afternoon Tables:
The students are able to choose from various table activities, snack or the sensory table.

Monday(Math): geoboards, numbered cards to park in their proper parking spot.
Tuesday(Fine Motor): puzzles, tweezers with pom poms to sort.
Wednesday (Manipulatives): little legos, long rolls of paper to paint race car tracks.
Thursday(Art/Literacy): paper towel stamping to make fireworks, alphabet puzzles with pictures of an item (find the missing letters)
Friday(Sensory): tubs of water with droppers, sensory bottles

100th day of school celebration!
Helping pack up items for those in need.

Fisher of Men

Can you believe that the hundredth day of school is just around the corner?! I am so thankful to have your children as students in my classroom. For the hundredth day of school this year we are collecting several items to donate to those in need! I am so thankful that so many of you have brought in donations for our project this year! Thank you so much for contributing and helping out with a wonderful event! This week the students have been busy enjoying class time but also this beautiful weather! They love being able to sled now that we have a decent amount of snow.

Morning Stories:
Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andreae
Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker
A Very Special Snowflake by Don Hoffman
Rainbow Fish to the Rescue by Marcus Pfister
The Mixed Up Chameleon by Eric Carle

Planning/Recall Time:
This week the students were given a different number card each day. When the teacher raised their number they had to identify the number and then plan/recall.

Sensory Table:
They were able to play with building blocks and shaving cream this week. The students were able to create and build while having a substance to help the blocks stick together.

Bible Time:
This week the students were able to learn how Jesus chose Peter, James, and John to be his disciples. Jesus trained these fishermen for the work of spreading the gospel! They saw Jesus teach other and listened while he taught them God's Word. The students were able to focus on Romans 10:17, "Faith comes from hearing the message." They were able to learn a song about being Fisher's of Men. They have enjoyed being able to hear about God's power and how he works in our hearts to create that life saving faith. What a wonderful blessing.

Movement Time:
The students were able to work with their homes this week. They focused on jumping inside and outside their homes. We were able to work on doing this with two feet and one. They enjoyed being able to challenge one another to a different way of jumping inside and outside of the home. We will continue to add various moves and ideas to this concept throughout the week. The students will attempt to do this with one leg as well.

Music Time:
This week in music the students have been focusing on Timbre. We have been using the jingle bells to help relay this concept to the students. They have been able to learn a song called 'Ring and Ring the Jingle Bells' and also 'He's got the whole world in his hands'. This is a fun song for the students to learn with the actions!

Small Group Time:
In small group this week the students have been focusing on one KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) Experimenting: Children experiment to test their ideas.

Tuesday: The students were able to have experiment with milk, dish soap and food coloring. The students were able to see how the food coloring reacted when the dish soap was added to the mixture.

Wednesday: The students were able to experiment with the concept of buoyancy. They were able to test various items on whether or not they would float or sink.
Thursday: They were able to experiment and play with Oobleck! This was a great sensory item for the students and will cause various questions and theories during the experiment.
Friday: They will be able to add colored water to a mixture of glue and salt to spell their names! 

Afternoon Story:
Franklin Goes to the Hospital by Paulette Bourgeois

Afternoon Table Activities:
Students will be able to choose from the various activities, snack and the sensory table.

Tuesday(Fine Motor): lacing cards, coloring and writing, or making car tracks with paint.
Wednesday(Manipulatives): nuts, bolts and screws or the marble run.
Thursday(Art/Literacy): animal magazines from National Geographic or creating a marble art picture.
Friday(Sensory): Floam or sensory bottles

Alleluia

The students were able to focus specifically on letters this week. Not only did the students do activities with letters, but they were also able to take one of the morning stories we have and create their own picture! The students were very excited for these hands on activities about 'Swimmy!' They enjoyed being able to work with a new toy in the classroom - a workbench! They were able to create several different items with the workbench. The students have had a busy week so far!

Morning Stories:
Who goes there? by Karma Wilson
The adventures of Gary and Harry by Lisa Matsumoto
Swimmy by Leo Lionni
White Snow, Bright Snow by Alvin Tresselt
Who was here? by Mia Posada

Planning/Recall Time:
This week the students were able to 'receive' a telephone call and were able to share their plan or recall what they did during work time.

Sensory Table:
They were able to have water in the table this week. Each day has been a different color and some days bubbles are added! The students have enjoyed being able to use funnels, scoops and bottles to create 'juice'.

Bible Time:
What a wonderful occasion it is when someone becomes a member of God's family through Baptism! This week the students were able to hear the story about Jesus being baptized by John. Pastor Ewings came in to talk to the children about baptism. He explained to the children that members of God's family receive forgiveness of sins and inherit life and salvation. Even though Jesus was not sinful, his baptism marked the beginning of his teaching ministry. The students focused on Galatians 4:4, "When the time had fully come, God sent his Son." They also learned a song to go with their bible passage (sung to the tune of London Bridge) "When the time had fully come, fully come, fully come, When the time had fully come, God sent his Son."

Movement Time: 
The students have been able to focus on lines. They are able to use their bodies in various ways to move on the lines. The students have been asked to balance, hop, walk, and run on the lines. They are able to focus on using their bodies correctly while also focusing on staying on the lines.

Music Time:
They have been reviewing a previous lesson from the beginning of the year. The students are able to review "Hey Betty Martin" and focus more on rhythm once again. They have been looking to old songs to help them remember this concept and review the meaning of rhythm in music. 

Small Group Time:
The KDI (Key Developmental Indicator) for this week was Phonological Awareness: Children identify distinct sounds in spoken language. 

Monday: The students were able to go on a letter hunt in the classroom. They were asked to recognize the sound that their letter made. They were given an upper and lowercase letter to trace at the beginning of the lesson. After tracing their letters, they were able to hunt for a letter hard that resembled the letters that they traced. 
Tuesday: They were able to use letter cards once again. They had different letters than the previous day. They once again were asked to recognize the sound. This time the students were creating the letters using playdough. The students were able to place the playdough on the card or also make the letter off to the side on the table.

Wednesday: We were able to create one of the characters from our morning stories this week. Each student was able to create their own 'Swimmy' with watercolor paint. After painting, the students were able to cut out their Swimmy. 

Thursday: The students were able to review some of the letters in the name of 'Swimmy' and also decorate their fish while creating an underwater background.
Friday: We were able to read through the story and students raised a quiet thumb (this is our version of raising their hands) every time they heard the 's' sound. After completing this activity, the students were able to add their fish on the background and decorate even more.

Afternoon Stories:
Finders Keepers for Franklin by Paulette Bourgeois

Afternoon Table Activities:
During this time, students are able to choose between snack, the sensory table and the following activities:

Monday (Math): park the numbered car in its parking spot, 'Sort it Out!' books.
Tuesday (Fine Motor): giant beads and string, tweezers with pom poms.
Wednesday (Manipulatives): LCR, puzzles and Picturica.
Thursday (Art/Literacy): Stamps, books on winter, finger painting.
Friday (Sensory): corn sensory bins and sea shells with sand.

The students have a new
workbench in the classroom!