Angels Watching Over Me

I am so glad to have all of our students returning after such a long Christmas break! I pray you all had a wonderful time with friends and family celebrating Jesus birth! The students have had a busy week filled with new classroom items, a new room arrangement and some new students joining our classroom! We will officially have 20 students now, what a blessing!

Morning Stories:
"The Duckling gets a cookie?" by Mo Willems
"Snow Dog, Go Dog!" by Deborah Heiligman
"The Princess and the Pig" by Jonathan Emmett
"The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats
"Snowmen All Year" by Caralyn Buehner

Planning/Recall Time:
The students were able to spin a bottle. When the bottle spin pointing toward one of the students it was their turn to plan/recall. 

Sensory Table: 
In the sensory table this week, the students were able to manipulate slime. The students have enjoyed being able to play with this blue glitter filled substance. To make the slime we used liquid starch, glitter, water and food coloring.

Bible Time:
This week the students have been hearing about how God kept Jesus safe from King Herod. The students have enjoyed being able to hear how God used his power to protect Jesus while he was a baby. This week the students were able to have a visit from Pastor Chris Ewings. He was able to tell the story to the students as well as a song. They quickly picked up on the bible story and will be able to retell the story later this week. They focused on Psalm 91:11, "He will command his angels...to guard you in all your ways." They were also able to learn a catchy song this week. The words are sung to the tune of "London Bridge" - 'Angels watching over me, over me, over me, They are friends I cannot see. Jesus sends them. Jesus is my friend each day, friend each day, friend each day, Jesus comes and he will stay Close beside me."

Movement Time:
This week the students have been reviewing creative students. I have had the students push their stomachs to the sky while being on the hands and feet. We are able to do this successfully as well as lift one leg at a time or one hand at a time. We then review the 'bridge' concept from earlier this year. The students were able to make the bridge and lift a foot or hand while holding their position. The students have enjoyed being able to challenge one another to a different position. The students also enjoy warming up to movement class with the 'popcorn song'.

Music Time:
They have been focusing on rhythm this week. We are able to do this by reviewing songs but adding actions with them to help us with our rhythm while singing. The students have also enjoyed being able to learn "Teddy Bear" this week. At first the students were learning the words, now we are able to add actions to the song. "Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear turn around. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear touch the ground. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear stand up straight. Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear you did great!"

Small Group Time:
This week the students are focusing on Tools and Technology: Children explore and use tools and technology.

Monday: The students were able to work with foam, golf tees, and hammers. They were able to work on hammering the tee into the foam. They needed to focus on being able to hit the tee and not the foam or their fingers. The students did a great job!

Tuesday: They were able to work with washers, nuts and bolts. The students were able to construct various things with the items. We had toy versions as well as the real items for the students to attempt to use. 
Wednesday: They were able to use rulers to measure various items in the classroom. They were able to recognize which items were longer or shorter than the ruler. This is something we will review again in the future.
Thursday: The students will be able to use hammers, screwdrivers and various other tools to remove items from a frozen tundra.
Friday: The students are able to have all of the items from this week available for use. They are able to choose how they would like to use their tools. 

Afternoon Story:
Franklin and the Bad Day by Paulette Bourgeois

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

Monday(Math): numbered muffin tins with buttons and Sort it Out! (books)
Tuesday(Fine Motor): scissors with paper, writing letters using the mailbox.
Wednesday(Manipulatives): various board games for the students to learn how to plan. (Candyland, LCR)
Thursday(Art/Literacy): Chalk art, folk tale books and sensory bottles.
Friday(Sensory): glurch, slime and flubber.