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!