I, the LORD, am your Savior

I hope you all enjoyed the three day weekend! The students came back to school filled with energy and stories of their weekends. It has been a joy to get back to our school routine. It is great to see how the students have formed relationships with one another. They are starting to remember each other's names, which is always a difficult task!

Morning Stories:

If you give a mouse a cookie by Laura Numeroff

This is NOT my hat by Jon Klassen

Bear and Duck by Katy Hudson

Bark, George! by Jules Feiffer

Otis by Loren Long

Bible Time (One in Christ Curriculum):

This week, the students are focusing on the first sin. It is always hard to understand the concept of a sin, especially when the term is new to us. The students have been hearing that sin is just like making a mistake. Sometimes we do things that we should not to do. It may upset our parents, friends, and our God. One thing we can remember is that God forgives us of our sins. We are so thankful that God forgives us through Christ and that we have the opportunity to share God's Word with those around us. Despite the mistake that Adam and Eve made, God showed His love to them and we can do the same. The bible passage we have focused on this week is from Isaiah 60:16, "I, the LORD, am your Savior." The students have focused on learning the words to Alleluia, which is how we end our bible time each week.

Movement Time (SPARK Curriculum):

Starting and stopping have been the focus this week in movement time. This can be a very difficult task for students to perform. They have been able to review the new terms from our curriculum which are 'homes' and 'neighborhood'. The students have a circle that is identified as their 'home'. These are used throughout the lessons and games that are played. This week, they were able to learn to move their bodies around the 'neighborhood' of homes. They had to listen carefully for the red and green lights (start and stop) during the lesson.

Music Time (Sing and Make Music Curriculum):

The students were introduced to the concept of singing loud and soft this week. They were able to review several songs that we have used since the start of the year. The new song for this week is called 'Listen to me' which has the students focus on listening to the teacher and creating the same type of sound with their voices. They have been able to hear new songs this week which has become a focus along with loud and soft.

Small Group Time (HighScope Curriculum):

Since we had a short week this week, the students are able to learn about an Artist. Throughout the year, the students will have weeks where they will focus on one specific artist, and attempting to create artwork just like theirs. Last time we focused on Vincent Van Gogh. This week we will focus on the abstract art of Mark Rothko.

Tuesday- The students were able to create a piece of art very similar to Mark Rothko. They were able to create three separate rectangles in various colors using paints.

Wednesday- The students were given various shapes to use and were able to create a picture of their choice.

Thursday- After creating the rectangle art piece, the students used triangles to create the same type of concept in various colors.

Friday- They will be able to freely create an art piece similar to Rothko's by using fingerpaints.

Planning and Recall Time:

This week for planning and recall time, the students have used hula hoops. We sit our groups in a circle and rotate the hula hoop while saying, 'acka backa soda cracker, acka backa pow. acka backa soda cracker, (insert student's name) plans now!' They have enjoyed being able to plan and recall in a new way this week.

Afternoon Table Activities:

In the afternoon, students can choose from a variety of activities at the tables, snack or an activity in the water table.

Tuesday(Fine Motor)- colored noodles with string and connecting links.

Wednesday(Manipulatives)- magnets and floor puzzles.

Thursday(Art & Literacy)- Eric Carle books and printed animals to color.

Friday(Sensory)- sensory bottles and bags.