Tuesday May 10th- number review day

 

We started our day with scissor practice then on to upstairs for playing with puzzles, nuts and bolts and the links. While the children played, I pulled each child aside to finish a father’s day questionnaire and father’s day card. Shiann helped us review our colors and shapes and then we had our circle time. Our class reviews the date, counts to 15 and then up to 10 in Spanish. Afterwards, we sing days of the week and Shiann helps with the weather. We still boogie to the alphabet and then we practice our nursery rhyme- Little Boy Blue and the planets song.
The students wiggle as I prep for snack time and then we eat, look at books and Shiann shares her show and tell. It was also Kate’s unbirthday. We sang Happy Birthday to her and she brought a little treat to share with the class.
For our lesson on numbers 1-10, I began with reading “Chicka, Chicka 1, 2, 3” to the students. Zero finally get the opportunity to go up the apple tree and help 10 become 100. I counted to the students up to 100- it must have seemed like forever for them but I know that soon they will be counting to 100 too! To review how to write our numbers, our class gets up and sings the Numeral song which has the students drawing the numbers in the air. Once the song was over, I read the book- “Numbers” to them. We counted each animal group(s) from 1 to 10 as a class. From there, we went to table time and practiced printing our numbers from 1-10. #8 was our hardest one but they did a great job on their own! We collected our things and then went downstairs for movie time. We watched the Leap Frog video- “Math Circus” which reviews the numbers 1-10, counting, addition and subtraction. It also showed counting by ten’s up to 100. I had made them popcorn and we had a great time learning with our video. Once it was completed, we were done for the day!

Monday May 9th- traditional games

 

 

 

We started our Monday with scissor practice and then cam upstairs for time with puzzles and the star wars characters that I have. I was doing the rest of our Father’s day gifts with the kids – asking them questions for a questionnaire and having them color their father’s day cards. Ethan was the star and helped with circle time duties. We practiced our sounds to the alphabet. We counted, sang and did the weather with Ethan’s help. We learned our new sight word of the week- mad. I asked them about what other words mean “mad”. Angry and frustrated were my top answers. I asked them when the last time they were angry. I am trying to have them associated the word with the feeling hoping this will help in remembering these sight words. I also reviewed how to sound out the letters and how to blend the word together.
The class wiggled, ate their snacks and we looked at some pictures of Ethan when he was little. It was also Nya’s unbirthday so we sang Happy Birthday to her and the students enjoyed the big birthday cake with candles that she brought to share.
For our lesson, we started our monthly theme of “All about games and sports”. We first talked about games we like to play and we made a chart of games we play inside versus games we play outdoors. I then read a story about Josh’s broken game. It was about a little boy who loved to play video games until it broke and then he discovered playing outside with his friends. We did some reviewing of the story and then played the game- Duck, duck, goose with our classmates.
For our graduation practice, we did a run through of everyone’s poems and practiced our ABC’s in sign language with the song. I also had each child trace the sight word “mad” in their folders on the stickers. Once we completed that, we were done for the day.

Friday May 6th- Mother and father's day gifts

 

Downstairs each child was able to pick which letter they wanted to practice and then we came upstairs for time with the wooden blocks and tinker toys. I was working with each student on helping them dip the mom’s strawberries in chocolate. They had fun making them for you and enjoyed licking the chocolate off their fingers. I got them packaged and then we had a quick circle time as I was the “Star” today. We had calendar, counting, singing and a good review of all of our sight words. After that we wiggled to two songs so that I could lead on the first and then clean up the table on the second. Then it was snack time followed with book exploration and Owen sharing this show and tell since I didn’t have anything to share.
I did read the students two books that I used to read my children when they were young- especially Emma. “Mommies are for counting stars” and “Daddies are for catching fireflies”. They liked the lift the flap parts of the book. After that we colored our questionnaires and drew pictures of mom and me on the back. Then each child printed in the mother’s day cards and added their names. As I prepped for painting time, the students visited with one another- there has been A LOT of visiting today (whether it was welcomed or not). Then I got each student in their aprons and we painted our Father’s day frames with white paint. They did a great job- sorry if you see remnants of white paint on them anywhere. I tried to clean them up as best as possible.
For the rest of the time, we practiced our sign ABC’s and then went into practicing the poems that each child is in charge for on graduation day.

Thursday May 5th- Mother and father's day gifts

Our day started with name practice. I am having each child practice on top of the dotted practice and then write their names on their own underneath. Upstairs I had cars, trucks, babies and wooden blocks ready for play time. I was working with each student on helping them dip the mom’s strawberries in chocolate. They had fun making them for you and enjoyed licking the chocolate off their fingers. I got them packaged and then we had a quick circle time as Payten as our star. It was also Payten’s unbirthday today- she brought the bag of goodies that you might have found in your child’s bag. Everyone love the goodies in those bags too- thanks Mandy for the snacks and goodies this week!
Payten helped with color practice. I have been showing the children the color words so they can start to become familiar with the words of the colors and not just seeing the colors. Circle time was great as we sang and counted and really started to practice for our presentation in a few weeks.
After we wiggled, ate our snacks and sang Happy Birthday to Payten, the children had book time as I prepped for our next activity. Payten shared her show and tell and then we practiced singing our nursery rhyme- Little Boy Blue. At the table, I had our books of the nursery rhyme ready to be colored.
((Side note: Your children will be performing these nursery rhymes at our presentation. I will be sending home their assignments on Tuesday so that you can start practicing at home with them. Each of them will be presenting their nursery rhyme with a friend so they won’t have to go up by themselves and some of my students will have more poems then other because of new friends that have moved in toward the last half of the school year.))
The children colored each page and then we practiced singing the song with our books.
For our lesson time, I read the students two books that I used to read my children when they were young- especially Emma. “Mommies are for counting stars” and “Daddies are for catching fireflies”. They liked the lift the flap parts of the book. After that we colored our questionnaires and drew pictures of mom and me on the back. Then each child printed in the mother’s day cards and added their names.
Then I got each student in their aprons and we painted our Father’s day frames with white paint. They did a great job- sorry if you see remnants of white paint on them anywhere. I tried to clean them up as best as possible. Some of us are messier painters than others.
After our painting, we packed our bags and headed downstairs to finish our day. I hope that the strawberries were enjoyed and that you moms have a very Happy Mother’s day!

Wednesday May 4th- Eric Carle Day

Each student practiced their first and last names and then proceeded upstairs to play with cars, trucks, links, babies and puzzles. I took each child aside today to ask them questions about their mothers for the mother’s day questionnaire and I painted their hand for our strawberry cards for Mother’s day.
Campbell was my star today and helped me with circle time duties. After circle time, we continued to review the word “the” and then we practiced our poem of the month. After that, we wiggled, ate our snacks and explored all of the new books that we have for the month of May.
Today was Eric Carle day and I wanted to highlight this author because many of the books that I have shared and love come from him or he has illustrated many other books. I shared a picture of Eric Carle with the class and then showed them all the books (that I have) from him. I read the class “Does a kangaroo have a mother too?” in honor of mother’s day coming up but we have read “The Hungry Little Caterpillar”, “The Grouchy Ladybug” and “Mister Seahorse” at different times during the year.
To review our days of the week, we complete a printing practice of the days going along with the “The Hungry Little Caterpillar” book. As we wrote each day, we talked about what the caterpillar ate that day. Once we were completed, we got packed up for our next Eric Carle segment. I sent home the sequenced set of all the items that the little caterpillar ate for a fun practice at home. Once bags we packed, we went downstairs for an Eric Carle movie time. I have a few of his books on DVD which the kids seemed to really enjoy- The Hungry Little Caterpillar, Papa bring the moon to me, The Mixed Up Chameleon, and the Quiet Little Cricket. I made them popcorn and we had a fun time watching the books instead of them just being read to us!

Tuesday May 3rd- Shapes review day

 

 

 

 

Each student started the day with scissor practice and then we went upstairs to play with Mr. Potato Head and animals. During this time, I was measuring heights and asking the students questions for their last all about me page for May and also I was asking them questions about their mothers for the mother’s day questionnaire and I painted their hand for our strawberry cards for Mother’s day. (Busy morning)
Payten was my star and helper for circle time-she helped to pass out and collect our shape cards to review for shapes day. I introduced our new month May and the new calendar for it. We counted, sang and boogied to our alphabet song. We also sang to Garrett because today was his unbirthday. After we wiggled we had our snacks and explored all of the new books I had on the shelf for May.
For table time, we completed our last all about me page and then went into our lesson on shapes. We reviewed all the shapes again and talked about the amount of sides and differences and similarities that the shapes have. For matching practice, the students cut out shapes and then had to glue them right next to their matching shape. I really wanted to children to make sure that they were matching them just like the example was showing.
Once that was completed, we read “Shapes that roll” and saw that there are shapes all around our world. After our story, we came back to the table and made a chart of all the shapes that we made so far. Each child colored, cut and glued them on their chart so that it can be displayed so we can always remember the shapes we have learned about this year.
To finish class, I started to work on our newest and last nursery rhyme of the year- Little Boy Blue. We sang to the song a few times and then we were finished for the day. Garrett then handed out his birthday treat- pinwheels.

Monday May 2nd- Opposites: sink and float

 

 

Downstairs we worked on a harder scissor practice and then headed upstairs for play time with animals and duplos. During this time, I was measuring heights and asking the students questions for their last All about me page for May. Benjamin was my star and helper for circle time. I introduced our new month May and the new calendar for it. We also got a new sight word- “the”. This word is very important in our language and I gave many examples of how we use it in our daily language. The students also got into the spirit and started sharing ways they use it too. After our wiggle time, we had our snacks, book time and show and tell with Benjamin.
For table time, we completed our last all about me page. Afterwards, we had our lesson on the opposites of sink and float. I went back to talk about the boats that we saw during our ships and boats day. We talked about what makes a boat float and what kind of materials do float instead of sinking to the bottom.
At the table we got together and did a science experience of our own with things that sink and float. I had found numerous times around the house that could either sink or float. Each child had to first make a guess of whether the item would sink or float and then they would put it into the box of water. Many of our guesses were right on but some were complete surprises! Each child was able to try three different things in the water and then I reviewed again about what items sank and float and how they are opposites because they are completely different.
For sight word practice we reviewed our word – “the” again and each child practiced printing it on their sight word sticker in their folder.
I also introduced our poem for the month- May and helped the kids to visualize all the different phrases in their mind as we rehearsed it. I hope that will help them as we practice it the next few weeks. Once we completed our practice we were done for the day.

Wednesday April 27th- Creatures under the sea

 

Downstairs we practiced our names- first and last. Please have your child practice at home so that they can master their last names as well before the start of Kindergarten. Upstairs I had Mr. Potato Head, big plastic blocks and tinker toys to play with. Zach continued to help with circle time responsibilities and we have started to really practice and fine tune our skills for our graduation.
After wiggle time, we had a fun snack- hot dog octopuses, ketchup and carrots- thanks Donna! A great way to get started with our theme of the day- creatures of the ocean. Zach shared his show and tell and then we went into story time- “Way down deep in the deep blue sea”. It showcased many of the animals that we would be discussing in class today. I reviewed the following- lobster, sea urchin, swordfish, shark, manta ray and a giant squid. For each one I had a song and facts to review the animal.
Afterwards we came to the table to color our lobster and add on its “claws” (Clothespins). Each child colored and cut the lobster out and then all the match up shapes to go along with the lobster. The goal with this activity was to review our shapes and match the correct ones together. It is also great way to work with their fine motor skills in pinching the clothespin together to open it up for the shapes.
I sent the urchin spines number worksheet home for extra practice since we were off of class on Friday.
We practiced our sight words that we have learned as well as reviewing “man”. Once we finished up, we were done for the week.

Tuesday April 26th- White day

The students started the day with scissor practice and then I had babies, little legos and foam blocks for the children to play with. Claire was my star and helped me with circle time routine. After calendar, we met our letter friend- Zach Zebra and how he has a toy zebra that he loves to play with and zippers on his jacket. We each found zippers on our clothing and then discovered the sound that the zipper makes is also the sound of the letter Z. We all sang to our Z song and made the sign for the letter Z- making a Z in the air with our pointer finger. After I reviewed the sound with each child, I gave them their stamp early. Then I read them some words that start with the letter Z. The list was very small. After we practiced our letter, we wiggled, ate our snacks and then explored our April books for the last time. Claire shared her show and tell and then we worked on our Nursery rhyme of the month- Little Bo Peep since today would be the last day we could. Each child colored puppets for the rhyme and then we practiced singing the song with the puppets.
For our lesson on the color white, I read the white poem to them and then we started to discuss all the things that are white in our world. I wanted them to get a good idea of the color white so that they could choose something to draw for their white book which we made at the table after the discussion. Each student practiced their names, colored something that was the color white (with a pencil because white crayons don’t work on white paper) and then they cut out the pictures of the white things on the books. The items were a cloud and a little lamb and then they glued the pictures in the right part of their books. After they finished, I had them go right into coloring the word WHITE with their white crayons. This was futile since you can’t see white crayon on white paper but they had a great go of it and you can see the white coloring on the black outline of the word WHITE. They always want to use the color white but we can only use it in special times- on dark paper so we can see it.
For letter time, I started with our Z story about “Zach the Lazy Zebra” which is a different Zach than our letter friend. No matter how hard the zookeepers tried to get Zach not to sleep they just couldn’t do it- he was too lazy! For our letter practice, we colored our Z page that had a zipper and a zebra on it. We were excited because this was our last letter of the alphabet- we made it through A-Z! Once we were though with practice we cleaned up and were done for the day!

Monday April 25th- Driving under the sea & ocean plant life

Downstairs was scissor practice and then we played with little legos, babies and beads. Zach was our star and helped during circle time. I introduced the new sight word during sight word practice-man. I gave examples of how we use the word man in our daily language. I also taught them about the word woman. We practiced saying it and ways we use it in sentences.
We started practicing our alphabet in sign language since we will be doing the abc’s in sign language at our graduation. After we practiced, we wiggled, ate snack (fun kinds of fishes) and then had some book time. Zach shared his show and tell (pillow pets and his favorite book) and we had a relaxing story time with that.
For our lesson, we talked about submarines and traveling under the sea. We met a scuba diver and all the beautiful things that they saw while they swam under the sea- seaweed, coral, lobster, sea urchin, swordfish, shark, manta ray and a giant squid. We discussed each thing during the next two days of class. For table time, we went to the table and colored our scuba diver, ocean and surroundings. The scuba diver became a puppet and we let him/her swim all over the ocean.
We talked about the coral and seaweed today and where we find it in the ocean. I showed the children in the Magic School Bus book many types of coral and how they are shaped. After we looked at all the different kinds we went to the table to practice matching types of coral together.
After that we practiced printing our word- man in our folders on the practice stickers and then we were finished with our day!