I unfortunately have been having some computer problems, and didn't want to post without access to all of the wonderful photos we have! But I still haven't been able to manage, so hopefully we can add some great shots soon. Hang in there for the post, this might take a bit...
Celebrating Christmas
We gathered with Mrs. Carina's 3-4s class to decorate Christmas cookies, eat popcorn, and watch "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Everyone looked nice and cozy in their pajamas and enjoyed the break from our regular routine to celebrate together.
Following our party, several parents and siblings were able to join us and watch our book exchange. Learning the "left, right" concept didn't seem to stick especially well, but everyone had fun—that's what counts, right? (We'll keep working on left and right, too). Singing Christmas carols was a lot of fun, and the kids really enjoyed showing off their "Who Was There" song in which we recount the presence of Mary, Joseph, angels, and shepherds the day baby Jesus was born.
I hope Christmas was fun and festive for your families, and full of cheer and God's love, just as we present each day at school!
Welcome Back to a New Year!
The class excitedly returned to find 2010 gone and 2011 here to stay! We made a list of what we would each like to learn in the new year, and will read it in May before school ends to see how far we made it in our goals!
Centers January 4-13
We explored a new variety of centers the last two weeks, including Art, Read around the Room, Math, ABC's, Reading Loft, Science, Water Station, Games, and Drama.
In Art we first made snow scenes using glue on black paper covered with silver glitter to reveal a sparkly wonderland of snow. How appropriate considering the massive amounts January has dumped on us so far! We also used cookie cutters to stamp snowflakes and use our creativity to design each picture according to each individual's design.
Read around the Room led us to discover words and beginning concepts of reading. Hidden around the classroom were 10 labels, on or near the object they represented (i.e. the label "window" was on the window, "door" on the door). The students had to locate the words and practice copying them onto lined paper. It was so fun to go around the room as they made their discoveries and watch their eyes light up as they realized what word they were copying! "What letter does this word start with?" "T." "Hm, what word could this be that starts with the letter 'T'?" "Table!" And it was great practice for letter identification as well as writing technique. I hope you were able to distinguish some of the words they came home with!
Math station allowed us to practice number recognition and cognition by counting the number of snowflakes and then matching them with the correct numeral. We also made number books to practice writing our numbers.
ABC station allowed us to practice writing in a fun, new way: with shaving cream! We spent a lot of time the first semester working on writing our first names, and are beginning to add our last name along with it. Writing in shaving cream was a great way to start out that practice!
The Reading Loft again offered quiet refuge for a brief portion of the day. We love our new loft from the K-State Development Center!
To go along with our snow theme, our Science station allowed us to create "snow." Students watched as one scoop of snow powder was carefully measured out and mixed with a little bit of water, creating a fun mixture similar to real snow. Exploring with hands is crucial to the learning process, and most kids enjoy a bit of mess along with it. :)
Games station taught us to follow rules and to take turns by playing CandyLand. A few disagreements ensued, but it allowed social development and taught the students to use the self-control we've discussed all year and work out their differences between themselves. And everyone was able to enjoy a new game in the meantime!
We brought puppets into our Drama Station for the week and encouraged imaginative play with props. We discussed polar animals one of the center weeks, so many students chose to be polar bears, penguins, and other arctic animals during this play.
At the Water station we played "Cold Paleontologist" and went on a dig to uncover dinosaurs frozen beneath the ice. The classroom was pretty noisy, but the dig was so fun!
Other Activities
Songs: Along with our usual FrogStreet songs, we found a few to fit the themes of our weeks. Here are the lyrics in case you want to practice poems and motion at home:
Snowman
I am a snowman made of snow (stand still)
I stand quite still at Ten below.
With a big long carrot for a nose (point to nose)
And worn out shoes to make my toes (point to toes)
I have two apples for my eyes, (point to eyes)
And a woolen coat about this size. (measure with hands)
I have a scarf that's warm and red. (grab neck)
And a funny hat upon my head. (tap hands on head)
The sun is coming out…… Oh dear! (Look worried)
The sun is melting me I fear (slowly sink to floor)
Oh my, I was so nice and round,
Now I'm just a puddle on the ground! (sit or lay on floor)
Penguin
I know a bird
That cannot fly:
Penguin is its name.
It cannot fly,
But it can swim
With speed that wins it fame!
I know a bird
That lives on ice
And waddles by the sea.
It looks so cute
In its black and white suit,
As handsome as can be!
Snowball Fight:
As a special closing activity we headed into the multi-purpose room for a snowball fight. Everyone did a great job following directions and playing nicely with our cotton ball "snowballs." Once the class figured out their teacher was a target, controlled madness arose and they enjoyed pelting me with their snow. We relaxed and cooled off by enjoying snow slushes in the classroom.
