Back to School

What a fun start to our new year! We spent the week making new friends and learning the rules of school, as well as the rules God gave to his people through Moses. Take a look at some of the fun we had together:

Mrs. Nanette reads from the Bible about Moses receiving rules from God

Sand is always more fun when it's colored!

Micah and Hannah work on a 10 Commandments train

Friends practice our class rules: sharing and being kind!

Our friends watch our turtles, Prometheus (we call him Mr. P) and Dreamer

Connor and Lauren practice recognizing and writing numbers

"Roll the Block" allowed each student to take turns matching shapes

Our Math Centers this week included Estimation, Shapes and Patterns, Games, Number Sense, and Teacher Station. We guessed how many pencils were in a jar then counted the appropriate amount. Shapes and Patterns introduced an ABAB pattern using school supply pictures. Our game, Roll the Block, allowed each child to roll a die and match the shape with an image corresponding on their paper. Number Sense played "How Much is that Doggie in the Window" and counted the correct number of toys to give their pet. Finally, I worked to assess initial knowledge of counting and number recognition in a one-on-one setting.

Literacy Centers included ABC Station, Reading Loft, Word Wall, Word Work, and Teacher Station. "Roll a Letter" was similar to our math game, but allowed kids to name letters and practice tracing them. In the reading loft, literacy and book interest is encouraged for all students to spend time looking at books. Word Wall gave each child a special wand to wander the classroom and name letters they could find around the room. Word Work played "Beginning Sounds Cover Up"--each child spun and matched the beginning sound of a picture with the letter the spinner landed on. For example, landing on B, a boat would be colored. I also worked during this center time to assess initial capital and lowercase letter recognition one-on-one.

Look in the hallway for our Rainbow Names to correspond with the Science/Math concept of Rainbow Colors. We also introduced "reflection" and looked in the mirror to create a self-portrait. Venn diagrams were also introduced this week and will be used throughout the year to express similarities and differences.

We learned a lot of new songs, including "School is Fun." Practice singing this with your child at home to encourage the fun time we have at school!

I'm so excited to have another fun year with our preschoolers! I fall more in love with each child every day I see their smiling faces! Have a great weekend, and I'll see you next week!