It was another busy and fun-filled week in the Preschool classroom. The children have embraced our current unit of study,
Next, we discussed how many of these modes of transportation are able to move from here to there:
Last week, we encouraged each child to create a story about a journey from here to there. Each child had the opportunity to work with me or with Ms. P. to dictate and illustrate his/her 'journey' story. The following day, we shared the stories with the entire class during morning meeting. It was wonderful to watch each child's face as his/her story was read aloud. There was such pride displayed as the stories were retold and the illustrations were shared. The children will have the opportunity to dramatize these stories next week.
There are many different ways to get from here to there . This is apparent as they actively participate in our discussions, bring in related books and objects from home, and enthusiastically point out things that move from here to there throughout the day. During our meetings last week, we sorted our list of ways to move from here to there into things that move FAST and things that move SLOW. I wrote the FAST and SLOW on two separate pieces of paper in front of the children, pointing out the letters as I wrote the words. Afterward, the children placed the vehicles in the appropriate category. They noticed that some vehicles are able to move FAST and SLOW so we created a third category, FAST/SLOW. Next, we discussed how many of these modes of transportation are able to move from here to there:
- Engines or jet engines move things
- Wings help things fly
- Rockets propel things
- They need pilots, auto pilot, or drivers
- Pedals push things
- Wheels turn to move
- Gas goes in engines
- Wind pushes things
Last week, we encouraged each child to create a story about a journey from here to there. Each child had the opportunity to work with me or with Ms. P. to dictate and illustrate his/her 'journey' story. The following day, we shared the stories with the entire class during morning meeting. It was wonderful to watch each child's face as his/her story was read aloud. There was such pride displayed as the stories were retold and the illustrations were shared. The children will have the opportunity to dramatize these stories next week.
Dictating and Illustrating 'Journey' Stories:
Manipulating Play-Doh:
Rolling, pounding, pushing, pulling - There are many ways to manipulate Play-doh and change its shape. The children were encouraged to work with Play-Doh to create objects that move or modes of transportation that move from here to there.
Making our First Sign-up Sheet:
So many children wanted to work with Play-Doh that we needed to create our first sign-up sheet! Each child who was waiting for a turn added his/her name to the waiting list. I encouraged each child to write as much of his/her name as he/she could. I reminded them that they could look at the job chart if they needed help. This is a terrific way to motivate children to practice writing! When using sign-up sheets, if a child is not yet ready to write his/her name, I will write it for them or they can ask a friend to write it for them.
Creating art that moves in the Studio:
Beads that glide, wire that zips, hoops that roll, yarn that swings, and drawings that become animated when they are moved over the projector. Oh how many ways there are to create art that moves from here to there!
Creating a habitat for a baby squirrel in LTL:
A friend of PJS found a baby squirrel, Harvey, that needed to be rescued. Harvey was bottle fed and taken care of for several weeks. He is now ready to be released in the wild to connect with other squirrels. Mrs. Z. brought Harvey into school for the few days before his release. Our class learned about squirrels and then created a habitat to keep Harvey safe and comfortable while he visited PJS. We wish Harvey the best of luck on his reentry into the wild! We were lucky to have met him!