Monday, March 24, 2014

Listening Center

We have had a Listening Center under the Reading Loft for a couple of weeks, now.  Originally, it was set up for two students to use at a time.  Lately a trio of girls wanted to use the Center.   The three girls had been playing so nicely together for awhile now and  I wanted to encourage their continued cooperative play.  We found another set of headphones and all three continued to play together happily!




Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Angry Kids and Stressed out Parents

How to Stop Crime, Save Billions,
& Raise Happier, Healthier Children

Premieres on CBC Television Doc Zone Thursday, March 27 at 9 pm (9:30 pm NT) Repeats Saturday, March 29 at 11 pm ET (8 pm PT) on CBC News Network.

Watch Trailer here:       http://youtu.be/I-BZNSAyNk8

Friday, March 14, 2014

Pizza

Today, Mrs. McKay cooked with us in the kitchen.  We made our own pizzas!

First, we pressed the dough down with the palm of our hand.


Then, we spread pizza sauce on the dough.




We added pepperoni.






Mrs. McKay asked if we wanted cheese and spread it on the pizzas.  She put it in the oven and we went back to the classroom.  We waited for the pizzas to cook.


Finally, the best part!  Eating!










THANKS MRS. McKay!  You are the greatest!























Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Robots

A couple of days ago, one of the boys decided he was making a robot at the art center.  He was quite engaged in it!
He decided to improve the product by painting it.


His enthusiasm was contagious, and other students began to make robots, too.  This is the kind of art we encourage in Pre K.  Creativity was flowing!  The children used their own talents, abilities and ideas to make original pieces of art.  Bravo!


















Sunday, March 9, 2014

Cardboard Blocks

Last week we brought out the cardboard blocks.  The kids had a great time building.  Great activity for Math ( measuring, comparing, patterns), language, social skills and pretending and creating.






Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Journal Writing

We "write" in our Journals nearly everyday.  Pre K writing looks different for different students.

For some students "writing" involves drawing pictures.

Some drawings can be quite detailed.

Other students are at the exploration stage.  They are discovering what the materials can do.  Some students are working on holding the pencils and crayons with the proper grasp.  Holding the crayon properly requires strong muscles in the fingers, hands and arms.  To help students strengthen their fine motor skills, we play with Playdough, plasticine, Theraputty, scissors, zippers and Lite Brite. We squeeze spray bottles, and eye droppers.  We paint, glue,and staple.  

Some students have begun to print letters or words in their journals.  

When parents come for interviews at the end of March, they are invited to view their child's journal.