Halloween in Pre K 2015

Click on this link to see an Animoto Slide show of some of our Halloween Activities

http://animoto.com/play/T3KM1ICF3bFWGACMCk4yXw

Fun on the Playground

Welcome!

I had the pleasure of meeting with 3 new students and their families on Friday.  Welcome to Pre K!  We are looking forward to getting to know you!

Don't Throw Away That Bubble Wrap!

I brought some Bubble Wrap to school, today.  Some of the children had a great time playing with it.  Popping the bubbles is great for strengthening the muscles in tiny fingers.  These children are building the muscles that they will need when they are ready to print!  What a fun Fine Motor Skill activity.

October Birthdays

We celebrated our October birthdays with a Birthday Blessing, Birthday Dance and the Birthday Bumps. Happy Birthday, boys!

Mixing Yellow and Red

We have been mixing red and yellow paint to make orange.  We painted paper plates orange and will let them dry until next week, when we can add a stem to make a pumpkin or add facial features to make a jack-o-lantern.

"I Can't"

Many Pre K students come to Pre K with the expression "I can't". Then they wait for an adult to do the task for them.  They wait for an adult to put their shoes on for them, put their coat on for them, draw a picture for them......  They have learned to be helpless.  In Pre K we believe children are capable.  We encourage children to try to do things for themselves.  We praise children when they make an effort and persist at difficult tasks.  We celebrate along with them when they succeed at challenging activities.  Help to build your children's self confidence and abilities by refraining from doing tasks for them that they are capable of doing or trying on their own.  

I saw this on Facebook tonight and I had to share it with you.  It sums it up in a nutshell.

Autumn

We have been playing outside as much as possible lately, enjoying the Autumn weather.  Outside Play provides time to develop gross motor skills.  In the Autumn, Outside Play also provides time to explore the science of ladybugs and leaves.

          

Germs

We have been talking about germs and the importance of washing our hands and covering our coughs and sneezes to stay healthy.  

For a craft, Parents came to help make germ bodies.  Students finished making their germs by adding eyes, mouths, legs and arms.

The finished products are hanging in the hall as a reminder to stay healthy.

Reading in Pre K

In our Pre K classroom, we read chants from a chart stand every morning.  I track the words with a pointer and we all "read" together.  During playtime, I noticed a few children mimicking me.  They were tracking the words and "reading".  What a great literacy activity!  They were pretty good at taking turns, too.  Learning to share and take turns is a social skill that often is a challenge for Pre K students.  Way to go, Pre K!

Construction Zone

We have a construction zone with real hammers and nails.  (Thank you to the parents who made donations!). The kids are having a ball!  Lots of coordination is required.  I have been hearing good language and negotiation taking place too.  What a fun way to learn!

Thank you to this year's first Parent Volunteers!

The last couple of days we have had two parents come to help with a craft.  Mrs. W has been away, sick, so the extra couple of pairs of hands were really appreciated. Thank you so much!