This week in the Inquirers we completed two letters out of the four remaining for our "ABC Book". We talked about the different sounds a U makes and decorated umbrellas; we also drew zebra stripes with oil pastels and tried to brainstorm as many words as we could that began with the letter Z. (We ended up making up a few goofy words of our own.) We did the letter X last week and played with xylophones, which led many of the children to realize that a lot of letters sound like one another.
In music this week we continued practicing our nice singing voices and did a lot of dancing. Today we are having a few "little critters" visit during specials time thanks to one of our two year old parents. (The Inquirers are hoping she brings turtles and alligators!) (Update: she brought turtles, salamanders, snakes, frogs and crabs! Check out the videos on the photo site!) One of the biggest changes I have seen as a teacher over the past three weeks or so has been their muscle control in their hands when using scissors. This week especially, in the writing center, we have had a lot of interest in trying to cut shapes out of paper instead of just "chopping". We even gave them the opportunity to cut out their umbrellas themselves for their ABC book that will go home at the end of next week. ¡Yo Veo! In Spanish class we reviewed some of the major concepts we've studied such as feelings, colors, calendar and clothes. We then used a spyglass or catalejo to play "I Spy!" (Yo Veo). It was challenging to find a color and not say who was wearing it. What a fun year we've had together in Spanish! It has truly been a pleasure to teach your sweet children. Mrs. Trice and Mrs. Ines Our photos are here.
0 Comments
Thank you to all of the families who came out to support your children on Portfolio Night.
In Spanish this week: ¡Grande y Chiquito! In Spanish this week we reviewed the concept of grande y chiquito (big and little). We also read the next part of Ricitos de oro y Los Tres Osos (Goldilocks and the three bears). Our photos are here. Don't forget we are closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Have a safe weekend! This week in the Inquirers the children showed a lot of interest in the animals and insects that are brought out by the warm weather. We wrapped up our discussions about caterpillars and how they become butterflies and moved on to tidepools and the creatures we find there when we go to the beach. We also talked about birds and their nests because the Lewis family brought in a bluebird nest and 2 books about birds. The first book showed us how they live, what they eat and how the moms and dads take care of their babies. The second book was a fable-like story about a friendship between a blue bird and broken robot. Thank you to Benjamin for sharing these with the class!
We "broke in" the new grass and enjoyed the pretty weather with relay races, duck goose and an obstacle course with rolling , leaping over hurdles, kicking / throwing balls into goals and running in silly patterns and playing frisbee. We also had a few friends who asked how to do a cartwheel so Mrs. Trice showed them how to safely and correctly practice it with a teacher and adequate space. In sign language we learned to count to 10 in sign. We sang 1,2, buckle my shoe with our hands and we played a game where we rolled dice and put that number of fruit in the basket. In music we practiced beats with instruments and sticks and practiced using our singing voices. Don't forget about portfolio night this Thursday the 21st. Spanish update: ¿Es GRANDE o chiquito? This week in Spanish we talked about big and small. We studied pairs of objects made up of something big and small: a big whale and small whale, big school bus and small one, big tiger and small one, etc. The children caught on to these words quickly and pronounced them easily as well! We also reviewed colors, sang songs, and began reading the book, Ricitos de Oro y los Tres Osos, "Goldilocks and the Three Bears"- the perfect book for talking about big and little! At home, make big arms and say GRANDE, hold up your fingers an inch and say chiquito : ) Our photos are here. This week in the Inquirers we have been busy expanding on our seasons. The books in our reading center were replaced with topics that ranged from gardening, to the beach, and other outdoor *spring* activities. We also talked about what animals and insects were coming out as the warm weather rolls in (specifically frogs, birds, and caterpillars). We even had the chance to create some butterflies and talk about the cocoons we have seen pop up outside over the last week.
In small groups we took turns matching caterpillars decorated with different numbers of dots (Pom poms) to the right number through sight recognition, and then put them in order from 1 to 9. We also discussed the upcoming Mother's Day and even created cards sharing why we loved our mommies. In music Mrs.Fripp broke out her guitar and the children rotated between playing their instruments along with her, singing, and matching her beat with rhythm sticks. In Studio we finished up our mixed media projects with Mrs.Neese that we will display on Portfolio night. In sign we helped Mrs. Julie, one at a time, pack and un pack a suitcase of clothes. We also read a big picture book about nine ducks who run away from a crazy fox down to a rickety bridge. The ducks eventually lead the fox to the water where he trips. After getting all wet decides to leave the ducks alone. We used nine wooden ducks and a fox cutout to act out the story with props and the children helped Mrs.Ines not only act it out but count forward and backwards! We also added a dramatic play basket to our centers, with an assortment of dress up clothes for the children to pretend. We look forward to next week. It seems from the children's interests that we may be leaning towards learning about amphibians and reptiles (specifically frogs and snakes), and/or the weather due to the interest in last evenings storm, wind, and clouds. Mrs. Trice and Mrs. Ines Spanish update: Our photos are here. This past week in the Inquirers we had a lot of fun working together on projects. Mrs. Ines led a caterpillar project which can be seen hanging in our classroom. We also made a classroom mural by painting with odds and ends such as string, recyclables, and pom poms.
We replaced our "office" center with large blocks and it had been amazing to see the kids working together to build. In the writing center we have continued practicing our names to go in our portfolios by tracing our names in all capital letters. On Tuesday in sign we learned about animals and helped Mrs.Julie organize and separate them by where they lived (land, water, both). In Music we reviewed the songs we have learned, such as the cowboy dance. In Spanish we learned about "me gusta" (I like) and "no me gusta". We also reviewed our songs head, shoulders, knees and toes, and others about clothing/getting ready in the morning, fish in the sea, and expanded on our song about baby chicks. Mrs. Trice and Mrs. Ines ¿Te gusta? In Spanish we learned the question ¿Te gusta? (Do you like it?), and how to answer it: Sí me gusta (yes I like it), or No me gusta (I don't like it). I showed the children pictures of certain animals, foods, and toys, and found out they have very strong opinions on some of these items! : ) At home: this is an easier expression to pronounce and the children did a great job with it! If you are comfortable, you can practice saying it at home, especially at meal times.......me gusta (along with thumbs up, or a "yummy" pantomime) or no me gusta (along with thumbs down, and a "yucky" face). Our photos are here. |
Details
Class of 2016
Researchers TeachersMolly Fastenau Archives
June 2016
|