As the end of the school year approaches, we have been practicing and reviewing our letter sounds. The children applied those skills to decoding beginning letter sounds. This month, we have focused on A, G and S. In small groups, the boys and girls picked a picture and had to determine which letter sound it began with, A, G or S. They then glued it onto the appropriate column.
We went on an African safari during small groups and kept a record of the animals we found throughout the school. We used our graph to explore an important math concept for Kindergarten…comparing sets…which animal did we find the most of? Which animal did we find the least of? Did we find more giraffes or more lions? Did we find fewer zebras or fewer ostriches?
Ordering by size, or seriation, is a skill that is learned through practice. Today, the children had a set of animal prints (rhinoceros, giraffe or lion) and their task was to put them in order from smallest to biggest, or biggest to smallest. Once this was complete, they then worked on the numbers written on each print. The children had a print-tastic time practicing this skill!
A cooking day is upon us once again! The weather has turned and it’s time to head outside and enjoy the sun and warmth. Here is an easy snack to put together and bring on those long walks, hikes or car rides:
Talkin’ Trail Mix:
Ingredients:
1 cup Chex Mix
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup yogurt rasins
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup almonds (we did not use these in our mixture today)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
On a foil lined baking sheet, combine almonds, pumpkin seeds, and coconut. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until coconut is golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool thoroughly. Combine all of the ingredients into a bowl, mix and enjoy!
As we continue on with our rainforest unit, we have discovered all different kinds of animals that live in the different layers. Today, we used pom poms to make a pattern to create our very own, unique caterpillar. Using an ABABAB pattern, the children chose two colors to make their pattern.
Recognizing the difference in size amongst shapes and objects is the first step to sorting. Today, the boys and girls ordered circles by small, medium and large. Using fine motor skills to peel the stickers off, the children caught on to this sorting very quickly!
Did you know that the rainforest is comprised of four separate layers? Each layer plays an important role and is home to specific animals. The boys and girls learned about the rainforest floor, understory, canopy and emergent layer. The children built a model demonstrating each layer, along with the animals that live there.
As we wrap up our month in the Great Barrier Reef, the boys and girls practiced their ABAB patterning skills with Ms. Lori. The children had the opportunity to choose which fish they wanted to make a pattern with, then they laid out their pattern before sticking them on. What a fun way to practice our patterning skills!
Today, the boys and girls perfected their patterning skills with Ms. Courtney! As Ms. Courtney showed the children how to create an ABABAB pattern, the boys and girls extended their very own.
Love is in the air this week…especially in the form of counting and patterning Hershey Kisses! Using an ABABAB pattern the children helped create and extend our red-purple-red-purple pattern. Next, we practiced counting numbers eight through fourteen by picking a number, then counting out the corresponding number of Hershey Kisses.
Creative Tots has specialized in the private education of both toddlers and preschool age children for over 15 years. We began in the heart of Madeira and now also have a new Mason location. We are specifically designed to focus on early childhood development for children ages 18 months to 5 years.
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