New Experiences

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Our curriculum this week offered many new kinds of art, academic, sensory and large motor experiences as shown on our blog.  (pictures not necessarily in order of text)  At circle we began our week with a focus on squirrels.  The class greeted two of these furry (obviously puppets) rodents and learned about their homes and habits such as how their tails help them to balance when flying or how it can go over their heads for shade.  The children all made their own teeth chatter like that of a squirrel and shook their "own bushy tails" to learn what these creatures do when they see another animal coming after them.  Youngsters absorb scientific facts like sponges.  Their own squirrels were created simply by choosing from the shapes offered such as circles, ovals, rectangles, etc.  A photo of a bulletin board will allow you to view this outcome.

Another circle experience you will see is about listening to a poem from a large October poster.  We keep track of days, months and the year.  In this case we introduced a little descriptive poetry about the new month.

Our large wooden blocks were out for the first time.  A castle was built and a tower, among other things.  Not only does the use of these blocks aid in large motor development, many social skills are taking place during this process.  The groups shown are sharing, negotiating, planning and cooperating before carrying out their final construction.  As I said a couple of weeks ago, children learn through their play.

The easel was open with paint for the first time this year.  Not only are creative designs being painted, but anytime a child raises his/her arm to work, fine motor development is strengthened.

A number peg toy was our that the class had not used before.  This obviously reinforces counting and the value of each number which is beginning math.

Floam to build with and squish and feel was a new sensory experience.  One friend made floam meatballs.  Each child has his/her own bag of floam , just as play dough is separated for all of our friends.

Plastic tools were new this week, also creating team work and more of the skills mentioned in the paragraph about blocks.

Towards the end of the week our fall focus changed from squirrels to different kinds of leaves and how they gain and lose their color (science).  Our scissors were out for the first time.  Youngsters traced a leaf pattern of their choice,  which is great for eye-hand coordination along with fine motor development, and then cut it out.  Cutting is a tough job for many but the cutting skills improve with teacher help as the year continues.  Faces were drawn on the leaves and accordian pleated arms and legs added to make leaf people.  The folding is right up there with all the other skills.  Our squirrels and leaves are shown here on our bulletin board.  Words about fall were written to connect the literacy  piece.

Of course we practiced the sound of the letter "C", both hard and soft, and how it appears in the form of "ch".  Ada is showing her clock and the letter box for "C" as she was this week's presenter.  Another whole note member is writing the letters in her alphabet book.  How much can be accomplished in a week here is unbelievable!