Numbers

Our focus this week was mainly on numbers 1-10.  We did touch upon numbers 11-20 and counting by 10's to 100.  Both of the latter will become a part of our curriculum as the year continues.  At circle time we played games with identifying number names and the value of each number.  We calculated which of 2 numbers was smaller or which of 2 was larger.  The class could be heard counting forwards and backwards  We sang songs with numbers in them and recited rhymes containing numbers..  As children love numbers, there was a tremendous amount of enthusiasm over this week's curriculum.

One project involved creating number books for 1-10.  Each youngster chose whether to write the numbers or glue commercially printed ones, before drawing his/her own items to match the number values.  Pictures in the blog represent this project. The books went home in your child's bag.  Another achievement was identifying numerals and putting them in the correct order to create a number line.  This is not an easy task for four and five year olds, no matter how bright they are academically.  You can view the children working on this project also.

Our discussions included naming anywhere numbers are seen.  With our help, the group worked hard and thought of cell phones, addresses, zip codes, rulers, money, thermometers, book page numbers, clocks, calendars, microwaves and so many more.  The class found out the necessity for numbers.  We had not shown you photos of our journal work for awhile.  But the teachers were so impressed with the culmination of our work that we decided to share with you.  Takuma has word cards to choose from spread around his journal.  Riya drew a birthday cake to show age.  She also wore her watch which she drew because it had numbers.  Mira drew a TV remote and cell phone.  Ada is holding her journal in which she created a house with a number on it.  Margot chose to make a calendar.  Also pictured here are Zayden's journal drawing of a clock and JJ's ruler complete with numbers.  Literacy is tied to everything we do here so Emily, Noah and Martina are holding books we listened to:  "Fenway Park 1-2-3", "Chicka Chicka 1-3" and " Ten Black Dots".  You might encourage your preschoolers to look for numbers everywhere.  Read them, talk about the values and decide why they are needed.

Some friends featured are having fun with magnetic dolls.  These had not been used in awhile and were well received on a day too cold to go out to play.   It was Brigitte's turn to do the letter box for "O" which she is holding.  She is also displaying oreos and oat cereal for her letter "O".  Her presentation was very creative.  Please note that  Lucas is not on the blog this week as he was absent on camera days.

Finally we were treated  to a visit from half-note teacher Bonne with her parrot Geddy.  Everyone was full of laughter as Geddy talked to us.  Obviously that is Geddy in the cage.

It is so hard to believe that next week is the last one in January.  We are moving right along and learning many new things!

Rolene and Jackie