Science, English and History

As teachers, we try to bring different kinds of curriculum to our classroom.  Whereas last week we visited the Arctic to learn about Eskimos and polar bears, this week the class trip was to Antarctica to become scientists and focus on the penguins there.  Again the animals' habits were presented.  The Whole Notes had a chance to see for example how the penguins form their own group called a rookery or how the emperor penguin guards the egg  between his feet before it hatches.  Children usually think that penguins are covered in fur but learn that is not true.  New vocabulary was introduced again.  Our fine motor skills of cutting, gluing and writing enabled us to make the adorable penguins which you took home.  Our addition of the words "BRRR IT IS COLD OUTSIDE" on our penguins obviously tied in literacy.  This whole scientific learning experience is featured on the blog  .

The English language has so many words for little ones to learn.  This week we introduced the word symmetry, very appropriate as we are all wearing mittens and gloves.  We played a game using many pairs of mittens cut from patterned wallpaper.  With our cognitive skills the children found which friends had matching mittens.  You can see our fun on the blog, along with a view of a teacher demonstrating how to draw with symmetry.  Each preschooler traced and cut his/her own pair of mittens to design by using symmetry.  The lesson was very successful as you can see by the project that went home.  Writing skills were practiced.  The class listened to two popular older stories.  One was titled "The Mitten Mystery" and the other "Too Many Mittens".

Finally our history lesson here was in preparation for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.  Actually the lesson here is one that we reinforce all year long which is that of respect and kindness to each other.  The group had a chance to join in a discussion about how it does not matter what you look like, where you live, what color your skin is, and more.  People everywhere share the same feelings such as love and happiness.  They heard about MLK's speech "I have a dream" and a little of the stories of Rosa Parks on the bus and Ruby Bridges going to school.  You might want to expand on these two.  Everyone listened to "The Colors of Us" and "Whoever You Are".  Both books are about the similarity of children all over the world.  There are pictures of our doves, the bird of peace, being created.

Ada presented the letter box for "N".  You see her with the box and also a print out of musical notes.  This was terrific as Miss Lisa teaches the value of the notes and how to draw them.

Emily turned five and proudly wore her crown.  She shared her beautiful cupcakes and goody bags with us.  You can again see another successful party!  

This week was extremely busy with a few zigzags in our schedule.  However the youngsters handled the changes with ease and managed to have another terrific week!

Rolene and Jackie