So, here's what we've been up to the last couple of weeks...
First, we learned about the First Thanksgiving. Students used these story pictures & objects to retell the story of the Pilgrims & Native Americans. Children also wrote stories about what they are thankful for using the movable alphabet. Our class made our community soup which was a big hit as always! (Sorry, I didn't get an photos as I was too busy monitoring the cooking!) We read Stone Soup before we cook the soup. I'm always amazed by how they gobble it up--even the ones who claim to not like vegetables!!! We also talked about what each child was thankful for and made our thankful turkey (hanging outside the classroom).
First, we learned about the First Thanksgiving. Students used these story pictures & objects to retell the story of the Pilgrims & Native Americans. Children also wrote stories about what they are thankful for using the movable alphabet. Our class made our community soup which was a big hit as always! (Sorry, I didn't get an photos as I was too busy monitoring the cooking!) We read Stone Soup before we cook the soup. I'm always amazed by how they gobble it up--even the ones who claim to not like vegetables!!! We also talked about what each child was thankful for and made our thankful turkey (hanging outside the classroom).
When we returned from our Thanksgiving Break, we began focusing on patterns. Each morning, we practiced a new pattern: AB, AABB, AAB, ABC, etc. We made all different kinds of patterns--patterns with sounds (clap, snap, clap, snap...), with colors, with shapes, with objects & more. We explored patterns each morning as part of our morning message and continued with independent practice with materials on the shelves.
Once the students were comfortable and confident working with patterns, we turned our focus the concepts of more, less and equal to.
I also have begun pulling a small group of pre-K students each day to do a small group lesson. So far, we've been focusing on letters/sounds. The students have been working on the letter name, the sound it makes, identifying words that start with that sound and practicing writing the uppercase and lowercase letter. We will continue to work on these until they are mastered. Once your child knows most of the letter sounds, we will begin learning sight words & then as they begin to read, we will start guided reading groups. I will also use these small groups to focus on other skills/concepts such as number recognition, rhyming words and more.
This week, we are beginning to learn about The Gingerbread Man. We will work on seqencing activities, learn about characters & setting and more! We will also be getting a special visit from the Nashville Public Library's Puppet Truck!!!!