NEWS FROM THE PRE-K "A" PAD: March 2011

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Y IS FOR YUMMY AND YUCKY!

Today the children drew pictures of foods that they think are yummy and those that they think are yucky. They then used their inventive spelling to label their pictures. Be sure to ask your child what foods he/she drew!

STAR OF THE WEEK--MICHAEL!

Today we learned more about our friend, Michael. He is a healthy eater---his favorite foods are honeydew, strawberries, cantaloupe, and apples. Michael's favorite place to visit is the beach. Thanks for sharing more about yourself, Michael!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Second Step

Yesterday, we discussed fairness and what it means to be fair. We also explained that sometimes things are not fair and equal. Ask your child to explain to you the photo below and the ways we discussed for the boy and the girl in the photo to have a fair turn on the swing.

Monday, March 28, 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PAIGE!

Today we helped Paige celebrate her birthday. Paige's mom read the story, The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear. Then, we ate a yummy snack of strawberries and whipped cream. We made a mouse on top of the whipped cream using vanilla wafers for the ears and chocolate chips for the eyes and nose. Happy Birthday, Paige!

MONDAYS WITH THE MUNCHKINS

On Mondays from now until May, we are fortunate to have 2 seniors, Alex and Henry, who will help us in Pre-K from 11:00-11:45. This "Mondays with the Munchkins" experience is part of a Psychology course these seniors are taking.

Friday, March 11, 2011

BALLOON ROCKET EXPERIMENT

Today we did an experiment using a piece of string (stretched from the ceiling to the floor), a straw (threaded on to the string), and a balloon. The balloon was blown up (but not tied) and taped to the straw. Next, we counted down from 10 and at "Blast Off", the teacher let go of the balloon. This caused the air to escape from the balloon and the straw and balloon traveled up the string to the ceiling. This was our classroom simulation of how a rocket takes off and lifts off up into Outer Space. Needless to say, this experiment was enjoyed by all!

SPRING!

Today we got "ready for Spring" in our room. We changed Friendly Frog into his Spring outfit and hung Spring decorations around the room. We're ready for Spring!!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

RHYME TIME!

Don't forget to have your child bring in 2 items that rhyme tomorrow for a special class rhyming book we are making!

HAPPY ZERO THE HERO DAY!

Today we celebrated our 120th day of Pre-K! Eleanor's mom came in to help us celebrate! She read us the story, "Clever Tom And The Leprechaun". Then, each child made his/her own pot of gold! Thanks for a great story and activity.

STAR OF THE WEEK~DORIAN

Today we learned more about our friend, Dorian! Some of his favorite things are eating salad, the color blue, and kangaroos! Dorian also shared some great photos with us, including one of Dorian's head inside a big dinosaur's mouth! Thanks for sharing more about yourself with us, Dorian!

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

FREE CHOICE FUN!

With the activity in the photos below, a child uses a magnetic wand to drag the correct colored magnets to the correct spaces to complete the design/picture.

Maggie and Elsa ready to blast off in the space shuttle. The name for our Pre-K space shuttle is "The Perfect Rocket".

Emma and Shaia playing with RICE in the sensory tub.

STATION ROTATIONS

This week's Station Rotations include...

...number writing

...making a rhyming "flip page"

...drawing an astronaut with "Outer Space" details

...making a rocket and......

...launching it!

Monday, March 7, 2011

FLOATING IN SPACE

Today we learned more about how astronauts live when they go to Outer Space--on the space shuttle or at the International Space Station. After reading the book, "Floating In Space", children were offered the opportunity to taste astronaut food--freeze-dried ice cream, bananas, and apples. Be sure to ask your child about the title of the book in the photo below--Why is it a good title for this book?

ASTRONAUT, ASTRONAUT, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

We are making a class Space book called, "Astronaut, Astronaut, What Do You See?". At seatwork today, each child drew a picture of something they would see if they were in Outer Space. We will compile these pages into a book!

RHYME TIME!

RHYME TIME

Since we are doing the letter sound /R/ this week, we would like to make a class rhyming book. This Thursday, March 10th, we would like for each child to bring in 2 items from home that rhyme (i.e. a hat and a stuffed animal cat; a nickel and a pretend pickle, etc.). We will take a photo of each child with his/her rhyming items and will then compile it into a book!