FANTASTIC FRIDAY 1-20-17

ASK ME ABOUT...

...the new work stations we are doing.

...the story, That is NOT a Good Idea!  by Mo Willems.

the snowman math we did.

~NEW WORK STATIONS~

This week we introduced and started new work stations. 

 At the Listening Station, children listen to the story, If  you Take A Mouse To The Movies and complete a "response sheet" about the story.

 

At the Writing Station, children work on a class Winter book that we are making.

At the Fine Motor Station, children do a "punching" activity that creates a snowman.

 

At the Games Station, children play Memory with snowflake cards.

At the Creation Station, children do a "Roll-A-Snowman" activity.

At Math Magic, children work on 10-frame activities.

Children work on putting pictures in sequential order and then explaining what is happening in each picture.

~STORY TIME~

Today we read a book by one of our favorite authors, Mo Willems.  Be sure to ask your child what happens in this story.

~SNOWMAN MATH~

We did an estimation activity today using the snowman outline pictured below and marshmallows.  Children in one group estimated how many large marshmallows it would take to fill the snowman, while children in another group estimated and used mini-marshmallows to fill their snowman.  It took 21 large marshmallows or 58 mini marshmallows to fill up the snowman.  Each child determined if his/her estimate was more or less than the actual number of marshmallows needed to fill the snowman.  We also discussed why it took more mini marshmallows and less large marshmallows to fill the snowman.

~WE CAN READ~
We had 2 classmates bring in words today to add to our "We Can Read!" notebook.

WEDNESDAY 1-18-17 AND THURSDAY 1-19-17

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY 1-18-17

ASK ME ABOUT...

...how many days we've been in school.

...what we did to celebrate Zero the Hero day!

...finding my last name on my star card when I arrive at the classroom each morning.

...the Hibernation Station we created.

...what I made for our Winter bulletin board.

~LAST NAMES~

We are now working on last names--recognizing them and soon writing them.

 When children arrive at the classroom reach morning, they now have to locate the star card with their last name.

 ~ZERO THE HERO~

We celebrated our 80th day of school!  Josie's mom and dad provided us with a "star-studded" activity to help us celebrate.  Children were provided with a number 80 on a piece of paper and 8 "strips" of 10 stars/strip.  Children used the stars to decorate/create on their number 80.  Thank you for a fun activity!

 

 

~WINTER~

During Free Choice time, children were very motivated and focused on creating a "hibernation station" in the bottom part of our dramatic play structure.  We observed a great deal of compromise, communication and cooperative efforts among the children as they worked.

 The children have also been working on creating this winter "mural" in our classroom.

 In our winter mural there are....

...children having a snowball fight.

 ...snowmen.

 ...ice skaters.

 ...animals hibernating in caves.

 Carter and Robert enjoy playing with the "indoor snow" in our sensory tub.

 

Using a mixture of shaving cream and liquid glue, children are "fingerpainting" a snowman.  The best part is...these snowmen won't melt!

~THRILLING THURSDAY~

~WE CAN READ!~

The note pictured below came home in your child's folder on Thursday.  Please support and assist your child in finding and bringing in environmental print that he/she can read.  We are going to add these words to a special notebook in our classroom!

 

TUESDAY 1-17-17

TERRIFIC TUESDAY 1-17-17

ASK ME ABOUT...

...what I did in Spanish.

...what I did in my letter group.

...our new "Star of the Week".

...the new password.

...the story, The Snowy Day.

...the indoor "snow" we made.

...the holiday we learned about with Ella's family.

~Macedonian New Year~

This past weekend, Ella and her family celebrated the Macedonian New Year.  This morning, Ella and her mom shared one of the traditions they do in their family to celebrate the new year.

 

First, Ella's mom showed us where the country of Macedonia is compared to the United States.  

 

A special bread called maznik is baked.

 A special coin (pare) is hidden in the bread.

 Each family member's name is written on a piece of paper and placed somewhere on top of the bread.  The names on this  bread were the Pre-K stars' names.

 The bread is spun around three times.

 Next, each name on the bread is revealed when another piece of bread is served.

 Jordan's name was on the piece of bread that was hiding the pare.  Jordan "won" the pare and will have extra good luck in the coming year!

 Thank you to Ella and her mom for sharing this wonderful tradition!

 ~WINTER~

With temperatures almost reaching 50 degrees, it doesn't look like snow is in the forecast any time soon.  So, after reading the story, The Snowy Day, we made our own indoor "snow".  This will be available for exploring this week in our sensory tub. 

We decorated our letter "S" with sparkly stars!

 ~DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.~

To help us remember that Dr. King wanted us to be kind and helpful toward others, we made a "friendship circle".  Each child designed a wooden stick to look like him/her.  We will display this friendship circle in our classroom.

 ~STAR OF THE WEEK~

Andrew is the Star of the Week!  We learned that Andrew wants to be an archaeologist when he grows up and his favorite food is pizza. 

 One of Andrew's favorite stories and a dinosaur that he shared with the class.

~EXTENDED DAY PRE-K~ 

This afternoon we began creating a Winter Bulletin Board, complete with hibernating animals, snowmen and snow.  We will add to this winter wonderland in the next days.