Smart Apples

This week was really short but full of fun. We created a visual schedule to help children track their day and activities. This schedule will allow children to establish a routine and feel secure in our classroom. At the art center, the children used a variety of shapes to create amazing pictures, used dot-to-dot to paint their family frame, and played with playdough. At science, the children used a balance and explored objects that are heavier and lighter than a rock. They drew pictures of their findings. At the sensory table, the children played with rice, measuring cups, and letters and numbers made of rocks. At the math game, the children played with dressing boards, puzzles, and counting materials. At the literacy center, we engaged in fine motor skills by making circles and using stickers and scissors. We are also learning to spell names and identify letters. At the blocks center, the children built amazing structures. We practiced working together and taking turns. We would like ...

This week, we created the rules of the classroom. We talked about the importance of rules. Rules will help keep us safe. We talked about big and little rules. The rules will help create a supportive and organized school family.  In science, the children learned about primary colors and created new colors by mixing paint and colored water. It was really fun. At the sensory table, we introduced scissors. The children practiced cutting straight lines.  At the art table, the children painted with watercolor, used Q-tips to paint, paint sticks, markers and water to mix colors, and played with playdough. At the dramatic center, the children practiced playing together, sharing materials, and taking turns.  At the table game, the children practiced counting 1:1 correspondence, played with puzzles, and sorted shapes. Also, we learned about Mat Man and how to draw him. This week, we started our fine motor journal. These activities provide opportunities for children t...