Home Designs Display in Main Hallway

 Last week, the children designed homes that would withstand a mighty wind.  Once dry, the children used a dryer in an attempt to blow over their structure.  Many of the structures survived the wind.  Displayed in the main hallway are most of the creations as well as the children's summaries as to why some structures blew down and some stayed standing (I'll fix the sign!).

Students' words are included on the edges of the table.  I listen for rich vocabulary and organized thoughts.

Some of the goings-on in Color Groups this week.

Clay is a great medium for creativity.  Two cups of salt in 2/3 cup of water, heat on stove until salt dissolves.  Take off heat, add 1 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup water stir and keep on heat only until it thickens.  Cool, kneed and store in airtight bag.

There is a basket of texturing tools to choose from.

Modeling clay strengthens little hands.  

A snake!

Another new addition to our class library-inspiring a discussion about true and false.

But it looks so real, could it be?

An interactive read aloud book from last week!

Classroom Jobs

The children in both morning and afternoon sessions have been sharing classroom jobs.  Each week the person assigned to a particular job changes.  The jobs are bell ringer (3 rings for clean-up and 1 ring for books away), snack set-up (put out placemats so friends can find their seats and put out the snack caddies), door holder/line leader, recess bag carrier, chair manager, server (for snack) and folders.  

Ringing the bell for clean up.

Writing letters to be mailed at our Vinton Post Office

You may have been wondering what those envelopes are that have come home in your child's backpack.  What you are seeing is developmentally-appropriate writing.  Aside from learning about the jobs at the Post Office, children get to use their skills to express their thoughts to friends and family.

Shrek the Musical-Morning friends were treated to bits of the show!

I was sooo proud of  my students as they were just a terrific audience.

 

Several of the performers were Vinton alumni.

Vinton Veterinary Shoppe is Open for all your pet's needs

Dramatic play in Prekindergarten is an area that covers so many bases.  Besides the creative expression and social skills that are inherent in imaginative play, reading and writing skills too can be highlighted.  Please look carefully, some children wrote the labels for "bandages" and "scarfs".  There is also a notepad for the good doctors to write their notes.  Authentic and imaginative ways to provide opportunities for reading and writing are always a focus.

Some pet is about to get quite a workup!  It's always interesting to see what dramatic play center inspires a child.

Now the test-Stays Standing or Blown Away!

A friend offering advice.

A hairdryer offered just the right amount of wind.  Later the houses will be grouped and children will be called individually to state why certain homes blew away and why some stayed standing.  There have been some terrific observations and analysis so far.

Project-based Learning

Children were allowed to choose a medium, straws, sticks or bricks (you probably know where I am going with this) in which to build a house with.  The designs were so varied.  The task was to build a house that could not be blown down!

Scientific Inquiry-Heavy or Light?

Self-selected Art in Prekindergarten

Scissors, glue, crayons, pencils and paper scraps allow for individual expression.

Homemade modeling clay that actually worked!  I've been officially banned from making "play-doh" but I seem to have a talent for this stuff, which can be shaped, harden and then painted.  

This student enjoys some quiet time in our Reading Center to read using a "reading phone".  Apparently, he's keeping an eye on the time too.

Jurassic sand is a lovely medium in which to use beach stones as a design tool, or to draw shapes/letters/numbers.  

Letter and number practice.  Any changes just require a shake of the tray!

The new board in the main hallway...

The children colored their "crayon" and glued a self-portrait in the middle.  We've been discussing vocabulary such as unique to help us all appreciate and celebrate diversity.

Snack at Prekindergarten

Children have been practicing writing their names everyday on their "snack mat" which for most means either tracing or if proficient, writing their names with increased fine motor skill.  Some friends enjoy decorating their mat.

This child is ready for snack.  She has her cup, napkin, mat and is waiting nicely.  We all sing the snack song.  When it is time to leave the table, children ask an adult "May I be excused?"  Adults typically join children at the table during snack to engage in conversational proficiency.