Writing about our feelings

The feelings cards are from our Second Step Social-Emotional curriculum.  Instruction centered on oral language, vocabulary development, social-emotional learning and writing.

Students were highly engaged during this writing activity.

Some students just didn't want to stop!

Friends swinging together at recess

Swinging is a super activity for developing and supporting vestibular/sensory integration.  

Color groups this week!

Categorizing with Mrs. Heersink.

Students were given the task of creating a feelings journal, similar to the animal journals that either came home with your child or soon will.

Pictures and words.

Macro STEM-using cardboard to create dwellings

Challenge-design a dwelling that will fit everyone with panels of cardboard and circles.

Discussing a plan of action.

Science, technology, engineering and math-Micro pendulums

Students were challenged to build a pendulum using various materials; play-doh, popsicle sticks, clothes pins and straws.  

We've been learning about construction.  Constructing a pendulum will lead to using it for destruction.  Eventually, these words will tie in with our Cottontail Rabbit Project and will relate to habitat.  

Children sustained their attention to this project for over 20 minutes.  They didn't want to stop!

Children used a variety of strategies to solve problems.

Building and constructing to represent our own ideas is one of the creative expression standards.

The Finished Product

Necklaces-Creativity, cooperation, fine-motor and mathematics!

Development of student math skills is supported by staff and scaffolded by counting mats, also known as a tens-frame.  

Children counted out 8 of each-beads and foam shapes.

Children "read" their repeating pattern to staff.

Children used their fine motor skills to string beads that were firm and foam shapes which were less so.

Kinetic Sand

For a change of pace, and because it was too cold to really have much fun in our outdoor sandbox, children used Kinetic Sand indoors.  Mediums such as this strengthen tiny fingers.

Asking a Friend to Dance

Part of our Second Step Social-Emotional curriculum is about how to invite a friend to play.  We took it one step further last week and invited a friend to dance.

Friends waiting patiently for the music to begin.  On the chart are some of the comments from the children about inviting a friend to play.

Melissa and Doug Nuts and Bolts

I'm always impressed with Melissa & Doug toys.  They last and offer children an opportunity to independently explore.  There is a bag of real nuts and bolts as well, but no one chose those today!

Wood block construction and other endeavors in Dramatic Play

I've been impressed with the range of block designs and use of materials in the Construction Dramatic Play.  There has been a good deal of cooperation and sharing of tools and materials as well.

Large foam blocks with pegs make a tall building.  Notice the cardboard to the right.  It was actually cut in half with a toy hand saw.  Determination!

A tool belt, power tools and other implements help with constructing.

This student sustained her attention for a good part of the morning to assemble this architectural marvel.

Planning and using trial and error.

Friday the 13th!

Two friends use the swings in a unique way.

Drawing and discussing our creations.

The insect would not cooperate to be viewed under our microscope.

Students are using 5s-frames to see if they've earned 15 owls which would  be a class reward for following the rules.