Today we read the story Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! (By: Bill Martin Jr & John Archambault). We also read the story Stephanie's Ponytail (By: Robert Munsch). We talked about how authors and illustrators can be boys or girls.
Small Group: Today the children created their own books. Some children wrote books about their vacation, while others wrote stories about things that interest them. We practiced writing words to go with our pictures. We talked about the parts of the book, (IE. Spine, End Sheets, Cover, Dust/Book Jacket, Numbers on pages and the words/illustrations.)
Large Group: We played "News Ball". We talked about one thing that we liked doing on our vacation and one thing that we didn't like so much.
Buddies: We had free play time with our Buddies today. We got to play in their classroom (Grade 1 & 2).
Tuesday:
Today we read the book John Willy and Freddy McGee (By: Holly Meade). We talked about what a guinea pig is.Some children thought that they were kittens, hamsters or small bunnies with no ears.
Science (with Preschool 3): Today we read the book Ants (a factual book). We made paper ants using construction paper. We talked about how all insects have 3 main body parts (their head, thorax and abdomen). We then did a small cooking project, we made ants on a log. We used celery, sunflower seed butter, raisins and craisins (fire ants).
Spanish: The children talked about animals today with Senora Mary.
Art: Today the children read the story, Froggy Gets Dressed. The children then made paper frog dolls.
Wednesday:
We had a late start due to the snow!
Book: The Snowy Day (By: Ezra Jack Keats)
Today we ventured out into the snow. We checked on the bird/squirrel feeders (to make sure they were full), we then checked out all the new path's that are all around our school (they were created by a snow blower). The children enjoyed exploring on our playground, as the snow was so deep. We found a branch that was half buried (a few children thought it was antlers off of a reindeer). The children were amazed at how deep the snow was, especially around the climbing structures and swings. Some children practiced writing their names in the snow, using small sticks, while others made snow angels and snow people.
Indoors, we practiced jumping and hoping on one foot. We also practiced tying shoes.
Thursday:
Book: The Emperor Lays An Egg (By: Brenda Z. Guiberson)
We started talking about the life cycle of the Emperor Penguin. We talked about how the penguin moves their bodies (IE. waddle when they walk, torpedo through the water, toboggan on their bellies down slippery slopes and belly flop onto the ice after getting out of the water).
Small Group: We illustrated our February poems for our poetry journals.
Sports Plus: The children played outside with Mrs. B. They played "Reindeer" and "Penguin" games in the snow.
Friday:
Music: Today Preschool 3 & 4 joined for music class. The children enjoyed using the egg shakers as they sang "You Are My Sunshine" and the "Apples and Bananas" song. The children were introduced to the vowel sounds when singing The Apples and Bananas Song.
We counted the Box Tops today (after making more estimates). We collected 806 Box Tops this term. We have taken a vote and Preschool 4, will continue to collect Box Tops until the end of the school year! Keep up the good work!
Preschool Wing Visitor: Amy, a Natural Resource Officer, came to the Laurel School to talk about animals that can be found on the Cape. She talked about what she does for her job and how she helps animals that are people's pets and also wild animals. She showed us some of her equipment ("gear") that she uses to keep her body and the animals safe. She also brought in some "stuffed" animals, and explained to us the taxidermy process. Some of the animals that she brought in for us to see, as well as factual pictures of those animals, were: coyote, Red Fox, River Otter, American Mink, Osprey, Small Falcon, Red Tail Hawk, Coopers Hawk, etc. She also brought in a turtle, named Martin, for us to touch and examine up close. She talked about his shell (it was glued and stapled on the top/bottom) because he was hit by a car. She reminded us that we need to share the road with wildlife.
Pictures: The children working on their "books". They put a lot of time and effort into their books. They were sharing their ideas, helping each other draw pictures (IE. Sponge Bob, a beach chair, hearts, etc.) and sounding out words to spell. They all wanted to show off their books, after they were completed. Some wanted to bring their books home to finish and others couldn't wait to share them with their families.
Bottom Picture: Star Shine (Community Circle) singing Let It Go! Animal presentation!