Newsletter January, 19-22
PRE-K NEWSLETTER
WEEK OF JANUARY 19-22
This week in Pre-K was all about transportation; ground transport, air transport, and water transport. Each day this past week was devoted to exploring these methods of travel and the different types of vehicles people use. We started off the week by talking about the different methods of transportation that we used to get to school on tuesday morning; walking, driving, biking, and riding scooters. Later in the week we experimented with different forms of air and water transport, and did some fun and messy art activities involving cars, trains, and boats. For such a short week it was quite a busy one here in the pre-k classroom.
For the next two weeks Pre-K will be all about dinosaurs, which is always a class favorite. We have loads of fun activities planned, hopefully the kids will be as excited as we are! always, please try to limit shares to something related to nature, the theme or the letter of the week (next week is P). Thanks for another great week everyone!
Reminders:
- We are looking for a parent volunteer to coordinate this year's auction project, please e-mail Mir or let us know if you would be interested in lending a hand!
- Don't forget to check your folders this week
Tuesday January, 19th
Books we read:
Henry Hikes to Fitchburg, Circus Train, Freight Train, and Amazing Bikes!
During morning circle we talked about the different ways/ methods of transportation we used to make our way to school this morning; and made a tally on the white board of the results. Later in the day, we sang the letter O song, and talked about the different sounds that the letter O makes.
In the afternoon, we talked about why street signs are an important part of transportation and of everyday life. The kids said that they thought that signs were important because they "tell us where to go." Then, we looked at a huge assortment of street signs, and as a group tried to guess the meaning of each sign; it was surprising to see how many of the signs the group already knew. We also talked about how signs can help to keep us safe (crosswalk signals, stop signs, speed limits, RR crossing), and how they can help us to find our way (street signs, bathroom signs, etc.).
During closing circle, we decided to calm our bodies down with some yoga. We did bunny breaths, downward dog, the warrior pose, the tree pose, the bridge, and the cobra pose.
Outside we played a game of red light, green light (quite appropriate given the theme) and talked about what each color means and why drivers have to follow the rules to stay safe.
During choice time the children had access to easel painting, duplo blocks, the opposite game, and the wooden train set. Trevor, Hannah, Kate and Reese built a huge set of train tracks that went all over the the rug!
At the art table, the kids started drawing pictures for our special person of the week, Kyan!
Wednesday January, 20th
Books we read today:
Trains, New Road!, School Bus, Fire Truck, Trucks
We counted the calendar and checked the weather.
Today we began talking about some different types of ground transportation. We talked about cars, trucks, trains, motorcycles, and bicycles.
At the art table we painted using toy cars. There were trays of finger paint available for the children to drive the cars through, and large sheets of construction paper for loads of painty fun.
During choice time legos, the dramatic play area, the fire rescue set, the sensory table, guess who, lincoln logs, and the dollhouse were all available.
Thursday January 21st:
Books we read:
Hot Air Henry, The Jet Alphabet Book, Flying, The Octonauts, and Big Bunny's Bad Mood
Today we talked about air transport, and made a list of te different types of vehicles: jet plane, big rig, jumbo jet, helicopter, and hot air balloon. After making the list, we talked about how a hot air balloon flies using hot air. We talked about how hot air rises up, and cold air sinks down (rushes in to replace hot air). After our talk, we read the book Hot Air Henry, which is about a cat who goes flying in a hot air balloon. In the book, we saw how a hot air balloon works, and the various parts of a balloon; the basket, fan, burner, rip cords, etc.
After all of that talking the kids were ready to fly our very own hot air balloon which teacher Erin had made out of tissue paper. The children took turns holding the balloon with a partner, and filling it with hot air from a hair dryer. Our balloon was quite a success, and on several flights, made it all the way to the ceiling!
In the afternoon, we read The Jet Alphabet, and had a rocket launch using film canisters, and alka seltzer tablets. We talked about how the tablet and water create a gas, which expands until it has nowhere to go, and finally explodes launching the canister high into the air.
At the art table we made paper planes!
Friday January 22nd:
Books we read:
Harbor, Things That Go, My School's A Zoo
Today we talked about different forms of water transportation, and made a list of ways people can travel on or through the water. The class came up with: tugboats, submarines, boats, cruise ships, and kayaks. We also sang our letter O song, and made a list of words that start with the letter O. After choice time, we read Kyan's person of the week book, and learned that Kyan's favorite food is spaghetti!
At the art table the children were able to finish drawing pictures for Kyan's person of the week book, and paper trains, markers and construction paper were available for free art.
In the sensory table, there were sailboats, playmobil passengers, and of course water.
We sang 5 Dinosaurs