Throughout the month of October, preschoolers learned about fire prevention and safety. The fire department visited, and students were provided the opportunity to spray the fire hose, which was very exciting!! Brodie's Dad, Mr. Browning, and Violette's Dad, Mr. Ebner, are both firefighters. They visited our preschool classes, and taught us about fire safety. They taught us important things like, "get out and stay out" if there is ever a fire, crawl low on your hands and knees if it is smokey, "stop, drop, and roll" if your clothing catches on fire, the importance of smoke detectors, and not to play with matches or fire. Mr. Browning and Mr. Ebner also showed students their firefighting gear, and put their gear on to show the class what a firefighter looks like, and never to be scared of a firefighter. Thank you Mr. Browning and Mr. Ebner!
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Preschoolers discussed characteristics of the beautiful fall season. We read Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert, then used fine motor skills to make coffee filter fall leaves. Collaborating with the community, our beautiful leaves will be displayed at the Morris Post Office throughout October and November, so be sure to stop by and admire them!
Try making a coffee filter leaf at home: - Cut out a coffee filter in the shape of a leaf. - Color the leaf using washable markers. We used fall colors: green, brown, yellow, orange, and red. - Using a spray bottle, spray the leaf two-three times with water. Watch the magic! As a fun way to introduce letters and sounds in preschool, we read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault. In the book, all the letters of the alphabet climb up the coconut tree, and then fall down out of the tree. With help, we worked hard to find all the letters to our name, and made a coconut tree with the letters climbing up or falling down. We also learned a whole group circle time greeting: "Chicka chicka boom boom, look who's in our room: (child's name)" and sang it for each friend in our class. We even had a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom bulletin board in our classroom, with a picture of each student!
During learning centers, students have been learning how to use picture tags. Each child has a laminated, velcro picture tag with their name and picture on it. Students bring their picture tag to each center that they choose to work in during learning centers. In each learning center, there is a velcro poster, where they attach their picture tag while they are working in that center. Students know that there are only four students allowed in each center at a time. When there is not a spot for students to stick their picture tag in a learning center, the center is full, and they need to choose a different center where there is room for them at the time. Students move from center to center throughout center time, so that all students are provided with the opportunity to work in each preschool learning center. The concept of using a picture tag helps students with decision making, and provides them with options.
We explored the garden at James Morris School and picked beans! Then, we prepared and cooked the beans in a crock pot, adding olive oil and garlic salt. They were used for the Harvest Luncheon!
We are working towards the growth mindset view. Growth mindset can be viewed as, "If at first you don't succeed, try again." The growth mindset view creates perseverance and resilience (Carol Dweck). We read The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper, a story about a little engine that overcomes obstacles with her positive mindset. Throughout the story, the little engine says, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can…" We reflected on the story, and talked about how we work hard and don't give up on things. We talked about always remembering how the little blue engine said, "I think I can…" Students shared with the class things that they can do, and received "I can" necklaces with a picture of The Little Engine That Could book! We wrote about the things that we can do, and colored the engines. We will continue to focus on growth mindset, working hard, and trying our best throughout the school year. The past few weeks, we have been exploring our environment, and learning the routine and rules in preschool. It has been so much fun! Preschool learning centers that we have explored so far include: reading, writing, house, blocks, hand (fine motor), math, and art. We can't wait to learn about more of our preschool learning centers! |
Mrs. Hodgkinson's Pre-K ClassRegion 6 Early Childhood Learning Center Archives
September 2019
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