We have had a busy, fun week in Pre-k!  Exploring many new toys, painting, and singing songs. The children are picking up the classroom routines very quickly and are becoming more comfortable in the classroom in regards to socializing with new friends, asking questions and for help, and knowing the expectations. Here are the highlights from the week. 

Free choice: The children already know the routine of coming into the classroom and choosing their own table toy or activity to get started for the day. This part of the day really allows the chidden to socialize with one another in an organized environment.  We are focusing on taking turns and learning to wait.  Also, I have introduced the language of “bugs and wishes.”  It bugs me when…I wish you would…  This language allows the children to problem solve independently. They must use their words to talk to a friend when a problem occurs instead of immediately coming to a teacher or adult for help. I really encourage them to talk to their friend first! 

Morning meeting: We read the story, I Like Me by Karen Beaumont. We talked about how we are special on the inside and have different feelings. What makes us feel happy, sad, angry etc.  Also, we learned the weather and days of the week song. Ask your child to sing these to you.  The favorite part of the morning is dressing weather monkey. The children will ask about it all day, and get excited.  We are practicing the calendar and counting the days. 

Small groups: The children are learning how to follow directions and look at the centers chart to know their learning activity for the day. We have three small groups that rotate throughout the week. This week’s theme was all about me.  We painted our own self –portraits.  We discussed the different parts of our body, eye color, hair color, etc. They had fun looking in the mirror to look at all these parts. These self-portraits will be done each month. They are displayed on the bulletin board in the classroom, so come take a look! 

Learning centers: I introduced the sign-in folder. The students will come in each morning and sign their name.. We discussed how to hold a pencil and will continue to practice each day. Practicing fine motor activities will help strengthen hand muscles used for gripping a pencil. We used the Handwriting Without Tears program for language about how to write each letter.

Also, we played friend bingo to put a name to a face! I encourage them to use each other’s names, so they can start to call each other by name. 

Friend bingo was a highlight from this week!

Music: The children danced with finger puppets to the beat of the music. 

P.E.: The children played a game of freeze tag. The music would play and they must freeze their bodies when the music stops. 

Special events: Roycemore Upper school soccer, cross country, and volleyball teams visited our class to sign pictures for the kiddos.