SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL: Self-Portraits, Self-Awareness

Throughout the year the children will be asked to draw a picture of themselves. Often the use of a small mirror will help the children become more aware of facial details. Through this activity the children develop self awareness as well as awareness of others.

As the year progresses it is exciting to see how Kaya's fine motor skills develop and her perspective changes.  In her personal folder you will find Kaya’s self-portraits for each month of the 2013-14 school year.

LITERACY/LANGUAGE: Pre-Reading Skills

Children acquire proficiency in language and literacy through extensive experience with language, print, and literature in a variety of contexts. Here we see Kaya “reading” a popular book by Juanita Havill, Jamaica’s Find. As she observes the pages of this book, Kaya is learning to read the pictures’ grammar. This prepares her for the future ability of reading of texts.

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL: Happy Birthday, Kaya!

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY, Kaya! ¡FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOS! Thank you for sharing it with us. The cupcakes were scrumptious! 

9/11/2013

LITERACY/LANGUAGE: Journaling, Career choice

What would you like to be when you grow up? What kind of job would you like to do and why?

“A Teacher because I help people.”

11/19/2013

LITERACY/LANGUAGE: Bird Study Homework, The Students as Teachers

The Cardinals took great joy at sharing their Research Study. The children had chosen a particular species of bird that they wanted to learn more about and returned to class with their findings. Along with their results, several of the children created a nest for their bird of study. Quite a few Cardinals and their families worked together to create the most outstanding habitat for their bird of choice, an amazing collaborative experience.

Each Cardinal was eager to share their found facts as well as the story of all the work that went into the creation of the nests they crafted. Without any hesitation, each took a turn and stood in front of their classmates and teachers and communicated their discoveries. Once done, they invited their audience to ask questions.  This active involvement of the speaker and the listeners fostered a great deal of developments within each child, from learning how to ask a question or stating a comment to providing a leadership role where their choice and voice was honored.

Here’s what Kaya taught us...

The Cardinal

by Kaya Lewis

1) A Cardinal lays 3 or 4 eggs at one time 

2) A Cardinal is red and its beak is orange

3) Cardinals sing songs that sound like a whistle

4) It lives in "North and South America."

5) It eats "Seeds, fruit, bugs."

When asked why she studied this beautiful bird Kaya responded, “I like Cardinal, and because I'm in the Cardinal's class.”

The experience of presenting her homework provided Kaya many great developmental benefits, Literacy, Cognitive, and Social/Emotional. It offered Kaya the opportunity to understand the difference between a statement and a question as well as use descriptive language, concept thinking, storytelling, and so much more. Overall, it helped Kaya develop effective communication skills. Also, this opportunity allowed for Kaya to share her interest which fostered her emotional self.