LITERACY/LANGUAGE: "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"

As an extension of our literacy-rich program, the Cardinals decided to create a letter tree. This idea was inspired by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault’s book, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. This is a funny, funny story that the Cardinals enjoy hearing over and over again. In an alphabet rhyme, all the letters of the alphabet race up the coconut tree. “Will there be enough room?”

The following day, the Cardinals gathered in a circle and together we spoke about each Cardinal choosing a letter of the alphabet. To be fair, we decided that pulling letters out of a cup would be the best strategy.

After each Cardinal had a letter, we talked about decorating each letter with an item that has the beginning sound of their chosen letter, e.g., nickels for N, cotton for C, straws for S, and so on.

We decided to replicate this image by attaching the papier mâché tree in our classroom. But, just like in the story, twenty-six letters was way too many letters for our tree! So, after much discussion, the children decided to display the letters on our classroom wall for all to enjoy!

Thank you, Kaya, for decorating the letter "K" with "kangaroos!"

LITERACY / LANGUAGE: Self-expression

"This is a sun and this is my rainbow."

April 2014

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL: V.I.P., Sense of Self

Young children love to share their treasures and are very eager to do just that. Show and Tell is not just about giving them the opportunity to bring their special item(s) from home but a chance for children to hone their communication skills. Each child’s social, emotional and language skills will grow and develop from this activity as they increase their confidence, learn to use descriptive language, practice listening skills, and learn how to ask inquiry based questions. Sharing the things that are important in a child’s life with their friends at school connects their worlds of ‘home and school’ in such a meaningful way. Learning more about each other helps build a classroom “family” community as well as makes for a fun and comfortable learning environment for everyone involved.

We value the individuality of each child in our Cardinal class and have created an activity in which each child can celebrate his/her uniqueness. But, instead of calling it the Show-n-Tell week, we have named it the VIP Week as we feel every child should feel like a “Very Important Person”! Kaya's V.I.P. week was on February 24^th through the 28^th of 2014 and here are the items she shared with us.

A photograph from "Aunt Maggie and Uncle Kevin's wedding"

Her favorite "feelings book" that "was Mommy's"

A photograph of Kaya and her sister "taken at my couch, I was 2 years old and Sadie 3 years old."

Her beautiful jewelry box "with a ballerina"

Her special book that "Mommy and Daddy got for me." 

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT: Mathematical Thinking

Puzzles help children learn to solve problems. By trying several ways to fit a puzzle piece in place, they are learning the value of flexible thinking, and of persistence. Their fine motor skills are sharpened by manipulating the pieces and fitting them in their proper space. Putting together a puzzle helps children actively practice important skills such as inference, deductive reasoning, and the notion that whole objects are generally made up of parts.

Here we see Kaya being very persistent at putting the puzzle together. One can almost “see” her thought process as she studies her next move.

LITERACY/LANGUAGE: Journaling, Winter Break experience

What did you do during the Winter Break?

“Making a snowman with daddy.”

1/6/2014

LITERACY/LANGUAGE: Pre-Reading Skills, Daily Schedule

On a rotating basis the children in the Cardinal classroom take turns reviewing our Daily Schedule with the entire group at Morning Meeting. This reading readiness activity provides wonderful opportunities for children to practice decoding skills and sight vocabulary skills as well as recall and memory skills. Learning concepts such yesterday/today/tomorrow are reinforced daily and the children are developing a sense of time and sequence as they map out the events of their day.

Here we see Kaya as she named the activities of the day, pointing to each word and touching the word with her pointer finger. Through this literacy activity, Kaya’s print awareness is heightening. A pre-reading skill, print awareness is an important part of knowing how to read and write. Kaya’s interest to participate in this activity reflects her growing knowledge about the relation between words she sees in print and the words she speaks and hears. 

Exploring Sewing...

December 2013
Fine Motor Skills 

Amanda introduced the concept of sewing in Art class and demonstrated the skills involved using a large plastic sewing needle, yarn and burlap.  The initial introduction of this activity was done in large group and provided an opportunity for all of the children to practice listening skills and following directions. 

Developing strong listening skills is an important component of our curriculum and our children have many varied opportunities to both practice and develop these skills in our Early Childhood program. The children have matured in their abilities to listen and focus as a group  and they continue to learn and grow so much from each other.

Kaya thoroughly enjoys visiting the art studio and loves to participate in our Art classes with Amanda.  Working in small groups at the art tables, Kaya applied the information she heard and enthusiastically began to sew!  Kaya is eager to try new experiences and challenges and does not frustrate easily.  Sewing involves many steps as well as fine motor coordination and Kaya approached this task with confidence!  Kaya was quite focused on this task and worked for a long period of time moving the sewing needle in and out of the buralp. She thoroughly enjoyed sitting at the art tables with her classmates chatting and sewing together!

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT: Mathematics, Spatial Awareness & Shapes w/ MagnaTiles

Exploring with MagnaTiles is a great activity for inquiring minds and hands. This activity can help young children learn about colors, shapes, patterns, designs, spatial relationships, symmetry, area, and so much more including problem solving. Here we see Kaya as she explores with shapes.

“Look Alicia. Look at what I did! It’s a box with a ballerina inside! I use squares and triangles. Look! See!” 

12/16/2013