Dino Stomp
2/29/2020
This week we studied dinosaurs! We learned that dinosaur teeth have a lot to do with the kind of food they eat. Herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores are the different types of eaters. We also learned that Paleontologists are scientists who study fossils. We used sensory, art, and other activities to explore dinos. Dino digging! We used toothpicks to uncover the dinosaurs hidden in the eggs. The focus during this activity was amazing; the students used their fine motor skills to gently break open the eggs. Making fossils! Using a mixture of flour, salt, and water, we created a dough perfect for fossils. Using dinosaur feet and mini dinosaurs, we imprinted on the dough. Taking a look at our fossils with a scientific tool! Look! A dinosaur enclosure in our sensory bin! Dino Stomp! We used paint and our dinosaurs to create dino footprints.
Fine Motor Skills
2/22/2020
What are fine motor skills?Fine motor skills are small movements using our hands and wrists. These skills are essential for writing, cutting, gripping, and more. Why are fine motor skills important?1. It helps children perform crucial tasks like reaching, grasping, and moving objects. 2.Through fine motor skill development, children learn to use tools like crayons, chalk, pencils, and scissors. 3. Hand-eye coordination improves as fine motor skills improve. 4. Fine motor skills help kids learn and develop handwriting and drawing skills. 5. Children become more independent and understand how their bodies work. 6. As children grow in their fine-motor skills, their self-esteem grows too. How do children practice fine motor skills?1. Play-Doh
2. Finger painting 3. Coloring with small crayons 4. Using scissors 5. Opening and closing containers and more! Hug Machine
2/15/2020
Our favorite book this week was "Hug Machine". A story about a little boy who hugs everyone and everything! He wants to make sure everyone feels special, even the porcupine that never gets hugs! Love is shown in lots of ways, and everyone is deserving of it. It was Mister Rogers who said, "Whether we're a preschooler or a young teen, a graduating college senior or a retired person, we human beings all want to know that we're acceptable, that our being alive somehow makes a difference in the lives of others" and to accomplish this, we need to spread love.
"Wow" Experiences
2/8/2020
The Creative Curriculum recommends sporadic "Wow" experiences, in which students are exposed to people and places related to the topic of study. These experiences help students relate what they are learning in school to the real world. These past two weeks we have been studying health and the body. We understand that eating the right foods and exercising are important, but we are not finished with this concept until words are connected to actions. We visited The Dome for a time of play and movement. We used the parts of our body we learned about in the classroom in a practical way. Parents play a huge role in creating "Wow" experiences. Each adult that visits our classroom sparks excitement in joy in our students. For example, if we begin a discussion about dinosaurs, we may invite a paleontologist to talk about fossils. If you are an expert in a specific field of study, we are always open to planning an activity or listening to your story!
Move Your Body
2/1/2020
This week we focused on our health and exercising! We learned about the different parts of our body that make us strong. We also talked about how exercise and rest effect our heart rates. Our dramatic play area was full of doctors and patients this week! They practiced taking temperatures, reading the eye chart, and using the stethoscopes. We learned that when we exercise, our heart rate increases. We used paper towel rolls to hear each other's heart beats after jumping up and down. Our line dots were used in a sensory wall this week. The students had to hop onto each dot, stop and clap three times, touch the door, and turn around. Our class in the cobra pose! Yoga is one of the ways we can move our bodies in the classroom. We also tried belly breathing, a great strategy for calming the body. We created weights with water bottles and beans. We felt how light they were when empty and how heavy they got when filled. Two of our favorite books about the body!
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Annalee JohnsonEK Teacher Archives
January 2021
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