Friday, April 28, 2023

 Happy last day of April (in the classroom)...that's kinda crazy to me!

We continued our work on a weaving project (each EC classroom in making one hula hoop) that will eventually be displayed on our playgrounds. We have a great start, but may take a little longer to complete than expected!

"Hippos in a Hut" visited at the end of morning meeting today!  We started with 7 hippos...

Some got a little sleepy and decided to take a nap in their hut!  Our job was to figure out how many hippos were sleeping by counting how many hippos stayed out to play.  How many are in the hut if 5 are left outside to play??? This is a tough concept to grasp, but we recalled what we had learned when we did this with dinosaurs, so we did a good job today.

We sure do love our guest readers! Mia was excited to introduce her Grandma Jan to the class, and we all enjoyed listening to her read us a book...

Oh what fun we had outside with the BUBBLE MACHINE! And...we got to practice following directions...no stepping inside the box, to keep the machine "safe"!

Woo Hoo...it's free choice Friday!

We were having so much fun in the sun...we only snapped one pic ;o)

During Jesus time we remembered the job that Jesus gave his disciples, to spread the Good News that He had died to take their sins away.  He wants us to share this news with others too.

Have an awesome weekend!

Thursday, April 27, 2023

 Thanks for joining us today in preschool!

For "Artsy Thursday" we began our work on a weaving project (each EC classroom in making one hula hoop) that will eventually be displayed on our playgrounds. We have a great start, but may take a little longer to complete than expected!

As of this morning, when this picture was taken, we had 9 chrysalis. As of lunch time...we have 10 chrysalis!!!

We can't wait for them to become butterflies!!!

"Hippos in a Hut" visited at the end of morning meeting today!  We started with 5 hippos...

Some got a little sleepy and decided to take a nap in their hut!  Our job was to figure out how many hippos were sleeping by counting how many hippos stayed out to play.  How many are in the hut if 4 are left outside to play??? This is a tough concept to grasp, but we recalled what we had learned when we did this with dinosaurs, so we did a good job today.  

We enjoyed chapel led by Mrs. Kuhlman's first grade class. They even gave us two beautifully decorated butterflies to hang on our windows as a reminder. A reminder that Jesus loves us so much that He died on the cross to save us from our sins.

A quick sibling pic with Parker and Charlie!

Another great morning for a little outside time...

Time for small groups (centers)!

We improved our cutting skills as we made an earth puzzle. After he/she cut his/her puzzle into pieces, each friend had to put his/her puzzle back together and glue it onto a piece of paper.  Spatial awareness is an early math skill.

We not only improved spatial awareness as we put together the alphabet train, we also improved letter recognition, the order of the letters in the alphabet, and working with others!  We sure heard the "ABC song" many times in preschool today!

Each friend improved hand-eye coordination and social skills and he/she could choose to create on his/her own, with a friend, or with a group using magnatiles! 

Time to enjoy some fresh air on the parking lot playground!

Have a wonderful night!

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

 We had a Tasty Tuesday in preschool!

Two reminders first...

There is NO school next Monday, 5/1 for teacher professional development

Preschool is singing at church...our class (together with Mrs. Horn’s PS class) is singing at Zion Lutheran Church at the 5:00 pm service on Saturday, May 6.  Please join us for worship and to hear little ones sing praise to Jesus!  Please arrive at 4:45 pm and meet in the welcome center (just outside the sanctuary).  Your child will sing at the beginning of the service and will then join you for the rest of worship.

And...Here we go...

It has been four weeks since we "planted" our bulbs, so today each friend took some time observing his/her bulb.  He/she then drew a "week 4" picture of his/her bulb in his/her bulb journal!  We noticed that some bulbs have grown a really long stem, one even has 2 stems growing!  We quickly noticed they are all very different...

Callahan began decorating his birthday crown for next week!

We were all decked out for this Tasty Tuesday...

And were even surprised with a Kona Ice treat!!!

"Hippos in a Hut" visited at the end of morning meeting today!  We started with 5 hippos...

Some got a little sleepy and decided to take a nap in their hut!  Our job was to figure out how many hippos were sleeping by counting how many hippos stayed out to play.  How many are in the hut if 3 are left outside to play??? This is a tough concept to grasp, but we recalled what we had learned when we did this with dinosaurs, so we did a good job today.  As the week goes on, we might add more hippos and continue to improve upon this early math skill!

All of our caterpillars are still caterpillars today!  We are patiently waiting for them to enter the Pupa stage...some are on their way...hanging in the "J" formation!!!

 So, we took a little time discussing the four stages of a butterfly.  Today we concentrated on stage 3, Pupa!  We learned that while in the chrysalis the caterpillar is changing into a butterfly!

After some observation, each friend drew stage 3 in his/her lifecycle of a butterfly journal.

A beautiful, sunny day to get moving on the preschool playground!

Time for small groups (centers)!

Our first center was TOP SECRET, so no pictures!!! You'll find out what we worked on when it gets a bit closer to a certain special day that is just around the corner!

Oh no!!! Our caterpillar needed some help being put back together!  His body is numbered from 1 - 20, our job was to put him back in order from 1 - 20 or 20 - 1!  Success for some was leading the group, asking for the next number. Success for others was finding the next number and placing it next in our "caterpillar puzzle".

We improved our writing/drawing skills as we wrote and drew in journals about fun things we want to do this summer!

We strengthened the finger, wrist, and hand muscles while exploring kinetic sand...

One more chance to get our wiggles out, outside!

During Jesus Time today we remembered how the disciples must have felt when Jesus left to go to heaven.  Just like we might feel when mom and dad leave us to go somewhere.  But, we remembered that mom and dad always come home and we are happy!  Jesus will one day return too!!!

Have a great night!