Thursday, May 11, 2023

 We had a great Thursday in preschool!

In remembrance and in honor of Kimber Graham (Zion 2nd grade teacher who moved on to her heavenly home three years ago today) Zion participated in "Drop Everything and Read" for 15 minutes today, immediately following morning announcements. 

Kimber had a true passion for reading and children's literature. She inspired her students to find joy in books and to become lifelong readers. We couldn't think of anything she would love more than to see the whole school stop what they're doing to take the time to enjoy a good book. 

We remembered and honored this special teacher, colleague, and friend. 

As a 4th grader put it, "I can imagine Mrs. Graham in heaven smiling down on us as everyone in the whole school is quietly reading that day."

We then enjoyed a little more reading on our own...

Working away on our weaving creation...

And playing "school" as we created on a blank "canvas"!

To wrap up morning meeting, wiggle worm visited the classroom for the last time this school year!  Today wiggle worm brought colored shapes with numbers on them.  If a friend grabbed a shape, he/she gave the color, the name of the shape, and the number on the shape!

Then Mrs. Mudd gave them an activity to complete that number of times...time for 11 bunny hops!

If he/she grabbed a wiggle worm...

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle and FREEZE!!! It's hard to use that self regulation to stop when we are having so much fun wiggling!

Today we introduced the letter "Z"!  

We remembered start your letter "at the top" then little line across, big line down diagonal, little line across to write a "Z"! Then we came up with words that start with "Z"!

Anytime one of our friends thinks of a word that starts with "Z" we can add it to our big letter.  Or, if at home, your child sees a small picture or item that starts with a "Z", bring it in and he/she can tape it to our big letter!

Then we practiced writing "Z" with crayons (nice and short to reinforce proper grip)! 

Once again we made it outside before the rain came!!!

We sure do love it when we see siblings during our school day!

We listened to audio of the book, "Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons" while following along in the paperback book!  If you're not familiar with this book, check it out!  It's a super fun way to practice literacy skills along with math skills and singing!

Time for small groups (centers)!

Each friend had the chance to give Pete any number of buttons he/she chose (up to 20)!  First he/she wrote a number next to Pete (improving writing skills and number recognition), then had to draw that same number of buttons on Pete's shirt (connecting numerals to their quantities).  Finally, each friend could color the rest of Pete however he/she desired!

With Mrs. Dose, Pete was visiting their center with a number (from 0 - 10).  As each friend was given a number, he/she had to tell Mrs. Dose the number received.  Then, they got to place that number of real buttons on Pete's shirt!

We improved working with others and spatial awareness as we figured out a Pet the Cat puzzle.  If we completed the puzzle, we had a chance to "read to self". No, they didn't actually read the words, but practiced using a book correctly (holding correctly, turning pages from left to right, starting at the beginning of the book, and using pictures as clues to tell the story).

And...still no rain...woo hoo!!!

During Jesus Time today Zippy came to visit!  He was pretending to be a superhero.  We remembered how Peter healed the crippled man in the name of Jesus.  Peter was kind of like a superhero because he healed the man by helping him walk.  But, where did Peter get his power?  JESUS!  Jesus is the hero because it is Jesus that healed the man through Peter.  Jesus heals us too, from the sickness of sin!!!

Enjoy the rest of your Thursday!