Welcome to our Tuesday in preschool!
A couple of reminders first...
2022/23 Registration for ELP, Preschool, and Kindergarten…Registration will open tomorrow, Wednesday, January 5 at 9:00 am for current Zion families wishing to register for ELP, Preschool, or Kindergarten. On that day, you will receive an email from Zion with a link to register. We encourage families registering for our Early Childhood Programs to register early in order to reserve your preferred days (Please complete enrollment before February 1 to secure your spot for the upcoming year). The $200/child enrollment fee will be charged to your account on February 15.
There is NO school on Monday, January 17 in observation of Martin Luther King Jr Day.
Here we go...
While others were enjoying free choice time, each friend began his/her day with a special check-in! Each child completed his/her "January My Name" for his/her portfolio. All friends were asked to try writing his/her name without using his/her nametag! Most were able to write his/her name without the help of the nametag. Others were able to begin, but needed his/her nametag to finish. We did GREAT! While each friend wrote his/her name I took special note of :
pencil grip
right or left hand
copied name or wrote from memory
We noticed we started another new month, January (even a new season and a new year)! It was time to check out the December pie graph! We could tell just by looking that green (foggy) was something that we did not have in any other month. We could also see that yellow (sunny) had the most. Understanding more, less, and the same is an early math skill.
We loved that Tricky Mouse came to visit us our first week back after break! Today he brought shapes and colors. But, he couldn't fool us, we knew all the shapes/colors and found him every time! Recognizing/identifying shapes and colors are early math skills.
Today we introduced the letter "S" and number "2"!
We remembered start your letter "at the top" then little curve, turn, little curve to write an "S" and big curve, little line at the bottom to write a "2"! Then we came up with words that start with "S" and found "2's" around the room!
Anytime one of our friends thinks of a word that starts with "S" we can add it to our big letter. Or, if at home, your child sees a small picture or item that starts with an "S", bring it in and he/she can tape it to our big letter!
Then we practiced writing "S" and "2" with crayons (nice and short to reinforce proper grip)!
We bundled up and enjoyed large motor time outside...the sunshine was perfect!
Time for small groups (centers)!
With Mrs. Mudd we began work on our special art project for National Lutheran Schools week that is coming soon. Each friend improved small motor control as he/she peeled and placed 10 small foil star stickers to his/her paper. Then, each friend painted his her whole paper with watercolor paint. Finally we sprinkled salt on the top. After the paintings dry each friend will shake off the salt and remove his/her stickers to reveal a "Starry Night" masterpiece!
As we returned from Christmas break, everyone was excited to tell all about his/her Christmas! So, we improved our writing and story telling skills as we drew pictures and/or wrote about something special he/she did (or received) over Christmas!
We improved small motor control as we weaved laces in and out of lacing cards!
Snow outside has yet to arrive, so we got to make "snow" for our sensory table today. Each friend was given 1 1/2 cups of baking soda and a 1/4 cup of hair conditioner. Then we got MESSY!!! Mixing, squishing, smooshing, and squeezing until the conditioner was all mixed in. Once finished, we dumped it into the sensory table so we can play with "snow" where it is nice and warm, and it won't melt!
Hooray for outside time with friends on the parking lot playground! We found a little spot to try some "ice skating" ;o)
During Jesus Time today we imagined what it must of been like for Mary, Joseph, and Jesus to travel from place to place, it was so far to have to walk. But, it was to keep them safe! We know that God is always with us, to keep us safe, even if we can't see Him!
Have a great night!
