Pastor Matt led chapel this morning.  He illustrated for us how because of our sin, we were dirty, BUT...

because of Jesus we are no longer dirtied by our sin!  Ever!  Jesus took all of our sins upon Himself when He died on the cross and rose again!  We thank and praise God for the gift of salvation! 

After chapel we had our morning meeting time and went outside.  The friends were excited to try out the big play ground today! 

On the walk back to our classroom, we took some pictures of items to add to our alphabet.  

T-T-Trophy

W-W-Water fountain

During small group time we played a game with number bugs.  We rolled a number, found the number on the bug, and then put the bug together.  This activity promotes number recognition, counting, and quantifying.  It also promotes patience (as the friends wait for their turn) and collaboration ("I can't see the 5 bug.  Does anyone see the 5 bug?"

We added watercolor paint to our salt and glue creation from yesterday.

Finally, we worked on a collaborative classroom mural! The children worked together to create a piece of artwork for our classroom.  This activity promotes collaboration, cooperation, and helps build a classroom community. Creating a classroom community is vital as learning is a social act.  A classroom community is a place in which students feel valued as individuals.  They also feel connected to their peers and teachers.  We will continue to work to build our classroom community throughout the school year!     

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:24-25

After lunch and quiet time, we went outside to play.  

During free choice time, we look for opportunities to not only scaffold their learning, but also their play.  For example, if children are playing next to each other, but not with each other, the next goal is for them to interact with one another.  If children are playing cooperatively together, the next goal is to plan their play together.  This scaffolding of play leads to cognitive development and skills including inhibitive control, divided attention, and cognitive flexibility which are all important aspects of executive functioning. 

During second small group time we explored the Unifix cubes and pattern blocks. 

We also completed our classroom mural.

Finally, the children received some direct instruction on how to hold a pencil and form the letters in their names.