Our preschool friends check in at the preschool classroom before coming over to our classroom for Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Here are some pictures of them checking in!  :) 

During Jesus time we reviewed the story of Joseph and his brothers.  We discussed times we have all made mistakes and need forgiveness.  Because of Jesus, we can forgive one another! 

During small group time we worked to make letters with the wood pieces.  This increases letter identification as well as helps the children understand how to write letters.  

"I need a big curve and a straight line to make a D."

With Mrs. Zwettler, we continued to explore magnets.  We explored whether items are magnetic or not. 

Independently, the friends read in the library.  Although they can not conventionally read, they are learning important concepts of print including print orientation, tracking print, and print carries meaning.

With me, we continued to explore slinkys.  Some of the friends wondered if slinkys are alive.  We discussed our thoughts about that.  After small group time, we took a vote to see what we think.  I wrote down why the children voted the way they did.  Living vs. non-living is an important science concept that has naturally stemmed from our discussion.  We might have to investigate this further!  

(See the graph below.)   

Outside time

Free choice time 

Investigating letters independently - 

The desire to learn letters and how to write is an important disposition that we work to foster in early childhood.

Collaboration in the puzzles 

Collaboration creating robots

"Let's put the button here so it can run fast." 

"Well if we put it here, he can run faster." 

"Yeah!" 

According to Bloom's updated Taxonomy, creative thinking is the highest level thinking skill.  As the children engage in creative thinking they are also engaging in cognitive development! 

During morning meeting we played rhyming games together.  Rhyming is an important phonemic awareness skill. (Phonemic awareness is the ability to play with the sounds of language.) Research suggests that children with strong phonemic awareness skills tend to be successful readers in the future. 

Second outside time

During second small group time we made shapes together. We discussed the differences between the shapes as we created.  

"The rectangle is longer than the square." 

"The triangle has three sides."

We were so excited to have our awesome Interim Principal stop into the class!  We are very thankful for all of her hard work for our school! 

We continued to work on making letters. 

We read books in the library too! 

Free choice time

One of the friends sorted the frogs by color and then into groups of three!  He is applying important math skills! (Sorting, counting, grouping)