This morning in Jesus time we learned about Jacob.  We learned that sometimes the consequences of sin are scary.  We feel bad and we may even want to run and hide.  However, no matter what sinful things we do, Jesus forgives us and is with us! 

"God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 

We went to the gym after Jesus time and practiced moving like different insects and bugs! 

After gym, we got ready to talk a walk outside.  So many friends volunteered to help each other with zippers!  They showed God's love! 

We took a quick walk outside to get a breath of fresh air.

During small group time, the friends explored the new insects and bugs in the bug center.  Some friends found similar spiders over the weekend!  The friends discussed the similarities and differences between the two. 

We reviewed sorting and some friends extended our learning to completing simple patterns.  (It is important that children master sorting before moving on to patterning.)  

With Mrs. Dohrman, the friends explored creative arts with a symmetrical painting.  (I apologize for no pictures of the painting group.) 

Last week the friends wondered if a stink bug flies.  God provided the perfect opportunity for us to explore this question!  One of the fiends found a stink bug over the weekend and brought it to school. We walked outside to see if it would fly.  Do you think it flew? 

Many of the friends were excited to see that a stink bug does fly!  One of the friends commented, "I think the way it protects itself is that it looks like a leaf.  So the others won't eat it." 

We then discussed the word camouflage. 

Free choice time 

"How many minutes until my turn?" 

Exploring writing with the write and wipe boards. 

Many of the friends worked together to build a tower.  When it fell down, they couldn't remember how to build it again. 

"I will write what we do so we can remember!" 

"Let's make a pizza." 

"What do we need?  Let's make a list" 

Notice how the fiends incorporate writing into their play?  This provides us as teachers an opportunity to scaffold their wiring skills through meaningful wiring practice.  We call the writing children do in play meaningful because it has a clear purpose to them.  Meaningful has it has a more significant impact on cognitive development than contrived learning experiences. 

"This is the bee show.  The grasshoppers are here too.  They don't eat bees, but the bees want the flower that the grasshopper is eating.  They fight with each other.  They say they are sorry and forgive each other.  Then they pray and walk away." 

"I think this is a stink bug because it looks like the one that just flew away." 

During afternoon meeting we practiced switching beginning sounds of words.  

You can do this at home too!  

"What if table started with S (S sound)?  It would be S-SSable!" 

This easy (and fun!) game increases phonemic awareness.  Phonemic awareness is the ability to play with the sounds of language.  Research suggests that children with strong phonemic awareness skills tend to be strong readers.

Outdoor classroom exploration

"I found a cricket leg!"