Welcome back for another great week of school! 

This morning, after our morning routines, we looked to see how many items were in the jar.  We are practicing subitizing.  Subitizing is when you are able to see how many items without counting each individual item.  

Math researchers have identified the ability to subitize as an important part of developing basic number sense skills. They’ve discovered that when young children can see numbers in patterns, they also have stronger number sense skills overall.

At home you can practice this with your child as you play board games with dice.  

After we observed the items, we voted for how many we predicted are in the jar.  We discussed that it is okay to not have the correct answer because that is how we learn! 

We then read this book about Jesus' birth! 

During free choice work time the friends went straight to work on Christmastown.  

Although it might seem as though the friends aren't accomplishing much as they work on Christmastown, there is so much value in their work, and the friends are practicing many valuable skills.  They are using their find motor skills as they cut the wrapping paper and tape.  They are working together to decide who will hold, who will cut, and who will tape.  They are practicing keeping their friends safe as they hold their scissors safely when not in use.  

We also acted out the story of Jesus' birth using our Nativity Scene! 

The friends worked together in the loose parts. 

They friends also drew pictures of the story of Jesus' birth.  

They sang Christmas songs together too! 

Some friends chose to build with the unifix cubes.  This was a good opportunity to practice social skills, engage in creative thinking, and strengthen fine motor skills. 

"See?  As this red line moves it gets heavier!" 

"Let's see if we can get it all the way to zero!" 

Some friends worked hard to order numbers 1-10.  They were so excited and wanted to document their success.  The following pictures are from the friends. 

We read this book after work time.  Jesus is the light of the world!  That is why we hang Christmas lights in our classroom.  Jesus shines His light into the darkness of our sin, and He has redeemed us through His death and resurrection on the cross!