Unit
Since we returned from our winter break, the students have been busy exploring and learning! The class continues to explore how our actions impact animals through playing, watching videos, engaging in discussions, and taking a field trip!Throughout the unit, the students have reflected on choices people make. The choices they document come from literature we read, personal stories they share, or actions they observe outside of school. They draw and/or write the action and then post it on our board of choices defending why they think it was a good choice, grey choice, or bad choice.
Choices Bulletin Board
Building a stable for the horses
Tallest Tower for the animals
Taking care of pets at the Vet Clinic
The Prep classes have new sensory bins in the garden. Each bin represents a different habitat. The students love exploring and playing with them!
Ocean Farm
Reflecting on the Learner Profile
Trip to the Bioparco
Last week we explored the zoo while reflecting on different animal needs. The students used a critical eye as they looked at the different habitats. They learned a multitude of information about endangered animals, threats that exist, and ways to help. One group made a digital photostory sharing their experience.
Taking Action!
After several class discussion, several students decided they wanted to help the birds in our garden during the cold winter months by giving them food. After researching different options, one group decided to build a wooden bird house. Another child wanted to make one out of a plastic bottle and wooden spoons. Both groups wrote a plan and then started working hard. The plastic bottle bird feeder was slightly more challenging than we originally thought. We went through several bottles until we found one that had strong enough plastic to cut through without it crushing. The student glued the wooden spoons in place, and filled it with birdseed.
The other group started by finding pieces of wood, painting them, sanding them, and finally assembling the bird house. Then one student said, "What if the rain takes off the paint?" So we investigated this question by running a piece of extra wood under water from the sink. Sure enough, the paint washed right off. The students came up with several ideas of how to solve this problem, and agreed to send the teachers to the hardware store to buy non-toxic waterproof paint. They were excited to paint the birdhouse again! This week, we will fill it with birdseed and hang it in our garden.
The class also learned about animal shelters and how they can help animals in need. We discussed the benefits of getting a pet from a shelter rather than a pet store. In addition, we also noted although it is wonderful to save a homeless animal, the reality is most of us cannot adopt a pet, but there are still other ways to help. We can teach others about animal shelters or donate food, bedding, and other items a shelter may need.
After this discussion, one of our students decided she wanted to write a letter to her friend to tell her what she learned about animal shelters.
Math
During our independent classroom learning time, we started exploring various concepts in measurement. One child tried to build the longest cube train possible while another compared the heights of different people in the classroom to it. We discovered that in order to measure accurately, each person had to line their feet up with the last cube.
Measuring our height
Another student brought in a model of the Empire State Building from home and wanted to find items in the class that were taller and shorter than his model. He made many discoveries!
Comparing heights
Students are now focusing on practicing the numbers in the teens (11-19). We develop number sense by using double ten frames to represent a number. We also use place value sticks (bundle of 10 and extra ones). You can reinforce these skills at home through play and finding them in the environment.
Matching teen numbers with place value sticks
Language Arts
The students continue to develop literacy skills. Through intentional teaching and independent play they make new discoveries about how sounds work together and make meaning.
A group of children worked together to write this morning message
Building CVC words on starfall.com
Ideas for your Home
Puzzle Play- Did you know that puzzles develop skills that are used in math, reading, and writing?Developmental benefits include:
-Learning that a whole is made of parts
-Developing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills
-Building visual-perceptual skills
-Developing attention, concentration and thinking skills such as recognizing, remembering, matching, sorting, and problem solving
-Assisting language skills as the child listens and follows instructions and talks about what they are doing
-Developing hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills
-Building visual-perceptual skills
-Developing attention, concentration and thinking skills such as recognizing, remembering, matching, sorting, and problem solving
-Assisting language skills as the child listens and follows instructions and talks about what they are doing
Zebra puzzle
