After watching a slideshow of our recent trip to the fire station, the children drew pictures of their favorite things that they learned from our friends, the firefighters! Some popular favorites were watching the firefighter sliding down the fire pole and sitting in the seat of the big fire engine.
Before painting at the easel, we talked about the different shapes we might use to paint fire trucks, fire fighters or possibly a fire station. The children added ladders, hoses and even sirens on top!
At Circle time, we wrote a thank you note to our friends at the fire station for our wonderful tour. The boys and girls raised their hands to add their own thoughts about what they wanted to say. Then each one of the children signed their name to the note.
Friends worked together to put together a HUGE fire engine floor puzzle. It was a group effort and the children demonstrated patience and respect with their classmates as they shared strategies.
All finished and so PROUD!
Loading dump trucks and front loaders with a mound of modeling clay was a fun activity. First they practiced using their whole hand to unscrew the smiley face container where the modeling clay was stored. Next they pinched off portions of clay and then rolled it to make a mound to load on their trucks.
Following a recent rain the children dodged large puddles on their way to the library one morning. That afternoon when walking on the sidewalk we observed that the puddles were gone! A child asked, "What happened to the puddles?" So, we began to learn about the magic process of the water cycle! During Exploring last week the ice cubes that were being transferred from bowl to bowl started to melt. We placed the melted ice, which turned into water in the freezer to see what would happen. It froze into a circle of ice. We then took it outside and observed it as it melted once again. Following these observations we read the book, "Earth's Water Cycle" by Robin Nelson.
This week we added new, rich soil to our garden and got it ready for planting!
Then we dug little holes and everyone planted their Marigold seeds and then carefully covered them with soil.
Of course our new little seeds need water to grow, so made sure they had plenty!
In the Exploratorium we each planted Zinnia seeds in little cups, using spoons to transfer the soil into the cup. Then we planted the seeds, gave them a little drink of water and placed them in a sunny window.
Next the children pondered the question of which seeds would sprout first, the ones in the garden or in the cup. We made a bar graph of their choices. The garden is in the lead!
This week the children were each given a large foam letter before coming to Circle. They then found their matching letter on the rug for a spot to sit. They shared the name of their letters with the class and we shared the sound of the letter. The boys and girls have enjoyed singing the "ABC song" and are always noting beginning sounds of words. "Zinnia begins with the letter Z!"
On Friday we were honored to have our Grandparents and special friends visit us. We sang, "It's a Wonderful World" in the theater and then our grandparents and special friends came to see us in the classroom. The boys and girls enjoyed showing them some different activities that they enjoy. The children were so excited and many of them took our guests to the library, the playground, the Exploratorium and even the new Athletic Center! Beautiful beaded hearts made by the children were given to their guests. We are all so happy that they could be with us on such a special day!
Upcoming Dates:
2/3 Shorecrest GALA - New Athletic Center 6:30 PM
2/14 Valentine's Day Party - Exploring Schedule - 9:00 Playground, 10:00 Party - parents needed to assist and read Valentines to children
2/15 Relay for Life Lunch
2/29 Class Pictures
3/9 Spring Break Party - Exploring Schedule - 9:00 Playground, 10:00 Party
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