The first few weeks of school we specifically focused on reviewing classroom, school and playground rules. We discussed the importance of independence starting with the childrens’ morning routine (dropoff). We encouraged them to unzip and hang their sweatshirts or jackets themselves, followed by hanging and unzipping their own backpacks and putting their lunch bags, snacks and water bottles where they belong. We will continue to assist them until they have settled into this morning routine.
In the short time we’ve been in school, the children have worked on recognizing their names in different areas of our classroom and school (hallway). We worked on fine motor skills every day by writing our names, drawing and coloring pictures and cutting and using shape punchers with paper. The first project the children worked on was a name mosaic which is displayed on our bulletin board. The children chose colored paper strips and cut them into small squares themselves, then glued them onto the outline of their name. We also began journals. Each child has a binder which is kept in our classroom and journal entries are made daily. We started by asking them to create a cover page for their journal and a self-portrait as the first entry. To give you an idea of what this looks like, we provide the children with a topic or idea to draw about. For example, one entry was to show something they did over the weekend, another entry was to draw all the things we can make using apples. They drew apple pies, apple juice, applesauce, apple cider donuts, etc. This is a fantastic way for them to practice their pencil grips and work on their coloring skills.
We started to discuss fall, apples, leaves, trees and harvest. We will continue discussions about this smaller unit involving apples as we head into October, specifically about how they grow and their life cycle. The different parts of an apple, how different colored apples differ from each other. How they look, smell, feel and taste. And do they sink or float? With every theme/subject we discuss, we will find a way to incorporate thinking, questions, discovery and fun with science!
Finally, we started to learn about our classmates and their families. We shared some stories about home, some likes and dislikes, if we have brothers or sisters or both. We talked about moms, dads, grandparents, cousins and aunts and uncles too. We shared if we had pets or not and what their names are. We are beginning to work on our “5 Things About Me” activity which will lead us into our all about me theme/unit for October. There is so much to cover and share about ourselves! To help us with our all about me unit, we ask that you please send in a recent family photo as soon as possible. The children can share their picture during the morning meeting and we will keep it for our Family Tree. Thank you.
Happy fall,
Mrs. Pucci
