Gone Fishin'

Today our 3s had to work for their snack!  Our theme this week is "Making a Splash", we are learning about creatures who live in and around the pond.

 Robert brought in the ingredients for us each to make our own pond.  We had a pond (blue icing), fishing poles (pretzel sticks), and goldfish for catching.

 The object was to dip the fishing pole in the pond, and catch a fish!

 Everyone had a great time "catching" their snack.  It was a great fine motor workout and exercise in developing hand-eye coordination, and not to mention delicious!

Look, this little fellow caught 2!

Inch by Inch

During our insect unit, our 4s further explored non-standard measurement with inchworms and team work.  Each class read Inch by Inch by Leo Lionni, a story about a little inchworm who is forced to measure lots of things.  Finally, when charged with measuring the mockingbird's song, he comes up with a plan to escape.  

 Each team had 3 members, and 3 jobs.  The first job was the measurer-er, that child managed the inchworm.  The second job was the recorder, that child had the crayons..  The third job was the writer, that child had the clipboard.  

 The task was to choose an object, measure it, draw a picture of the thing measured, and record the number.  This group went straight to the pepper plant.  They measured it, drew a picture, recorded the number and went off to find something else to measure.  So impressed with their focus and ability to stay on task.

 The children did an amazing job with this detailed assignment.  

 This group measured the fence.  It was a lofty task, but they were up for it. We considered encouraging them to measure something smaller, but where was the opportunity for growth there?  We treated it like a teachable moment and taught them how to write that big number!

 This group chose to measure the wheel of the Flintstone car.  They did a super job.

Here you can see the evidence of their hard work.  Like mentioned in a previous post, we have done group work before.  We have practiced it and gotten really good at cooperating with peers.  We have also have had experience with non-standard measurement.  This was just a really great culminating experience, bringing all that we have learned together.  

It is a lesson like this that reminds us why we do what we do.  Can they color in the lines...maybe,  but let me tell you what we KNOW that they can do!  They get along, they cooperate, they share, they are contributing members of a team, they count together, they measure things in their environment, they are developing responsibility, mentoring each other, estimating, writing numerals, building number sense, they take risks (measuring that fence!), they encourage each other, they follow multiple step directions, they are building confidence, they THINK, and I could go on and on, but you get the idea :)  We are so proud of our 4s and all that they have accomplished this year.  We can't wait to hear about their success in kindergarten.  

A Very Hungry Snack!

This week is all about insects!  Today our 3s enjoyed the story of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle.  It is surely a best loved book for preschoolers.  After reading, we re-told the story by acting out each stage of the butterfly's life cycle.  We curled up to be the egg, crawled around to the be the caterpillar, went into our "house" for a cocoon, and finally, we emerged from our cocoon and stretched our new, wonderful wings.  We even learned a new, very big word: metamorphosis!  During centers we make pom pom caterpillars and placed them in a paper bag cocoon.  Hopefully, they will come out soon and show us their new wings!

 We also had a "Very Hungry" snack...

 That caterpillar must have eaten right through our cheese...

 strawberries... 

and cupcakes.  

Then, just like the caterpillar, we all got tummy aches! Not to worry, Mrs. Georgia gave us all a "leaf" to eat, which made us feel all better!

Flower Garden Math!

Let me start by apologizing for the upside-downness of some of the picture.  I had to use my phone to catch this lesson because our school camera was at home...

Last week we explored things in and around the flower garden.  We talked a lot about flowers and the scientific name for their parts.  During this math lesson, our 4s worked with the concept of non-standard measurement.  

 We have worked in small groups at preschool many times this year.  Small group work in young children really doesn't just "happen".  It is something that you  have to teach them, and something they have to practice.  The children often play well together, but working together can be a different story.  Throughout the year we have learned how to take turns, assign jobs, develop personal responsibility, keep our materials organized, get along, and follow-through. At times our group work lessons must have seemed silly to them, but in the long run, it worked!  You should just see them working together and the smiles of success on their faces!

 Each child was in charge of one part of the materils needed for the lesson.  One person had the manipulatives, one the pencil, one the paper, and one the flowers.  

 Their job was to measure each flower using the units provided, and record the number.  We talked a lot about how you can measure with rulers, measuring tapes, and yardsticks.  We also talked about other ways that we could measure, using hands, feet, fingers, and in this case, manipulatives.  

 This lesson asked us to count with one-to-one correspondence, write numerals, rely on and develop number sense, measure and order objects from smallest to largest,

 I think the best part about a lesson like this is that everyone has an opportunity for success.  If a child doesn't write numerals yet, they can still participate by counting and measuring, while at the same time learning from their peers.  

 Here the girls have measured the flowers, written the numerals, and lined them up from shortest to longest.  

 Often parents worry when children make reversals in writing numerals and letters.  The 4 shown in this picture is reversed, but it is an awesome 4 otherwise!  I was so proud of them.  When I encounter these reversals, I am careful to not be critical, after all, they are only 4 and making developmentally appropriate approximations of numbers (except most 4 year olds can't even write numbers!).  I would simply say, " I love how you counted 4, and wrote 4, that is great work.  When I write the number 4, I do it like this".  I would then demonstrate how to write the four correctly.  

 Can't you just see the smiles of success on their faces :)