Welcome to the First Wednesday in March

Wednesday March 04, 2015 Welcome to the month of March.  It sure does not feel like March outside with the temperature and snow.   It is hard to believe in 3 short months our school year will be over and many of my friends will be off to the big school to join new friends in preschool.  Even though that time is coming we have so much to learn, explore and play with before we go.  With the beginning of a new month meant lots of changes in our classroom, new toys for one it was exciting to see all my friends come in today and see what they were going to play with.  What an exciting first hour and 15 minutes we had in our classroom.  So much learning, exploring and playing was taking place I almost hated to have to clean up and continue on with the rest of our day.  During our Morning Meeting we were introduced to a new month (MARCH), a new number (8) a new shape (rectangle), a new color (Yellow) a new Jesus story (Jesus Calms the Storm) a new pattern (shamrocks and Hat’s) and new letters (k &L).  We also started to learn about the holiday St. Patrick’s Day and learned some new words today.  Enjoy reading about our day and viewing the pictures.  Lots to learn and do today.  March Calendars came home today and a reminder that Book Orders are due today.  We have a busy month planned ahead and I hope all my students stay well and are here to enjoy this exciting time together.  Enjoy reading about our day! Jesus Time: This week's Bible story comes from Mark 4:35-41 Jesus Calms the Storm Jesus and His followers got into a boat and set out across the lake.  Jesus was so tired that he fell asleep.  Soon a strong wind began to blow.  Waves came over the side of the boat.  Everyone was frightened. They woke Jesus. “Help us, or we’ll drown!”  Jesus commanded the wind and waves to be still.  The wind stopped, and there were no more waves coming into the boat.  The lake became calm.  Number:  We were introduced to the number 8 today.  We looked at the number 8 and how it looks like to circles on top of each other.  We counted our 8 fingers and then we counted 8 Shamrocks Shape:  an introduction the shape of a rectangle was done during morning meeting.  We talked about how the door to our classroom is the shape of a rectangle.  Color: Yellow is the color we will be learning about in the month of March.  We were introduced to lots of different things on our yellow board today.  Ask your child what they saw on our color board today.  During our center time we colored an umbrella yellow and glued it on a blue piece of paper that more will be added to it in the next week or so.  As the children came over the center I would ask them what the object was and when they would use it.  All of my little friends knew it was an umbrella and did a fairly good job at saying this tricky word.  They also were able to tell me what they used it for.   We were able to tie in our bible story to this activity as well.  As the student began to paint their umbrella they were asked what color they were using.  Most were able to respond with the color YELLOW! Music and Movement: We sang Jesus Loves Me, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, our ABC’s, We didn’t have a lot of time for music and movement today because we got so caught up in playing and exploring in the classroom.   Outside Time: With the ground covered in snow we did not get to go outside the drizzle in the air we headed to the commons and for a walk around the main school.  We had a lot of fun with our friends from the PDO Classes and are really looking forward to when we can return to the outside to play! Patterning:  We were introduced to a new pattern of Shamrock and Leprechaun Hats today during morning meeting.   Two new words for us to learn and become familiar with during the month of March We are continuing along our letter journey today we learned about the letter K and L and we will start painting hands this week to continue our alphabet book that will becoming home in May! We also worked on the first letter of our name by writing the first letter in glue on a green shamrock that will be displayed in our classroom.  We will work on becoming familiar with our name over the next couple of months.  Sensory and Science led us to talk about the weather today and what we need when it would rain outside.  We also talked about the wind Jesus and his followers experienced in their boat on water.  We also had the opportunity to play with new yellow play dough and make all types of fun things with it. We had fun looking at the big snowflakes that fell to the ground this morning.  We peeked our heads outside to see if we could hear the snowflakes and we determined that we could not that they were too soft! We are doing lots of exploring, learning and discovering all types of things through out the day in our classroom.  Everyday is an adventure and everyday is different.  Which is the beauty of working with this age group.  Enjoy the pictures from our day! Free Choice Play  We enjoyed exploring the classroom today and seeing all the different things we could find to play with.  We listened to some classical music this morning to allow us to relax and enjoy our time together.  My battery was not fully charged on my ipod so I didn't get quite as many pictures as I would on a normal day.  I apologize for the lack of pictures New Yellow Play Dough There is nothing like playing with brand new play dough!   We had fun rolling it, squishing it and cutting out different things with the cookie cutters.  Play dough is a great fine motor skill that we continue to work each week in our classroom.

. Exploring lots of new toys in that have been brought into our classroom.  I try my best to change out the toys once a month so that there is plenty of variety in our classroom as well keeping my friends engaged, learning and exploring.  

. The kitchen was a happening place this morning.  There were lots of delicious things that were being made.  

. We had a lot of fun playing with the new magnets on our magnetic board.  

Morning Meeting 

. We read this great book on how we can be good helpers at home! 

. Transition & Snack Time

Today we put leprechauns on our name board this morning.  Each leprechaun is a different color so we are able to work on our name recognition and our colors.  Again this is a great way for us to work on our listening and following directions skills.  

. Commons Play

. Center Time

. Jack found some lacing card to work on.  

Painting a Yellow Umbrella

. Enjoying the new books in the book basket

. Having fun on the magnetic board

. Jack found some new a different blocks to build and create with.  He was really excited with his creation. 

. Shamrocks and our Name

. Coloring a St Patrick's Day Picture

. Drawing on the chalkboard

. K is for Kite and L is for Lion

. Circle Time

We spent learning about the letter K and L and singing our ABC's 

. We also read a favorite book of mine.  

. We played a transition  game of matching shamrocks.  Each child was given a shamrock with a number on it.  When I held up a shamrock if their number matched my number they brought it up to me and they were able to go and find something to play with in the classroom.  This was a great way for us to work on our number identification  as well as our following directions skills, listening skills and learning some patience waiting our turn. 

. Music and Movement 

We had so much fun in our classroom that we only had time for a few songs. 

. Our favorite book about Bear was back today as we read another great adventure that Bear and his friends had. 

. Transition & Lunch Time

. Working really hard at standing in line! 

We had an awesome Wednesday and had so much fun exploring and learning today.  It was so great to have all my friends at school today.  I will be praying for all my friends and families to stay healthy and well.  Please be sure to look over our calendar for the month of March and if you are looking for a place to worship we hear at Zion would love for you to join us… we have worship services on Saturday at 5:00 and Sunday at 8:00 9:30 and 11:00.  Also, during the season of Lent we offer Wednesday services at 3:30 and 7:00.  Have a wonderful weekend and many blessings to you all.