Since last Tuesday did not hold the best weather conditions for planting our vegetable garden, Mr. Whitefield came prepared to take us all on an adventure where we got to learn, touch and release a glass snake and box turtle. We walked to a wooded area away from the school to find the perfect spot to let the animals go; but before we did Mr. Whitefield educated the children about the glass snake and box turtle. Did you know that glass snakes are actually a type of lizard? It was an amazing opportunity for the children to learn about these creatures, their diet, habitat and experience them first hand. This is the best way to learn!
Story time is one of the most important moments in our rhythm each day. These oral stories activate the right side of children's brains as they imagine and create the story in their minds. This right brain activation helps the child to be a better reader later in life, as they are able to create a picture of what they are reading in their imaginations. Our stories are full of rich language, imagery, and repetition. After I have told the story for a period of time, the children are given the opportunity to tell the story themselves. We dress up and everyone gets an opportunity to play at least one character.
We have also been working on the letter R this week. The children had the opportunity to form an R with yarn, paint, sand and chalk. We later did a beautiful form drawing of a roving river with rapids and rocks. Oh, and don't forget a yummy snack of red raspberries! It was so special to listen to the children as they shared their memory objects. When children share personal experiences our little classroom family becomes closer; bonding and understanding each other better. Drawings become more meaningful and thoughtful when children draw about something they have experienced personally. Eventually the same process will be true of their writings. Please check the Cottage Happenings tab as we have started American Sign Language, gardening, handwork and music. I have so enjoyed watching the children learn and interact with our ASL teacher. Mrs. Michelle is deaf and reads lips. Amazing things are happening through their interactions with learning sign language from her. Mrs. Tindle, our music teacher, is bringing wonderful movement and songs to our classroom. Handwork is also a favorite of many! The children learned to one finger knit with Mrs. Sloan, working their fine motor skills and focus. I'm so sorry about the pictures being the wrong way! I tried to rotate them with no luck but they were just too sweet not to post. As we begin the year we will explore each letter of the alphabet. During this time, we go through the process of experiencing the letter as a whole versus memorizing it and writing it over and over. First, we experience what a letter looks like. You have seen the nature S and below are photos of your children making an M with their bodies (this was also a great teamwork activity). We then sing songs that contain the letter sound repetitively. Has your child been singing about a silly snake? Just wait, Marvin the Monkey will start soon! Then we begin to make the letter and draw or form it from things that contain the letter. This is our steppingstone to writing words and sentences. This natural and fun progression will ease learning and make for well rounded readers and writers who can not only recognize but understand the words and letters they write and see.
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