The children have been very enthusiastic about our ongoing inquiry topic related to plants. The students had opportunities to reflect on plants in various settings including outside (where do plants grow? What do they need to survive? What do we notice?) and in the classroom (how have our seedlings grown and changed after two weeks?) The PreK students are observant scientists.
We have been learning about patterns using math games in the classroom. The students are engaged and having fun! We tried to make patterns using body movements, for example "clap, hop, clap, hop." Next, we tried to copy a friend's pattern. Finally, we learned how to make a pattern grow. Our knowledge moved from concrete to more abstract as we translated our body patterns to color patterns using unifix cubes.
A new classroom center was very exciting for the children: the workshop. This is based on "maker" ideology where students have creative freedom to use recycled or creative loose parts to build productively and freely. Families, if you have any materials you wish to donate to our workshop (i.e. bottle caps, cardboard, clean containers), please bring them in and give them to a teacher. Thanks for supporting your child's creativity and agency!
Next Week:
The students will continue to explore our study topic of plants and growth. We will begin learning about numerals and how to write them. We will visit library for the first time, rather than having the library cart come to our classroom! Lots of exciting things to look forward to.
Circles:
This week we will continue discussions of friendship at circle.
After-Care:
The children will have the opportunity do to some cooking projects, including making popcorn, at after-care this week.
Reminders:
Please be sure to sign up for a guest reading opportunity in the PreK classroom. The children would love to have you, and it is a great opportunity to model the importance of reading and literacy. Click here to sign up!
Upcoming Events:
You are welcome to attend a Founder's Day celebration on Tuesday, March 20th at 2:30. The PreK class will help fifth graders in planting a tree at the celebration, since they are "plant experts!"
From the Library:
Mark your calendars! The annual ES Book Parade Assembly is on April 10, the day we get back from the April break. This year, the ES Library Council has declared the theme to be GRAPHIC NOVELS! Stay tuned for more details.
Parents' Corner:
Every child (and adult!) has moments when they are upset. Feeling angry or sad is a normal human response! How we respond to the children in these moments can support their emotional growth and development. Click here to read more about supportive ways to listen when your child is upset.
Parents, thank you to those who joined us at the community meeting on Thursday and apologies for rescheduling. We really enjoyed sharing the curriculum with you and discussing what the children have been learning in depth. Our conversations were great, too! A special thank you to Ms. Sanne who collaborated on the slideshow that was presented at the meeting. We'd love to have you join us at the next meeting on April 11th, 5:00-5:30.
PreK Parent Community Meetings
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