Passover Celebration/ Letter I

      MATH    We used rulers and worked in pairs to measure inches. They have a "book" in their backpacks that we used to introduce the concept. We also reviewed oblongs, octagons, and ovals.

SCIENCE     Insects were explored all week! We identified insects by counting 6 legs and 3 body parts.
We did an  experiment using rock salt and table salt to melt ice. We compared and discussed our results.

CIRCLE/LANGUAGE ARTS    The letter "I" was introduced using Handwriting Without Tears. After reading The Very Lonely Firefly, we practiced sequencing using story cards.

ART      Besides finishing our Passover projects, we constructed ladybugs complete with pipe cleaner legs! Pom pom inchworms were assembled on "leaves".  We dished out ice cream sundaes made of cotton balls, rainbow sprinkles, pom poms (cherries), and paint (syrup).

BOOKS/SONGS      Colors on Insects (Salad), Ice Cream (Cooper), "I Like Ice Cream", Passover Magic (Schotter), Pounds, Feet, Inches (Rourke), and all our collection of Passover songs!!!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK     After our Seder on Tuesday, I asked one child if they enjoyed the program,she responded, " it was a blast!"  One student actually came up to me and said, "thank you for all the Passover "stuff" like the programs (Haggadahs)! What a joy it is working with your children! When reviewing octagons, ovals, and oblongs, I drew an oblong and asked them to name the shape. One child yelled out...."a hot dog"!

Oceans and Passover

CIRCLE/LANGUAGE      The  letter "O" was introduced using Handwriting Without Tears. After reading the book, Octopus Opposites (Blackstone), we practiced opposites. After reading the book, Oh, Look (Polacco), we practiced sequencing. Individually, I spent time dictating letters. They did very well especially having no visual clues. Also, I did another story prompt with each child about ocean treasures. They will be posted in the hall next week. The sharing went very well. The children love to be "on stage" while presenting their sharing.

MATH      We used wikki stix to build numbers. As always, they enjoyed the hands-on activity. During our "o" activities, we review oblong, octogon, and oval shapes.

SCIENCE      We continue to monitor the progress on our "growing" carrots, yam, and potato. The students never tire of  watching the growth. To further our learning about whales and walruses, we did an experiment with Crisco and ice. They placed one hand directly on ice and the other hand on Crisco that was on top of the ice. This demonstrated blubber and how it insulates. We ate a science experiment! We did a taste test and sampled foods that were bitter, sweet, salty, and sour. We explored the sense of taste and parts or our tongues.

SOCIAL STUDIES    When learning about ostriches, we found Africa on the map and talked about the climate and habitats.

ART      After making walruses and whale, we continued with ocean life by making oysters out of paper plates. We constructed an ocean/seashore scene complete with a treasure chest that corresponded with a portfolio page. Owl faces were made using paper plates, cupcake liners, and feathers. We are spending a lot of time on our Passover projects which include placemats, pillows, and Haggadah covers. The children are looking forward to showing you at our Seder.

SHABBAT      We finished Moses and the Ten Commandments and are spending a great deal of time on Passover. We are using a wide variety of books and songs in our learning.

BOOKS/SONGS      "Zig Zag", "It's Only Me", The Owl and the Pussycat (Lear), Ostrich (Lunis), Oliver's Must Do List (Brown), Sleepy Owl (Pfister), Miracles of Passover (Hanft), What's Opposite (Falconer), Had Gadya A Passover Song (Chwast), A Taste For Noah ( Topek), The Matzo Ball Boy (Schulman)

CELEBRATIONS   We celebrated Alexis's 5th birthday with a yummy ice cream treat! 
 
REMINDERS      Our Seder is Tues., April 12 at 8:30 a.m. in Mayerson Hall. Daddy Drop Off is Friday, May 6th. The Preschool Art Show is May 11 from 5:00- 6:30.

THANK YOU       Thank you to the moms who helped prepare our Seder pillows. I truly appreciate your time and energy!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK      When discussing the 10th commandment, we defined the word envious. One student proclaimed that envious means jealous. Then, another student chimed in by saying that's how Cinderella's step-mother felt!