The first week of school is all about establishing routines and building relationships. The children are learning about how to take care of the classroom and play with new friends. Through play, the children practice social skills, exercise problem solving skills, strengthen fine and gross motor skills and learn about our classroom.
This week the children were introduced to the wooden blocks in the Block Center. We read the book When I Build With Blocks by Niki Alling which inspired some amazing creations such as bridges, ramps, castles and even an airport runway! I was impressed by both the children's creativity, but also their collaboration and problem solving when a structure didn't work as they intended.
The rice table was also a favorite activity. At first everyone poured, scooped and searched for buttons alone, but by the end of the week, the children were working together to fill buckets.
At the Art Center, I taught the children the routine for painting at the easel. Each day I placed two different colored paints out and asked the children to explore with painting. While they were creating art, they also learned about color mixing. The first day they discovered that yellow and red make orange. The second day, the children learned that red and blue make purple and the third day they learned that yellow and blue make green!
Other open centers included a dollhouse, playdoh, pegs and puzzles. The math and writing centers were introduced as well.
During circle time this week, we engaged in activities that would help the children (and teachers) learn everyone's name, counted the number of children in our class and sang songs. We will continue to add routines to our circle time routine next week.
Our stories this week included the movement books, From Head to Toe by Eric Carle and Clap Your Hands by Lorinda Bryan Cauley, and two books to help us learn about school. On Wednesday, I asked the children, "Why do we come to school?" The children's responses included:
-to learn things we don't know
-to do things ourselves
-to play
-to learn things grown-ups do
-to make friends
We discussed that there are certain rules we follow to help us do all of the things they mentioned. One of the rules is to listen to others. We read Listening Time by Elizabeth Verdick and I taught the children our listening song. It highlights what children should do to show they are good listeners.
On Thursday, we read the book How Do Dinosaurs Go to School by Jane Yolen. In this story the author asks the reader what behaviors dinosaurs exhibit in school. The first few pages the dinosaurs do not demonstrate appropriate behaviors, but the last half of the book their behaviors demonstrate what is expected in school. The children loved the idea of dinosaurs in school! After reading the story, we discussed what behaviors they thought would help us to learn, play and make friends (from the day before). The children came up with the following:
-Ask if you want a toy.
-Raise your hand.
-Share.
-Help friends.
-Be nice to friends.
-Clean up.
On Friday, we discussed that in school, on the playground, when you are out with your parents, everywhere, you will have all kinds of friends. We then read the story, All Kinds of Friends by Shelley Rotner. Throughout the story, the story pointed out that friends can be found anywhere, can look different, can act different, can have different families, etc. After reading the story, I reinforced that all of us our different, but then we talked about how all of us are the same. I asked the children several questions and had them raise their hand to answer so they could see what they have in common with their peers (Do you have a sister?, Do you like sports? Do you like to swim? Do you have a pet?) Following our discussion, I asked the children to think of a family friend, a school friend, an after school friend, a neighbor, a furry friend, or even someone they would like to become friends with and draw their picture.
We will continue to learn about one another over the next few weeks as we embark on our "All About Me" theme. I am so excited to learn more about our class!
*Please scroll down for pictures from our first week.
Building Structures at the Block Center.
Pretend play at the dollhouse:
The children held birthday parties, took the children to the playground, did laundry, fed babies, etc.
Pegs and Cars:
Snack Time:
The children loved sharing their placemats with one another and teachers. I enjoyed learning about their families and favorite activities!
Making discoveries and creating at the easels in the Art Center.
Playground Fun!
After exploring the playground equipment, the favorite activity this week was collecting the many nuts that had fallen from the trees.
Making snakes and balls, cutting, using cookie cutters and making designs at the Playdoh Center.
Clean up helpers! (Pitching in without being asked!)
Drawing at the Writing Center with markers:
Practicing using glue sticks properly while making tissue paper mosaics:
