LITERACY/LANGUAGE: "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"

As an extension of our literacy-rich program, the Cardinals decided to create a letter tree. This idea was inspired by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault’s book, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. This is a funny, funny story that the Cardinals enjoy hearing over and over again. In an alphabet rhyme, all the letters of the alphabet race up the coconut tree. “Will there be enough room?”

The following day, the Cardinals gathered in a circle and together we spoke about each Cardinal choosing a letter of the alphabet. To be fair, we decided that pulling letters out of a cup would be the best strategy. After each Cardinal had a letter, we talked about decorating each letter with an item that has the beginning sound of their chosen letter, e.g., nickels for N, cotton for C, straws for S, and so on.

We decided to replicate this image by attaching the papier mâché tree in our classroom. But, just like in the story, twenty-six letters was way too many letters for our tree! So, after much discussion, the children decided to display the letters on our classroom wall for all to enjoy!

Thank you, Noel, for decorating the letter "D" with "duckies!"

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL: V.I.P., Sense of Self

Young children love to share their treasures and are very eager to do just that. Show and Tell is not just about giving them the opportunity to bring their special item(s) from home but a chance for children to hone their communication skills. Each child’s social, emotional and language skills will grow and develop from this activity as they increase their confidence, learn to use descriptive language, practice listening skills, and learn how to ask inquiry based questions. Sharing the things that are important in a child’s life with their friends at school connects their worlds of ‘home and school’ in such a meaningful way. Learning more about each other helps build a classroom “family” community as well as makes for a fun and comfortable learning environment for everyone involved.

We value the individuality of each child in our Cardinal class and have created an activity in which each child can celebrate his/her uniqueness. But, instead of calling it the Show-n-Tell week, we have named it the VIP Week as we feel every child should feel like a “Very Important Person”! Noel’s V.I.P. week was on March 10^th through the 14^th of 2014 and here are the items he shared with us.

·        A collage of photographs of his “friend”, Charlie, who “lives in North Carolina with Aunt Martha and Uncle Gary”.  

·        His favorite Christmas tree ornament, The Beatles

·        His favorite book that “belonged to my sister and she gave it to me.”

·        His impressive Michael Jackson moves while wearing his fedora hat and dancing to Billie Jean

·        A series of books about  a lion named Mooka that he authored and his dad illustrated along with a special snack to culminate his VIP week

Working With Friends

February 2014
Social/Emotional Development

Throughout the year we have observed Noel's developing skills in the area of cooperative play. Noel loves his friends in the class and seeks out opportunities throughout the day to engage in play with his classmates.  He is learning to take turns, appreciate another child's point of view and work collaboratively in areas of play, such as the magna tiles and block area.  During snack Noel joined a few children on the rug who were listening to a story and was delighted to be part of the group.  He recognized that his friend Trace had chosen a book to read and although he had an interest in reading a different book,  he said "When you are done reading your book, can you read this one too?" This was a wonderful example of Noel's ability to accept the existing 'structure' of a situation and to adapt  himself accordingly.  

At Choice Time, Noel loved working with his friends creating our class Trufulla Garden.  Noel truly enjoys class activities that reflect the spirit of our community.  His enthusiasm is contagious and he is developing social skills through the many collaborative activities that  occur in our classroom everyday.

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT: Scientific Thinking, Flubber

Flubber is a mystifying substance that is both a liquid and a solid at the same time. Its unusual properties make it fascinating to explore. Making flubber is a great activity that fosters literacy skills, math, and science concepts.

As Noel engages in conversation with his peers on the instructions to get the precise amount of each ingredient, he is practicing his literacy skills competence.  The math concept comes into play as Noel uses a measuring tool to quantify the amount of the ingredients. Then, as he observes, communicates, infers, hypothesizes, and defines and controls the variables Noel is putting his science process skills to work.

Noel really enjoys the sensory experience of this entertaining and malleable substance.  He uses it to create many things.

“I like to make it into necklaces. It feels like mushy snakes.”

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT: Mathematics, Visual Perception

Pattern blocks consist of shapes that are perfect for creative design. Additionally, it is an ideal tool to use to teach basic math concepts, e.g., patterning, basic geometry, visual perception, and to promote problem-solving skills. To endorse critical thinking, during a classroom Math Workshop, patterns blocks was an activity that was provided for creating pictures.

Here we see Noel as he explores geometric shapes while matching different shapes and colors to replicate the pattern shown. This activity also supports Noel with good small motor development and coordination. Although challenged, Noel stayed with activity until completion, experimenting with trial and error along the way. “I did it!” I did the ship!”

Nov. 2013

LITERACY/LANGUAGE: Pre-Reading Skill

Children acquire proficiency in language and literacy through extensive experience with language, print, and literature in a variety of contexts. Here we see Noel as he “reads” a favorite classroom book to his friend. As he observes the pages of the book, Noel is learning to read the pictures’ grammar. This prepares him for the future ability of reading of texts.

LITERACY/LANGUAGE: Journaling, Winter Break experience

What did you do during the Winter Break?

“I stayed home on Christmas vacation. I played.”

1/6/2014

LITERACY/LANGUAGE: Pre-Reading Skills, Daily Schedule

On a rotating basis the children in the Cardinal classroom take turns reviewing our Daily Schedule with the entire group at Morning Meeting. This reading readiness activity provides wonderful opportunities for children to practice decoding skills and sight vocabulary skills as well as recall and memory skills. Learning concepts such yesterday/today/tomorrow are reinforced daily and the children are developing a sense of time and sequence as they map out the events of their day.

Here we see Noel as he named the activities of the day, pointing to each word and touching the word with his pointer finger. Through this literacy activity, Noel’s print awareness is heightening. A pre-reading skill, print awareness is an important part of knowing how to read and write. Noel’s interest to participate in this activity reflects his growing knowledge about the relation between words he sees in print and the words he speaks and hears.

LITERACY/LANGUAGE: Writing

In the Cardinals’ classroom, endless opportunities are provided to write for many purposes. As the children continue to be exposed to language and print and develop an understanding of how words work, they start to understand how to group letters into words.

Each child progresses at their own developmental writing level. The goal is not to tell the children how to write, but to help them sound out words by stretching the sounds. Allowing the child to write the words the way they sound will eventually help them as they learn to read.

Here we see an example of Noel exploring with writing as he forms letters on his paper that describes what he is thankful for. As Noel was provided with help to sound out the word, he wrote:

“EM”

(me)

Eventually, with practice and formal teachings, Noel will acquire comprehension on the conventions of print, e.g., writing from left to right, the difference between uppercase and lowercase letters, how to put spaces between words, and how to use correct spelling and punctuation.

Exploring Sewing...

December 2013
Fine Motor Skills 

Amanda introduced the concept of sewing in Art class and demonstrated the skills involved using a large plastic sewing needle, yarn and burlap.  The initial introduction of this activity was done in large group and provided an opportunity for all of the children to practice listening skills and following directions.

Developing strong listening skills is an important component of our curriculum and our children have many varied opportunities to both practice and develop these skills in our Early Childhood program. The children have matured in their abilities to listen and focus as a group  and they continue to learn and grow so much from each other.

Noel thoroughly enjoys visiting the art studio and loves to participate in our Art classes with Amanda.  Working in small groups at the art tables, Noel applied the information he heard and enthusiastically began to sew!  Noel is eager to try new experiences and challenges and does not frustrate easily.  Sewing involves many steps as well as fine motor coordination and Noel approached this task with determination! His fine motor skills are continuing to mature as we continue to provide various opportunities to develop these skills.