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: 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: 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.

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL: Self-Portraits, Self-Awareness

Throughout the year the children will be asked to draw a picture of themselves. Often the use of a small mirror will help the children become more aware of facial details. Through this activity the children develop self awareness as well as awareness of others.

As the year progresses it is exciting to see how Noel’s fine motor skills develop and his perspective changes.  In his personal folder you will find Noel’s self-portraits for each month of the 2013-14 school year.  

 

LITERACY/LANGUAGE: Journaling, Career choice

What would you like to be when you grow up? What kind of job would you like to do and why?

“I want to be a Bakery because I very like bakering, because I like cake and cupcakes.”

11/19/2013

LITERACY/LANGUAGE: Bird Study Homework, The Students as Teachers

The Cardinals took great joy at sharing their Research Study. The children had chosen a particular species of bird that they wanted to learn more about and returned to class with their findings. Along with their results, several of the children created a nest for their bird of study. Quite a few Cardinals and their families worked together to create the most outstanding habitat for their bird of choice, an amazing collaborative experience.

Each Cardinal was eager to share their found facts as well as the story of all the work that went into the creation of the nests they crafted. Without any hesitation, each took a turn and stood in front of their classmates and teachers and communicated their discoveries. Once done, they invited their audience to ask questions.  This active involvement of the speaker and the listeners fostered a great deal of developments within each child, from learning how to ask a question or stating a comment to providing a leadership role where their choice and voice was honored.

Here’s what Noel taught us...

The Parrot

by Noel Springer

1) Parrots make good pets

2) They make their nests in trees.

3) They can mimic voices

4) It lives "in jungles"

5) It eats "fruit, bugs"

Noel chose this bird to research “Because when they first hatch from the eggs, they're so cute!”

The experience of presenting his homework provided Noel many great developmental benefits, Literacy, Cognitive, and Social/Emotional. It offered Noel the opportunity to understand the difference between a statement and a question as well as use descriptive language, concept thinking, storytelling, and so much more. Overall, it helped Noel develop effective communication skills. Also, this opportunity allowed for Noel to share his interest which fostered his emotional self.

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT: Mathematics, Shapes

Throughout their early years, children notice and explore mathematical dimensions of their world. They compare quantities, find patterns, navigate in space, and grapple with real problems such as balancing a tall block building or sharing a bowl of pretzels fairly with a friend. Mathematics helps children make sense of their world outside of school and helps them construct a solid foundation for success in school.

Throughout his school day, Noel is provided with endless opportunities to develop and enhance his mathematical skills. An example is the introduction of our math workshops. We launched our first Math Workshop with the mathematical concept of plane geometry, 2-D shapes. We first read Tana Hoban’s book, circles, triangles and squares. 

  

Using no text, this book introduces the geometric concepts of circles, triangles and squares demonstrated in photographs of bridges, buildings, windows, tires, boats, and other objects. After the read aloud, the Cardinals had a discussion on basic geometric shapes and their characteristics. After the thought-provoking discussion on two dimensional geometry shapes, the Cardinals set out to attend the workshops.

One station was set up with Shape Bingo ....

Another was the Playdough Shape Station with circle, square and rectangle cookie cutters.

Additional was a Shape Stamping Station where Noel and the other Cardinals were encouraged to make a bird using 2-D shape stamps.

Lastly was the Rock Shape Challenge Station in the Rock Sculpting Center where Noel and the other Cardinals picked a challenge and created the design using rocks.  

Throughout all these activities, Noel demonstrated his exceptional recognition of basic geometric shapes such as square, circle, rectangle, triangle and oval.

LITERACY/LANGUAGE: Letter Awareness

A print rich environment that allows children to practice literacy skills in real-life experiences, combined with explicit teaching of key concepts, is the foundation of literacy learning in the early years. We develop literacy by continually exposing the Cardinals to oral and written language, and by building on prior knowledge and language experiences. Read alouds, storytelling, songs, thought-provoking discussions, journals, and dramatic play are just a few of the many fun and engaging strategies we use in the Cardinals’ classroom to develop literacy. 

The Cardinals were introduced to the idea of Literacy Workshops.  As a means of adding a tactile component to practice shaping the letters of the alphabet with different materials, three stations were set up for the Cardinals.  

Here we see Noel in the playdough station where he was encouraged to “shape” a name, not just his but a friend’s or a teacher's name.

The same concept was applied in the alphabet stamping station were Noel used the letter stamps to “write” a friends’ and/or teachers’ name.

And, in the final station the Cardinals were provided with wood pieces as an activity to make capital letters. These wood pieces are a component of the Handwriting Without Tears program. Without any formal introduction to the program, the children are first invited to explore the wood pieces and use them to create as many letters as they could. The four wooden pieces are the basis for teaching children the skills of creating letters.  The pieces are referred to as big line, little line, big curve, little curve. Using only these shapes, the children learn how to form letters.

All of these activities help Noel internalize the shapes of letters, while developing motor skills but, in his mind .... he's just playing!  

Noel has solid letter recognition skills. He confidently recognizes both lower case and upper case letters and on some, Noel is able to associate the sounds they represent. He is able to hear and identify rhymes and can generate his own, e.g., sit-mit, fun-cun, hog-nog. Using the name cards, Noel is able to practice name recognition skills as well as sight vocabulary. 

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL: Same & Different

Building a sense of community where children learn to respect  each other and honor our similarities and differences is  one of our most important goals that we set for the year . We decided to begin our discussion by posing questions that would help our children focus on looking at themselves and each other and taking notice of how we are all the same and different. 

We introduced the Cardinals to a variety of age-appropriate diversity literature. Two of the many books we read helped us explore the many different shades of human skin color. The Colors of Us by Karen Katz presented a colorful and creative way that describes the many beautiful shades of skin tone in our society. Shelley Rotner’s  book Shades of People, was filled with wonderful photographs of children, all with varying skin tones, hair colors and textures, and facial features. 

 

After our conversations on the incredible range of skin color shades, we created an activity for the Cardinals to help further understand these ideas and make them more concrete. We began by posing the question, “If you could name a color to describe your skin tone, what color would you call it?” 

Kaya – “golden”

Kate – “tan”

Wyatt – “golden”

Trace – “golden”

Young – “golden”

Noel – “white”

Katy – “whitish”

Audrey – “white”

Evan – “peachish and brownish”

Samuel – “golden”

Violet – “peach”

Lilly – “peach”

Radha – “brownish”

Jayden – “very, very, very golden”

Stella – “peachish gold”

Tori – “little brown”

To add more fun to the mix of shades within our Cardinal family, paint swatches were brought in. We matched our skin shades to paint swatches and had fun pronouncing the funny names that went along with them.

Kaya – “Peach Smoothie”

Kate – “Mojave Sunset”

Wyatt – “Messa Sans”

Trace – “Spring of Pearls”

Young – “Sandstone”

Noel – “Woodbrow Wilsom Blush”

Katy – “Tailored Linen”

Audrey – “Tailored Linen”

Evan – “Terra Cotta Trail”

Samuel – “Dark Walnut”

Violet – “Peppermint Brige”

Lilly – “Sonoran”

Radha – “Filoli Majestic Oak”

Jayden – “Muddy Mississippi”

Stella – “Peach Biege”

Tori – “Peach Smoothie”

Inspired by our many conversations and hands-on experiments, we felt that having each child create a self- portrait would be a natural extension to our learning. A self-portrait project is a wonderful way for young learners to discover art and self-concept as well as an introduction to the various cultures within the classroom community.

Using a mirror, Noel looked closely at his facial features and selected materials that best resembled his image. As Noel focused on his specific attributes or features such as hair color and texture, shapes, and eye color he was exploring with the concept of self. This visual art helped Noel learn about what people look like, how similar and yet different people are, and built on additional skills such as shape and color recognition.  

Creating a self-portrait is a community-building activity that helps Noel, and all Cardinals, to get to know each other and feel comfortable in their classroom space.