End of Summer

It's been a great summer in our classroom! I have really enjoyed getting to know our new friends - watching them become more comfortable in their surroundings and confident and self-sufficient in their actions. I am sad to be saying goodbye to some friends that have been with us for awhile but I know they are up to the challenges of Ms. Cara's classroom!

I thought I would share some fun photos that I have captured over the summer.

Caution!  Builders in the block area!  The kids enjoyed building and fixing things throughout the classroom!

Our Very Hungry Caterpillar snack.  Many of the children discovered that they liked plums!

We spent time exploring magnets.  Here a child was working with the hanging magnets and discovered he could make a chain.

We spent a day playing with water beads.  First we discussed how they looked in the package and then each child took a turn dropping some in water.  We recorded what happened to them throughout the morning.

The kids had a great time playing with them for a few days!

We took advantage of some left over spaghetti from the lunch cart!  Add a few containers and some tools and the noodles become a great sensory experience!

The children really liked the small group games we played.  I really liked seeing them not only learn math and literacy concepts but improve their focus and their patience!  This activity required kids to roll the large green die, determine the number it landed on, and then use small tongs (great small motor practice too) to place that many balls into their cups.  

Another small group activity required kids to count out the correct number and color of pom poms.  We worked with dice a lot this summer and will continue to do so.  Dice help children develop a skill called subitising - the ability to recognize an amount without counting.

After reading The Dot we did many activities involving dots, including designing your own.

Another dot activity - the children stopped by a large poster throughout the week and added small dot stickers.  

One very proud four year old!  He ordered the numbered tubes from one to ten and then counted the correct number of flat marbles into each tube!

 We also set up a grocery store in our dramatic play area.  Children practiced counting the price with pretend money.  They also enjoyed loading their shopping bags with everything in the grocery store!

We experimented with mixing colors using colored water - a very popular activity!

Overall, a very relaxed and fun summer!  Looking back through the photos helps remind me just how much I love my job and enjoy your children!  I'm anticipating a busy  and productive school year!

Happy Fall
Kate