Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Day 4: Outside Play

Today as you all know, we had a very eventful day! 
We did our normal morning routine but switched up the afternoon part. 
For our Outside Play, we went to an apple picking farm. 
Before we left we first read the book "Apples, Apples, Apples" by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
(Scanner)
The book is about: A bunny family heads to apple picking tree. Mr. Miller takes them on a farm wagon and tells them all about the falls favorite fruit. 
After we read the book, we discussed the different ways apples are made for different foods.
After we talked about the book, we left the preschool and went to the apple picking farm.
Our objective for this lesson was for the children to develop math and science skills as they learn about different types of apples and identify characteristics of apples. 
1. We observed the apples
2. Then cut the different colors of apples and smelled them
3. Compared the apple seeds
4. Tasted the apples and decided which one they liked the best!

Monday, October 27, 2014

Day 3: Free Play

Today during Free Play I introduced the class IPad!
If a child would like to use the IPad during Free Play, they get 10-15 minutes only for one day! The IPad will be a surprise from to time for the children. 
I have 2 apps downloaded on the IPad! 
1. Preschool and Kindergarten learning kids games! 
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/preschool-kindergarten-learning/id543851593?mt=8
2. AniMatch: Animal Pairs and Sounds Matching Game 
Here are the two links above, if you would like to check the apps out and maybe download for at home!

References


Kids Academy Co. (2014). iTunes (Version 2.0.2) [Software]. Available from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/preschool-kindergarten-learning/id543851593?mt=8

Skye, L. (2014). iTunes (Version 1.7.1) [Software] Available from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/animatch-animal-pairs-sounds/id293548481?mt=8 

Day 2: Weather Chart/Name Recognition

 Morning Circle Time
Today I introduced "The Weather Chart"

Each morning during circle time, one child will look outside the window and decide what the weather is like! They then will place a clothespin on the thermometer and on one of the weather pictures.


Afternoon Activity
 Today for our Group Activity we did "The Name Game!" 
To prepare for this activity I made a felt board and cut out letters of each child's name. 
The goal of our activity is to promote name recognition and having fun! 
Example:
 To begin our game, I held up the board with a child's name on it and let the children call out the name on the board. Whoever was first, I called on them and they came up, pointed to each letter (said what is was) and said the name. 
Each child got a turn to figure out a different name!

References 

Jackson, Debbie. (2012, October 3). Bible Fun for Kids [Web blog post]. Retrieved from http://kidsbibledebjackson.blogspot.com/2012/10/preschool-weather-book.html

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Day 1: Classroom Management

Today was the first day of preschool! We learned the classroom rules.


We also learned, the "Give Me Five" philosophy. They are simple and effective. I will explain these rules every morning/afternoon during circle time. 


Next, we learned about the smiley face system.


Each student has their name written on a clothespin. Everyone starts out on the happy face. If a student is not following a rule, I will move that clothespin to the straight face as a warning and sad face if necessary. The child does have the opportunity to change behavior and get moved back to the happy face. 

In Class Activity 
After circle time, we did an "All About Me" activity. The children made a free painting that expressed something about themselves. Everyone discussed what they painted and I recorded there responses. 


References 


Rogan, Lola. (2013, June 19). Preschool Wonders [Web blog post]. Retrieved from


Preschool Daily Routine

Preschool Daily Routine:

  • Breakfast time 
  • Morning Circle time
  • Indoor classroom activities/Free play
  • Clean up 
  • Snack time
  • Book time
  • Outdoor Play
  • Back inside for lunch time 
  • Afternoon circle time
  • Group Activity
  • Free play, clean up, and then children go home