9-1-1, site words, and Names

It makes me happy when I see that a concepts I have been teaching your kids this year is starting to make since to them. One of the concepts that have been a little challenging for them to completely understand is “yesterday” and “tomorrow.” I am so happy to say that I think they have it down {for the most part.}

Today is…Tuesday

Yesterday was… Monday

Tomorrow is… Wednesday

After our regular morning routine, today we focused on 9-1-1. Teaching young children how to properly call 9-1-1 for help in am emergency is invaluable. Many lives have been saved because a child was taught how and when to make that important call.
I ordered this learning resource and was excited when it arrived. It is everything that I thought it would be and more. The kids loved the little movie narrated by Cell Phone Sally.  In the movie they learned about the different types of phones:

1. Corded Landline Phones: These phones have cords that looks like a tail and attaches to the wall, or sits on a desk. Some have a curly cord that attaches the handset to the phone. To call 9-11- from one of these phone they just need to pick it up, wait for a dial tone, and push 9-1-1.
2. Cordless Landline Phones: These phones have no curly cords, and can be taken all over the house. These phones may not work if the power is out. To call 9-1-1 on the phones, press ON or TALK button, listen for a dial tone, and then push 9-1-1. PLEASE make sure your child knows which button is ON or TALK.
3. Cell Phones: There are many variations of cell phones. To call for help, push the 9 button, then the 1 button, and 1 again, then press the SEND button. Explain to them that the SEND button or ON button may simply be a green icon. PLEASE show your child the send button on your cell phone. It may save your life.
4. Kid-Friendly Phones: These phones have a special 9-1-1 button for emergencies. Just hold it down and it dials 9-1-1 automatically.
5. Payphone: They learned that they do not need money to call 9-1-1 from a payphone. The 9-1-1 call taker will know exactly where they are when you place a call on a payphone. Just pick up the phone and listen for a dial tone, and press 9-1-1.

Along with how to call on the different types of phones, they learned when to call 9-1-1 for help. We discussed what is a true emergency. When something serious happens and help is needed from the police, fire fighters, or paramedics, such as a fire, car accident or a burglar. It was also important to discuss what is NOT an emergency. Examples we discussed {as well as the movie} are boy chasing his dog in field, child with dripping ice cream, bike with a flat tire, water overflowing in the bathtub, or children fighting over a toy.
They learned that when they call 9-1-1 they need to:

• tell the operator where help is needed
• tell the operator what’s wrong, or what the emergency is
• tell them their name
• tell them their phone number
• remain call
• stay on the phone until the operator says it’s okay to hang up
• speak loud and clearly when they ask questions

The movie has a cute little catchy song. We learned the chorus of it today:

“You don’t have to worry just pick up the phone, press 9 -1-1 and your never along. Getting help is easily done, as easy as 9-1-1.”

After we were done with our Safety Lesson, it was on to our site words. Over the last month I have been introducing some of them to the kids. I haven’t spend a great deal of time focusing on them yet, but have explained that the letters we are learning form words. Today we focused on HAVE and HE. We also reviewed the other words that I have introduce; a, and, for, have, he, I, in, is, it, of, play, said, that, the, to and you. Look at them writing the words…

Such SMART little cookies. I love watching them learn and experience something new. Makes me happy!!!
My little sister registered her little boy for Kindergarten yesterday. As we were discussing it she mentioned that as they were doing the “skills test” that he was asked to write his name. This I expected. But, they told him that only the 1st letter of his name should be capitalized, and the others should be lowercase {and the same instruction was given for his last name}. So today we focused on writing their names “properly.” This will be a little bit of a challenge as they are in a habit of writing mainly with uppercase letters. Check out how well they did though…

Today was a FANTASTIC day. Please continue to work with your little ones on the things we did today.