“Down and over…”

“Down and over, then down some more. That’s the way we draw a FOUR.”

We said this over and over and over again today as we learned about the #4.  We had a full and exciting day, that is for sure. We missed Nikkya today, and hope she is feeling better, and will be with us on Thursday.

Here is some of what we did today…

Our Introduction to the number 4 was this great book… (I know I said it last time, but I really like this series of books. So educational, but very interactive with the kids!).

The color ORANGE. The number FOUR, Shapes Review, and our Fine Motor Skills Worksheet. I am finding that some of my students are having a hard time writing the numbers, so we are doing some of the basics, like tracing a squiggly line. This is very important, and teaches them proper pencil skills and visual discrimination.

Each child had a turn writing a four on the board. This is a great opportunity for the other kids to listen and obey, and respect others. It also gives me the opportunity to have special one on one with them as they are exploring new things, and trying to write. If they are struggling to write the number, then I help them write it, and give them a great deal of encouragement along the way! Remember “Down and over, then down some more. That’s the way we draw a four.”

      

Practicing those 4’s…

Logan had snack today, and he was so excited to hand out his “Cheez-its” and Fruit Snacks. Isn’t he just so cute! Thanks Logan

Soon it was time for Arts & Crafts…

The creation begins…

The finished projects… Look at how proud they are of what they have created all by themselves! I just love seeing that.

      

We did do a review of the site words that they are learning. Here is what they have been introduced to so far.

Then it was off to free play where the boys played “Transformers” and the girls played “house.” I love to listen to them interact with each other. Social Skills are so important.

After it was time to clean up we did our color flash cards, and our shapes flash cards.

For singing time we started to learn this adorable song. It is a little long, so they weren’t able to really learn it all the way. But, Gosh, it is so cute. I hope that we will sing it again, and they will learn it. Here is a video of it.

Isn’t that just so catchy. I thank my little niece for introducing it to me. She just turned 2 and can sing the whole song. It is absolutely adorable.

If you visit my website, please leave me some feedback! I would love to hear from you. I love constructive criticism as well. It will help me improve on what I am doing, and continue to grow as a preschool teacher.

“3 little speckled frogs…”

Look at this cute little class… what a FUN day we had today.

Once again we started with our morning routine. Lots of singing and talking about the weather, the date, and of course reciting “The Pledge of Allegiance.”

They are catching on pretty fast! I am very impressed.

Today we moved on to the number 3. I  have always enjoyed singing. It has always been a big part of my life. So naturally, I like to include music into as many lessons as I can. Today we sang “Three Little Speckled Frogs.” 

This was our little craft today. So first things first we had to paint our logs. This would allow us the time they needed to dry before I could hot glue the little frogs on.

We had pink logs, red logs, blue and green logs… What a BRIGHT and BEAUTIFUL world these kids live in. I just LOVE it.

Practice… Practice… Practice! This is what we did next. Each kiddo got a chance to write on the dry erase board the number 3. We repeated over and over again…

“Start at the top, and bump… bump!”

       

After they did the little worksheet I had for them, we read this book…

I really like these books. They are very interactive with the kids, and so adorable.

Sweet little Nikkya had snack today, and was so excited to hand out her Go-Gurts and Capri Suns. Thanks Nikkya!!!

After everyone was done with the little treat, it was on to a fun little object lesson. In preparation for this you need to make some blue and red ice cubes. Can you guess what color we learned today?

I handed the kiddos each a back with a blue and red ice cube. I told them to watch it and see what happened when it started to melt…

What do you get when you mix blue and red… PURPLE!!! They were all so excited when they saw a new color appear. Isn’t that just such a fun way to introduce a new color!

After singing a few more times…

3 Little Speckled Frogs

Sat on a Speckled Log

Eating the most delicious bugs. Yum Yum

1 jumped into the pool,

where it was nice and cool,

Now there are 2 more Speckled Frogs. Glub Glub…

Addisyn was the first one to take Spark home. She was so excited…

Here are a few of the things they were able to do together:

• Played house together
• Watched a movie together
• Jumped on the Trampoline
• Played on the swing set together
• Went to “Back to School Night” with her older brother Bridger
• She sleep with Spark every night.

The Number 2 and more…

Oh what a day we had. We are all starting to find our place in the classroom, and having so much fun getting to know each other. I fall in love with these kids so quickly…they seriously just steal my heart,  I just love it. They all have very different and distinct personalities, which have meshed well together so far.

Mr. Cannon, we sure missed you today, and hope your stomach feels better soon!

Some of the kids are catching on to the “Day’s of the Week,” and “The Month’s of the Year” songs we sing. Here they are clapping when we get to Tuesday. They all get pretty excited. It is adorable. They are adorable.

There are so many different versions of these songs, but these are the ones that your little ones will learn. .

Today was the first time I had the kids use the dry erase board. Look at how good they did.

      

I really do like what writing on the dry erase board does for the kids. It gives them an opportunity to be in front of the class and overcome any fears of “stage fright.” It also gives everyone the chance to watch and be respectful of each other while it isn't their turn. 

Here they are practicing writing the 2’s. I do have a few 3 year olds this year, and so I encourage them, and help them write a few of them, but don’t push it yet. I want them to keep the excitement. We really do need to learn a few more basics, before they are comfortable with curvy lines etc.

We then read this cute little book…

We also did a scissor skills activity.

We did the color blue, so after they cut on the line they glued the strips onto this blue paper. Not every ones pages looked like this, but as long as they did some cutting, I was happy. It just takes time and continual encouragement.

 

Ready for one more book while they ate a little snack. When I think of the number 2, you just can’t help but think of the “two by two” of “Noah’s Ark”

After the book I had this cute foam craft.

There is always so much going on. We have a lot of fun in the 2 1/2 hours they are here. I always try and do a little singing, and dancing.

It makes me happy when we do something that puts such a huge smile on their faces!