Exploring, Counting, and Erupting with Fun in Pre-K!

Dear Parents,

We hope this blog finds you well. In the Pre-K class, our week was filled with lively activities, including counting, learning letters, and engaging in experimental science and art. This week, the Pre-K class started working in two different groups based on our students' levels to help them where they are and identify the areas where they need support. This grouping is focused solely on math and literacy, while the rest of the class continues to engage in activities together on the same topic. Read on for some more details...

Large group 

This week, our large group was so much fun! We learned about vowels, missing numbers, tally marks, and discussed volcanoes. Beyond that, we continued along with our daily calendar activities. We counted the school days using caterpillars and wrote numbers in their color patterns, and we also sang different songs. 

For this week, our large group book was "Ten Apples Up on Top," a counting book that kept the class very engaged as they counted together while we read. 

In general, our large group is one of the most exciting sessions of the day because it helps the students prepare for the day ahead. It’s a time when we introduce the activities they will have and remind them of the routine.

Math

This week in our math sessions, we focused on sequencing, counting, and writing numbers. The children worked on figuring out the missing numbers in different number sequences, which helped strengthen their understanding of number order and patterns.

In our first session, the focus was on numbers from 1 to 20. The children practiced identifying and writing the missing numbers within this range, showing great concentration and number recognition skills.

During the second session, we used a worksheet to practice writing the missing numbers from 1 to 20. The children enjoyed this hands-on activity and demonstrated growing confidence in both counting and number writing.

For the second group in math, we focused more on identifying numbers. In the first session, we introduced math materials that had numbers inside circles to help them count and identify at the same time. They counted from 1 to 10 using these materials. In the second session, they traced the numbers 1 to 5. We first counted in different ways, then they traced the numbers. After they finished tracing, we continued counting and identifying the numbers. In the coming weeks, we will work more on number identification and writing.

Literacy 

In our literacy sessions this week, we focused on the vowel letters and the sounds they make.

During the first session, the children practiced identifying the vowel letters (A, E, I, O, U) and saying the sounds for each one. Each student also had the opportunity to come up to the board and write one vowel letter, showing growing confidence in letter recognition and formation.

In the second session, we built on these skills with a hands-on writing activity. Each child received a paper with their name written on it, and together we identified and circled the vowel letters found in their names. After that, the students practiced writing all five vowel letters, both in uppercase and lowercase.

For the second group in literacy, we did hopscotch with letters. In this activity, the students identified the letters through an outdoor activity. We took the students outside and placed hula hoops on the ground, putting letters inside them. Then, they called out the letters and jumped on them. This helped them recognize the letters easily. 

In our second session with this group, we placed letters on the mat along with different materials, matching the objects to their corresponding letters by sounding them out. This also helped them grasp the letters and sounds more easily. In the coming weeks, we will continue to work with them in this area.

Science 

This week in science, the students were highly engaged and curious as we explored the fascinating topic of volcanoes!

During our first session, we took the activity outdoors, where the children worked in two groups to build volcanoes using clay. They carefully shaped their volcanoes and made sure to leave a hole in the middle for the lava to come out of. The students showed great teamwork and creativity while constructing their volcano models.

In the next session, we carried out an exciting volcano experiment using vinegar, baking soda, and red food coloring to create an eruption. The children were thrilled to use the volcanoes they had built themselves. Each group took turns adding the ingredients and watched with excitement as the lava bubbled and flowed out of their volcanoes.

It was an amazing hands-on experience that allowed the students to observe cause and effect while having so much fun with science!

Art

This week in our Pre-K art class, our students created their very own volcanoes on paper! The class has been very excited about the topic of volcanoes, and we incorporated it into an art project. We provided them with paper, paint for the volcanoes, red paint for the lava, and scissors. After giving them the materials, they started painting the volcanoes. Once the paintings were done, we placed them in the sun to dry. While waiting for the paint to dry, we gave our students scissors to cut out the lava. After they finished cutting, they attached the lava on top of their dry volcanoes. They were really excited and engaged in this activity, which kept them busy and having fun, and emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary learning!

Next week's schedule

Small group

Monday: - Science, Literacy

Tuesday:- Library, Math

Wednesday:- Science, Literacy

Thursday: - Math, Journal

Friday:- Music

Thursday: - Literacy

Our Special

Monday: - Ethiopian center

Tuesday:- Library

Friday:- Art

Reminder

Every Tuesday is our library day, so we will be sending a book that your child picked from our library, which will be returned after a week on library day.

Every Friday is our art day so please send your child with art-appropriate clothing.

Thank you for your time!