Learning Through Play Every Day In Pre-K!

Dear parents,

We hope this blog finds you well. In the Pre-K class, our week was filled with learning adventures including topics such as counting, letters, and exploring various aspects of science and art. Every child had a great time and learned through play. Let’s take you through some more details of our week…

Happy Birthday Tandie!

Large group

Our large group sessions are always a bundle of joy, fun, engagement and bonding. This week, we focused on new letters in our literacy activities, including C, K, H, and R, along with their sounds, which we also touched on during our large group discussions. Additionally, our two shapes of this week were the pentagon and hexagon, which the students explored enthusiastically.

Math

This week in math, the class continued with our patterns topic. In our first session, we did some brainstorming with class materials. They practiced, just like last week, by making patterns with blocks. In the next session, they sat on chairs and chose two colors. We provided them with paper—some got pink and green, while others received blue and yellow. Based on the colors they chose, we also provided glue sticks and paper. They then started making patterns with the two colors.

While they worked on these patterns, their increased understanding of the concept was palpable. Even more importantly, they enjoyed it thoroughly. Now they are able to create the caterpillar color theme without any help, and they are doing amazingly with it!

Literacy

This week in literacy, the Pre-K class focused on tracing the letters we have been learning over the past two weeks to recap and help them recognize more letters. Another useful aspect of activities like this is to support the student’s fine motor skill development. In the next session, we introduced new letters: C, K, H, R, M, and N. For these letters, we learned their sounds along with pictures to help the children recognize the sounds more effectively.

In the next two weeks, we will practice and learn more about these letters until they become fully  familiar with them.

Science

This week in our science session, we made play-dough. The class went outside, and we brought everything needed to make play-dough, including flour, salt, water, oil, and food coloring. We placed the flour in front of everyone so they could feel its texture and tell us their observations of it. Then, they made a hole in the flour, and we added oil, water, salt, and food coloring for them. After that, they mixed everything together until the dough became strong. At this point, they were very excited about making play-dough and excitedly discussed the prospect of taking it home. Once they finished, they played with their play-dough for a little while before we put it into their bags to take home. Making play-dough helped develop their fine motor skills and taught them the process of making it themselves, which brought them so much excitement.

Art

This week our art session, we worked on painting with patterns! Since we've been learning about patterns in our math sessions, we wanted to maintain our focus on patterns in art as well. After we went to the art room, everyone chose the same two colors blue and yellow. We provided them with two brushes and plain paper, and then they started creating their patterns using the blue and yellow colors. This activity helped enhance their critical thinking and creativity. By combining math and art, we aimed to deepen their understanding of the concept of patterns in different ways.

LE Café

This week at LE Café, our young chefs had the delightful task of making pizza! Our children gathered in a circle to talk about foods they like and plan what we should make together. Many shared their favorites like french fries and ice cream, but once pizza was mentioned, everyone was eager to try making it! The next day, the class got to work. With chef hats and aprons on, our children looked ready for the kitchen! Together, they mixed the ingredients for the dough- flour, oil, and water, taking turns to knead and mix. Other students busily chopped onions and tomatoes (with close adult supervision of course). When our dough was ready they set it on a tray and started rolling it with a roller. Once they have flattened it they added the sauce on top and spread it all over. Then, it was time to bake! They eagerly awaited their creation, and were besides themselves with excitement to try. Our students were so proud of the work they did in the kitchen, and had an amazing time enjoying the pizza they had helped create. The activity was more than just fun; it gave our children the chance to practice teamwork, follow steps, and experience the joy of cooking together.

Next Week’s Schedule:

Small group

Monday: - Science, Literacy

Tuesday:- Library, Math

Wednesday:- Science, Literacy

Thursday: - Math, Journal

Friday:- Music

Thursday: - Literacy

Our Specials:

Monday: - Ethiopian center

Tuesday:- Library

Friday:- Art

Reminders:

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!