Little Astronauts at Work!

Dear Parents,

We hope this blog finds you well. In the Pre-K class, our week was filled with fun activities, including counting, tracing, writing, learning letters, and engaging in discussions about science and art. The class has continued to work in two different groups to provide one-on-one support. This method is very effective and helps us address our students' individual needs, allowing us to identify areas where they require assistance. This approach has proven to be an effective way of teaching, enabling the teams to focus on math and literacy while allowing the rest of the class to engage in related activities. Read on for more details...

Large group 

This week, our large group sessions were so much fun! We discussed the weekend, and our students shared their experiences about the diplomatic bazaar for those who attended. We also learned about composing and decomposing shapes, with students drawing the shapes one by one.

Additionally, we focused on counting backward. Just like last week, our students created their own rhyming words with the ending sound 'at.' This week, the shapes we explored included nonagons and decagons. In the next week, we will start learning about three-dimensional shapes.

Furthermore, our class began working on digraphs, specifically the 'sh' sound, and they created words like 'ship,' 'shoes,' and 'shop.' They also generated other words related to 'sh.' Next week, we will continue learning new digraph words. Additionally, our focus on job responsibilities has continued, and the students are really engaging with it. Overall, our large group has become more fun and engaging, allowing everyone to learn from one another by sharing ideas, building confidence, and being respectful toward each other.

Literacy

This week in literacy, our first group focused on identifying ending sounds, as they have already mastered beginning sounds. In our first session, we started by looking at the children’s names and listening carefully for the ending sounds. We then explored different pictures together, pronouncing each word out loud to hear the sound it ends with. After practicing as a group, each child had the opportunity to write the ending sound of each picture on their paper.

We continued the session using the CVC wooden spinners, where the children sounded out simple CVC words and paid special attention to their ending sounds. This activity helped reinforce both their phonological awareness and early reading skills.

In the second session, the children worked on an ending sound worksheet. They identified each picture, named it aloud, and wrote the correct ending sound. Through this activity, they practiced both their reading and listening skills while strengthening their understanding of word structures.

This week, for literacy, the second group continued the activities from past weeks. Our first session focused on identifying different letters along with their corresponding Zoo-Phonics characters. In the second session, our students selected the beginning sound of each letter. We provided them with a worksheet, and afterward, they looked at pictures, named the first letter, and selected which letter matched each picture. This activity will help them sound out the letters and improve their ability to identify one letter from another.

Math

In our first group this week, our focus was on counting backwards from 20 down to 1. Since the students have shown strong skills in identifying numbers and counting forward, we introduced this new challenge to deepen their understanding of number order.

During the first session, we began with a fun counting-back song to help the children become familiar with the sequence. Then, we practiced counting backwards using flashcards displayed on the board. To strengthen both number recognition and fine motor skills, the children completed an activity where they wrote the missing numbers while counting backwards.

The second session was dedicated entirely to a worksheet in which students continued practicing counting backwards. They were encouraged to figure out what number comes before, instead of what comes after, helping them develop a stronger sense of number relationships and sequencing.

This week, the second group for math focused on identifying numbers. In the first session, they worked on identifying numbers 1-10 using various materials and number cards to enhance their understanding. In the next session, they completed a worksheet where they counted and circled pictures corresponding to the correct numbers. At this point, they are learning to count and identify numbers simultaneously. To support this group, we will continue exploring different methods of identification until they become familiar with the numbers.

Science

This week in our science session, we introduced a topic that our students have shown great enthusiasm for: the planets. We began the first session with an open discussion where each child shared what they already knew about the planets. After that, we looked at a picture of the entire solar system, which helped us compare the different sizes of the planets, observe how large the sun is, and see which planets are closest to or farthest from the sun. We then explored various flashcards and shared interesting facts about each planet. The students were highly engaged and excited to learn more.

In the second session, we started by singing a planet song together. One of our students knew the song word-for-word and had the opportunity to sing it for the class, while the rest joined in during the chorus. After the song, each child received a paper and a set of colors to draw the planet of their choice. Some chose to draw planets like Mars or Uranus, while others chose to draw the sun—and they made it very big, just as they saw in the picture. Once they finished drawing, the students connected beginning sounds to their pictures by writing the first letter of the planet or object they drew. For example, a child who drew Mars wrote M, one who drew Uranus wrote U, and one who drew the sun wrote S.

This topic sparked a lot of excitement, and we will continue exploring it in the coming weeks.

Library

Students love books, and we truly appreciate their enthusiasm. This week in our library session the students got the chance to read books both individually and together. After that, we read "Green Eggs and Ham," which was an engaging and delightful story. All the students were excited about the tale and enjoyed it immensely. The book contained many rhyming words, helping them learn new rhymes and practice their reading skills. After finishing the reading, the children selected a book to take home in their folders, which they will return by next week. Taking a book home excited them and encouraged responsibility for their reading materials while developing a reading habit. We also appreciate the parents for reminding their children to return the books every Tuesday for library session.

Art

This week in art, our students had a blast with a very personal activity: decorating their very own names! We provided each child with a paper, and most of them wrote their names by themselves, which we were proud to see. For those who didn't know how to write but could recognize the sound of their first names, we helped by writing their names for them and having them try after. Once everyone finished writing, we provided various materials for decoration. They decorated their papers, which we then put out in the sun to dry. They were so excited, and many even took their creations home!

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!