Spring into Learning: A Week of Growth and Discovery in Pre-K!

Dear parents,

We hope this blog finds you well! In the Pre-K class, our week was filled with engaging activities. In math, we focused on measurement, while in literacy, we continued working with CVC words, writing, and blending two letters. Additionally, we enjoyed journaling, gymnastics, library visits, and our students' favorite subject: science. We started learning about the four seasons and focused on the spring season. 

In general, the class is very engaged and participatory, working together both as a group and individually. Read on for more details...

Large group 

This week, our large group was delight! We revised all the shapes, focusing on the heptagon and decagon.

Additionally, we learned about the digraph "qu”. This digraph sound was a bit strange when they heard it, but it was fun when we showed them along with the pictures. This digraph will help them as they finish learning about CVC words, making their reading journey easier.

As always, we conducted our calendar and caterpillar activities. For our morning message, we related it to the daily activities to give them clues and prepare them for the day. Overall, our students have truly grasped their class job responsibilities and have been doing amazing work, showing significant progress in every aspect of learning. They now know the routine, the classroom rules, and what comes after large group time, whether it's science, literacy, or math. They can articulate this, which shows they are really getting into the routine.

With all these steps in our students' journey, we are very proud of the progress they have made in every way.

Literacy 

This week in literacy, our first group focused on CVC words with the letter u in the middle. The students practiced reading and blending short vowel sounds as they explored different words together.

In our first session, we used wooden spinners to make the activity interactive and engaging. The students worked in pairs, taking turns spinning and reading the CVC words they formed. They carefully sounded out each letter and blended the sounds to read the words confidently. When we moved to the writing part of the lesson, they continued using the same wooden spinners to create new words. Each time they formed a word; they sounded it out and wrote it down on their paper. This allowed them to see how changing just one letter can create a completely new word. The activity was not only fun and hands-on, but also excellent for teamwork, as the students supported and encouraged each other throughout the session.

In our second session, the students completed a worksheet activity where they sounded out and read each word, then carefully looked at the pictures and colored the word that correctly matched the image. This helped strengthen their reading comprehension and phonics skills while reinforcing their understanding of short “u” CVC words.

This week, in the second group in literacy, we continued learning about blending two letters. As we started last week, this topic also focused more on practicing how to blend those letters. This helps the students continue practicing the sounds, and now they have a better understanding of how to blend two letters. However, they still need to work and practice more until it becomes easier to read.

Math

This week in math, our Pre-K class continued learning about the measurement topic. The sessions focused on heavy and light. We provided them with a balance weighing scale, then we collected and placed different sized toys from our classroom in a circle. In pairs, they picked a toy of a different size and placed it on the balancing scale. They noticed the differences and identified which one was heavy and which one was light. This was really fun and engaging!

Science 

This week in science, we were excited to begin a brand-new topic: the four seasons. During our first session, we had a lively and engaging group discussion to introduce the topic. We began by talking about what the four seasons are and how the weather changes throughout the year. The students shared what the seasons are called and explained how they think the weather feels during each one. They also spoke about the different activities they can do in each season, such as playing outside when it is warm or wearing cozy clothes when it is cold.

The discussion was vibrant and full of enthusiasm, as many students connected the topic to their own experiences. They described how trees look different throughout the year, explaining that sometimes the branches are bare, sometimes the leaves change color, and other times the trees are full and green. It was wonderful to see them confidently expressing their thoughts and listening to one another.

In our second session, we focused more deeply on the spring season. We explored how nature changes during spring and how trees begin to look fresh and lively again. The students shared that flowers bloom during this season and that the trees become green and beautiful as new leaves grow.

To extend our learning, we completed a creative art activity where the students made their own spring trees. They carefully tore green paper to represent leaves and used stamping and painting techniques with bright colors to show blooming flowers on the branches. The classroom was filled with excitement and creativity as the children proudly created their colorful spring trees.

Art

This week for art, our Pre-K students worked on another art canvas project! A few weeks back, we did a free painting activity as a group, which we kept it in our class. Our students decided that they wanted to reinvent this work and collage it onto a canvas. Before starting, they chose a color for the background: yellow. They covered the canvas with a layer of yellow paint. Then, they sat in a group and cut shapes out of the pre existing paper with free painting on it. Finally, they collaged those clippings on the canvas using glue. Everyone enjoyed the activity, and we were so glad to see the teamwork at play!

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!