"Almost all children respond to music. Music is an open-sesame, and if you can use it carefully and appropriately, you can reach into that child's potential for development." Dr. Clive Robbins

Friday, September 28, 2012

Exploring Space


This is going to be a fun week learning about Our Solar System!
Monday and Tuesday
Self Directed Play & Clean Up—Spacecraft Stencils and Miniature Astronauts
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week Letter T Number 4
Seat Work
Reading and Writing—Talk about our space theme and how hot the sun is.  Take out chocolate chips outside in the sun to start melting.
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments
Social—Star Wars-Draw pictures as you listen
Counting—Stars Shining
Music Appreciation/Readiness—Blue Jello sticks
Small and Large Movement Skills—Twinkle Twinkle
ABC/Reading— Planet Names w/ Letters  The Sun , Mercury, Venus, Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto This is the planet order. (Sung to 1 little 2 little Indians
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Snack & Story Time-Fruit and marshmallows dipped in chocolate
Free Time & Group Motor Activity- Dodge Astroids
Creating Project (arts and crafts) Bubbles
Math/Science Skills—Star Wars Numbers Book
Goodbye Song

Wednesday and Thursday
Self Directed Play & Clean Up—Space Puzzles and Astronauts Hand Puppets
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Show and Tell-Find something in your house that starts with the letter of your name!  Be ready to share with the class your object.  (Thanks parents for you help with this)
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments-Twinkle Twinkle Star with Bells (color bells)
Social—Star Light Star Bright –Everyone tell what wish they would make
Counting—Count off Blast off
Music Appreciation/Readiness Piano High and Low Sounds
Small and Large Movement Skills—He’s got the whole world in his hands, pass the earth ball around the circle
ABC/Reading-Alphabet Rumba
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Snack & Story Time—Saturn Rings—Roll dice to see how many we get
Free Time & Group Motor Activity—Planet and moon Tag
Creating Project (arts and crafts) Constellation Creation/Orbiting Planets
Math/Science Skills Demonstrate Planets orbiting the sun by acting out with planet balls
Goodbye Song

Home project:  For this week we have show and Tell.  I would like each student to find something at home that begins with the same letter of their name and share it with the class.  Have them practice doing this in front of your family so they will be comfortable verbalizing their object and their name.

Snack time Philosophy:    I think snack time is a great time for kids to learn how to use their good table manners in a group.  This isn't a meal, just a little snack.  I usually give everyone a good size amount and don't give seconds.  I always serve water and encourage them to drink what they can.  Unless a child is allergic to a snack I don't provide different snacks then what we have.  I encourage everyone to at least try everything even if they think they don't like it.  I think it's important at this age to try different foods especially fruits and vegetables.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Things that Go!



Self Directed Play & Clean Up—Cars and Trucks
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week- Letter E; Number 3
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Spotlights on preschool children-About one a month
Show and Tell- once a month
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments—Train Song w/ Shakers
Social—Wheels on the Bus
Counting—Blue Jello w/ instruments
Music Appreciation/Readiness—PP—FF dynamics
Small and Large Movement Skills-Row Row Row your Boat
ABC/Reading—ABC cards hidden (have each song represented on letters)
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Creating Project (arts and crafts)-Banana Boats/Paper Airplanes
Free Time & Group Motor Activity—Red Light Green Light
Snack & Story Time-Eat Banana Boats/Ants on a Log
Math/Science Skills-Sort Vehicles in three piles: land air or sea—Count each pile
Goodbye Song

Self Directed Play & Clean Up—Vehicles/Puppets
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Walk to Park for Field Trip—Play Outside Games for about 1 hour
Snack—half way through Field Trip—Water and Oranges
Goodbye Song
Announcements--This week is our first field trip.  We are only walking 1 1/2 blocks to a nearby grass area to do some fun active games. You are more then welcome to come and join the group to help out. I have Brittany Loveland helping with the Mon Wed afternoon group and Hanne Sorensen and Emily Hirschfeld down to help for Tue Thursday Class.  Here are times we will be leaving and coming back for each group.
Fantasia Group--Leave at 9:30 come back at 10:45--
Cadenza Group--Leave at 11:45 come back at 1:00
Symphony Group--Leave at 9:30 come back at 11:15
Home Challenge--Our days are getting numbered when we can get outside and play.  I challenge you to take your preschooler to the park and have each of you take a turn to make up an obstacle course on the playground you can take turns doing it and if they enjoy the competitive side, take a stop watch and time them to see if they can beat them self.  Please let me know if you have any concerns about your child or any questions.  I feel like all the kids are doing really well and I'm enjoying each of them!

Saturday, September 15, 2012

I'm a VIP


Homework Challenge:  This week we learning about each other learning how important we are.  This will help us make friends at preschool.  Help your child identify at least one of his/her favorite things.  We will be composing a class song with all of our favorite things in it.  We will be doing this Monday or Tuesday.   One of the best gifts we can give our children is our time and listening hear.  Take time this week to make your child feel special as you listen to what he/she has to say.  This can be very hard with our busy schedules, but it is worth the effort.

Wed or Thursday.
I’m a VIP:  Letter A; Number 2
Monday/Tuesday
Self Directed Play & Clean Up-Picture Shapes/ Mega Blocks
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Spotlight on Tayia for Monday (4-5 year old group)
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments- Group and solo time with rhythm instruments
Social-My Favorite Things (songwriting)
Counting-Hickory Dickory Dock (Introduce our clock!)
Music Appreciation/Readiness-Find and Snake
Small and Large Movement Skills- Where is Thumbkin?
ABC/Reading—Baa Baa Black Sheep (Colors then Letters)
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Creating Project (arts and crafts)-Footprints & Handprints/Kids License Plate
Free Time & Group Motor Activity- Red Light, Green Light
Snack & Story Time Pretzels
Math/Science Skills-Monkey I pad Game
Goodbye Song

Wednesday/Thursday
Self Directed Play & Clean Up -Picture Shapes/ Mega Blocks
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments-Group Drumming
Social—Shake a Friends Hand –Discuss about how we can be friends with others
Counting -Five Little Speckled Frogs (Sing with Story Book and felt hand)
Music Appreciation/Readiness-Two Black Keys on Piano
Small and Large Movement Skills- Head Shoulder’s Knees and Toes
ABC/Reading- Put the letter M, S and A on an instrument so you have three instruments in the middle of the circle.  “I’ve got a letter in my head, find it and play, repeat, Play the _____, “Tune of Li’l Liza Jane”
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Creating Project (arts and crafts)-Favorite Things Collage/Footprints and Handprints
Free Time & Group Motor Activity-Parachute Play outside
Snack & Story Time-Zucchini Bread
Math/Science Skills-Dominoes
Goodbye Song


Friday, September 7, 2012

Animals in my world!


Our first week went really well.  A note on the outline below.  The craft with the star is for the 3-4 year old class.  We don't ever have time to do all the music listed below and so I do some with the 3-4 year old class and then I do the rest with the 4-5 year olds.   Sometimes we do repeats if I feel both classes would benefit from them.
A word on my Philosophy:  I really feel preschool crafts are more for the experience of the child creating it  and not particularly something they will keep and collect for years.  This is why I choose to do a lot of crafts made from recycled material, and things you can find around your house.  This keeps my costs down so then I can afford to make my preschool less expensive.  This way you won't feel bad if you don't keep everything that comes home.  You may want to find a designated wall, magnet board, fridge space, or pin board that can display a couple of your child's creations.  When we get something new that doesn't fit on the board/wall the child decides which one we should take down to replace it with.
Homework challenge:  Your preschooler is learning so many new things right now.  Sometimes that can be overwhelming and they may get worn out.  Watch for signs of fatigue and you may need to adjust there schedule so they can get more rest.  I recommend all preschoolers take a quiet time during the day.  They may not necessarily sleep but it gives them time to quiet their bodies.  I like to give my preschooler a choice of a book and I read it to her and then I let her spend some quiet time in her room on her bed for at least an hour.  Puzzles and other quiet activities can be appropriate at this time as well.  This quiet time will help them increase their attention and self control.  This is also great for moms to have some time alone!  It keeps me a little more sane.  =)

Lesson Plan for Monday and Tuesday:
Self Directed Play & Clean Up—Animal Creatures Play,  Lacing Animals
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week Letter: S  Number 1
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Spotlights on preschool children-Keonne on Monday
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments—I’m going on a bear hunt—add instruments for sound effects
Social—Old McDonald—have each child choose an animal
Counting-5 little ducks
Music Appreciation/Readiness-Blue Jello Rhythm w/ Pete
Small and Large Movement Skills-Animal Action
ABC/Reading-Home on the Range—inner listening skills
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Creating Project (arts and crafts)— *Playdough/Clothespin Horse
Free Time & Group Motor Activity—Cat and Mouse Parachute Game
Snack & Story Time—Animal Crackers
Math/Science Skills—Animal Memory Game
Goodbye Song

Lesson Plan for Wed and Thursday:
Self Directed Play & Clean Up—Mega Lego Blocks w/ animals, puppets
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week  Letter S & Number 1
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments—Shape Instrument Song
Social—The Farmer and the Dell
Counting-10 little monkeys jumping on the bed
Music Appreciation/Readiness-ABC-Find me cards
Small and Large Movement Skills—Crazy Frog Jump w/ Parachute
ABC/Reading—Baa Baa “B” Sheep-each child tells me and find the letter of their name
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Creating Project (arts and crafts)-*Animal Mural/Sheep w/ handprint
Free Time & Group Motor Activity—Duck Duck Goose
Snack & Story Time—Fresh Fruit (apples, plums)
Math/Science Skills—Sorting Animal Types
Goodbye Song

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Welcome to School!


I'm excited to get started this week!  I have been furiously getting all our supplies and materials ready to go.  So I apologize that this post is so late in coming.  Just a couple reminders to help make tomorrow and Thursday go smoothly.
1.  Talk lots about preschool and how much fun they will have.  You can go over our preschool rules so they can already know them.  Our rules are simple:  Follow Teachers Directions, Keep your hands and objects to yourself, and Treat others and yourself Kindly.
2.  Drop off no earlier then 5 minutes early so I have time to have everything in the class ready to go.  You can bring them up to the door or just wave goodbye from the car
3.  Bring your 100 stickers if you already haven't, and an extra pair of clothes in your backpack
4.  Pick up-- When we are finished with school I will bring your children outside to you.  You can wait in your car or just outside.  That way we all are done together.

Below is our schedule.  The 3 & 4 year olds don't do all that is below.  See your calendar for which creative project your child will do.


September 5 & 6  Getting to Know You!  Letter M and Number 0

Self Directed Play & Clean Up
Go over Rules at Preschool
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Spotlights on preschool children-About one a month
Show and Tell- once a month
Music Circle Time
Hello Song

Instruments: Lauren’s Waltz –musical improve with rhythm instruments

Social: Make New Friends:
        My Favorite Things-song writing
The More we get together

Counting Ode to Joy counting song

Music Appreciation/Readiness Introduce Alphabet Cards

Small and Large Movement Skills- If your happy and you know it

ABC/Reading:  Humming letter M- Follow pitches of Pete the dog!
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Creating Project (arts and crafts) My Favorite Color/Food Sheet/About Me Collage
Free Time & Group Motor Activity:  Follow the Leader Outside
Snack & Story Time:  Carrots and Celery sticks w/ dressing
Math/Science Skills-Introduce Number Blocks
Goodbye Song