Early Learning Center News
December 21st, 2023
What we've been working on...
In our Red Classroom this month, the students learned about story sequencing and retelling stories with "Sneezy the Snowman". The students also learned patterning by making candy canes with beads to alternate red and white color beads, hanging ornaments, and wrapping gifts for their parents! The students also worked on non-standard measurements and completing patterns. We also discussed the weather and appropriate attire that fits in the season. We have two exciting new additions to our class list! Welcome Nevaeh and Emma!
We have been reading:
- Snowy Day
- Sneezy the Snowman
- It’s Christmas David
Geometric Solids
This student worked on three-dimensional shape forms that are found in geometry by matching geometric bases that contain square, circle, rectangle, equilateral triangle, and isosceles triangle to the correct three-dimensional shape. This student used an extended lesson by matching three-part cards, which contain picture to object and word to word card matching. Students should be familiar with naming two-dimensional shapes before being introduced to three-dimensional shapes. The purpose of this lesson is to introduce and understand properties of solids, which will help with calculating volume for future learning in geometry.
Line Time
Each student takes turns to lead calendar time and making sure that the students know the month, day of the week, and date. Students discuss upcoming events and birthdays. This helps with ignition of concept of time such as yesterday, today, and tomorrow. We focus on discussing past events and experiences, as well as future upcoming events to show anticipation. Students will also take the lead to discuss the weather, how they are feeling, and why. The purpose of this is to give students confidence to stand in front of peers and to gain leadership skills as well as giving them room to incorporate their personality. This also gives opportunities for language learning acquisition to discuss personal experiences and respect others by listening to their personal experiences.
Transfer with Spoon
A student worked in practical life area which is critical for three-year-olds to focus on fine motor skills. Those skills include transferring beads with tongs or spoon to make small, detailed body movements with whole hand, finger, and/or wrist. Refining small muscle movements prepares the children’s hand for writing. Each activity in the Practical life area helps build children’s self confidence as well as hand/eye coordination, concentration, and self-control. The ability to develop skills for estimating and measuring when scooping and feeling the weight of the spoon for future preparation in the math area for non-standard measurements and preparing a meal.
Geometric Form Cards
Geometric form cards are a progressive abstract of different shapes with shaded, thick blue outline, and thin blue outline cards. Those cards are pairing activity with support from the wooden inset shapes to transfer from concrete to abstraction. This helps students being able to see the wooden inset to the thin outline parts of the card as a leap of abstraction with their eye to see if its correct or not. The purpose of this is to prepare for writing to develop visual discrimination and to distinguish shapes of letters.
Hot Chocolate for everyone
Group of children sat around the table while our Teacher Assistant explained how to make Mexican Hot Chocolate to serve for their families that attended the Book Exchange event that following afternoon. They took turns measuring ingredients and making a drink warm for everyone to drink during this cold weather. This also connects to the book “Sneezy the Snowman” where the snowman melted because he drank hot chocolate. We discussed when is a good time to have a hot drink and what causes things to melt.
Book Exchange Fun
Group of ELC students and parents posing after the Book Exchange event which was huge turn out! The group sat in a circle to play “musical chairs” but with books! Each child passes the wrapped book to the next person until the lights goes out and that is their book to keep and bring home. There were so many wonderful books, and the students were thrilled with anticipation! The purpose of Book Exchange is to promote and support literacy as early as possible. This helps develops a child’s internal motivation to become literate.
In our Blue classroom...
In the Blue classroom, our kiddos have been busy crafting left and right! They made gingerbread cookies to share with their classmates and their families, they decorated Christmas trees, they painted Kawanza pictures... the list goes on! We have also welcomed some new faces into our class; our new friends Leo and Isabella, and a new Instructional Assistant, Ms Tonnette!
Isabella
Our newest friend to our Blue Classroom is Isabella! She has been such a delight to have in our class. Here she is admiring her gingerbread cookie that she cut out of the dough using a cookie cutter. Great job, Isabella!
Sylvia
Here is our friend Sylvia exercising her fine motor skills by placing small stickers on a Christmas tree cutout. All of our kiddos made their own Christmas tree to bring home and share with their families. They all really enjoyed this craft!
Liam
Sylvia, Nova & Ms Tonnette
Check us out on Facebook!
The ELC posts cute pictures of cute kids doing cute things. FSDB posts notices to keep you aware of all of our FSDB Parent Classes and other activities.
If you would like to follow the page, click the link below. Also, if you have not done so already, please like and follow the main FSDB Facebook page.
ELC Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/FSDBEarlyLearningCenter
FSDB Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/fsdbk12
