The Preschool Scoop in Mixed Age!

Hello Jack and Jill Families,

I hope that you have all had a great week so far; it is certainly beginning to feel like fall! This week our class had lots of fun learning about autumn and all of the different things that come with the changing of the season. We learned about the many different types of trees and leaves, as well as when and why they change colors. We also learned about the different characteristics of fall, including chillier mornings, the falling of leaves, pumpkins, apple picking, and earlier sunsets. Many of our friends were quick to note the upcoming holiday, Halloween, as being a staple of them to the fall season and made way for several conversations about costumes, trick or treating, and the different ways each of their families celebrate the day. This week we also had a new friend join us in mixed age! Everyone did a wonderful job of showing her around the classroom and welcoming their new classmate. Here is an update on our centers this week:

Our art easel included a few different activities this week. Our first activity was "spray painting", where the children were able to use spray bottles filled with water color paints to fill in empty space around leaves taped onto card stock paper. Our second activity at the easel was painting coffee filters using paint brushes and water colors. Mrs. Haynes and I will then be cutting these into leaves and displaying them in the hallway next week, along with some other new art work. We also included free art with blank paper and markers.

At the art table: we had  leaves cut out  of coffee filters. The children were able to design these using colored markers, and then were able to spray them with water. The ability to visualize the cause and effect relationship of this activity was enjoyed by all! We ended the week with an autumn tree art project. This activity included gluing brown construction paper trees onto card stock, and then using bristle brushes dipped in red, yellow, and orange paint to add "leaves". 

The math table was filled with hungry squirrels! Here we had multiple squirrels labeled with various numbers. The children were then able to "feed" the squirrels by counting out the correct amount of acorns, and placing them on the corresponding squirrel. Everyone did a great job making sure the squirrels had enough to eat! 

At the discovery center we had magnifying glasses, tree bark from different types of trees, acorns, pine cones, and assorted leaves.

The play-dough center now has orange play-dough, scented like pumpkin pie; it really does smell wonderful! We have also added new cookie cutters in the shape of leaves, pumpkins, and even some fun Halloween items.

We continued to practice name writing and letter identification at the writing table, with this week's inclusion of magnetic writing boards/ etch a sketches. 

The books we read this week were:

            Apple Trouble

            Fall Leaves-Colorful and Crunchy

            The leaves on the Trees

            Little Acorn

            Goodbye Summer Hello Autumn

Next week we will be beginning some fundamental enrichment activities, including a visit from Sensei Michael and music with Mrs. T! We will also begin to have a letter of the week in order to develop our skills in identifying and writing our letters. Next week's letter will be the letter A! We will be holding show and tell on both Monday and Tuesday, where everyone can bring in one small item from home that starts with the letter A. 

We had an amazing time this week, and can't wait to see everyone on Monday! Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Mackenzie and Mrs. Haynes