The importance of rhyming.

This week in Pre-K we started working on rhyming. We talked about what rhyming is; two words sounds alike (the end of each word). 

Rhyming is one of the first steps in learning how to read. 

Nursery Rhymes are great for introducing and practicing rhyming.

Dr. Seuss has always had a fun and creative way to rhyming.

Showing off our 'Tooth Fairy Wands'

After reading 'You Think It's Easy Being the Tooth Fairy', we started thinking that maybe we should try it out.

 

With the help of family, friends, teachers, and custodians, we were able to collect lots of empty paper towel roles. We then used sponges to decorate our paper towel roles with different colors of paint. 

After we let the paint dry, we cut curling ribbon and a cut out of a tooth to top it off. 

"Look out teeth! Here we come!"

(Tuesday/Thursday class also made Tooth Fairy Wands 
but with the Early Release Day ... we ran out of time to take a picture.)

Learning about Dental Health

Thank you to Cindy from the Medford Dental Clinic for coming to MAES. We loved learning about the important steps to keep our teeth clean and healthy. 

Valentine's Day Celebrations!

With Valentine's Day falling on a Monday, we decided to have our Valentine's Day Parties this past Wednesday, Feb 9th and Thursday, Feb 10th.

We had a fun time ...

Passing out our Valentine's to all of our friends ... 

Playing 

"Valentine's Dash" ...

 

 

Making Vanilla Ice Cream sundaes ...

('Vv' was our letter of the week.)

While watching ...

DESPICABLE ME!

We had a wonderful time talking about showing our friends and family 

just how much we care about them.    

Skills for each grade.

Check out this link for ways to practice different math skills for each grade level. 

http://www.ixl.com/

Remember that each school district may change the details for each skill.

Get Ready for School!

Pre-Kindergarten Education: Is your child ready for school?

Here are a few questions to consider when sending your child to school. 

• Can he hold his pencil correctly?
• Can she write her name?
• Can he dress himself?
• Can she hop, skip and jump?
• Can he cut out neatly?
• Can she draw shapes?
• Can he tie his shoelaces? (A kindergarten skill)
• Does she know her numbers?

Remember that child all learn at different stages. No child is alike!

We work hard to teach many of these skills in pre-kindergarten.

The computer lab!

    Now that we have been in school for 5 months ... we are heading to the computer lab! Each kiddo is able to have their own computer with head phones. Head phones are wonderful knowing that most kids love to hear the music ... while teachers on the other hand might not want to hear all 20 computers. :-) We talk about the rules with computers and the skills needed to work a computer mouse. Click ... click! 

 
We started out this past Wednesday, Feb 2nd and Thursday, Feb 3rd. We played the game Plumo at the Zoo. At the Zoo there are plenty of games that work on colors, matching, numbers, counting, etc. We worked on matching, sorting, and colors. We will continue to go to the computer lab once a week until the end of the year. We can't wait to see what other games will be get to play!

Simple things can make a huge impact.

We had a very busy day today with our first field trip. It was a hit! I was impressed how the kiddos were so flexible with the change in their schedule. Right at the beginning of rest time today, one of my young ladies came up to me. She said, "The movie theater field trip was AWESOME!" She then went back to her cot, laid down and fell asleep. 

Sometimes it is the simple things that make a huge impact into a child's life. :-)

At the movies ...

Our First Field Trip ... to the movies!

 We had a blast! 

A huge THANK YOU to 

Dave and Anne Fleegel

for allowing us to take a trip to the movies.