Parker PreK : September 2020

We are very focused on our outdoor space, learning the boundaries, feeling the freedom of the outdoors yet understanding that we need to be safe, and just taking some deep breaths!

This week, we talked a lot about maps, trails, marking trails, and even naming our trail. We also talked about what is "out of bounds" and the gym teacher, Darcy, even came in to let us know that the tire traverse (looks like tire swings) are set up for older children, so that is something to look forward to but right now they are out of bounds.

Everyone in the classroom knows how to read the word STOP (smiles) and we created STOP signs at two spots on our trail that we're not to go without a teacher.

We had a great discussion about what would work for a trail marker. What would not get soggy, if it rained. Our solution was plastic sheets that we could cut into shapes and draw on with sharpies.

Everyone had a chance to decorate a few markers!

And then we went out to hammer the markers into the trees and run the trail.

Our next step is to name the trail-here's the thoughts we have so far: rainbow forest, rainbow trail, around about, cake, rail trail, and rainbow. We'll keep you posted!

We have sketch books and bags that we can bring outside, too, and there was interest in creating a picture, or map of our space. The map is going to take some time, and we'll definitely have a project that we can share with you when it's created.

There are maps posted in the classroom that draw the children's eye, and initiate conversations about mapping.

I'd like to share some thoughts that the children had about how they feel outdoors-We created a beautiful bulletin board that says "Let's Get Outside!" Each child decorated a page with their photo and bright colored chalk - they are so proud to see their work displayed!

"When I'm outside I feel happy!"

"When I'm outside I feel happy"

"When I'm outside I feel active"

"When I'm outside I feel excited"

"When I'm outside I feel happy and sad"

"When I'm outside, I feel better"

"When I"m outside I feel kind of cold"

Until Next Time,

Michele

Our classroom is beginning to gel as a community-and we are talking about how to help our classroom feel safe and friendly for everyone.

We talked together about how our classroom is like a family, and there were many ideas: "there's so many of us!" "we play very good" "there's grown ups" "we read books a lot""we play a lot" "we take care of each other"....as you can tell from these words the children are feeling comfortable and engaged in our space!

When we asked the children if they had rules in their families, they said yes! We decided to create our own rules for our classroom.

Here's what we came up with:

hands to yourself
be nice and kind
be careful
take care of yourself
no jumping off the roof or out the windows (silly but true!)
listen to grown ups (the rule that I added)

Some of the language that we use for listening includes "listening ears" and "listening lama" which is a hand signal that your child can show you. Try it at home !

We are talking about colors and experimenting with color mixing using primary colors. The children used eyedroppers and so practiced their fine motor skills while

dropping colors to mix together.