It’s been a busy week in pre-k as we start to really get into the swing of things. We’ve worked hard to lay the foundation of understanding rules and routines, and with a lot of that in place we’re able to start some fun projects and activities.
Our first theme study of the year is centered around HARVEST. We’ll explore how people and animals harvest in the fall to prepare for winter. This week we’ve done the following:
- Harvest buckwheat from the school garden. We’ll dry it, thresh it, grind it, and eventually make pancakes with the flour!
- Measure using tall tall corn stalks from the Gaines Farm.
- Explore acorns (thanks to Calvin and his family!), pouring and dumping in the sensory table, cracking and grinding out in the woods.
- Harvest and dissect flowers from the garden.
- Plant sumac at the edge of our woods, and make sumac tea with berries Kristine brought in.
We’ve also spent time working on social skills. We’re learning which hand is our right hand and practicing shaking hands with friends and teachers each day at morning circle. Ask your child to sing you the handshake song! We’re also talking about ways to initiate play with friends. We’ve practiced tapping someone on the shoulder and saying their name in order to get their attention, and will continue to teach more ways to start playing with friends.
Lastly, we’re seeking donations of twin sheets for our new rest mats. The crib sheets that we have just don’t seem to fit, but we’ll be able to use twin sheets. If you have any old ones at home please send them in! Thanks!
Students helped put up our new stop sign on the "Waiting Tree".
an enthusiastic painter
Cathi Wilken from the Guilford Free Library comes to read to us in the woods every Thursday!
We had a hard-working family gather all of these acorns for us. Thanks Calvin!
We learned a new song that teaches how to shake hands, and have been practicing every morning this week.
A HUGE thanks to Kitsie Larock for moving our "cozy shed" for us. It's in the perfect place now.
We planted sumac near the shed - hopefully it'll survive the winter.
Our first harvest of the week was the buckwheat from our raised garden bed. We'll dry it, thresh it, winnow it, grind it, and make pancakes!
Not many farmers use scissors to harvest their grains, but they're the perfect tool for preschoolers working on their fine-motor skills!
a birthday party
a new rope and pulley system
Pine needles in the basket, and hoist them up!
more fun with ropes
big jump!
art in the outdoors - nothing better
How many preschoolers = one corn stalk?
It took 9 preschoolers to equal 3 corn stalks!
We played a bean-bag game called "Tick Tock In or Out". Ask your child how it goes.
Cracking open acorns is hard work.
These kiddos are discovering the nuts inside of acorns, and making some piles for animals to come find.
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