It’s been a week full of gratitude, as we near the end of our work with the Kindness Curriculum, talk about Thanksgiving, and enjoy each others company this third month of school. Here are some highlights:
- We read books and played games that focused on the theme of making mistakes. We learned how to check in with a friend if we make a mistake that hurts them by saying “I didn’t mean it, are you okay?” (see note below)
- We read books about Thanksgiving, and about gratitude. We played games and did some artwork that helped us express what we are grateful for.
- We told stories about fire, and added a fire ring to our dramatic play center. We’ll have our FIRST FIRE tomorrow.
- We started up our weekly cooking session on Friday, making a batch of cornbread that was loved by all. Tomorrow we will take our cooking project outside to the fire!
- We LOVED the snow on Tuesday morning, and got creative out in the woods making “marshmellows,” doing snow angels, tracking, and of course throwing snowballs at targets.
In pre-k accidents happen ALL the time. Picture a child who is frustrated trying to put on mittens, and gets fed up and throws one, accidentally hitting a friend. In these situations we work carefully to help kids make amends for their accidents, instead of insisting that they say a quick and insincere “sorry.” This week we introduced the phrase I didn’t mean it, are you okay? and will soon learn to follow up with friends by asking What do you need? Or How can I make things better? Taking the time to check in with friends when mistakes are made helps kids slow down, and build empathy, understanding, and compassion.
Enjoy your break next week, and don’t forget about the Holiday Market and the Solstice Celebration that will sneak right up on us in December.
After a few weeks off, we're back to our Friday cooking. Last week we made cornbread, and tomorrow we'll cook something delicious over the fire!
Cooking provides lots of great practice with patience and turn taking.
Getting ready for our first Kelly Kettle fire last week.
The Kelly Kettle allows us to build a tiny twig fire in a metal canister, then put a pot of water on top. It only takes a couple of minutes to boil the water for hot tea.
We passed an egg around the circle using spoons, and every time the egg dropped we practiced saying I didn't mean it, are you okay?
Colleen's mom Alisha brought in a fun turkey craft to make with the kids on Wednesday. We love having family volunteers in the classroom!
Just barely enough snow for a snow person.
Very focused on making cookies to roast in her fry pan.
Kids love to play with our intern Jeannie.
Hammering nails into a stump, satisfying for any age!
Kristine and Bridget put out watercolor paints so the kids could paint snow balls (and then smash them).
Snow marshmellows were very popular on Tuesday.
Comments
Post a Comment