We had a great first week in both the T/Th 3's and PM 5's class! This week, we spent the majority of our time together making new friends and learning about our classroom. We explored many of the new toys in our room, as well as learned how to use many of our classroom supplies. Our biggest focuses for the week were learning our classroom routines, getting to know each other, and following along with a group plan. We will continue to focus on these skills for the next few weeks to come!
This blog features information for both the MWF 3's class and the PM 5's class. Information pertaining only to the 3's class will be in blue, and information pertaining only to the 5's class will be in red. General information for both classes will be in black/grey.
Each day, we follow the same basic schedule and routine. Here is a little more information about each component of our day:
T/Th 3's Class Schedule:8:30 - 8:50 – Opening Activity, Table Toys, Music and Movement: During this time, students are free to socialize with their peers and play freely with the table toys. Once we settle into our routine, Ms. Katie will be calling students to work one-on-one and in small groups on name and other fine motor/writing skills during this time. At the end of table time, we will clean up and engage in music and dancing!
8:50 - 9:00 - Calendar/Circle Time: We always start this circle time with our "Hello Song" to greet each child by name! During this circle time, we also review our classroom calendar to work on various math skills like counting, patterns, etc.
9:00 - 9:25 – Outside Play: Playground time is always a favorite! We will always go outside weather permitting. In the winter, we go outside as long as the wind chill is above zero. If the weather does not permit outside play, we sometimes have the opportunity to visit the gym to get our wiggles out!
9:25 - 9:40 – Circle Time: During circle time, we meet on the rug to explore our weekly theme and read a book together. Circle time also includes mini-lessons and breaks for music and movement.
9:40 - 10:20 - Small Group Centers: During center time, students rotate in small groups with teachers to build critical literacy, math, and social skills. Many of our centers are also play based to increase engagement and build important social skills!
10:20-10:30 - Read Aloud - After centers, we will revisit our weekly theme and read a related story together. We often use this time for mini-lessons on different social skills with opportunities to practice those skills!
10:30-10:45 - Snack/Book Look - During snack time, students are served a healthy snack and will also get a choice of white milk or water. After students finish snack, they are responsible for cleaning up their area and head to the carpet for Book Look time. Book look is an opportunity for students to explore the books in our classroom library!
10:45 -11:10 – Free Choice Time: During free choice, students are free to play at the centers of their choice in the classroom. Free choice allows for students to use their decision making skills, explore personal interests, and practice social skills playing with their peers. The kitchen, and transportation centers have been big hits so far!
11:10 - 11:15 - Closing Circle/Dismissal: At the end of the day, we clean up and gather together to sing our goodbye song! Students that stay for childcare or PM classes are taken to the gym for lunch at this time and we dismiss all other students to their pickups at our classroom door (Door 7)!
Here are some picture highlights of our week in 3's:
PM 5's Class Schedule:
12:15-12:30 – Opening Activity & Table Toys: During this time, students are free to socialize with their peers and play freely with the table toys. Once we settle into our routine, Ms. Katie will be calling students to work one-on-one and in small groups on name and other writing skills during this time.
12:30-1:00 – Large Group Literacy & Read Aloud: During our first circle time, we meet on the rug to explore our weekly theme and read a related story. Circle time also includes mini-lessons and breaks for movements and music.
1:00 - 1:25 – Outside Play: Playground time is always a favorite! We will always go outside weather permitting. In the winter, we go outside as long as the windchill is above zero. If the weather does not permit outside play, we sometimes have the opportunity to visit the gym for gross motor time!
1:25- 2:00 – Small Group Centers: During center time, students rotate in small groups between three different learning and play-based centers. Center time allows students to build critical literacy, math, and social skills, as well as fosters independence and creativity.
2:00 - 2:15 – Calendar/Math Literacy: During our second circle time, we will review our classroom calendar and work on various math skills.
2:15-2:30 – Snack & Book Look: During snack time, students are served a healthy snack and also get a choice of white milk or water. After students finish snack, they are responsible for cleaning up their area and head to the carpet for Book Look time. Book look is an opportunity for students to explore the books in our classroom library!
2:30 - 2:55 - Free Choice - During free choice, students are free to play at the centers of their choice in the classroom. Free choice allows for students to use their decision making skills, explore personal interests, and practice social skills playing with their peers. The playdough, lego, coloring, and transportation centers have been big hits so far!
2:55-3:00 – Closing Circle: During closing circle, we will review what we learned that day and sing our goodbye song. Students are dismissed from our exterior classroom door (Door 7)!
Here are a few picture highlights from our week in 5's:
Important Dates/Reminders:
Parent Surveys & Blog Permission Slips: This week (or at Open House last week), I sent home two forms in your child's folder: a parent survey and a blog permission slip. Please return both forms at your earliest convenience. If you are in need of another copy, please let me know!
No School: There is no preschool classes on Friday, September 3rd and Monday, September 6th in observance of Labor Day.
