Indian Corn

On Wednesday, pre-k learned about Indian corn.  This is not normally the kind of corn we eat.  We see it around Thanksgiving, and it makes a nice decoration because of its many colors.

 

We crafted our own Indian corn using a corn pattern, dot markers and a paper bag.  I decided to cut out the corn and husk shapes, so that the kids could focus on where to place the different colors.  I love how each child used the same 4 colors (red, blue, purple, brown), yet each one created a completely unique ear of corn!

 

 

We read the books:

 

We also created patterns with the geoblocks again, and the children have been busily baking Thankgiving playdough cookies and cupcakes.  :)

 

For math, we played a game called Turkey Tracks.  The kids worked in pairs and were given a turkey mat with numbers 1-10.  They rolled the die, then covered that same number on their mat...with candy corn!  Yes, we used candy corn as our markers, and then the children got to eat some as a treat for a job well done.  I normally don't like to give candy as a reward, but we're in the midst of the holiday season.  So let's step outside of the preschool box and have a little fun!

 

See you for our next lesson...pumpkin pie!  :)



Turkeys: Gobble Gobble!

It's almost Turkey Time!

On Monday, we continued our Thanksgiving study with stories, actvities and a craft about turkeys.

 

  The kids made gobble-tastic turkeys by coloring the beak orange and wattle red on a turkey pattern.  Then I painted 4 of their fingers - red, blue, green and purple, and we stamped them in an arc shape on their paper.  They glued the turkey body on, and added 2 legs.  Aren't they the cutest?!

 

 

We read the books:

 

 

and we talked about all the food that we eat on Thanksgiving Day.  Many people (me included) end up napping after we've gotten so full!

 

For literacy, we wrapped up our study of Ii, and that will be covered on the next post.

 

In writing, the kids traced a turkey.  They could use one or more colors, and I'm happy with the progress they're making!  Tracing activities help to strengthen the fine motor muscles used in writing.  We mostly use markers for tracing, because they are chunkier than pencils and easier to grip for preschoolers. 

 

For math, the kids used patterns and geoblocks to make corn and turkeys.  (Sorry I didn't get a picture!)  They did a great job of placing the different shapes where they were supposed to go, and one boy even made his own pattern - a Transformer!  Now that's thinking outside the box!

 

In music and movement, we learned a new song - The Turkey Pokey!  The tune is to Hokey Pokey, and we use wings, beaks, turkey toes and tail feathers.  Ask your kiddo to sing it for you. 

 

Gobble Gobble!



Thankful Quilt

This week we were busy with parent/teacher conferences and learning all about The First Thanksgiving.  Can you believe that Thanksgiving is just right around the corner?  It snuck up on me this year!

 

As part of our month of thanks, we decided to make a Thankful Quilt.  (Since names are listed on each paper quilt square, I decided not to include a photo on our blog.  You can check it out in person on the wall outside our classroom.) 

 

I simply adore every answer that the children gave!

When I asked, "What are you thankful for?  What makes you happy?", the kiddos gave very sweet, innocent and thoughful responses.  Please take a moment to read the answers your child gave, as well as those of the rest of the class.  They are just amazing!

 

On Friday, we learned about Pilgrims and Native Americans.  We read the books:

 

to learn about the story of the first Thanksgiving.

 

We looked at pictures from the book:

 

 

and compared our clothing to that of the Pilgrims, as well as chores that the children did then and now.  It was very interesting to the kids!  They did not realize how much work children had to do at that time.  Quite a change from today, for sure!

 

We are still working on the letter Ii and will wrap that up on Monday, along with introducing the letter Jj.

 

Happy Weekend! 

I Am Thankful For...

On Monday, we began our month-long celebration of Thanksgiving!

 

We read the book:

 

We gave lots of examples of things to be thankful for, or in a preschooler's mind, things that make us happy.  Many children cited food, toys and family - all things that are central to their world right now.

 

I didn't get to snap any pictures, but we also worked on our paper Thanksgiving Quilt.  I asked each child individually to name a few things that they're thankful for, wrote it on a colorful quilt square of their choice, and they decorated it with fall stickers.  All the children did a great job, and were very thoughtful with their responses.  We will hang the quilt outside of our classroom for all to see, and I will post pictures on our blog as well.  I am thankful for twelve amazing little pre-kindergarteners who brighten my days, make me laugh, and are pure blessings from above.  :) 

 

We finished up assessments for our upcoming conferences, including a cute monster color-by-number page.  The sandbox and easel centers were open, and loved by all.  These kiddos sure do love to paint!  Picassos-in-the-making, perhaps?  Yes, I think so!

 

See you on Wednesday!