The new school year has welcomed many new three and four year olds into the Pre-K classroom. They are eagerly learning each other’s names and are becoming fast friends. Songs, fingerplays, and musical games help them in the “get acquainted” process. A unit on Manners, reinforced by daily discussions, helps remind the children of proper behaviors. In the unit “All About My World”, self, family, friends, home, and neighborhood are being explored.
In Religion, they have come to realize that they are very special, each with their own differences and uniquenesses. God has made them, their families, and their friends. While listening to Bible stories, they have met Jesus and have seen Him as a friend. Practicing the sign of the cross and some short prayers is a daily ritual.
Story time is one of their favorite times of the day. It is a quiet time when each child sits and listens the very best they can. They have met Corduroy and through a project helped find his button. They related to Owen and his blanket and laughed along with Roll Over. After the story, Wemberley Worried, each child dictated what was troubling them and placed their problems in the “worry box”. Names are very special as Chrysanthemum proved to them.
Special visitors from Letter People Land have come to visit. Mr. N with the noisy nose was the first to arrive. He was joined by Miss W, Miss P and Mr. H. Their songs make the children laugh, sing along, and learn about them.
The Number People (cousins of the Letter People) are also arriving in the Pre-K classroom. Mr. 1, a scientist, and Miss 2, a doctor, are becoming their friends as they write them and make sets with them.
The three primary colors – red, blue, and yellow – have the children discovering not only in art activities, but in their show and tells as well. They have also begun “The Artist of the Month” program and are becoming acquainted with the artistic simplicity of Piet Mondrian. The “question of the day” helps the students form their own opinions and to realize that everyone does not think alike. Learning some sign language provides the children with another way to communicate and another way to learn and share information.
The students have become quite good at tracing their names. Practice makes perfect! School has become an interesting place where they can both learn and play.
