This week we will begin our next unit, Shadows and Reflections. In this unit, children explore shadows and reflections using observations, experiments, and books to learn about what makes a shadow and a reflection. During story time, children will hear about a girl playing by a still pond, a puppy who thinks he is a kitten, a crocodile collecting reflections in a pail, a sleepy boy who sees a shadow save a cat, and a raccoon who has an adventure with only his reflection as company. Children will continue to learn about letters, letter sounds, and counting concrete objects.
Theme Concepts for this Unit
- Reflections are images thrown back from a shiny surface
- There must be light, or there can be no reflection
- Mirrors and still water reflect light well; dull surfaces do not
- If water is moving, its reflections are blurry and crooked
- Objects are opaque, translucent or transparent
- Shadows are dark areas made when an object blocks light
- The sizes of shadows vary, depending on how close an object is to the light source
Week of April 3rd
Books for the week:
Play with Me by: Marie Hall Ets
Raccoon on His Own by Jim Arnosky
Small Groups:
- Letter matching- Some students will be matching uppercase to lowercase letters. Others will be matching uppercase to uppercase to create the words Shadows and Reflections
- Turtle Counting - Students will stick a sticker on the turtles shell then practice counting the stickers.
- Looking at ourselves in the mirror and drawing what we see
Choice time
Art Table: painting with condensed milk and paint
Manipulatives: Unifix cubes
Library Area: Books about shadows and reflections
Sensory Table: Looking for ducks hiding in reflective confetti
Dramatic Play: Taco stand
Rug Toy: Cars and Car ramp
Week of April 10th
Books for the week:
Play with Me by Marie Hall Ets
Raccoon on His Own by Jim Arnosky
Puddle Pail by Elisa Kleven
Small Groups:
- animal memory with animals from Raccoon on His Own
- making collections - Each student will be given a collection of animals. Some students will match and count the animals that are the same, other students will tally how many of each animal they have.
- Is it your shadow? Looking at different shadows of animals and determining which animal made that shadow.
- Identifying what letter is missing at the beginning of the word
Choice time
Art Table: Reflective collage
Manipulatives: animal puzzles
Library Area: Books about shadows and reflections
Sensory Table: Looking for ducks hiding in reflective confetti
Writing Table: Ipads
Dramatic Play: Pet Vet
Block Area
Songs, Word Play and Letters
Clap Your Hands
Open, Shut Them
Itsy Bitsy Spider
BINGO
If You’re Happy and You Know It
What Are You Wearing?
