Farm and Harvest Unit Weeks 1 & 2

Farm and Harvest Unit Weeks 1 & 2

We will now begin our first curriculum unit Farm/Harvest. Some of the concepts that we will be covering will be:

• food is grown
• farming involves many different kinds of work
• seasonal changes related to planting and harvesting
• people celebrate harvest

Some key questions that we will be answering will be:

• How does food grow?
• What are everyday jobs on the farm?
• What does the farmer do at harvest time?
• Why do animals harvest?
• Why do people celebrate the harvest?

Week of October 2-6

Books for the Week:

Eddie’s Garden by Sarah Garland

Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell

Small Groups:

Math - Counting apples

Creating Textured that live on a farm

Where does it grow? We will be discussing and sorting pictures of fruits and vegetables that grow in trees or under the ground

Handwriting

Journals - In the fall I like to ___

Sponge painting pumpkins

Make straight lines on white boards

Choice Time:

Art Table: Making a farm mural

Blocks - Making farms with blocks and animals

Library Area: Harvest/ Halloween Books

Sensory Table: beans

Dramatic Play: kitchen

Rug Toy: potato heads

Songs, Word Play and Letters:

BANANAS

What Are You Wearing?

ABC Rock

10 Red Apples

Big Pumpkin

Open, Shut Them

Week of October 9-13

Books for the Week:

The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone

Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell

Small Groups:

Memory with Farm pictures

Bingo with sounds from the Farm

Sequencing pictures

Back to School Night

October 11, 2017 at 6:30

This is a time for parents/guardians to learn about our classroom, the curriculum and expectations.   As well as an opportunity to ask questions related to the classroom.  For confidentiality reasons, we are not able to discuss any individual children at this time.  If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to reach out at any time.  This evening is for adults only please.

Today the Lucky Ducks participated in the first fire drill of the year.  They did a great job listening and following directions.  We are very proud of our Lucky Ducks.  

Coming soon!  - As part of our class wide positive behavior system, which will be discussed at open house, the Lucky Ducks will begin collecting ducks to work toward our harvest soiree in which children are allowed to dress up.  We will celebrate near the end of October (date TBD).   More information will follow.

Scholastic Due: October 5, 2017

Arrival - Activities this week include large vehicles, small blocks, and bingo markers

Story Time
Acorns to Oak Tree

Ten Apples Up on Top

How do Apples Grow
Small Groups - 
Literacy - All about me book

Math - Sorting apples by size

Art- Making a scarecrow

Handwriting - Handwriting without Tears coloring pages

Following Directions and Coloring Shapes (this will stay at school)
Choice Time
Sensory - sorting apples by size in our sand table
Rug -  large vehicles
Kitchen - fall clean up
Art - painting with acorns
Library - Books about fall
Writing Center - Coloring and exploring materials in our writing center
Table - Apple Tree Math
Fine Motor - Sorting apples (colored pom poms) by color with tweezers

Blocks - cardboard blocks

Science - exploring acorns and drawing about them

2nd week of preschool

Arrival - When students first arrive, they will stow their belongings and have an opportunity to play in a few areas of the classroom.  Activities this week include large legos, coloring and puzzles

Story Time
Rockin in My School Shoes and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, The Kissing Hand

Small Groups - 
Journal page - what we like to play at school.

Making our names using letters written on ducks

Math  - How many ducks in a pond?  Some students will complete this activity will complete this using ducks and a paper pond, other students will complete this activity with paper ducks

Handwriting - As we begin our year, we often start by building hand strength before starting our instruction with handwriting.  This week we will use playdough for this purpose as students will push, squeeze, and roll the playdough as well as ripping paper and decorating letters of our name with bingo markers.

Choice Time
This is a child centered time where students can choose an area to play and explore.
Sensory - sand table - sorting letters and not letters
Rug -  large legos
Kitchen - Birthday part
Art - Painting a raccoon mask from the Kissing Hand
Library - Books about school
Writing Center - Coloring and exploring materials in our writing center
Table - Doll House
Blocks - cardboard blocks

First Day

We are very excited about our first day of preschool.

As we start the year, we will spend time learning about our classmates, our daily routine, and expectations. Some of our activities will remain at school to decorate the classroom or to keep in your child's portfolio.

Arrival - When students first arrive, they will stow their belongings and have an opportunity to play in a few areas of the classroom.  Activities this week include, trains/cars and coloring

Story Time
The Kissing Hand, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and Preschool Day Hooray!

Meeting - The class will gather together to talk about our feelings about the first day of school, our favorite colors, and our ages.  These conversations will lead us to our small groups as we are beginning a mini-all about me unit.

Small Groups - 
Journal page about our first day - Students will draw a picture of themselves and describe how they feel about school, using visuals as needed.  These drawings will remain at school but will be available to view at our open house.

Painting a duck - Students will use water colors to paint a large duck

Decorating the first letter of our name - Coordinating with the story Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, students will decorate the first letter of their name with bingo markers and stickers as they choose.

Handwriting - As we begin our year, we often start by building hand strength before starting our instruction with handwriting.  This week we will use playdough for this purpose as students will push, squeeze, and roll the playdough.

Choice Time
This is a child centered time where students can choose an area to play and explore.
Sensory - sand table
Rug -  cars and trains
Kitchen with play food
Art - Painting
Library - Books about school
Writing Center - Coloring and exploring materials in our writing center

Welcome Lucky Ducks!

We are very excited to start our new year with our new friends and families.  Our open house is Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 11:00.  Your child will have an opportunity to meet his or her teachers, color a duck for our daily attendance as well as explore many fun centers in the classroom.