First Week of School Sept.8-12

First Week of School
September 8-12

We will begin our school year getting to know each other and establishing classroom routines. During the month of September, we will be focusing on developing classroom expectations, routines, and getting to know each learner. Our books for the first several weeks will pertain to transitioning to school and feelings about coming to school.
We will also use these books to have the students become familiar with our curriculum approach which is to use books to build on our classroom activities.

Books This Week:
Starting School by Franzesha Ewart
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Small Groups:

-First Day of School Picture for Portfolios

-Self Portraits and Name writing samples (We will add these to your child's portfolio to monitor the wonderful progress they will make in preschool this year)
-Introduction to Fine Motor/Handwriting activities

-Name Puzzle- cutting the letters of their name and assembling them in order in book (A class book will come home shortly)

Handwriting/Fine Motor Skill Develpment Activities
-Playdough Pinching and Rolling
-"Writing" with our fingers in rice trays
-Pom-Pom pickup (We will roll a number cube then use our alligator fingers to pick up the correct number of pom-poms)

Centers
Art Table- Bingo Dobbers

Block Area- blocks

Sand Table- sand and sand toys
Book Area- Exploring Books about school
Easel-Markers and paper
Writing Table- crayons and paper
Dramatic Play- dishes, cookware, and food (restaurant role play)
Math, Puzzles, and Manipulatives- Pattern Blocks
Science - Looking in mirrors (to connect with drawing our faces during small groups)
Rug- Doll Houses

Songs, Word Plays, and Language

-Action Bingo Song:

There was a class that had a boy/girl, and _____was his/her name-o

(Each child chooses an action for others to follow)

Jump, Jump, (name), Jump, Jump, (name), Jump, Jump, (name) ,

We're glad you're in school today.
-If your happy and you know it.
-Here we are together at school
-Our Good Morning Chant
-The Cub of Day, Who will it be?

-ABC Rock by Steve and Greg

-Number Rock by Steve and Greg

Preschool Life Skill

-When I call your name, stop what you are doing, look at me, and say ,"Yes".

Classroom Motivational System
-We will be learning classroom routines and expectations within our new classroom.  In order to create a successful and rewarding environment, each child will have a motivational system. Our classroom system promotes positive classroom behavior through positive peer modeling and teachers providing positive reinforcement for desired behaviors.  This system will be explained more throughly in an upcoming blog posting.