Shadows and Reflections April 11-15

Shadows and Reflections Unit Week 2

Unit Book:  Moonbear's Shadow

Weekly Question and Vocabulary Words:
What makes shadows change?
(wide, noon, short, long, cast, deep)

Literacy Small Groups

Letters- We will practice the lowercase  formation of the letter d using a variety of mediums.  This may be in the form of magna doodles, chalkboards, salt trays, etc.  We will rainbow write and pencil practice the letter d as well.This is another magic C letter-first, we start by making a lowercase c and continue on to make a d.  

Where’s the Sound?- We will continue to practice segmenting words by sound. We will play another round of Where’s my Sound? Using clothespins to slowly segment each word, we will listen for the /m/ sound.  We will determine whether we hear the sound at the beginning, middle or end of the word and record our guesses on our sheet.

Letters - We will learn to write the lowercase letter s. Using magna doodles, chalkboards or salt trays we will practice the formation.  We will rainbow write and pencil practice the letter s as well.This is another magic C letter-first, we start by making a lowercase c and continue on to make an s.

Journal Writing- In our story this week, Moonbear’s shadow followed him wherever he went. We will write about where our shadows follow us.  We will turtle talk to sound out each word in our sentence and carefully illustrate our ideas using details.   

**Science Center Presentation on Shadows and Reflections** Mr. Musselman from the Burlington Science Center will be coming to our school to discuss shadows and reflections with our classroom.

Math Small Groups

Flat Shapes- Several units ago, we learned that we can view all sides of 3D shapes.  Now, we will take those shapes and make them into 2D shapes.  We will take 3D solid shapes and trace their faces to create 2D versions of the shape.  

Bears in a Cave- In our story this week, Moonbear experimented with his shadow. We will continue our practice with parts of numbers to make a whole.  Using bears in a cave, we will add some brown bears with some black bears.  We will create our own number sentences to show how many altogether.

Pattern Block Puzzles- We will explore a variety of 2d shapes using pattern block puzzles.  After spinning for a shape, we will work to complete our puzzles.  We will name & discuss each shape and its attributes as we play.  

Shape Hunt- After learning about the attributes of a circle, triangle, square, rectangle, hexagon, rhombus, oval and trapezoid we will go on a special shape hunt.  Searching around our classroom, we will look for objects that resemble each shape and record our work on our papers.

Number Formations- Using the Handwriting Without Tears program as a guide, we will continue to practice forming numbers 1-10.  This week, we will practice numbers 5 & 6 using chalkboards or magna doodles and in our letter formation books.

Centers

Art Table- fish  painting

Sensory Table- water and fishing rods
Book Area- Exploring Books about shadows and reflections
Easel-Markers and paper
Writing Table-Paper and words to trace
Dramatic Play- Eye Doctor (pretend glasses and letters)
Math, Puzzles, and Manipulatives-
Rug- Boat and fishing for letters
Block Area- blocks with flashlights to create block shadows

Science/Social Studies/Math Circle Concepts


Preschool Life Skills 
- We will be focusing on our curriculum of Preschool Life Skills during this time to help us transition into our new classroom.

1. When I call your name, stop what you are doing, look at me, and say,"Yes".
2. When I give you an instruction, do it "right away"
(Ask your child what do you do when your teacher tells you to do something.  They should reply "I do it right away." You can reinforce this at home too.  "Put your legos away and do it "right away""
3. When I give you  instructions, do them "right away" (multi-step directions)
4. When something is too hard say "Help me please"
5. When you want something from a teacher or friend,. say "Excuse Me" to get their attention
6. When you want something from a teacher or friend, say "Excuse Me" to get their attention and then use your asking words(ie. May I have a turn?)
7. When someone is in your way or if you want something, "Excuse Me, May I ______?"

Songs, Word Plays, and Language

-Our Good Morning Chant

-Shadows Letter on smartboard
-I see shadows (tune of frere jacques)
-Letter Sounds

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 behavior