The children have been so busy working on a variety of new lessons in all of the areas of the classroom these days. I have noticed that the language area is especially becoming more and more attractive to them. Our movable alphabets are always out with either simple words, lists of items that the children see when they take their imaginary trips such as going to the ocean and various other stories. The younger students seem to be interested in learning their letter sounds and writing them either on the chalk boards or in our writing sound sand box. Some of the oldest students are also busy with their math skills using the Golden Beads, snake games, finger boards and bead frames. The youngest students are very busy in the practical life area from food prep to washing and polishing everything they can think of that needs some tender loving care.
On another note the children were preparing for the holidays by making decorations for the class and a special gift for their parents. They have also been learning about the various traditions that different people celebrate this time of year, such as Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. We have been learning about the fact that not everyone is as fortunate as we are by reading a variety of stories. One story we like to read is “Silver Packages” by Cynthia Rylant. It’s about children in the Appalachian mountains who wait patiently for a Christmas train to deliver the one and only gift they might receive for the whole year. The children truly enjoyed the story and even wished they could also help children with Christmas, so we told them that is exactly what they are doing with the Giving Tree Gifts. The children were so happy when realized that even though they are small they can make a real difference in another child’s life.
We hope you had a wonderful holiday break and I will see all of you in January!
