This week, the favorite toy was Color Clix, by far. Wendy's has Smart Links (another version of Color Clix) as their kids' meal toy, so we got a few new ones to add to our preschool collection. The kids were THRILLED. They made really fun creations and had fun trying out some of the new shapes and colors.
I put out this number chart to let the kids explore with and we had a fun impromptu math lesson talking about the ones, tens, and hundreds place. It was more play than work, and with this concept, that's all it should be. They will be reintroduced to this idea MUCH later on in school.
Our backyard was a swamp for the first two days, so indoor recess came with a SPIDERWEB. They had to use their problem solving skills to figure out the best path through each day.
We did get to play outside a little bit on Friday, but it was still pretty soggy. The preschoolers found a frog, but everyone was afraid to touch or hold it, except Lullaby.
We played a fun alphabet game on the chalk letters I drew. These kids have so much fun, and I do too. :)
We worked on a few more things that will benefit them in kindergarten, like we did last week. We talked about TEAMWORK, HONESTY, and PROBLEM-SOLVING. For our first lesson and activity, I gave each preschooler two letter stamps that, when put together, would make the word "teamwork". The rules were that they couldn't give one of their stamps to another friend, but that they all had to make the whole word on their papers… Hmm, what to do? Well, they figured it out after lots of talking and each preschooler stamped their own AND their friends papers until everyone had the complete word. Good job boys! In kindergarten, you will need these great teamwork skills!
Our next word we talked about was HONESTY. We read a few books and talked about how important it is to always be honest. We specifically talked about President Lincoln, who was known as "Honest Abe", and read a few stories about him. The kids decorated these tiny circles that read "be honest".
We cut out the circles (not everyone wanted to help with the cutting, the circles were very small and tricky!) and glued them onto the back of a penny. That way, they could see the face of Abraham Lincoln and remember the stories about being honest.
We also talked about being a problem-solver. Kindergarten might pose a problem or two and these boys are getting themselves ready to think critically, and be able to solve problems in a good way. They know to try and use their words, talk to an adult, work together and think hard about how to solve problems.
Working on a few pages in their workbooks, doing more mazes and problem solving.
Quiet reading time, over the year, has turned from looking at pictures only, and sounding out a few words here and there, to full on READING. I am SO proud of all the hard work these boys have put into something that typically isn't something that kids their age can do very well. I am ever impressed with them. They are all reading on various levels, but they are ALL READING!
Pictures don't always tell the whole story, and listening to these LITTLE guys read is awesome. Keep in mind that these are PRESCHOOLERS. Wow! They are so smart! Jeff wanted to read his sight words, Logan picked a "Bob Book", Hawken picked an early reader, and Ryan picked an "Elephant and Piggie Book". I did cut the video on Ryan's short because it was a 56 page book. He did finish it though, and about 12 others that day.
