Halloween has Arrived in our Classroom!

This last week was all about Halloween.  We had fun strengthening our fine motor skills making mummies out of masking tape, painting spiders with toilet paper rolls, and covering up our names with candy corns.  The PreK staff was quite shocked that the kids were not eating the candy corns.  In fact... I'm not sure if they even realized they were working with candy!  

A Little Bit of Halloween Science

It was all squeals and giggles in the room when we did some frankenstein science!  We put vinegar in the bottom of an empty water bottle, then put a frankenstein balloon that was filled with baking soda over the top of the bottle.  The kids were in awe as the bottles magically blew up the balloons.  We left the balloons attached to the bottles overnight to see what would happen, they all seemed to slowly deflate at different speeds.  

Halloween Songs

We have been enjoying strengthening our language and literacy skills by singing "Five Little Pumpkins Jumping on the Bed," as well as saying the finger play "Five Little Pumpkins Sitting on a Gate."   I have included the finger play incase you want to do it at home as well.  The kids especially love if you turn the lights off before they "roll" away!  

Zones of Regulation

We continued learning about the zones of regulation.  This week we focused on "what can I do if I am in the blue (tired/slow) or yellow (wiggly/excited) zones.  I introduced the students to the tool of using a 'fidget.'  A fidget is something you can play with quietly in your hands that helps keep your hands busy so that your brain can focus.  It can help keep a tired child aroused, and also give busy hands something to do to slow down a bit.  We practiced using "boink" fidgets while I read the students a story.  We will continue to learn different "tools" and strategies to help regulate our bodies and emotions throughout the school year.

In the Gym...

We had fun this week working on our kicking skills in the gym.  We began practicing a running kick while playing "1,2,3... Kick!"  The kids loved to kick their balls all at the same time, then run to get them and try again.  We also worked on our locomotor skills while trying to stay on the lines of the gym floor while we walking forwards, sideways, backwards, and on our tip toes!

Healthy Hearts

We are still learning deep breathing as a way to calm down and take care of our bodies.  We have also been enjoying "walking Wednesday's" every week, where we take a little walk around the school yard or the front of the school before we come inside from recess.  I introduced the students to yoga and they have enjoyed trying some different relaxing poses and stretches while they being to develop body awareness.  

Educational Assistants

It occurred to me this week that I never formally announced that we were lucky enough to welcome Mrs. Danielle Watt to our PreK team!  Mrs. Warrell is now working full time at Robina Baker School, so we have been very fortunate to welcome Mrs. Watt in her place.  Mrs. Watt works in our classroom in the mornings, and has been a fantastic addition to our team.  

Lucky Ms Sloan has been on a holiday this past week with her family!  We have been happy to have Mrs. Sue Faraschuk in our classroom as her substitute.  Mrs. Faraschuk will be with us until Ms Sloan returns on Thursday of this upcoming week.  

Pictures... At Last!

I finally have the consents (and the knowledge) to share our exciting PreK pictures with you!  Please click on the following link to enjoy a sneak peek into our last week of PreK: Halloween

We purchased a new sand table for our classroom.  The afternoon class helped me to put it together, check out the pictures of that exciting time here: Our New Sand Table.

I have also went back in my old blogs and added links to picture albums for you enjoy starting with our first day of school.  These links can be found by going back into my old blog entries and clicking on the appropriate links.  

Coming Up

The next week will continue to be all about Halloween!  

Our Halloween party is scheduled for Monday, October 31st.  I have sent notes home with certain students asking if they can send a snack for this party.  If you did not see a note for this time, keep your eyes out for the next holiday!  All of the students are invited to attend on Halloween Day.  The morning kids will still come in the morning, and the afternoon kids will come in the afternoon.  Please send your child in their costume!  Your child will not need to bring snacks this day (unless you want to send them an extra snack incase they do not like our party food).

-Tuesday, November 1st is a PD Day, there will be no school on this day.

-Wednesday, November 2nd and Thursday, November 3rd are early dismissal days.