Spring Break

 We are heading into the last part of our year.

The children have mostly mastered their letter sounds. We use all sorts of different methods to decode new words and learn to 'spell" familiar words. In our Building Words activities, the children are given a set of letters. In one session they are asked to look at their letters and build a word or a part of a word. (Look at your letters and build hat.)  In the next session, the children are given a set of letters and are asked to put certain letters in place and then decode the word (h-a-t). The children enjoy using a car to help speed the sounds and click into the word. Children later use their independent reading center time to build on these skills.          

We celebrated Presidents' Day by exploring coins. Then, we did a chemical reactions experiment using vinegar and salt to clean the oxidation off of the pennies.

We also did an observation on plant growth. We 'planted' 2 beans seeds in a Ziplok bag. Then we pinned them on our windows to observe the germination and growth process. Plants were potted up and sent home. Many of the children report that their plant is still growing! (Heads up--pumpkin plants will be coming later in the year.) 

In March, we learned the old saying, "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb." We tracked the weather and learned how to read and write the air temperature. We created  a cut paper  poster for March.

  Just before Spring break we read one of my favorite stories, Turtle Spring. While reading, we practiced making connections and predicitions. Then we made our own turtle.  On out last day, we took part in experiential art/ finger painting. Children chose their colors and where to put them, then they moved the paint in the way that they wanted. Our paintings are hanging in the room to greet us when we return on Monday.

Enjoy the rest of your break! We will see everyone on Monday. Kindly, remember water bottles!