Pre-K is a HOOT! : May 2018

This week in Space...

Torn Paper Planets

This week we made torn paper planets! (Some students wanted to use scissors). We did not make planets in our solar system, instead we made planets we thought we would find exploring space. We talked about what type of planet we were making and what we thought might live there. Everyone had their own ideas and it was fun! One thing I love about torn paper crafts is that it works on fine motor skills while being creative.

SPLAT! Exploring Gravity Through Art

This week we explored gravity through a playful art experience! Splat painting was a fun way to add scientific exploration into art. The kiddos dipped pompoms into paint, stood on a step stool and dropped the pompoms! I asked the kiddos to tell me what happens. "It splatted!" "It made a crazy shape!" After a few tries on the step stool, I had some kiddos stay on the floor and drop the pompoms. When asked what they observed, most of them pointed out that those splats weren't as big. When I wondered why, they said that the pompoms had farther to fall when they were on the step stool. This led into a variety of experimentation with the painted pompoms. They dropped the pompoms from various heights, and some pompoms were thrown at the paper too. I loved watching them try out new techniques, and especially loved hearing them discuss why and how the different splats were created.

Space Station - Dramatic Play

This week we turned our kitchen into a space station by covering the kitchen and table in foil. We added a keyboard, computer screen and lots of planets. The kiddos loved pretending to blast off into space and landing on the moon!

Painting Paper Mache Planets

This week we painted our paper mache planets. The kiddos were very focused on the details! They looked at books and tried to paint their planet just like the pictures in the books.

Moon Painting

Using white paint and pompoms attached to clothespins, the kiddos painted the moon using a stamping method.

Bye Bye Butterflies!
This week we said goodbye to Claw-Witz, Cheetah, Purple, Cutie and Cupcake! It was great watching them turn into beautiful butterflies.

Mystery Reader's

Our Mystery Readers this week were upper school teacher Mrs. Campbell and Zach's dad! Thank's for reading to us!

Reminders

June 5th: Pre-K Breakfast 8:30-9:30 am

June 6th: Sunset Woods - Last Day of School!

3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . BLAST OFF!

This week Pre-K blasted into Space!

Space Puzzle

During free choice some of the kiddos enjoyed working on various space themed puzzles. It was fun to see how the children strategized to complete the puzzle. Some of the kids chose to work on the edges, while some wanted to work on the sun or another section of the puzzle. Puzzles benefit a child's development in many ways. They help to develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, and they also help build visual-perceptual skills.

Moon Sand

The moon sand was a big hit with the kiddos! It only consists of only two ingredients - flour and baby oil! The wonderful fun with the moon sand is that it is very crumbly but can be moulded by pressing it together. Once moulded it can simply be broken down to it's original crumbly texture. This makes for wonderful open ended play!

Astronaut Writing

This week the kiddos practiced writing like an astronaut! The kids thought this activity was hilarious!

Paper Mache Planets

To make our paper mache planets we needed balloons, newspaper, flour and water. The kiddos helped to make the paste by mixing flour and water. The kiddos then helped to tear the newspaper into small strips. Then we blew up several round balloons, and then dipped the strips of newspaper into the paste and covered the balloon entirely with wet stripes. Next week the kiddos will paint their planet!

Recess

Space Shuttle Launch Simulation & Astronaut Ice Cream

After morning meeting we brought chairs to the rainbow rug and turned it into a space shuttle! The kiddos pretended that they were astronauts getting ready to go into space. They were instructed to put on their spacesuits, boots, helmets and gloves. When they were ready they boarded the space shuttle. Once the kiddos were seated, I played a space shuttle launch on our overhead and the kiddos absolutely loved it! Below is the link to the YouTube video incase your kiddo would like to watch it again! After our successful launch, we celebrated and ate astronaut ice cream!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnoNITE-CLc