Learning, Laughing and Growing!

Dear parents,

We had a wonderful week here in the early Pre-K class! Every day, your little ones explored, played, and discovered new things in fun and creative ways. From hands-on activities to group play, they learned important skills like sharing, problem-solving, and using their imaginations. It's amazing to see their curiosity grow each day, and we can’t wait to share all the highlights with you. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!

Large group

Last week, the early Pre-K class explored the sound of the letter "K" through words like "kite" and "kangaroo". The children also practiced counting up to the number 11, and identified the color white through a classroom scavenger hunt. We also began learning about 3D shapes, starting with the cube. By comparing the cube to a square, the children learned that while a cube has six square faces and is 3D, a square is a flat, 2D shape. This helped them understand the relationship and differences between these shapes in a hands-on way.

For our morning activities and conversation the children shared about their weekends. They eagerly shared stories of time spent with family, playing outside and fun activities. The class then focused on healthy foods, naming fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious options they recently learned about. To strengthen their number skills, they practiced writing numbers 1 through 11 on the board, building familiarity and confidence with counting. It was a wonderful blend of social sharing, nutrition awareness, and early math skills!

Math

In this week’s math session, the class reviewed the concept of patterns. We revisited all the types of patterns we had learned previously. This process began by discussing what a pattern is and how it involves repeating elements in a specific order. The children revisited basic pattern types, such as AB patterns (like red-blue-red-blue) and ABC patterns (like circle-square-triangle). Using colored blocks, shapes, and the students created and completed each type of pattern. This hands-on activity helped reinforce their understanding and made pattern recognition fun and interactive. We are so proud of our mathematicians!

Music

In a recent music session, the teacher gave each child a special opportunity to stand up in front of the class and choose their favorite song to sing. Each student sang solo, sharing their voice with their classmates. After each performance, the other children joined in to sing along, creating a warm and encouraging environment. This activity was designed to build confidence and enhance their musical skills, helping each child feel proud of their unique voice while also learning to lead and harmonize with their friends. The session was filled with smiles, and everyone enjoyed supporting one another in song.

Library

In Tuesday’s library session, the teacher introduced the book ‘One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish’ to the class. This book was chosen for its fun focus on opposites and rhyming words, which tied perfectly into the literacy topic of rhyming words. As the teacher read aloud, she emphasized the rhyming pairs and opposites, encouraging the children to listen closely and even repeat some of the rhymes together. This engaging activity helped the students strengthen their understanding of rhyming words, making it both an enjoyable and educational experience.

Science

In our science session, the early Pre-K class had a blast furthering their knowledge of nutrition! We continued learning about healthy food, focusing on vegetables and dairy products. The teacher introduced various vegetables and dairy items, explaining how each one helps our body grow strong and stay healthy. Through this session, the children learned new vocabulary, such as "carrot," "broccoli," "milk," and "cheese," while discovering why these foods are important to eat. The children enjoyed discussing their favorite healthy foods, and the session helped them understand the value of making nutritious choices.

Literacy

In our literacy session, the teacher continued with the rhyming words topic, making it extra fun by using the students' names. Each child was called one by one, and the class started by identifying the first sound of their name. Then, the student chose a new beginning sound to replace it, creating a silly, rhyming version of their name. The room was full of giggles as each child shared their funny "new name," and everyone enjoyed hearing the creative rhymes. This activity was a playful way to practice rhyming, and it kept the children engaged and laughing as they learned.

Ethiopian center

This week, the children had a wonderful experience visiting the Ethiopian center. They got to play with a traditional coffee set, learning about the Ethiopian coffee ceremony. They practiced preparing the coffee, taking turns and helping each other, then shared the finished coffee with their friends. This hands-on activity taught them about Ethiopian culture, cooperation, and patience.

They continued exploring by cooking some traditional Ethiopian foods. They also had the opportunity to check out some traditional Ethiopian musical instruments. They listened to the sounds, touched the instruments, and learned about the music of Ethiopia. Sharing cultures is one of the most special things about our school, and it’s truly beautiful to see the children’s enthusiasm regarding this!