This week in small groups we read the book Making Bubbles by Bruce Larkin!  We focused on the sight words make and a and we reviewed our sights from last week, the and I.  During Reading groups we are focusing on learning the difference between letters and words and that letter build words and words build sentences!  Give you child the opportunity to point out any sight words they may recognize as you read together.

Making Bubbles by Bruce Larkin

Sticker Sight Words

Erase a Sight Word

Read, Build and Write a Sight Word

We’ve been learning about Native Americans this month and how they helped the pilgrims survive when they started their lives in their new world!  Today we discovered how some Native Americans told stories without letters or words and tried our hand at our own symbols.

Writing on a vertical surface is beneficial to a child who is a beginning writer.  The angle of a the vertical surface makes it easier for children to see and, as a result, develop fine motor skills. The slant of the board also promotes shoulder, arm and hand coordination.

Working the small muscles in our hands and in our fingers will be an ongoing activity throughout Pre-K this year.  It is critical for young writers to build strong fine motor muscles to help them grow as writers!  If you would like some activities that you can do at home, click the first picture and have fun!

We continued our phonics study today in small groups.  We hear about the phonics but what is it?  Simply put, phonics is the connection between letter symbols and sounds. As adults, this relationship seems apparent and common sense. However, in reality there is no natural connection between words and their meanings.

At the very core of phonics lies the alphabet. In order to master phonics a person must master the alphabet. Letters then need to be connected to their corresponding sounds. As we know as English speakers, this is easier said than done. Many letters can represent a number of different sounds. This means that learning phonics is an ongoing process for a developing reader.  Because letters and sounds were introduced in our Preschool Program we will have a “crash course” in letters and their sounds over the next nine weeks.  We will be focusing on three letters per week.  We will complete letters Aa, Bb, and Cc this week and the next three will be introduced on Monday.

We continued our phonics study today in small groups.  We hear about the phonics but what is it?  Simply put, phonics is the connection between letter symbols and sounds. As adults, this relationship seems apparent and common sense. However, in reality there is no natural connection between words and their meanings.

At the very core of phonics lies the alphabet. In order to master phonics a person must master the alphabet. Letters then need to be connected to their corresponding sounds. As we know as English speakers, this is easier said than done. Many letters can represent a number of different sounds. This means that learning phonics is an ongoing process for a developing reader.  Because letters and sounds were introduced in our Preschool Program we will have a “crash course” in letters and their sounds over the next nine weeks.  We will be focusing on three letters per week.  We will complete letters Aa, Bb, and Cc this week and the next three will be introduced on Monday.

The best way a child learns at an early age is through song or rhyme.  We introduced number formation 0-9 today through number rhymes.  We will be using these rhymes all year to help your child remember the proper way to write their numbers.  In a few weeks you will be recieving a packet of number formation rhymes along with a “squishy bag” so you an practice at home.  Remember, learning can be fun!

We are all readers and all writers at any age.  In pre-K we will begin introducing proper letter formation for upper and lowercase letters throughout the school year.  It’s important to start with the basics of lines…curves, zig zag, straight, and slanted.  As we become familiar with the language of letter formation we will begin putting these lines together to properly form letters.  Written word is a powerful tool that we use every day and we are well on our way to becoming a classroom of writers!  For pre-writing printables you can do with your child at home click on the first picture below.  

So hard to believe that it is time to start our school year!! We had an excellent first day in the Toddler Room!! Lots of exploring and hands-on fun, today! The outdoor chalkboard was a hit. The children enjoyed playing at our new train table and checking out the new centers we have in our classroom. We are excited about this school year and getting to know everyone!!

{Miss Sarah}

We created a home for our new word family today.  Our focus this week is the -all family.  This one is a bit tricky because we cannot sound out the word all, it is a true sight word that we must be able to recognize by sight only.  We added -all family members to our homes and took them home to read to our own families.