Sorting Smarties

As part of our exploration of colors and color mixing last week, we worked on sorting Smarties in Numeracy. Because this activity encompassed a range of goals (sorting by color/matching, counting, recording and analyzing, reading), I worked with the children in small groups over the course of the week. This allowed for plenty of one-on-one time, and it gave me an opportunity to really see where each child was at.

I introduced the activity to the whole group and explained that we'd be sorting the candy by color, demonstrating this process. However, when working with the children in small groups, I didn't give them pointers or reminders right away. I simply handed them the materials (a counting grid and small tube of Smarties) to see what they would do. I wanted to know if they'd wait for instruction or jump in, if they could open the candy container by themselves, and then how they'd go about getting the candy out (which, I learned, can be a bit tricky!). Something as simple as this is great for developing and assessing children's problem solving skills.

The next step was to sort the candy by color. Some children simply placed the candy in a completely random way all over the grid. I let them go about their business for a bit, before clarifying that we were sorting by color and showing them how to compare a piece from the pile to a color already on the grid, ensuring that each row is a different color.

Some children worked horizontally, making equal rows to start.

Many understood right away what was expected and got to work.

I love watching the systems different children have -- how organized they are, what methods they employ, etc. It's just fascinating to me.

Eventually everyone successfully completed the sort. No one had any trouble with the 1:1 correspondence aspect (one candy piece per box).

After sorting their Smarties, the children counted each color, and I recorded their results. (Most of the children recognize numerals up to ten, but no one is really writing them yet.) In this way, the children were able to observe the written formation of different numerals as well as an important function of writing (to record and communicate). We also talked about which row had the most and which had the least. 

After counting, recording, and analyzing the results, the children read each sentence back with the help of the teacher. (Quite a few were able to recognize "I have" after the first few sentences and read the remaining ones independently.) This was a great way to practice sight words and color recognition. Most of the children were extremely focused on the reading process, and they seemed proud to be doing something so grown up.

And then, of course, there was the best part: Eating our Smarties!

Every child enthusiastically participated in this activity -- all aspects of it. Honestly, they seemed to enjoy the sorting, counting, and reading without giving a whole lot of thought to the eating part! I loved that I could observe a range of skills and help the children practice others, without a lot of stuff or fuss.

Thought of the Day

"Learning is messy." 

Eleanor Duckworth

Color Party

For some reason, last Thursday the children became convinced that we were having a party. Not sure how or where the rumor started, except for that it was a non-uniform day. Before simply telling them "No," that in fact there was no party planned, Abla Salwa turned to Mrs. Emy and said two of the best words on the planet:

Why not?

So we spent the last 30 minutes of the day having a spontaneous Color Party!

We blew up balloons and put on some dance-worthy music (the children LOVE this song!) . . .

. . . and Abla Salwa painted faces . . .

. . . while Mrs. Emy taught about the static electricity that results from rubbing a balloon on your head.

The balloons act like magnets!

 Our party was both a learning experience and a great time.

Such a fun way to end our color theme and welcome the weekend.

Thank you for the idea, children!

Everyday Discoveries: Words and Letters

The children are becoming more aware of words and letters in their surroundings with each passing day . . .

It's such a privilege to witness and guide them in their discoveries. Their growth and capacity for learning never cease to amaze.

(Can you tell it was Purple Day when these photos were taken? :) )

Story of the Week: Press Here

Yesterday we kicked off our new unit with the book Press Here by Herve' Tullet. Tullet's books are bright, playful, and creative, which makes them some of my favorite to use in the preschool classroom.

Press Here is full of directional language and really plays on children's curiosity as they watch the magic unfold on each page. Here's an example from the first few pages of the book:

Press the dot on the first page, and two appear on the next! Children are excited and amazed by what they can "cause" the book to do as they read. (And believe me, it only gets better!)

Press Here also incorporates red, yellow, and blue (the primary colors), along with black and white, which made it the perfect tie-in for our colors/color mixing theme. After we finished reading, we made tissue paper dot collages using different sized circles.

We used paintbrushes to cover a sheet of white tagboard with a mixture of glue and water, then (gently) placed the tissue paper circles onto the sticky surface.

This was a process-based activity, meaning there was no specific end-goal in mind or "right way" to complete the project. The idea was to allow children to explore the materials with minimal teacher input as to what they were "supposed" to make. A few learned very quickly that rubbing the tissue paper would cause it to tear, and that too much glue would cause wrinkles. These kinds of discoveries are so much more meaningful when children figure them out for themselves, in their own time.

Pulling individual circles from a stack was also great for developing fine motor skills.

Our collages are dry but still need to be hung; we'll update you on the results once that's done. Have a great night!

Thought of the Day

Image from melissasweet.net

“Children need the freedom and time to play.  Play is not a luxury.  Play is a necessity." 

Kay Redfield Jamison

Our New Light Box

Ever since seeing DIY light boxes pop up on various teacher blogs, we've wanted one for our classroom. Over spring break, Mrs. Emy finally managed to make one. Here's how she did it.

You will need:

-a large, low plastic tub

-mylar (or similar material) to line the tub

-freezer or baking paper 

-double-stick tape, glue, or another adhesive

-scissors

-battery-operated lights, plus batteries to go in them

Purchasing information: The plastic tub here is from IKEA. I found a large mylar-coated foam lawn mat at Daiso, though the reflective shields for car windows (available at Lulu's or Carrefour) would work, too. The battery-operated push lights are also from Daiso.

You don't need to be super precise. The main thing is to make sure there are no gaps along the bottom or sides so that the light won't escape. (I cut a large rectangle for the bottom, then cut separate panels with plenty of overlap for the sides.) Attach with double-stick tape as you go.

Here's what my tub looks like fully-lined with the mylar. As you can see, no perfectionism present :) I tucked the overhang from my side panels under the lip of the bin and used more double-stick tape to hold it in place.

Place your push lights inside the lined tub.

Cut a piece of baking or freezer paper to cover the top of your tub. This will help mute and disperse the light. Again, it needn't be precise.

Push your lamps on when you're ready to use the light box. Obviously, you'll need to move the paper for this step :) Place it back on, secure the lid, and you're almost done!

This, of course, is optional, but salt writing is a really fun way to explore the light box. Since it's also the first activity I wanted to try with the kids, I decided to test it out at home.

I brought the completed light box to school today as a sort of "Welcome Back" gift for the children. I'm happy to report that they loved it!

I mean, look at that smile!

Trails in the salt

Someone discovered the colored plexiglass viewers I'd placed in our new "Science Lab" role play corner, adding a whole new element of creative play.

I will never grow tired of little hands at work. 

This was an easy and inexpensive enough project that we're thinking of making a few more boxes. It would also be a great item to have at home to encourage creative, open-ended play.

--

PARENT CORNER

Why salt writing?

Salt writing is a great sensory activity for young children. Pre-schoolers and toddlers especially learn through the use of their five senses, and salt-writing on the light box stimulates little eyes, hands, and minds. Using fingers to draw helps prepare hands for writing and allows children to practice making letters and marks in a pressure-free way. Writing with a finger is generally less frustrating to a child that may not yet be comfortable holding a crayon, pencil, or other writing utensil.

If you're interested in learning more about sensory play, these articles are a good place to start:

"A Handful of Fun" by Amanda Morgan at NotJustCute

"Sensory Play. . ." by Emily Harmon