Smart Start Week 25

This week, our focus on the letter A provided a wonderful opportunity to engage with our outdoor classroom space in a variety of creative and educational ways. The children had a fantastic time exploring the mud kitchen where they used their imagination as well as things found nature to make all types of goodies. This invitation fosters imaginative play and sensory experiences. Using trucks, friends transported rocks within the rock box, enhancing their fine motor skills and understanding of weight and balance. We expressed our creativity by creating graffiti-style art with chalk. We also discovered how air speed affects bubble size in a hands-on spontaneous learning experience.

We created beautiful art to decorate our windows with for St. Patrick’s Day, infusing our space with vibrant colors that reflect the spirit of this holiday. Additionally, we prepared an abstract art piece for our year-end gallery, that showcases the creative talents of our artists. Sensory bins were filled with an assortment of wild animals, allowing children to explore the textures and colors of the animal kingdom. In another bin, aquatic animals offered a glimpse into the wonders of underwater life. A third sensory bin was transformed into a galaxy, complete with miniature asteroids, colorful planets, and adventurous astronauts, encouraging imaginative play and exploration of space themes.

Friends eagerly searched through alphabet tiles to complete their names, engaging in a fun and educational activity that reinforced their understanding of letters and spelling. This activity was not only enjoyable but also served as a practical exercise in literacy, helping to solidify their knowledge of the alphabet in a playful manner. Additionally, they practiced letter review using Play-Doh and various tools, where they could mold letters and words, enhancing their fine motor skills while reinforcing their learning in an interactive way. This hands-on approach allowed for a deeper understanding of letter formation and sound recognition, making the learning process both effective and enjoyable.

Our ArtWorks Animal Actors engaged in an imaginative storytelling session, utilizing their creativity and hand puppets to bring a variety of enchanting tales to life for captivated audiences. These performances entertained and encouraged the audience to immerse themselves in the narratives, fostering a deeper appreciation for storytelling as an art form. Meanwhile, other friends took the opportunity to explore the Home Center or they interacted with a delightful array of barn and farm animals. In addition to these activities, participants delved into the fascinating world of architectural design, inspired by a building invitation that encouraged them to think critically and creatively about structures.

Invitations continued with engaging floor puzzles that featured a life-sized alligator, the alphabet, and even the galaxy itself. These puzzles not only provided a fun and interactive way to learn but also promoted teamwork and problem-solving skills as participants worked together to assemble the intricate pieces.

The Wiggle Room provided a chance to explore animal-like movements, encouraging controlled and purposeful motion while incorporating role-play. We also embraced the role of acrobats, playfully navigating the space. We concluded the letter A week by discovering Aerial Arts and visiting ArtWorks on the Square, where we had the opportunity to swing and spin on the aerial silks!

In Science, we investigated which liquids or air could prevent apples from browning. We also carried out experiments involving air and wind, absorption, and conducted a taste test with astronaut food! Our discussion covered why astronaut food needs to be prepared in a specific way.

Our Letter A week was packed with incredible adventures that provided numerous opportunities to revisit the alphabet! It also guides us to the final few letters with slanted lines, which will inspire the coming weeks.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Ms. Leah, Ms. Jacquita, and the Smart Start team