Marisa Ramsey
- Sep 26, 2021
- 2 min read

Smart Start Week 3

Farewell, Summer! Hello, Fall!

September 20-23

Letter of the Week: F

Books: Ferdinand the Bull by Munro Leaf

10 Apples Up on Top by Dr. Seuss

Johnny Appleseed by Jodie Shepherd

My Letter F Book by Jane Belk

Fly Guy vs the Flyswatter by Tedd Arnold

Numbers: Counting 1-10 and counting down from 5

Inspiration Artist: Frida Kahlo

Learning Centers & Play Invitations:

Flower Shop (colors, numbers, money, caring for others, floral design, etc.)
Cinnamon Oats Sensory (fine motor skills, imaginative play, measuring)
Floor Puzzles (critical-thinking, problem-solving, fine motor skills)
Baking Fudge Brownies (baking, counting, measuring, fine motor skills, etc.)
Feathers on the light table (imaginative play, exploration)
Apple Cinnamon Playdough (fine motor skills, imaginative play)
Farm animals (sorting, classifying)
Friendship Bracelets (beading, fine motor skills, color recognition, counting, patterning, etc.

We fill our day and our classroom with immersive learning experiences that are fun and engaging and create countless opportunities for discovery. Each invitation allows us to engage with students in counting, letter recognition, patterning, science concepts, emotional/social concepts, etc. in ways that are natural and appropriate for their age and development. This makes learning dynamic and exciting!

Our budding photographers and videographers wanted to experiment with our light table, feathers, and slow-motion video! We talked about light, motion, and gravity. We also did some problem-solving while working to get the timing just right. Photographers and subjects had to work cooperatively and listen to each other. There were lots of creative ideas and it took patience and kindness to work together and take turns with the camera. This was a really fun spontaneous exploration!

Fine Arts Invitations

Frida Kahlo inspired self-portraits
Apple printing
Free paint
Flower sketching
Fingerprint daisies
Five Finger Tracing with a Friend
The Brain Dance (choreography based on infant/child brain development)
Night at the Museum (theatre game practicing freezes)

In all of our artistic pursuits, our core value is the importance of the process rather than the product. We aren't looking for perfect outcomes, performances, or pieces of art. We are spending time engaging in the process. It's in the process that we find self-expression, exploration, discovery, and joy!

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