Dear Forest Families,

We are becoming a “Family”!  This is the topic of our first themed unit, and very appropriate as we build a caring community and get to know one another.  As we conclude our second full week in the classroom together, we are all getting comfortable with our new setting, routines, and classmates.  The children are mastering the morning routine of washing and filling water bottles and finding names to answer the “Mystery Question;” after Big Circle we chart the calendar and the weather together, followed by the “Freeze Game,” Message of the Day, and a review of our daily schedule.  Each activity encourages community and self-regulation skills.

Last week the children spent much of their time exploring the different centers and getting to know the materials, this week we began to build on this familiarity by introducing the theme of “Family” into each center.  In addition to using the materials, teachers demonstrated some ideas for incorporating make-believe play into these centers, including roles children can play and props they can use.  For example, the Literacy center (the loft) can become a bedroom where children pretend to be parents putting their children to bed, reading them stories and tucking them in. Once the concept was introduced, the children joined in the discussion and came up with many of their own ideas for roles and scenarios that can take place in each make-believe center.  Stay tuned to see the classroom transform as children help create more props and take on new roles!

Another new activity this week was Graphics Practice, where children practice holding markers and making different shapes and symbols.  Music is used during this activity; children make the shapes when the music plays and pick up their markers when the music stops.  The inclusion of imaginative stories and words to describe the symbols make this an engaging activity that encourages self-regulation along with fine motor skills.

During Story Lab, we read books on the theme of Family and Friendship, which offered children an opportunity to discuss things they enjoyed or related to in the stories.

Thanks for another enthusiastic week – enjoy the long weekend!

~Ms. Amanda, Ms. Kristine, Ms. Jess, Ms. Freya, Ms. Becky

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