Have you ever heard of water beads?

Water Beads Sensory Bins

Have you ever heard of water beads? They are fun gel balls that expand in water! When expanded, water beads are slippery squishy marbles. Water beads are extremely calming to run your fingers through, it’s like adding a texture to water. With sensory play, there’s always much more going on than meets the eye. Sensory activities, in addition to being fun and interesting for young children, encourage children to explore and investigate. These activities also help build nerve connections in the brain, encourages the development of motor skills, supports language development, encourages ‘scientific thinking’ and problem solving, and can involve mindful activities which are beneficial for all children. The water beads were definitely the highlight of the week!

STEM: Foam Blocks & Shaving Cream Towers

Foam blocks and shaving cream towers are the perfect combination of sensory play and STEM. The children had an amazing time exploring with their senses while building!

STEM: Craft Stick Catapults

Kids love building things, and when you add in the chance to fling a pom pom? We are talking an instant hit! The kids loved following the step-by-step instructions on how to build their catapult. Many of the children were excited to take their catapult home to test out launching different items found in their house.

Math: "Equal or Not Equal" and "See Tens in Teens"

This week the children were taught the meaning of equal and not equal. We talked about how the equal sign is made by two dashes that are the same length - the sameness is a reminder that the numbers on each side of the = are the same amount. The children were also taught that "teen" means "ten" and that there is one ten group in each teen number (11-19). The children practiced adding ones to a ten group and then finding the total teen number.

Recess: Popping Bubbles

The children had a blast at recess playing with bubbles! 60 degrees in November? I'll take it!

PE

The kindergarten kids fully enjoyed rolling and scooting all across the gym floor! Scooter boards provide full-body sensory input and support gross motor skills as the kids roll along. The kids also played "Dodgeball Tag" and "Hungry Hungry Hippos!"

Art Class

Mr. Matt read the book, Perfect Square by Michael Hall. In the story a happy square transforms itself after facing one challenge after another. Day after day, the square reinvents itself. It is cut into pieces and poked full of holes. From simple and perfect to complex and perfect . . . and always happy! The kindergarten artists created their own perfect squares using oil pastels, watercolor paint and paper edge scissors.

Mystery Reader

Thank you Theo's mom and sister for reading to us!