Pumpkins here, Pumpkins there!

After finishing up our study of apples, we have moved on to another fall favorite--pumpkins! I changed the work on our science shelf and replaced it with a number of activities related to pumpkins. Here are a few: Examples of pumpkins and gourds: During group time, we cut open one of the pumpkins and learned about the different parts of a pumpkin. We labeled each of the parts. The children are free to come up to the shelf and observe the dissected pumpkin. I'm not sure what it will look like when we return from break, but that is another experiment of science!

Pumpkin collage: The children trace the pumpkin shape first which builds fine motor control and coordination and helps prepare them for learning to write. Next they cut strips of paper into smaller squares using scissors. This, too, is a fine motor skill. Lastly, they glue the squares inside the pumpkin shape. This activity is also a good lesson in following multi-step directions.

Pumpkin Patterns: There are green & orange pumpkins in the buckets. The children can use them to create their own patterns. This lesson extends upon the apple pattern work. There, they were copying & extending a pattern. Here, they are creating their own pattern. More Pumpkin patterns: Here the children can create their own pattern with the pumpkin cut-outs and take them home.

Pumpkin Necklace: Similar to the apple necklaces, the students copy a pattern, then string the pumpkins & pasta onto a necklace.

Parts of a pumpkin: The children learn the names of the parts of the pumpkin using the three part cards. They can then illustrate their own parts of a pumpkin book using the paper & pencils.

The kindergarteners are going to the pumpkin patch this week so I'm sure they will have more to share with the other children as well!

Look for more posts in the future...Remember, conferences are this week. They are scheduled back-to-back, so please be on time!

Apples Galore!

Hello all! Sorry for the long wait since the last post. I knew it would be tough to make time to keep this blog up, but it has proven to be a bit more difficult than even I thought! But, better late than never, right? During September, we focused our science studies on apples. We learned about the parts of the apple, different colors of apples, read books about apple trees in different seasons & more. Here are some photos of the work the children we working on:

Making a book about apples: The predictable text allows the child to read it on his own.

Apple dot-to-dot: The children practice numeral recognition as well as handwriting.

Parts of the apple

Apple graph: The children sort the apples by color then color the graph to determine which color has the most & the least.

Apple necklace: The children use straws and apple cut-outs to copy a pattern. Then using their fine motor control, they string the staws and apples to make a necklace.

Apple pattern: The children practice patterning using different colored apples. First, they copy the pattern, then extend the pattern on their own. Later, after more practice, the child can use the apples to create her own pattern.