This week in 2B, we created with loose parts, made cookies, and explored instant snow, and engaged in animal play.
Specialists
Spanish - we sang Holiday songs in Spanish!
Cooking - we used cucumber and peppers to make a menorah!
Soccer - we played a new game this week. Coach C created a “fire pit” with cones, and asked the children to throw shirts inside to ignite the fire!
Music - we sang the words to “Head to Toe” by Eric Carle and copied the moves from the story.
Loose Parts
On Tuesday, we engaged our fine motor muscles and creativity with loose parts - animals, tree cookies, dreidels, and tongs! Some of the children were inspired to use the tongs to pick up the various parts, while some children used the parts to care for the animals (feed them, give them ice, and put them to sleep). It is amazing to see how children can take various materials and create so many different play scenarios. This type of play promotes problem solving and collaboration, as well!
Cooking
On Wednesday, we baked sugar cookies for our classroom Holiday party. We added the ingredients, mixed the dough, rolled it out, then used cookie cutters to cut the dough into holiday shapes. The children incorporated math by counting out the ingredients and identifying the various shapes. Then, we enjoyed sharing the cookies with families and decorating them with icing at our party.
Science
On Thursday, we did a science experiment in our sensory bin and created instant snow. The children were amazed when we added the water to the powder - they watched it swell up and become snow! After, they immediately touched the snow to see what it felt like. Many noticed its “soft” texture and recalled the snow from the day before. The children were interested in adding the toy people to the snow, creating a play scenario in which there was a snow storm! This play really engaged the children’s senses and facilitated imaginative play.
Social-Emotional
On Friday, the children noticed a new material in the block area - a dollhouse! The were immediately interested in putting the animals and people in the house and caring for them. Then, they took fabric from the basket and used it to put the animals to sleep. The children love to take on these caregiver roles. They even sometimes work collaboratively to engage in this play. We’re excited to see what other play scenarios they dream up in the block area.
Reminder: School is closed next week and will reopen on January 2nd. See you then!