Keep Calm
and SAVE THE TREES!
Investigation #1 : What are the characteristics of the trees in our community?
We kicked off our week with our web on the characteristics of trees in our community. We mentioned about height, shapes of leaves, and then we also talked about trees that keep their leaves, and trees that lose their leaves.
We went on our second site visit to see some more trees this week. This second tree hunt was a little bit different from the first, as we used our senses to explore trees. We also measured the circumference of each tree to find out how big around it is.
Some of our questions on this tree hunt were: How can we use our sense of smell? Some said they could smell leaves, and some said bark. We used magnifying glass this round to closely look at the bark. We talked about safety of course, and mentioned that we cant taste tree parts. It was explained to them that parts of trees, bushes, flowers are sometimes poisonous and might hurt people's bodies when they are eaten. We once again made sure we collected pieces of trees that were on the ground, touch trees gently and of course do not break off branches.
As we read and talked about the parts of the tree, each child sketched their own tree, and labeled its parts. We talked about roots, trunk, and crown this week. As we went over each part we mentioned their role. Ex. The trunk moves water from the roots up to the leaves.
Later in the week we made a chart about evergreen and deciduous trees. YES the word deciduous may seem too complex to use with preschoolers! However, research shows that using unusual words in conversations is helpful for later literacy development. They had fun sorting what tree was evergreen tree, and which ones were deciduous. By the end of the week some children were saying: "I see evergreen trees near my house." "That is not a deciduous tree because it has green leaves!" So the fact that they were using the word made me happy!
We wrapped up our week talking about letters and their sounds. Tree starts with the /tr/ sounds. After writing the letter t and r we went over the sounds one more time, and looked for words that began with /tr/ sound.
They have grown so much since we started, and this unit has really shown me the growth they have made, especially in their language. They are using incredible words, not just with us the teachers, but between each other. It is fascinating to see how their minds has no stop and is all about endless creativity and thinking. You can use the same vocabulary, and ask them about trees! I am sure you will be impressed!
Next Week: We will start our investigation #2: Who LIVES in TREES??
Kuddos to the best PK 4.2!!!
Teaching with love & dedication,
Ms.Kashmira
Books of the WEEK!
Songs of the WEEK!
5 Little Monkeys Swinging in a TREE!
The Tall, Tall TREE!
The Tall, Tall Tree reaching up into the sky
the branches keep on growing oh so very high!
The leaves will change its color as it turns to fall
and soon the tall, tall tree will have no leaves at all!
I'm a Sturdy Oak Tree
I'm a sturdy oak tree, oak tree, oak tree.
I'm a sturdy oak tree, swaying in the wind.
I'm a noisy blue bird, blue bird, blue bird.
I'm a noisy blue bird sitting on a branch.
I'm a tiny brown ant, brown ant, brown ant.
I'm a tiny brown ant crawling on the tree.
Tree HUNT #2!!!
CAN YOU SPY GREEN PLANTAIN?!
ALL ABOUT TREES BINGO!
MEASURING PARTS OF TREES!
Patterns & Writing with TWIGS AND LEAVES!
SKETCH, SORT, ADD!
LEAF RUBBINGS!!!!
FUN ACTIVITIES TO DO AT HOME!
TICKY RICKY
Collect a basket of items that your child can name. You can snap, clap, or tap as you chant this rhyme.
Ticky ricky, tacky racky,
Chicky chacky choo.
I like finding words that rhyme,
How about you?
Ask your child to select an object from the basket, name the object and say a word that rhymes with it. The main objective of this game is for your child to demonstrate phonological awareness.
Say it, Show it!
Chant, and snap, tap or clap the beat.
Appy, tappy, tappy,
appy, tappy, too.
Appy, tappy, tappy,
I'll show my card to you!
You can hold up a numeral card 1-20, or an alphabet card, or even a shape card or picture card!
If you don't have any cards available use your fingers. You can say:
Hippity, hoppity, hoop.
Hippity, hoppity, hoop.
How many fingers in front of YOU!
They love this! They love the tune and really participate and engage!