Full Day Pre-K April 13, 2017

As you know, the children have been busily constructing the class robot over the past couple of weeks. This cleaning/security robot started out as an idea and a motley collection of recycled materials. Over time this refuse has been transformed into the structure it is now, reflecting the vision of the children in this class. Along the way the children needed to overcome obstacles, problem solve, and work cooperatively with one another. Children were free to work on the robot as much, or as little, as they wished. Often times children would work on it for a while and then take a break to enjoy some of the other activities the Pre-K room has to offer. In the end, it is safe to say that everybody made a contribution to the robot project.

v Science came into play when the children needed to mix up their own batch of paint to coat the robot in the silver color they desired. Trial and error determined the proportions of black and white paint that the children used.

v Children needed to look at various recycled materials in a new light as they considered how to incorporate them into the construction of the robot. This required them to “think outside of the box” and operate outside of their comfort zone.

v Fine motor skills were integrated into all aspects of the construction, including drawing blueprints and writing vocabulary words that described the children’s vision for the robot.

Dear Parents:

Popular Children’s Choices….. v Riding the bikes outside v Easel – new paints, popsicle

sticks, and brushes v Pillow hockey v Scratch art v Art table v Block area v Robot construction v Finding Seymour books

v Drawing with instructional books

v Journal work v Brain games – Hoot Owl Hoot,

Connect 4, etc. v Handwriting Without Tears v Rainy day riddles v Programing Colby the mouse v Zingo 1-2-3 (math game)

Above: Painting the robot Left: Measuring, cutting, drilling robot parts Below left: Rainy day riddles Below right: Making a robot part Learning Activities…

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As the kids would say…

Left: Making a keyboard for the robot Lower left: GCDS robot visit Right: GCDS robot visit Lower right: spring planting for our garden

v Children involved math skills in the assembly of the robot with plenty of counting, estimating, and measuring. Very often these skills were employed without the children even realizing it.

v We were very fortunate to have some visitors from Greenwich Country Day School, who came by to share their knowledge of robots with the class. These experts showed us several robots that they had constructed and demonstrated how they can be operated by remote control or coding. After showing off their robots, the GCDS teachers and students patiently answered all of our questions.

v The art center continues to be a hot ticket in the Pre-K room. Children have converged there to independently work on collages, pictures, robot costumes, and kites. Children have also enjoyed small group craftwork in the breakout room where they have been making mosaics.

v Children were recently introduced to the feely box. This is a special box that conceals items from view, but allows children to experience them through their sense of touch. Children stick their hand in the box and describe what they are feeling before trying to guess what it is. Another variation of this activity requires children to try and determine what item has been removed from a group based on feel/memory.

v The class has been enjoying scratch art where children use a stylus to remove material and expose a stained glass scene. This is a wonderful fine motor exercise that emphasizes a proper pencil grip while strengthening the small muscles in the hand, enabling children to draw and write better.

v The Pre-K class has been making their contribution to the PIFS gardens by planting seeds that will eventually grow into basil and marigolds.

Reminders: v Check out the updated robot documentation board in the classroom so you can see all

of the hard work your children have put in. v Next weekend is the annual PIFS Art Show. Friday night is the preview party for

parents; Saturday is for the whole family.