Spring has sprung!

We have been busy this week reviewing R, S and T.  It always amazes me at this time of the year how much preschoolers have learned since August! It also makes me sad that some of them will be leaving from my class soon.  Most of the children recognize the letters and can give you the name and sound! They soak up so much.  When one of them stops me in the middle of centers and says "Playdough starts with P!" I know they have been listening! These are the perks of being a preschool teacher! That and all the hugs and giggles I get!

We have been watching the season change and are becoming aware of the differences in each season! The kids are more and more aware of the world around them! We made spring trees on Wednesday. We used watercolors with droppers. Then we added pink for flowers. They made some pretty trees.

We have been reading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and talking about the changes that happen during metamorphosis.  This story is excellent for expanding the children's vocabulary.  We are on the lookout for a caterpillar to "adopt" so that we can watch it transform in our classroom.

We have 3 new friends in our class this week.  Whenever we get new students it gives a chance to review class rules, practice being Super Friends, and practice being patient.  Learning to empathize with others is a difficult skill to learn, and when our new friends are sad and upset, it gives us more opportunities to practice. 

Speaking of skills to practice, we have been working on a "Manners Chain" since February. Any time I catch one of the children using there manners, we add a link to the chain. When the chain gets to the floor we are going to have a special treat.  I think we may make it to the ground sometime next week. Some of the manners we are working on are - please and thank you, being respectful, taking care of our things, table manners, and being polite.  We are also practicing speaking when someone speaks to you.  All of these are life skills and are easier to learn when you are little.  They are getting good at reminding each other (politely) and telling me when they see a friend using their manners.