SMART START was thrilled to reopen this summer after having been closed due to COVID-19. Students were eager to return to school and adjusted remarkably well to our new procedures.
Protective Protocol 🖉
Peers have been happily learning and playing in their new PPE (personal protective equipment) all summer long. Pupils fashioned their sunhats with attached visors, face shields and transparent masks. In addition, partitions are being used in order for all to remain protected when faces are not covered. Health and wellness is a primary focus at SMART START and the children are eager to do their part to prevent the spread of germs.
Outdoor Classroom🍃
Learning and playing in nature is an essential component of SMART START's curriculum. Our young learners fully embrace the outdoors and the benefits it yields such as: improves mental and physical health, promotes focus and concentration, enhances creativity and imagination and so much more! Being carefree and active on the play structures is a constant in our daily routine.
Water Play🌊
Classmates cooled off by running through the sprinkler, gliding on the slip n slide and sliding down the waterslide!
Art 🎨
SMART START artists searched for a special stick in the outdoor classroom for their summer art project. All used their creativity and various art supplies to decorate their nature treasure. The sticks turned out beautifully and imaginations transformed them into magic wands, telescopes, instruments and more!
Yoga & Mindfulness💤
Young yogis brought their mats outside to practice their poses and participate in mindful meditation.
Picnic🧺
Pals picnicked outside sitting in their 6ft apart hula hoops.
Bingo✋
The class was most enthusiastic to play BINGO! The first round consisted of a nature theme to enhance knowledge on animals and their habitats. Afterwards, a Spanish version was played to reinforce and teach new vocabulary. All had the chance to count five in a row, shout B-I-N-G-O and pick out a prize.
Gardening🌱
Green thumbs, watering cans, gloves and other tools were used to tend to the school garden.
Temperature 🌡
Future meteorologists observed the rise in temperatures using a thermometer. All learned and
practiced two forms of temperature measurement: Fahrenheit and Celsius.
Books & Reading📚
The group sat at the picnic tables to read and observe books about the season.
Blueberry Picking🧺
Pupils picked bunches of blueberries from the school blueberry bush during the month of July.
Class Pets 🐔🐇
The chickens and bunnies were delighted to have their favorite caretakers back to assist in feeding, holding, petting and nurturing.
Yard Games 🏏
Gross motor and cognitive skills were challenged through a variety of games. Balance was tested walking on stilts, coordination improved through ring toss and hula hooping, strength increased attempting the monkey bars, strategy enhanced through connect four and more!
Slush 🍧
The children put their chef hats on and headed to the kitchen to make slush! Each had the chance to put ice in the machine, fill a cup with ice shavings and pour flavoring on top. A delicious treat on a hot summer day!
Tree Climbing🌳
All took turns climbing trees to experience and appreciate nature up close (and high)!
Green Beans 🥬
Farm to table friends reaped the benefits of their hard work with a copious crop of green beans!
Bubbles ☍
Blowing, chasing and popping bubbles are a staple summer activity. Our bubble machine brought much excitement this year!
Sandbox 🏰
Sensory play was most enjoyed in the sandboxes.
Sunflowers 🌻
Beginner Botanists studied the sunflower. They learned that this plant blooms in the late summer/early fall and were able to examine a few up close.
End of Summer Celebration 🍦
Summer 2020 was most memorable! to commemorate, we had an ice cream truck drive by for a treat! Afterwards, classmates partook in a delicious dramatic play activity using their life like "Ice Cream Truck and materials. A sweet end to the season!
Click Below to View Summer Highlights
🌞SMART START🌞
