Holiday Happenings

    Beginning December 1st, SMART START enjoyed celebrating the Christmas season! Young learners engaged in an abundance of festive fun throughout this magical month. 

Read about our holiday happenings below!

📅Classmates crafted a "Countdown to Christmas Calendar" using posterboard, Santa face plates, glue sticks, glitter and a printed sheet of numbers 1-25. A cotton ball is added each day until Santa has a fluffy, white beard on the 25th!

👵 Everyone excitedly anticipated the annual visit from Mrs. Claus. From singing classic carols to playing reindeer games, all had a holly jolly good time! At the end of this special event, each child placed their Christmas wish list inside a mailbox. Mrs. Claus promised to deliver the letters to Santa once she arrived back at the North Pole. 

✋Paper, red & white paint, brushes, glitter and littel hands were utilized to create a "HO, HO, HO Handprint Ornament."

Click Here to View!

🎄Festive friends decked the halls in both their indoor and outdoor classrooms with tinsel, wreaths, lights, ornaments, ribbon and more! 

🍬 Students were "baking spirits bright" on Gingerbread Day. Cookies were baked, decorated, eaten and the classic game of "Candy Land" was played. 

🎨 Pupils were provided the opportunity to select their own project: wreath, bag or ornament. The finished decor came out beautifully!

👕All was merry and bright on Pajama Day! Peers fashioned their favorite holiday sleep attire and cozied up with a cup of cheer, candy canes and Christmas music. 

🧝 SMART START Elves were busy in their workshop making surprise presents for their parents: a carton to fill with eggs from their class chickens. 

🥚Eggs were collected and added to the thoughtfully decorated cartons. 

🎵 Filled with the holiday spirit, our chorus practiced and performed a song.

 Lyrics: (sung to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat")

Ring, Ring, Ring Your Bell

Ring It Loud and Clear, 

Everybody Everywhere

Christmas Time Is Here!

View Below!

✂ A themed cut and paste was incorporated into our everyday core curriculum. Pre-K/K worked on matching holiday objects to their corresponding sounds while Preschoolers familiarized themselves with basic scissor skills and number recognition. 

📕 The group gathered outside for circle time. Using an alphabet poster, all identified Christmas words that start with each letter such as "Tree starts with T", "Santa starts with S" and "Presents start with P."

🎅 Christmas Eve's enchanting essence was embraced through a finger play poem: 

When Santa Comes to My House

I'd Like to Take a Peek

But I Know He'll Never Come

Until I'm Fast Asleep

View Below!

🎁 Yuletide traditions continued with our annual party! Festivities included a gift exchange, bingo, freeze dance, arts and crafts and a surprise visit from Santa Claus- Oh what fun!

Click Here to View!

    We hope you enjoyed reading about our holiday lessons! The first five years of a child's life are extremely significant to their future development and well-being. SMART START is grateful to partake in these special formative stages with our young learners. Our hope is to foster early experiences that will have a lasting, positive impact throughout their educational journey. 

💚SMART START💚

Community Collections

    SMART START has thoroughly embraced the season of giving! Each year, our young learners participate in giving back to their community through a variety of hands-on experiences.

Read about our recent community service activities below!

Cradles to Crayons 👕

    Classmates eagerly awaited our annual "Cradles to Crayons" clothing drive (click here to learn more about this organization). Each child graciously contributed a large bag of their clothes and assisted a Cradles to Crayons representative load the truck.  Click here to view💜

 Operation Gratitude 🍬 

    In honor of Veterans Day, students donated to the "Operation Gratitude Halloween Candy Giveback" (Click here for more information). This program provides candy to veterans, members of the military and first responders. Peers proudly shared some of their Halloween treats to show appreciation for those who have and still are serving their country.  Click here to view💙

Community Cupboard 🥫

    To prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, the class collected canned food items to put inside their "Little Free Library." All expressed that they are "very thankful for food to eat" and were happy to help feed friends in need.  Click here to view 💛

Toys for Tots🎁

    This December, pupils picked out a present to give to our annual "Toys for Tots" gift gathering. SMART START elves were full of the Christmas spirit and were excited to spread some holiday cheer. Sometimes giving is better than receiving!  Click here to view 💝

  As early childhood educators, our hope is to instill in the next generation a sense of compassion, a connection to the community and to teach that anyone can make a difference in even the smallest ways. Whether it is partnering with a charitable organization or committing small acts of kindness, every effort counts!  

💛SMART START💛

Fire Safety & Prevention

    During the month of October, SMART START observed Fire Safety & Prevention Month. Our young learners have been acquiring knowledge on how to prepare for emergency situations through an assortment of interactive activities. 

Follow Along Below 🚒

    Future firefighters dramatic played with trucks, hoses, action figures, magnets and their creative imaginations. All pretended there was a fire on their swing set and acted the role of fire chief (and a Dalmatian too!). 

    Safe students executed exact steps to take if their clothes ever catch on fire: STOP where you are, DROP to the ground, COVER your face and ROLL back and forth. 

View STOP, DROP, COVER & ROLL Below 

    Everyone eagerly awaited the annual visit from North Andover Fire Department. Five firefighters along with two fire engines came this year. Lieutenant Davis discussed prevention protocols and was most impressed with questions and answers from the class. 

View N.A.F.D On-Site Presentation 

Fire Safety & Prevention Discussion (Click Link)

Fire fighting friends gathered to work on pages in their themed activity books. Pre-K/K pupils practiced identifying what number to call in the case of an emergency (911) while preschool peers colored related materials. 

    To conclude this unit, other community heroes were explored. Occupation flashcards were matched to corresponding figurines. This lesson prompted conversations about what our aspiring group wants to be when they grow up. Classmates' career aspirations included firefighters, police officers, farmers, doctors, librarians, pilots and even the tooth fairy!

          View More Fire Safety Highlights Below

                          🔥SMART START🔥

Welcome Fall!

     SMART START'S "Autumn Academics" have officially commenced! Our young learners have been embracing fall through an abundance of hands-on lessons in their outdoor classroom. 

                                                 Read About Our Seasonal Studies Below🍁

     Students enhanced basic math skills while engaging in "Apple Tree Counting" (Linked Here). Preschoolers practiced number recognition while Pre-K/K completed simple addition and subtraction problems. This served as an excellent activity for our multi-age learning environment. 

      Fall friends assisted in arranging a scene of festive décor. Hay bales, pumpkins, apples, flowers and more. Picture perfect peers smiled proudly on the count of "123 Apple Tree!"

       Autumn Artists created 3D trees using a variety of materials. Apple slices and paint fashioned classic fall foliage. Markers, stickers, tissue paper and glitter were added for a finishing touch. All were most impressed with their masterpieces! 

      The class crisscrossed under a tree for circle time. We identified each letter and sound that comprise the word FALL and made the connection that both AUTUMN and APPLE begin with the letter A. In addition, the parts of an apple were discussed: skin, flesh, seeds, core, stem and leaf. Afterwards, all enjoyed eating a delicious Macintosh. 

       SMART START Scientists have been observing the environmental changes fall brings. From the crisp morning air to the crunching of leaves under their feet, children are well aware of the world around them. An adjustable thermometer was used to document temperature. 

        Small groups gathered on the grass to partake in a leaf letter matching game (Linked Here). Classmates collaborated to match uppercase letters to their corresponding lowercase leaves. Even our class chickens joined in the fun!

        Pupils participated in a staple New England adventure: Leaf Peeping. The grounds of our schoolhouse were explored as a variety of leaves were collected. 

        Outdoor education is an essential aspect of SMART START'S philosophy. Our curriculum is centered on fostering primary learning experiences in nature. Learning outside promotes positive social, emotional, physical and academic outcomes. Providing a natural, carefree and safe school setting ignites a child's genuine curiosity and desire to discover. In addition, these teaching methods instill a love of learning that can last a lifetime. 

         

                      🍎SMART START🍏

Frogs 🐸

        SMART START Scientists completed an ecological nature study on pond life. Students expanded their knowledge on these small bodies of water and the animals they inhabit. 

        Herpetologists hopped outside to their nature classroom to learn about frogs. Books, informational wheels, animal replicas and other lifelike materials were explored. 

Here are a few frog facts the class learned:

• Frogs are amphibians 
• The branch of zoology that focuses on amphibians & reptiles is Herpetology 
• Vernal Pool: a pond/wetland habitat for many creatures such as fish, frogs & insects 
• Adult frogs eat insects with their long, sticky tongues 
• A group of frogs is called an army
• Frogs do not drink water, but absorb it into their skin
• Life cycle of a frog: 
  

        Classmates discovered a large puddle outside and used their creativity. imagination and nature's treasures to construct a school-made pond. Leaves transformed into lily pads, twigs into tadpoles, rocks into toads, grass into algae etc.! This activity allowed our young learners to experience the subject matter in a fun and realistic setting. 

         Fostering a connection to wildlife in Early Childhood Education is essential. Children who are educated in and about nature learn to respect and care for the environment. In addition, outdoor learning can increase attention span, physical activity, self-esteem, social-emotional development, critical thinking, problem solving skills and so much more!

                       🐸SMART START🐸

SMART START Send Off! 🎓

    This summer, SMART START celebrated a special group of students for completing our Pre-K/Kindergarten program!

        Pomp & Circumstance filled the air as our graduates confidently walked the grounds schoolhouse. Classmates took their seats as the Commencement Ceremony began. Pupils beamed with pride when their name was called to cross the stage and accept their diploma. Preschoolers applauded from the audience in praise of their role model peers. 

                                  Click the links below to view SMART START'S Send Off!

                                                                Graduation Walk

                                                        Commencement Ceremony

        SMART START will forever be proud of these young learners for their perseverance, intelligence, ambition and achievements. We are sincerely grateful to have had the opportunity to educate, enrich and enhance each of these children throughout the beginning of their academic journey. Our Alumni will undoubtedly accomplish great things and we hope they continue to visit! 

                       🎓SMART START🎓

Dinosaur Day 🦖

            SMART START ventured back to prehistoric times to learn about dinosaurs! Students experienced these captivating creatures through a variety of hands-on lessons and activities. 

Read About Dinosaur Day At School Below! 🌋

        Preschool Paleontologists put on aprons, goggles and gathered tools to prepare for an exciting excavation. All received their own fossilized egg with a dinosaur hidden inside. After chipping, picking, dusting, cracking and sanding, various species were discovered such as Triceratops, Velociraptor and Spinosaurus!

         SMART START Artists gathered in the outdoor classroom to decorate a wooden dinosaur magnet and a jumbo T-rex Linked Here! Paint, glue, tissue paper, markers and Do A Dot bonkers were used. Each creation was labeled with a child's name and "OSAURUS" for a personal touch.

          Classmates enjoyed playing a cooperative learning board game "Dinosaur Escape." The class collaborated to save the dinosaur pieces before a volcano erupted! Activities such as these promote positive social skills such as turn taking, team building, sharing and good sportsmanship.

           Friends formed a circle to listen to a themed read aloud. After the story, questions regarding the subject matter were asked and answered. 

Here are some facts we learned:

• Dinosaurs and many other animals have gone extinct (no living members in a group/species).
• Scientists believe that a large asteroid hit the earth and caused the dinosaur extinction.
• Dinosaurs lived in the Mesozoic Era. The three periods are: Triassic, Jurassic & Cretaceous
• Some dinosaurs were carnivores (ate meat) and others were herbivores (ate plants). 
• Chickens (Like our outdoor classroom pets!) are closely related to dinosaurs. 

           Stencils and crayons were utilized to create and color Pterodactyls, Tyrannosaurus Rexes and Stegosauruses. Pupils challenged their fine motor abilities rubbing each design until a dinosaur appeared. 

           Future Archeologists constructed a "SMARTSTARTOSAURUS" using pretend play fossils.

            To conclude this unit, friends free played with various dinosaurs, nature items and their wild imaginations!

             Learning about dinosaurs in Early Childhood Education is an essential introduction to history and STEM (science, technology, engineering & math). These studies foster an interest in the sciences, develop critical thinking, expand vocabulary, instill a desire to discover and so much more. Young learners are fascinated by these topics and their natural curiosity should be encouraged!

 🦖SMART START🦖