Thursday

SMART START Reunion

This summer, SMART START hosted a reunion for our alumni and past students. It was a memorable event filled with fun crafts, hands-on activities and the celebration of friendship.


View Highlights Below



These young learners will always hold a special place in our classrooms. We are already looking forward to planning the next reunion!


💛 SMARSTART💛

Summer Enrichment Week 6: Crop to Classroom

The final theme of SMART START’S summer enrichment program was “Crop to Classroom!” Our young learners thoroughly enjoyed this unit which focused on “growing what you eat” and instilling independence  through nutritious, interactive activities. 


Read below! 


Students completed their weekly chore of collecting eggs from the chicken coop. Caring for the chickens and other class pets promotes responsibility, respect for nature, high self esteem and so much more! 



The school garden grew beautifully all summer long and was finally ready for a harvest. Tomatoes, blueberries, zucchinis, green beans and peppers were among the produce picked. 



Classroom chefs cleaned the crop in their kitchen. Next, knives and cutting boards were utilized to chop and slice the fruits and vegetables. Fine motor skills and hand to eye coordination were certainly challenged and enhanced! 



Afterwards, everyone enjoyed their healthy snack. All agreed that the food was most delicious because they grew and prepared it themselves! 



The group gathered outside to read a “Garden to Table” story. All were able to hold some pretend play items to reinforce the subject matter. Peers then partnered up to further explore the book in nature.



Thank you for reading! 


                                         ðŸŒąSMARSTARTðŸŒą




Monday

Summer Enrichment Week 5: Oceans of Fun


The fifth week of SMART START’S summer enrichment program was “Oceans of Fun!” 


Come join our young learners as they explore ðŸĄ under the sea 🐠


Underwater adventures began with an assortment of themed activities: fishing, puzzles, coloring and more! 

Fishing Games Linked Here



Classmates selected a sea creature to decorate using a variety of materials. The starfish, seahorses and fish dazzled on display!



Student scuba divers ventured to the “ocean” to discover what lies below. Sharks, whales, crabs, dolphins, sting rays and squids were among the animals brought to life by imaginative minds. 



The class circled together for an interactive read aloud. Hand and finger puppets were incorporated throughout the story. 



Oceanographers constructed their very own cookie to resemble the deep blue sea. Frosting and gummy sea creatures were used. Delicious! 



Friends had fun enhancing their cognitive skills by playing “Pin the Clownfish in the Coral Reef” and “Memory Match.” 



Peers looked at related books in small groups. Reading in nature is a wonderful way to start the day! 



The classic children’s book, “Rainbow Fish” was read during circle time. A puppet was utilized to reinforce the message of the story. 

Rainbow Fish Book Linked Here



Afterwards, the group sat in a circle and passed the puppet around while “Under the Sea” played. When the music stopped, the person holding the puppet shared something kind about one of their classmates. 

Rainbow Fish Puppet



An ocean unit would not be complete without discussing the magic of mermaids! All took turns holding their favorite sea creature and showcasing our pretend play costume. 


Thank you for reading! 


🌊SMARSTART🌊