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🦖

Geography 🌎

      SMART START young learners embarked on an expedition around the globe! From touring the United States to "studying abroad", our young learners fully embraced this introduction to Geography. 

Come join us on our travels below! 🛪

        Our journey began right here in the U. S.! Classmates collaborated to complete a puzzle displaying all 50 states and capitals- Linked Here. We discussed the famous landmarks pictured on each piece and the various places pupil have visited. Future historians were most intrigued by the Statue of Liberty in New York and the Liberty Bell in Pennsylvania. 

        The New England state of Massachusetts was highlighted during outdoor circle time. MA is currently home to our school and students. The book "I Am Massachusetts" which portrays numerous cities and sights was read aloud to the group. The class conversed about their favorite spots in the state such as Cape Cod, Newburyport, Salem and the capital, Boston.

        Time to leave the continent.... Next stops Europe, Asia, South America and more! SMART START tourists selected an activity page featuring a country of their choice. Vocabulary was expanded through word searches, cognitive abilities were enhanced travelling in mazes and fine motor skills challenged via handwriting. This lesson provided a glance into diverse cultures and customs worldwide. 

        Eager Geographers concluded this unit through a variety of fun and games! Friends inflated a blue ball and used a globe to accurately place continent and ocean stickers. Afterwards, all played "Wonder Globe" (Sit in a circle, play music, pass globe, stop music, person holding globe picks a continent that they wish to visit). "Points on the Map" was enjoyed next (Hang up large map, line up, close eyes, one at a time approach map and point, open eyes, see which state/country is landed on). Lastly, the inflatable globe was incorporated into water play. While splashing in the sprinkler and sliding down the waterslide, peers pretended they were on the five major oceans: Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean & the Arctic Ocean. 

        Educating children about the world around them is an essential component of SMART START's curriculum. These teachings aim to instill a sense of wonder into our young learners and to ignite their natural desire to explore and discover. We hope you enjoyed accompanying us on our global adventure!

 🌎SMART START🌎

SMART START Olympics

    Our young learners enhanced their gross motor and tumbling skills at our SMART START Olympic Games!

Click below to view! 🤸

🥇SMART START🥇

Farm Fun!

    This summer, SMART START students embraced learning all about life on the farm! 

Follow along our farm unit below🚜

    Classmates diligently care for their class pets each day at school. From placing hay inside the chicken coops, collecting eggs for mealtime to feeding and brushing the bunny, our students are quite the experienced future farmers! Nurturing animals is crucial for a child's social-emotional development as it teaches responsibility, independence, patience, increases self-esteem and so much more!

    Learning in nature is vital component of our curriculum. The group gathered in our outdoor classroom to explore themed literature and listen to a story time. In addition, pupils played a cooperative board game Count Your Chickens (linked here!). 

    Farm friends enjoyed free playing with a classic children's favorite, toy barns! Peers pretend played with various farm animals, tractors and their imaginations. 

    Fruit picking is a staple farm activity. Our young learners circled by our school garden to pick berries from the blueberry bush. 

    To conclude our farm festivities, a petting zoo came to visit! The class thoroughly enjoyed this hands-on encounter with goats, ducklings, guinea pigs, sheep, pig and a hedgehog. All interacted with the animals by brushing and feeding them. A fun and adorable way to introduce farm life!

🐔 SMART START🐔