Goodbye Fall 🍁

 Our young learners had a memorable time Fall-ing in love with learning through an abundance of autumn inspired activities. 

🍂 Fall-ow along below 🍂

🖍Autumn academics commenced with the seasonal staple of leaf rubbing. Stencils and crayons were utilized to form the perfect fall leaf. We discussed the different shapes of leaves from various tree types such as maple, birch, oak and more. Similar Product Linked Here!

🔠 Alphabet skills were reinforced during a “leaf letter” matching game. Students were tasked with pairing all uppercase leaves with their corresponding lowercase leaves.

⛅Learning about seasons through nature exploration is an essential aspect of our curriculum. Students explored and discovered nature’s treasures brought by fall: leaves, pinecones, insects, animals etc. all while playing in the fresh air with friends.

📖 The group gathered in the outdoor classroom for a seasonal story and snack: Apples! 

🟠 Peers picked their very own pumpkin from a pretend play pumpkin patch. The pumpkins were saved for a special project. 

🔢 A felt board was incorporated into a basic math lesson. Felt pumpkins and squirrels were utilized to add to ten and then simple subtraction problems were solved such as, 10-3 squirrels= 7 pumpkins. Felt Board Linked Here

💦Creative classmates used watercolors to paint wood leaf shapes. The final products portrayed beautiful, brightly colored leaves. Wooden Leaves Linked Here

🌳Number recognition was reinforced while playing the game Apple Tree Counting. Everyone received an apple tree card and had to place the quantity of apples that correspond with the number on the tree. Bushels of fun! 

🎨Autumn artists were eager to paint the pumpkin they picked from the school pumpkin patch. Paint, glitter, tissue paper and stickers were used for decorating. 

⭐Students were tasked with a “Fall About Me” poster assignment. All did a fabulous job completing the poster at home and then presenting it at school. Friends learned some fall facts about each other while also enhancing their public speaking skills. Projects such as these promote high self-esteem, language development, conversational skills and more!

🍞Bakers geared up in aprons and chef hats to make apple pumpkin bread loaves and muffins. Mixing ingredients, lining and filling pans, putting muffins in the oven and frosting bread loaves were among the responsibilities- learning life skills through hands-on fun!

🍁SMART START friends enjoyed some gross motor play, raking and jumping in leaves. This quintessential New England activity is always a class favorite! 

🍏Parts of an apple (stem, skin, flesh, core & seeds) were discussed as all ate the delicious fall fruit.  Afterwards, this lesson was reinforced with a color by number worksheet. 

🍂Autumn scenes were designed using poster board, stickers, crayons, glitter, ribbon and imaginations. Each masterpiece came out unique and beautifully represented each child’s vision of fall.

Thank you for reading all about fall at SMART START!

🍂SMART START🍂

All About Animals

    Animal appreciation is an important aspect of SMART START'S curriculum. Our daily activities often center around learning about nature and wildlife in the outdoor classroom. This month our young learners engaged in an enhanced unit dedicated to animal studies. 

Read along below! 

📚Interests were piqued as peers pondered over books and figurines at a themed display. Animal types, behaviors and habitats were discussed and explored. Reptiles and amphibians were a favorite!

ABC Upper and lowercase letters and sound identification were strengthened using jumbo animal alphabet cards. Safari Hats Linked Here!

🧩Fine motor and cognitive capabilities were utilized while completing puzzles and playing memory games. Various skill leveled materials were provided for our multiage classroom. This Montessori style environment enables student-led learning. Whether they choose to challenge abilities with older friends or to practice with a younger age group, students are encouraged to learn and develop at their own pace. 

📸Picture frames were decorated in preparation of the Curious Creatures animal show. These formative years in early childhood are crucial and photos encourage the formation of memories. Frames Linked Here!  Animal Stickers Linked Here!

🐍The Curious Creatures presentation was a success! This educational hands-on experience consisted of an assortment of animals interacting with the class. A snake, parrot, scorpion. alligator, tarantula, tortoise, hedgehog and tree frog were among the creatures shared. We were so proud of our pupils for bravely holding and petting each animal (some even crawled/sat on their heads!). 

🕮 Names for groups of animals were discussed during an outdoor story time. Book Linked Here!

🐅Future zoologists created their very own zoo outdoors using animal figurines. All organized each animal type into "exhibits" for classmates and teachers to observe. Learning through play is essential for children to fully comprehend and express the subject matter. 

🐘Animal recognition was reinforced during a game of bingo! This was a fun way to conclude this unit of study. 

Thank you for reading all about animals at SMART START!

🐍SMART START🐍

Fire Safety & Prevention

October is fire safety and prevention month! SMART START celebrated by incorporating enhanced emergency preparedness protocols into our daily curriculum.  Our young learners embraced these essential life skills through realistic, hands-on activities. 

Learn About Fire Safety & Prevention Below!

📕The class circled in their outdoor classroom for a storytime and group discussion. 

Here is some information we learned:

• Call 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency
• If your clothes catch on fire: STOP where you are, DROP to the ground, COVER your face and ROLL back and forth.
• Stay LOW and BELOW while escaping a fire (prevents breathing in smoke)
• Know the sound of your home and school fire alarms. 
• Designate a meeting spot at home and school in the case of an emergency. 

🔥 Imaginations were ignited as future firefighters explored fire safety using magnets, figurines, engines, trucks, costumes and more! In addition, we acted out an emergency situation and completed an evacuation drill. Peers fulfilled their roles by either crawling out of the "burning building", hosing down the "fire" or sounding the alarms. These pretend play opportunities allow for subject matter to be reinforced. 

Learning through play is one of the most effective ways for children to learn!

✎Firefighting friends engaged in themed fine motor fun. Classmates created their very own firefighter using stickers and colored a fire safety worksheet. 

Fire Chief Costume Linked Here

Firefighter Sticker Activity Linked Here

🚒The North Andover Fire Department visited SMART START for their annual fire safety and prevention presentation. Our students listened in awe as the "real firefighters" shared their knowledge and expertise. Afterwards, everyone gathered by a hook and ladder truck to learn some fascinating facts. 

Thank you, community heroes Lieutenant Matt Davis and Firefighter Chris for providing such an educational, enriching experience! We are very grateful for your service!

Thank you for reading all about fire safety and prevention!

🧯SMART START🧯

Back to School Week

    SMART START'S 2022/2023 academic year has officially commenced! Our young learners celebrated the start of their studies during a fun filled "Back to School Week." 

👑The class circled at their activity table to decorate "First Day of School" crowns. Markers, crayons, jewels and school spirit were used for creating. Crowns Linked Here!

📸Students smiled brightly for their individual "Back to School" photo with a personalized board. Afterwards, a themed frame was utilized for friends to take pictures together. 

  ⭐Classmates showcased their "First Day of School Crowns" and SMART START t-shirts as they played in their outdoor classroom. 

  All are excited for another great year of learning, playing, exploring and growing at SMART START!  Our priority is to provide our preschoolers with a nurturing and educational foundation as they embark on their academic journey. We hope to instill and ignite a genuine love of learning that can last a lifetime. Children are the future, and it is essential for educators to empower the whole child in order for them to achieve their fullest potential. 

Thank you for reading all about "Back to School" week at SMART START!

📚SMART START📚

SMART START Superheroes!

Summer Enrichment Week 6: Superheroes!

SMART START superheroes enjoyed days of play-based activities full of imagination and inspiration.  Our young learners are fascinated by all things "superhero" and were eager to learn how they can be heroic students. A fun and exciting way to teach and instill character values into the next generation! 

Fly along with us below!

🎨Classmates decorated their own masks and capes using puff paint, bonkers, jewels, fabric markers and stickers. 

Fabric Puff Paint Linked Here     Do A Dot Bonkers Linked Here   Adhesive Jewels Linked Here

📚Superhero studies continued with an interactive outdoor storytime. We discussed numerous daily actions that anyone can do to make the world a better place. Using kind words, sharing with others, telling the truth and working together were some ideas the class shared. Our school's S.M.A.R.T (service, mindfulness, achievement, respect & trust) character building blocks were highlighted.

🦸The group geared up in masks and capes to embrace their inner superhero. Peers motivated one another by showcasing their heroic poses, moves and skills. Some favorite superpower phrases included "I am kind", "I will try my best", "We can do it together" and "Let's be friends with everyone."

Capes & Masks Linked Here

🖉 A themed worksheet was completed to reinforce our teachings. Using a template, pupils drew themselves as a superhero and with assistance wrote their heroic name, superpower, individual qualities and who they would like to help. We were most impressed with the thoughtfulness and diligence each child put towards this assignment. Classroom Tables Linked Here

📙To conclude this unit, SMART START received an "Excellence in Children's Literature" certificate for our first published children's book and activity book, Courage is Contagious: Codas and the Coronavirus. Our young learners who contributed to the characters of Codas and his friends were thrilled to hear about the award and beamed with pride. Courage is Contagious was inspired by the resiliency of our class and students across the world as they navigated changes in learning throughout the pandemic. We hope that Codas and his superhero crew empower all children to express their thoughts, feelings and emotions while also finding ways to overcome fear and life's challenges. 

(New book in the Codas series coming soon! Helping is Heroic: Codas and the Community)

Courage is Contagious: Codas and the Coronavirus Book Linked Here 

Courage is Contagious Activity Book Linked Here

We hope you enjoyed reading all about superhero week at SMART START!

🦸SMART START🦸

Crop to Classroom

 Summer Enrichment Week 4: SMART Snacks!

Our young learners were introduced to the concept of, "Garden to Table/Farm to Fork" or as we call it at school, "Crop to Classroom!" Students embraced this topic through hands-on, experiential learning activities. 

View Below!

🌱The importance of "grow what you eat" was emphasized while gathering produce and herbs from the school garden. The group harvested tomato, zucchini, carrots, blueberries strawberries, mint, basil and eggs from the class chickens. All assist in tending to the garden and chickens each week and were excited to reap the benefits of their hard work! 

🍳Culinary skills were challenged as classroom chefs cracked eggs, sliced fruit and chopped vegetables in preparation for a special breakfast. Pupils were then provided the opportunity to scramble the eggs in a frying pan. Once complete, all enjoyed the picnic they created in their outdoor classroom. Our sectioned plates and no spill cups linked here! 

🍅The next SMART snack was school-made hummus and vegetable charcuterie boards. Preschoolers enhanced their hand to eye coordination and fine motor abilities while additional produce and herbs were picked, washed, peeled and chopped. Friends had fun smashing chickpeas and adding the necessary ingredients to make hummus. We discussed the numerous benefits of eating fresh fruits, vegetables and making our own meals. 

Incorporating the education of life skills is a core component of our curriculum. It is essential to present these teachings in a realistic setting that promotes independence. This allows children to try new things and feel confident in their own capabilities. These early childhood experiences can positively impact one's academic journey and instill a lifelong love of learning. 

🍽SMART START🍽

Construct & Create

Summer Enrichment Week 4: Construct & Create!

SMART START's indoor and outdoor classrooms transformed into a hands-on worksite. Our young learners were motivated and inspired to embrace and develop their interests to design, collaborate and invent.

🚧 Read About Our Activities Below! 🚧

👷Eager engineers put on their hard hats and got to work constructing and creating. Pre-Kindergartners challenged fine motor skills and cognitive abilities inventing with K'NEX & Legos while preschoolers enhanced hand to eye coordination stacking blocks. All were most impressed with the towers, robots, castles, cars, ships and more! K'NEX Set Linked Here

🚀 Collaboration and cooperation were put to the test as classmates assembled their very own spaceship. Cardboard boxes, tablecloths, markers, paper and measuring tapes were among the supplies used. Older peers acted as the "project managers" and fully accepted the leadership responsibility. All assisted one another with measuring, coloring and taping while also positively sharing and welcoming ideas. A perfect opportunity to reap the benefits of a multi-age learning environment. Once complete, the class piled aboard their ship and imagined their takeoff into space.... 3,2,1 BLASTOFF! Hard Hats Linked Here

🏡Budding builders practiced scissor skills and letter/sound identification through a cut and paste worksheet. Each child "built" their own unique house using "H" as the foundation. All envisioned what it would be like to live inside the homes they created. Afterwards, a pretend playhouse was built using jumbo building blocks. Melissa & Doug Jumbo Building Blocks Linked Here

💦A 90-degree day calls for water play! Friends free played with toys to construct with while cooling off and splashing around on the Slip N Slide Splash Pad. A great way to incorporate everyday summer fun into themed curriculum. Slip N Slide Linked Here

🍦To conclude this unit, students enjoyed a "Build Your Own Sundae" treat. Each received their own bowl of ice cream and an array of "building materials" such as bricks (fruit snacks), rocks (M&Ms), mud (hot fudge) & cement (whipped cream). Delicious! Caution Tape Linked Here

Thank you for reading all about Construct & Create week at SMART START!

💡SMART START💡