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 🐡 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! 

🌊SMART START🌊

 

Summer Enrichment Week 4: Superhero Students

Our young learners embraced their inner hero while being “Superhero Students.” Another exciting week of hands-on curriculum and imaginative, nature based play. 

Read along below! 

Friends fashioned photo frames using stickers, markers, jewels and glue. Picture activities are an excellent way for children to formulate memories and solidify special moments!

Classmates decorated masks and capes using an abundance of art supplies. All anticipated wearing this creative craft once complete! 

Super students gathered for a heroic read aloud. We discussed some everyday superpowers: kind, responsible, cooperative, brave, honest, confident and more! Our school's S.M.A.R.T (service, mindfulness, achievement, respect & trust) character building blocks were highlighted.

SMART START Superheroes soared around the outdoor classroom showcasing their finished masks and capes. While flying about, peers proudly shouted affirmations to motivate and inspire one another, “we are kind”, “we are brave”, “we are smart”, “we are responsible”, “we try our best” etc! 

Introducing the concept of “superheroes” in Early Childhood Education is an entertaining way to teach about and instill core values.Emphasizing social motional learning in the first five years of development is absolutely essential. All that is instilled throughout this critical window establishes a foundation for children’s future growth and success. 

Thank you for reading! 

🌟SMART START🌟

Summer Enrichment Week 3: Summer Science

SMART START Scientists were eager to explore and experiment during summer science enrichment! A fun filled week of interactive, hands-on activities that engaged our young learner’s natural curiosity, desire to discover and imaginative minds. 

Read along below! 

Beginner biologists learned all about the human body through an assortment  of lessons. Skeleton sticker sheets, X-Rays and pretend play costumes assisted in teaching the different organs and functions. In addition, the classic game, “operation” was played. 

Operation Linked Here

A microscope and slides were used to view various specimens up close. Leaves, feathers, fur and more. All were amazed to find tiny spots and bugs that could only be seen when using the microscope.

Microscope Kit Linked Here

Classroom chemists geared up in aprons and safety goggles to conduct a staple science experiment: volcano eruption!

Here are the materials & steps: 

(Mini water bottle, brown coffee filter, markers, baking soda, vinegar, red food coloring, beaker & test tube) 

-Empty mini water bottle 

-Color volcanic ash on brown coffee filter

-Cover water bottle with filter (cut off top) 

-Pour in baking soda (in test tubes) 

-Add red food coloring to vinegar/ “lava” (in beaker)

-Pour in vinegar and watch eruption!

Students were excited to create school-made slime! This sensory experiment involved mixing cornstarch and dish soap until desired texture was achieved. 

Lab Coats Linked Here

Peers practiced writing letters, numbers and shapes using invisible ink markers. Friends were fascinated when they colored over their papers and the drawings magically appeared. We explained how the ink is colorless until it is colored over with citric acid. 

The group circled outside for a science story time. The influential scientist, Albert Einstein was introduced along with various instruments used for research: magnifying glass, beaker, test tube, petri dish etc. Afterwards, friends had fun taking photos with the scientist board. 

The class brought to school items representing different branches of science for the annual “Science Fair.” Exhibits included a telescope (astronomy) dinosaurs (paleontology), a crystal (geology), a koala (zoology), seeds (botony) and more! All explored each exhibit using magnifying glasses and inquisitive minds. 

Thank you for reading about summer science at SMART START!

🔍SMART START🔎

Summer Enrichment Week 2: SMART ART

SMART START Artists were excited to focus on arts and crafts during SMART Art week! Each activity was planned to promote imagination, creativity and individuality. 

Read along below! 

Student’s designed a pretend play puppet using markers, yarn, glue, stickers and other materials. We discussed how the puppets all looked unique, just as each person is special and one of a kind! 

Do A Dot Bonkers Linked Here

Classmates enthusiastically selected an item to decorate for “choose your own craft” day. Flowers, butterflies, headbands and more! The finished products looked fabulous and showcased each child’s individual interests.

Art Aprons Linked Here 

Preschool painters lined up in their outdoor classroom, palettes & brushes in hand, to make their very own masterpiece. Imaginations inspired each artwork as the paint became pirate ships, castles, the ocean and so forth.

Paint Palettes Linked Here

Friends had fun stimulating their senses through finger painting. This classic childhood favorite encourages children to engage in “messy play.” Providing this freedom nurtures creativity and fosters self-expression. 

Finger Paint Linked Here

Fine motor capabilities were challenged while using various types of stickers for the final art project: portfolio bags. The class was eager to bring home their art work to share with their families. 

Thank you for reading all about SMART ART!

Additional Art Supplies Linked Here

 

🎨SMART START🎨

Summer Enrichment Week 1: Fairy Tale Friends

Summer Enrichment at SMART START has been both engaging and entertaining for our young learners. The July & August program consists of hands-on, interactive activities that coincide with a weekly theme. 

Week 1:

📖“FAIRY TALE FRIENDS” 📖

The learning & fun commenced with a read aloud of two classic children’s fairytales, “The Three Little Pigs” & “Goldilocks & The Three Bears.” the class circled outside and listened intently to both tales. In addition, puppets were incorporated to aid in the introduction of each character. 

Students exercised their active imaginations and story comprehension skills while performing puppet shows. The exciting roles of the “Big Bad Wolf”, “Goldilocks” and more were brought to life. Bravo everyone! 

Peers partnered up for small group pretend play and story time talk. Books and miniature props were utilized to reinforce the narrative. We discussed the meaning of each tale and the lessons learned by the characters. 

Fairy tales are a fun and magical way to assist social and emotional development in Early Childhood Education. These storylines portray characters making choices that result in either negative or positive outcomes. Children are aware of this and often model their own actions and behaviors based on individuals from books. Due to this, critical thinking, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, self-discovery, acquiring core values and so much more are promoted through reading fairytales.

✨SMART START✨