Dr. Seuss Day!

     Dr. Seuss' birthday is March 2nd. To acknowledge this author, we had a Dr. Seuss themed day at SMART START! 

Click below to view our young learners celebrating Dr. Seuss

📚SMART START📚

Winter

Read below to see what we have been learning this Winter season at SMART START:


🛷 Our outdoor classroom transformed into a winter wonderland early this season. Bundled from head to toe, smart start friends were eager to play, learn and explore in the snow. In addition their gross motor skills were put to use through shoveling and pulling one another on sleds.

📘 Pupils preoccupied themselves at a themed display featuring books, figurines, decorations and other materials. Many shared their favorite things about Winter which included: drinking hot cocoa, playing in the snow, wearing snow gear, watching snow storms, making snowmen and seeing snowflakes.

🌡 Mini Meteorologists engaged in lessons about the weather. It was explained how the temperature typically drops during the Winter months causing water to freeze into ice, frost to form and snow to fall. The children discussed words they associated with the season such as, "chilly", "cold", "coat", "hat" and "gloves." All anticipate checking the daily temperature using our school thermometers.

🧤 The class circled outside to listen to a classic winter tale titled, The Mitten by Jan Brett. All took turns placing a small forest animal inside a large mitten in accordance with the story.

🖌 The Mitten was brought to life through a pretend play craft. Artists decorated a glove using markers, glue and glitter. Afterwards, all picked a forest animal figurine to reenact the story.

⛄ Young learners partook in various themed activities, games, toys, search & find books and more! Don't Break the Ice was most preferred by the group. Object of the game: knock down the ice cubes without having the penguin fall.

🌨 SMART START scientists experimented with baking soda and hair conditioner to create snow! All were fascinated how the combined ingredients resembled the actual substance and molded the finished product into snowballs and snowmen.

✏ Students worked diligently to complete their seasonal spelling worksheet. Our prekindergartners practiced their penmanship writing the words: mittens, snow, hot cocoa, winter, scarf, snowman and cap. Preschoolers worked on tracing and identifying the letter "W" and the word winter.

123 Peers cooperatively counted using snowballs, plastic ice cubes and workbooks. This hands-on exercise allowed for the application of basic addition and subtraction while also reinforcing number recognition. 

🦔 Friends ventured outdoors to learn facts about forest animals. Using a National Geographic book and puppets, all acquired knowledge regarding Winter habitats and behaviors. 

Here is some information learned:

• Many animals hibernate/sleep in Winter such as, a hedgehog 
•  A hibernation habitat is called a hibernaculum
• Squirrels gather and store food to prepare for the cold temperatures
• Bears partially hibernate in their dens and then emerge in the Spring

❄ Hand to eye coordination and fine motor skills were challenged during a three step 3D snowflake project. First, pieces of white paper were cut and decorated using scissors, glue sticks and glitter. Second, the cut pieces were taped together making individual structures. The final step consisted of stapling together to form a snowflake! We explained how everyone is like a snowflake: unique and beautiful in their own way!

🍧 Classmates put on their chef hats and made snow cones using ice cubes and flavoring. It was mentioned how ice is the solid form of the water which is a liquid. While enjoying their treat, everyone noticed the ice melting back into its liquid state. 

🐾 Arctic Architects collected empty milk and water gallons to collaboratively design and construct an igloo! Once complete, our sleuth of polar bear cubs toured the habitat using their wild imaginations. In addition, a story about polar bear life was read and acted out. Dramatic play yields numerous benefits as it supports literacy, promotes social and emotional development, increases creativity and so much more!

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☃SMART START☃

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day from SMART START!

Click below to view how we celebrated at school.

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❤SMART START❤

All About Cody!

     Cody is one of SMART START's Pre-Kindergartners. He was most enthusiastic to exhibit his third "All About Me" assignment. It was evident that Cody was a seasoned presenter as he displayed the utmost confidence and elocution. All at school are continually impressed by the dedication Cody puts into everything he does. Phenomenal work, Cody!

Here are some details from Cody's poster:

• He is 5 years old!
• Favorite animal is a dog 🐕
• Wants to be a firefighter when he grows up🚒
• Loves the season of Spring🌷
• Favorite movie is the Incredibles 🦸

      During the month of December, we celebrated Cody's 5th birthday! He brought in superhero cupcakes and goody bags for his friends. All sang "Happy Birthday" to Cody in both English and Spanish and gifted him with a book.

     Cody is one of SMART START's original students! We have had the pleasure of celebrating all 5 of Cody's birthdays with him here at school .We are extremely proud of how much he has grown and accomplished over the years! Cody is kindhearted, intelligent and a role model to both his peers and younger classmates. We cannot believe you are almost a Kindergartner, Cody!

💙SMART START💙

Birds

     Birds were a topic of focus both this and last year at SMART START. Last Spring, students learned about the general characteristics and habits of the animal. This Fall, we specifically highlighted the owl species.  Fly along with our young learners to read all about birds!      Our flock gathered in the outdoor classroom to hear stories and acquire bird/owl knowledge. Learning in nature enhances educational experiences and provides children with an exorbitant amount of benefits such as heightened sensory experiences, mental and physical well-being, better performance in academic subjects, and so much more!

      Peers paired up to ponder at our themed display. Related reading materials and props were displayed. During this time, a great amount of information was gained regarding the subject matter. Here are some facts we learned:
Birds: 

• There are about 10,000 species of birds
• Birds are the only animals with feathers
• All birds lay eggs and most live in nests
• The study of birds is called ornithology
• Birds can be kept as pets (Just like our school chickens and ducks!)

Owls: 

• A group of owls is called a parliament 
• Owls are carnivores and hunt for their meals 
• Most owls are nocturnal 
• They can turn their heads practically all the way around 
• Owls have excellent hearing  

     

     Last year, edible birds nests were constructed. This hands-on activity consisted of molding a rice Krispies treat into the shape of a nest then adding M&Ms as eggs.       This year, creative classmates colored an owl magnet. All practiced holding their markers, crayons and pencils in proper writing position during this craft. 

    

     Feather loving friends headed outdoors to act as blue birds last year. They flew around singing and chirping with delight!       This year, the group took Barny the barn owl and one of his companions outside. All took turns soaring around with the owls, studying a few books and birdwatching.    

  

     Last year, the class migrated to the table to make bird feeders. Each were given half an apple to spread with peanut butter and then sprinkled with bird seed. All were excited to place their treats outside for neighborhood birds to enjoy!      This year, SMART START artists decorated large felt owls. Materials used included glue, tissue paper, pipe cleaners, google eyes, markers and glitter. All were most impressed with their finished product.

     

      Budding bird experts made their very own models of a nest last year using straw and glue. The nests were placed on paper plates and bird figurines were put inside to enjoy their newly assembled home. Tweet, Tweet!      Recently, pupils participated in a cooperative board game called "Hoot Owl Hoot." The object is to fly all of the owl pieces back to their nest before the sun comes up. This activity promoted communicative skills, patience, concentration and teamwork. 

   

    Students studied various bird types last year using posters. Figurines were also available to view during this time. Favorites included: woodpecker, cardinal, blue jay, humming bird and goldfinch. 
     This November, Future ornithologists welcomed Maura from the MA Audubon Ipswich River Sanctuary for an on-site owl field trip. An informative presentation was given which entailed hearing the many noises owls make, locating the parts of an owl and learning the most common owl types. An interactive game was played which involved remaining silent and solely relying on hearing to find prey/ticking timer. The field trip concluded with an owl pellet dissection. Maura explained how owls eat their food whole, keep the nutrients and then vomit up what is not needed in pellet form. All were fascinated by the tiny bones discovered inside the pellet!
     Maura kindly left an additional owl pellet for further exploration. Young scientists put on their lab coats and goggles and were eager to investigate. Fine motor skills were used to dissect. The favorite finding was a mouse skull!

🐦SMART START🐦 

School Cleaning

     SMART START students do a phenomenal job taking care of their indoor and outdoor classrooms. They gladly assist in weekly tasks around the school. This aspect of our curriculum fosters independence, raises self-esteem and teaches basic life skills. Last year, we focused on cleaning our academic environment inside and this year we highlighted the maintaining of our outdoor space. 

Read below to learn what our cleaning crew accomplished this and last year.

     2019

     Our young learners thoroughly embrace their nature classroom and the responsibilities it comes with. Each week peers participate in nurturing their outdoor class pets which includes: feeding, watering, egg collecting and grooming. In addition, all tend to our school garden and yard space by planting, weeding, watering and harvesting. These chores provide experience in being held accountable, caring for something other than themselves, respect for their surroundings and so much more.

     Recently, a Landscaper came to our outdoor classroom for a fall cleanup. The group assisted in removing debris, leaf blowing, raking leaves and gathering sticks. All were excited to witness the professional at work and attempted to mimic his cleaning expertise. The class was informed on how to safely operate equipment such as, a lawn mover and received other useful tips on how to properly care for their outdoor area. 

2018

     With many friends in and out of our facility each day, there is a lot of cleaning to be done! Due to this, last year we implemented an indoor cleaning unit. This served as the perfect opportunity to explain and demonstrate how to keep playing, eating, napping and learning areas clean and sanitary. Classmates put on their uniforms and diligently washed, dusted, scrubbed, swept, mopped, wiped and folded. All were thrilled to participate in the cleaning process and were very proud of the sparkling outcome of their hard work. 

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     SMART START's weekly custodian came to teach the class about the concept of germs and how to prevent them from spreading. Topics included the proper way to blow your nose in a tissue, hand washing, covering up a sneeze and proper use of hand sanitizer.  She discussed products commonly used to disinfect and clean different surfaces and objects and materials such as, sponges, paper towels, cloths, cleaner, broom, duster, dustpan and mop. Afterwards, all assisted in her weekly cleaning regime. 

🧼SMART START🧼