Trees and Maple Sugaring

     Early this spring, students studied all about trees at SMART START. Maple trees and the seasonal staple of maple sugaring were highlighted during this unit of study.

Read below to view our lessons on trees.

    Learning in and about nature is an essential component of our core curriculum. All ventured into our outdoor classroom to read books under the trees and explore related features such as leaves, pine cones, bark and sticks. Environmental education provides endless benefits for children some being but not limited to: 

• Develop a respect for wildlife
• Enhance curiosity and discovery 
• Instill a sense of responsibility to care for our planet
• Encourage an active and healthy lifestyle
• Promote social and emotional well-being 

     Pupils participated in a language arts leaf matching game. All practiced upper and lower case letter identification, connecting letters to corresponding sounds and spelling the words “tree”, “stick” and “trunk”.

     The class circled outside for a storytime. Here are some facts we acquired about trees:

• Trees are plants that grow from seeds
• Some common species in New England are: oak, birch, beech, cedar, pine, apple and maple
• The rings inside a trunk can help determine the age of a tree
• Fruits, nuts, flowers and sap come from certain trees
• Trees produce oxygen-fresh air for us to breathe

     Creative classmates designed a tree masterpiece using paper, paint, stickers and their handprints. With a brush and paint, all made a brown trunk and green treetop. Next, hands were painted and prints were placed to make colorful leaves. Themed stickers were used for finishing touches. 

     Miss Maura from the MA Audubon Ipswich River Sanctuary visited our school for an on-site field trip. Types of trees and the wildlife they attract were discussed through an informative presentation and interactive activities. Young learners were most fascinated by the maple sugaring process. Miss Maura lead the group outdoors to demonstrate how to use a tap, bucket and other tools. All had the opportunity to taste sap straight from a maple tree. After the field trip, friends enjoyed some pancakes and maple syrup.

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Social Studies

     History is an essential component of SMART START'S curriculum. These lessons educate children on the greater contexts of their community, diversity within cultures, geographical concepts, learning through past errors and so much more. Through the introduction of historical figures and their legacies, we hope to instill in our students that they are all capable of impacting the world in even the smallest of ways.  

     Presidents Day is an American holiday observed each year on the third Monday of February. SMART START historians were fascinated to learn facts about our country's founding fathers and  subsequent leaders of the United States at a themed display and during outdoor storytime. 

Here are some of what we learned:

• George Washington was the 1st president
• Abraham Lincoln is on the penny and George Washington is on the $1 bill
• There have been 45 presidents 
• The president lives in the White House in Washington D.C. 

     Cognitive and cooperative skills were challenged while completing a large floor puzzle of the presidents. In addition, a game of memory match was played to reinforce the images and names of each U.S. leader. 

     Black history is honored throughout the month of February. Classmates contemplated over a display of literature detailing the courageous lives of notable individuals such as Rosa Parks, Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman. In addition, all listened intently to a story in our outdoor classroom which discussed kindness, compassion, fighting for what is right and equality for all. To honor Martin Luther King Junior and his famous "I Have A Dream" Speech, pupils colored crowns with their dream for the world written in the center. We were most impressed with the thought the children put into their dreams which included, "Everyone can go to school", "Being kind to everyone" and "Everybody loves each other."

     Women's history is recognized during March. Each one of our girl students had the opportunity to play the part of an influential woman in history. Whether they were winning Nobel Prizes like Marie Curie, studying primates like Jane Goodall, Flying to space like Sally Ride or transforming educational practices like Maria Montessori, all embraced their remarkable roles. We have bright, strong, brave and determined future female icons at SMART START and they are all capable of achieving great things!

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SMART START Superheroes

      SMART START students are fascinated by the role of a "superhero." We incorporated this theme into our studies at school through hands-on activities that highlight the true meaning of being a hero. Our goal is to instill in our young learners important values to make great choices each day. Follow along below to see a blast from the past "Superhero Week" and our most recent "Superhero Day."     Classmates circled together to listen to a favorite, "Character Kids Save The Day!" This story details five students who come to the rescue of their peers at school using cooperative, kind, responsible, honest and brave superpowers. All took turns holding up Character Kids figurines in correspondence with the reading. Afterwards, we discussed how everyone can act like the heroes through sharing, telling the truth, taking care of ours and others belongings, being inclusive and so much more!       

     Our classroom walls and whiteboard transformed into a "Heroic Students" backdrop. The scene was filled with positive and encouraging statements such as:  

• We do our best!
• Keep working toward your goals!
• We share!
• Never give up!
• Make smart choices!
• We are kind!
• Always be truthful!
• We work together!

     These mottoes reflect our central core values at SMART START: Service, Mindfulness, Achievement, Respect and Trust. 

     The themed language arts lesson consisted of spelling the words: super, power, kind, brave and share. Prekindergartners used their knowledge of phonics to sound out certain words and comprehended the concept of a silent "E." Preschoolers practiced letter identification and matching letter to sound. All achieved a "Super Speller" award.

     Previously, super students used their teamwork abilities to play the classic game Connect 4. Problem solving, pattern detection and counting skills were challenged and enhanced during this activity.

     This year, all assembled a picture frame to commence their superhero ensemble project. Each used stickers and chose a super power they thought best described themselves: I am kind, I am responsible, I am brave, I am cooperative or I am honest.

     Future heroes were ecstatic to decorate their very own cape. Supplies used included glue, stickers, jewels and glitter. All were eager to showcase their capes and practiced saying, "SMART START Superheros save the day!"

         Once capes were complete, all gathered to design masks to finish their costume. Peers used their capes, masks and imaginations as they demonstrated their interpretation of a superhero. Phrases such as, "Hurry someone needs help!", "Don't be scared, we can do it!", "We have to take turns!" and "Be a good friend!" were used. Pretend play activities provide multiple benefits for children. Some being but not limited to:

• improves communicative skills
• promotes social and emotional intelligence
• fosters creativity 
• synthesize and attain knowledge 

      

     Peers received superhero hole punch cards during our past "Superhero Week". Each time a pupil exhibited a heroic quality, they were able to hole punch their card. Once the card was filled, all were rewarded with a prize. This system reinforced the positive characteristics and behaviors discussed throughout this unit, as well as teaching how to set and achieve goals.

    On "Superhero Day", friends focused their attention to a display which featured an assortment of books relaying the important heroic messages. This time allowed for a discussion regarding the everyday heros without capes and powers. Each participated by naming a heroic individual in their lives. Mommy, daddy, firefighter, doctor, police officer, best friend, brother and sister were thoughtfully mentioned.

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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

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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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