Spring into Learning

Spring was in the air at SMART START! Our young learners fully embraced this wonderful season through nature and play based activities.

Read about some spring lessons below 🔎

Spring Into Learning Materials

🐛🦋🐞Experiencing the magic of metamorphosis is an annual  favorite. SMART START scientists were eager to meet their classroom cup of caterpillars and ladybug larvae. Observations were made each school day as the insects spun into chrysalises or shed into pupas. After about two weeks, 5 butterflies and 10 ladybugs emerged and the life cycle stages were complete. The class was thrilled to hold the insects and release them into their nature classroom.

Future meteorologists gained insight into seasonal weather changes. Thermometers and wheels were used to determine the weekly forecast. Different types of clouds and their names were also discussed. 

The abundance of crawling creatures are an exciting sign of spring. Students learned about an assortment of bugs through games, books, figurines, puppets, and more!

Paint, brushes, glitter and creativity were used to decorate spring themed wooden magnets. 

Carefree play in the outdoor classroom is an essential aspect of our school routine. Whether they are pumping high on swings, engaging their senses in the sandbox, gliding down slides, playing cooperative games, popping bubbles or simply enjoying a snack, exercising and interacting with peers in fresh air benefits children in all areas of development. 

Nurturing the classroom pets is a special component of our social-emotional curriculum. SMART START friends collect eggs from the chicken coop each week and share lots of cuddles and care with the animals. 

Our group utilized their green thumbs to plant an assortment of fruits, vegetables and herbs in their garden. Everyone was excited for the return of fresh mint and dill from last year's crop. A few leaves were picked from each plant then were rinsed and chopped at the mud kitchen. 

Discovering seasonal treasures in our nature classroom is a daily occurrence. Growing plants, blooming flowers, flying birds and most recently, a wild rabbit had baby bunnies under our slide and ladybug larvae on our play structures. 

Thank you for reading all about spring at SMART START. Our young leaners are eager to welcome summer!

🐞SMART START🦋

Social-Emotional Story Study: "Where the Wild Things Are"

This spring, our young learners ages 3+ read the classic story, "Where the Wild Things Are" as a preschool book club. Each page was studied through a social-emotional lens and followed with fun, hands-on, interactive activities to complete. 

Story Study commenced each week with one of our classrooms transforming into a "forest of imagination" similar to the one created by the main character, Max. Preschoolers played the part of Max by wearing his staple white wolf ears and t-shirt. Classmates then circled together for group discussions on identifying feelings and emotions. A stuffed animal “wild thing” was utilized as a tool to provide children the opportunity to express their feelings, favorite part of the book, encourage imagination and more. Afterwards, all listened intently to a read-aloud and specific vocabulary from the book were defined. To conclude each session, a craft or project to promote creativity, imagination and comprehension was incorporated. 

WEEK 1 ACTIVITY:

Crowns were decorated to symbolize being the king/queen of one’s own body, emotions & actions… just as Max was king of the “Wild Things” Themed bookmarks were colored as well. 

WEEK 2 ACTIVITY:

Classmates collaboratively completed a “Where the Wild Things Are” puzzle and coloring pages. 

WEEK 3 ACTIVITY:

Masks were constructed using paper plates and a variety of materials to resemble “Wild Thing” faces. Each finished product portrayed the well known yellow eyes, gnashing teeth, pointy horns and of course a few unique touches.  

WEEK 4 ACTIVITY:

A school-made “Where the Wild Things Are” board game was invented. To play & win, students have to work as a team to assist Max as he travels through the “forest of imagination” to find his way back home. Imaginative tasks that foster social-emotional development are accomplished throughout the game. 

WEEK 5 ACTIVITY: 

For the final story study session, the group acted out their favorite page from the book: Max sailing to the forest and encountering a sea creature wild thing. A sailboat was arranged using tree stepping stones and a white sail was hung. Small sticks were used as oars and a large branch transformed into a wild thing. 

Social-emotional education in early childhood is essential. Alike Max from, “Where the Wild Things Are”,  all children experience big feelings/emotions and have a natural desire for adventure. It is important to provide outlets that promote self expression while also instilling tools to use for emotional regulation. In addition, a child’s innate desire to discover should be always encouraged, but with guidance on how to do so safely. It is the role of educators and caregivers to foster all above in order for the next generation to have social-emotional intelligence and the confidence to explore their world. 

📖SMART START🍃

Weekend with Paul the Polar Bear

This past winter, our young learners had the opportunity to take "Paul the Polar Bear" home for a weekend. This assignment consisted of an activity bag (seasonal storybook, arctic Magna-Tiles, winter animal figurines) and a worksheet to complete. Students were excited to spend time with Paul and to share their adventures with the class. 

Homework assignments such as these are a fun, hands-on way to promote responsibility, independence, self-esteem, public speaking skills, family involvement and more! 

Thank you, students and families for hosting Paul. He had a wonderful winter with you all!

❄SMART START❄

Snow Much Fun

Winter was a wonderful time at SMART START! Our young learners engaged in a variety of hands-on seasonal studies. 

Read about SNOW MUCH FUN at SMART START below ❄️

Cold mornings are perfect for a pajama day!  Friends fashioned their cozy sleepwear and brought delicious cookies to swap with the each other. Hot cocoa was also enjoyed. 

Pajama Day & Cookie Swap Video

Pretend play snowballs were incorporated into a math and letter identification lesson. Basic arithmetic problems were solved using flash cards and adding/subtracting snowballs. Peers also played bingo by placing the snowballs on lower case letters that were called. 

SMART START Scientists geared up in lab coats and safety goggles for an exciting experiment. Using a plastic jar, baby oil, white paint, seltzer tablets and glitter, classmates created their very own snowstorm! 

SNOW STORM IN A JAR Video

Classroom chefs made their own snack-

A snowman bagel! 

Playing in the snow is a classic childhood  activity. In addition to frolicking freely in the outdoor classroom, students challenged their gross motor skills shoveling a walkway to their play structure and pushing each other on sleds. 

Outdoor storytime is always a class favorite. The book, “The Cozy” by Jan Brett was read. A fun and entertaining tale that teaches about animals, friendship and kindness. 

The class was most excited to bring in a special item for “Snow & Tell” at school. 

Fine motor and scissor skills were enhanced while completing winter worksheets. 

Colorful snowflakes were created using do-a-dot bonkers and doilies. 

Magna-tiles are a class favorite. An acrtic themed set was added to our collection. 

Animals habitats were constructed using recycled materials and wild imaginations. Cardboard turned into dirt, styrofoam into snow, cups into tunnels and so much more! 

Animal Habitat Video

Groundhog Day was celebrated to conclude our winter activities. Students used flashlights, stick puppets and their own hands to make shadows on their white board. Peers also pondered over books about the holiday’s history. 

On February 2nd, a few classmates engaged in a reenactment of the annual prediction in Pennsylvania. All were pleased to announce that groundhog, Phil did not see his shadow-spring is coming! 

Groundhog Day Pretend Play

Thank you for reading! 

☃️SMART START☃️

SNOW STORM IN A JAR Video