Saturday

Butterflies

     Our butterfly unit both this and last year has kept all of our curious learners engaged and amazed! We were busy learning all about butterflies here at school through various activities. We hope you enjoy taking a look at our butterfly journey here at SMART START.


     One of the best ways for preschoolers to learn is to immerse themselves in a good book. Whether in a group, shared with a friend or on their own, books are traditionally a class favorite! We value reading time here at school and surround our students with an abundance of literature. For our butterfly units, we filled each book case ,set up display tables and had accessible materials in each of our classrooms. Young learners learned many interesting facts about butterflies some being:  
  • What flowers butterflies like
  • drink nectar from the flowers
  • proboscis is the name for a butterfly's tongue
  • they taste with their feet
  • a group of butterflies is called a flutter
  • butterflies are insects and have 6 legs
  • life cycle stages
                                                                   2018
        

2019  
         
  


                                             
     The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle served as the perfect book for our butterfly units. This classic story celebrates this year it's 50th anniversary! 
Budding Entomologists listened intently and could hardly wait to recite the next part of the story each time we flipped a page. While this childhood favorite offers an insight into the life of a caterpillar and butterfly, there are other basic concepts that we focused on as well.  Classmates counted the food items that the caterpillar ate each day and practiced the order of days in a week.  Having the Spanish version of this book was a fun way to fit in some Spanish to enhance their vocabulary and comprehension of the language. 

     Pupils played "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" board game. This is a creative rendition of the classic game "Chutes and Ladders". SMART START friends had lots of fun playing this challenging activity together as a team and did an excellent job taking turns, encouraging one another and even learned some facts, too! 
                                                                   2018


                                                                      2019
            

  
     Last year, Kinsley, one of our students, was so kind and shared her Monarch Butterfly costume with the class. Peers were delighted as they pretended to fly around like a beautiful butterfly. We offered additional butterfly costumes for our animated bunch as dress-up and dramatic play is always a sought out activity. Pretend play offers endless benefits for this age group! Social and emotional development, imitation, motor skills, problem solving, empathy and vocabulary building to name a few. Thank you for sharing your costume, Kinsley!

     This year, we viewed the "Very Hungry Caterpillar" animated narration on our white board. The children loved seeing one of their favorite stories come to life on a large screen. Viewing this provided students with a visual representation of metamorphosis. In addition, classical music played throughout the narration which enhances memory, promotes creativity, reduces stress and more. 

                                                              2018

 
                                                                             2019


  As part of our science-based lesson, our class witnessed the butterfly lifecycle here at school. Students watched as tiny baby caterpillars grew into large adult caterpillars,  that transformed into chrysalises and then finally emerged into painted lady butterflies! This project allowed the subject matter to be studied up close with magnifying glasses and binoculars. All were fascinated as the caterpillars changed each day until they fulfilled metamorphosis. 

                                                               2018


                                                                  2019

    Arts and Crafts as well were incorporated into this unit of study. Last year, the children decorated plastic jars which served as a home for our school butterflies. Handy Helpers had the opportunity to work alongside Miss Francesca and drill a hole in the jar by using a power drill. This year, artists  constructed their very own caterpillar using recyclable materials. Each used an assortment of art media for their insect creation. 

                                                                     2018
                                                           
                                                                    2019 



     Our SMART START  group assisted in releasing the butterflies into their natural habitat. Last year, each child received a butterfly that they brought home and released into their yard. This year, as a class we decided to release them into our outdoor classroom. All took turns holding and saying goodbye to their beautiful insects! Earlier this Spring, we planted milkweed and other plants that attract butterflies. We are looking forward to having a visit here at school from our newly fluttering friends!

                                                                     2018


2019


                                       
πŸ› SMART START πŸ›

Tuesday

All About Lou Lou!

     Our first "All About Me" poster presenter at our new school was Lou Lou! She had eagerly awaited this assignment and did a remarkable job! All were thrilled to listen as Lou Lou shared some fun facts about herself. We loved learning all about Lou Lou!

Here are some details from Lou Lou's poster: 
  • Favorite color is purple πŸ’œ
  • Wants to be a doctor or Elsa when she grows up πŸ’‰πŸ‘Έ
  • Favorite food is pasta 🍝
  • Favorite animal is a horse 🐎
  • Favorite thing to do is play going to college and Mexico πŸ“šπŸŒž

     Lou Lou's 3rd birthday was a fun celebration at school! She brought in delicious ice cream sandwiches to share with her classmates. SMART START friends gifted Lou Lou with a book and sang happy birthday to her in both English and Spanish. 

     Lou Lou is a bright, kind and enthusiastic preschooler. It is a pleasure having you at school, Lou Lou and we are excited to continue watching you learn and grow!




πŸ’™ SMART START πŸ’™

Theo's "All About Me" Book and 5th Birthday!

     Theo was the next author to present his "All About Me" book! He detailed each page with numerous facts about himself. The class was amazed by how eloquently Theo spoke and responded to questions. His public speaking skills are continually improving. Excellent job, Theo!

Here are some details from the chapters in Theo's book πŸ“•
  • Favorite color is orange πŸ’›
  • Favorite food is waffles 🍴
  • Wants to be a doctor when he grows upπŸ’‰
  • Favorite thing to do is dance πŸ™†
  • Favorite thing to do is go to Florida 🌞



     Theo's 5th birthday was highly anticipated at school! He brought in fun goody bags to share with each of his friends. All enjoyed cupcakes and playing games such as, musical chairs and freeze dance. Classmates gifted Theo with a book and sang "Happy Birthday" in both English and Spanish. 

     Theo has been a student at SMART START for 3 years! Theo is a smart, caring and curious prekindergartner that is admired by all his peers. We have had a wonderful time teaching you and watching you grow, Theo!







πŸ’™ SMART START πŸ’™

Sunday

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all our amazing SMART START fathers! 
We hope you enjoyed your special day!

Click below to see how your child(ren) prepared for Father's Day at school. 







πŸ’™ SMART START πŸ’™

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all our wonderful SMART START mothers!
We hope your day is filled with love and joy! 

Click below to see how your child(ren) prepared for Mother's Day at school!





🌷Mary and Francesca🌷

Saturday

Themed Days!

     During the month of March, we incorporated themed days into SMART START's curriculum. These days were highly anticipated by all!


Green Eggs and Ham Day-πŸ³πŸ–

     Dr. Seuss' birthday is March 2nd. In honor of this favored author, we celebrated by having a "Green Eggs and Ham" Day! Our themed activity consisted of bringing this Dr. Seuss classic to life! Students excitedly came to school dressed in green attire. Classmates gathered eggs from our chicken coop  in order to prepare for our breakfast of green eggs and ham. All participated in cracking eggs, adding green food coloring and mixing. In addition, older pre-kindergartners embraced the responsibility of cooking the eggs on the stove. Once complete, everyone enjoyed their lunch while Miss Francesca read "Green Eggs and Ham". We also explained the deeper meaning of the story- do not make judgements about anything before you try it! 

LEGO Day- πŸ‘·

     This theme was anxiously awaited at SMART START!  Various building stations for friends to build and  explore were set up throughout the school.  LEGO size differed depending on each child's developmental readiness. Our younger preschoolers practiced assembling, stacking and creating while older pupils designed their own construct to bring home. LEGOS are a staple 
children's toy that yield numerous developmental benefits. Some being but not limited to:
  • Enhancing fine motor skills
  • Problem solving 
  • Fostering interest in STEM/STEAM ( science, technology, engineering, art, math) 
  • Imagination
  • Patience, persistence and pride in accomplishments


Pajama Day-πŸŽ₯🎫

   All were most enthusiastic for pajama day! Students and staff came to school showcasing their favorite sleepwear which included: feet pajamas, nightgowns, slippers and more. Everyone engaged in a fun dramatic play activity of movie theatre. Pre-kindergarteners organized and worked a concession stand, ticket booth and purchase station. Preschoolers lined up and purchased tickets and concessions for their older classmates. Once all tickets and snacks were "sold", the class enjoyed some popcorn and treats while listening to music and watching a spring sing a long!



πŸ’› SMART START πŸ’š