Bear Week
This week was all about bears. The class knows that Ms. Rappaport loves bears! Once upon a time, her great great Grandfather was a teddy bear and since then, there has always been a “Teddy” in the family (true fact).
Throughout the week the kids engaged in different themed bear activities. During free play, they put “honey'' (yellow pom-pom) into a jar using tongs. Developed fine motor skills by using scissors to cut paper “grass”, stapled ears on bears, taped sticks on bear masks, and used stickers to decorate paper.
We also started to paint on the easel. Each child painted a large piece of paper brown and then used different types of combs to create texture. Next week the class will use those paintings to “build-a-bear” in the classroom.
On Monday, we read the book Going On A Bear Hunt. Then our bodies got moving by acting out a bear hunt. The class had to make it through long waving grass, swim through a deep cold river, squish through thick mud, stumble through a dark forest, brave a howling snowstorm, and tiptoe through a dark cave. In the cave the children noticed two fluffy ears, two white eyes, and big sharp teeth. Oh no, a bear! Quick! Back through the cave, snowstorm, dark forest, thick mud, deep cold river, and wavy grass. Whew!
At the end of the week we read Brown Bear, Brown Bear; it's a great way to teach colors and review classmates. After the story, I held up a picture of each animal and asked, “What animal am I holding, what color is it?” We placed the animal’s pictures on a felt board next to a Brown Bear. I then held up a picture of each child and asked, ``What child does Brown bear see?” Each child was invited to put their picture up on the felt board under “My Weekday School Friends.”
Next week we will begin the optional COVID pool testing. To introduce this, I invited Care Bear to circle to read the “My Weekday School Covid Test” story. The social story shows how the bear got a “tickle test” at school. There are pictures of each step that the children could preview. I told them that Care bear had a really hard time not laughing because it felt just like a tickle in his nose!
We continue to work on getting used to the schedule, knowing our friends' names, and getting comfortable away from home. I introduced a visual of our daily schedule this week that supported this concept. The kids seemed to really like looking at our day, turning over blocks that were finished, and previewing what comes next.
Next week, I will send home a copy of the poem we read out loud every day (picture at bottom of post). The children feel very proud when they are able to “read” it after doing it for a couple weeks. I encourage you to practice at home, I will change it every couple of weeks.
Here are some things to ask your child about their week
Did we get a fairy to come visit our garden? Yes What did she leave? Green glitter and a note
How do my teachers know I am ready for a snack? Open our napkins to make a square. How do I let my teachers know I want more snacks or water? Raise hands
How many kids do we have in our class? 8
What job did we add? Teacher’s helper
Have a good weekend,
Ms. Rappaport
