October 8-12, 2018
Wow, have we had a busy first full week in Room 8! We started the week off without first Havdalah service. We joined the other Pre-K classes and the Explorer classes in Plotkin Chapel as Jen lead us in song and prayers to welcome the new week. The children learned that we say goodbye to Shabbat and embrace the beginning of a new week. They learned the prayers over the Kiddush cup, spices, and braided candle. Amanda especially loved smelling the spices and said they smelled liked cinnamon! Julian liked how the candle was both blue and white. After a lovely way to start off our week, we did not waste a second and jumped into our next piece of the Wise Learning Process. Rather than sitting the children down for a discussion to introduce the new topic, we set out a patterning tabletop activity during morning free time. The children had the opportunity to explore the activity, which included colored blocks and guided cards. Most followed the design on the card and put together the pattern or structure that was displayed in front of them. After observing the children work independently at this center, the teachers went over and asked, “Does anyone know what a pattern is?” The children looked puzzled, so we explained that a pattern is something that ‘repeats’ itself. We showed the children an example of a simple pattern such as red/blue or green/orange. Avital and Christopher were excited to grasp the concept of patterns and quickly made their own. Then, we challenged the children at this center and brought over a few other objects including colored buttons and colored counting bears. How do we incorporate these into a pattern? The children quickly understood that one can make a pattern with not just colors, but also with shapes, objects and by alternating the amount of each. For instance, Christopher created a pattern of two red blocks alternating with 3 counting bears. He was so passionate about his pattern he extended it into two rows using almost the entire bowl of bears! Next, we took the idea of patterns a step further to ensure that the children fully grasped the concept. During a large group activity, we, first, had the children categorize the pattern tiles into sections by color. Then, we divided the children up into smaller groups of 2 to 3 kids. Each group received two colors of pattern tiles and were instructed to create a pattern that was more complex than just red, blue, red, blue. At first, we noticed that most groups were creating single color alternating patterns (blue/red/blue/red). We spent more time with each individual group and explained that patterns can be more intricate than alternating two colors. Watching the children cooperate and collaborate to construct unique patterns with their two colors was fascinating! We were so proud of each group for dedicating so much time to making their pattern different from every other group. For instance, Evie, Scarlett and Grayson used maroon and black to make a very complicated pattern that was characterized by the repetition of 1 black, two maroon tiles, two black tiles. Jordan, Christopher and Blake chose to alternate between 4 blue tiles and 4 orange tiles, while Sasha and Amanda repeated the pattern of 2 white and 3 orange tiles. Luca, Kate and Julian made a pattern of two green and four yellow, and lastly, Cameron, Brayden and Avital created a very complex pattern of 4 blue, 4 brown and 12 single alternations between brown and blue. Due to their hard work and dedication, we saved a piece of each group’s original pattern and put them on display in our class. Take a look next time you visit Room 8! Patterns are the framework for beginning mathematics and establishing order in life. Sorting and categorizing enhances a child’s ability to notice details such as color, shape and size. Creating patterns is the next step after sorting and allows children to begin to fully comprehend sequencing, which is apparent in every day life. For example, once a child understands, they can grasp concepts such as the days of the week, even and odd numbers, and the much more complicated task of algebraic equations. The concept of patterns is a basic skill that is essential to understanding order in nature, art, music, literature and math. It helps us develop problem solving skills, as well as, critical thinking skills. The knowledge and understanding of patterns can be transferred into all curriculum areas and open many doors where this knowledge can be applied. This week we also enjoyed our first library visit. We want to thank Makize for joining us and reading two books to the children. We can’t wait to go back again. In addition, the children had a week full of playing on both yards, the Pre-K yard and the 7,8,9 Patio, as well as, learning new gross motor skills such as doing a relay race on an incline (ramp outside our classroom). The children continued to enhance their hand-eye coordination during P.E. with Coach Danny. This week they learned to kick a ball and have someone catch it. We are excited to see what next week will bring and where our learning will take us! We hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend, and we will see you all on Tuesday! Shabbat Shalom, Aaliyah and Mari Reminders:
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