What in the World Happened Today Date:
6-2-14
Teacher(s):
Kristin and Kierstin
Classroom:
Highlights World Element Science Rocks: Investigative Properties
Activity Description What’s that sound? The toddlers quickly gathered at the window to find out that the sound they heard was rain!
What we learned & How we learned it We learn to: • Gain familiarity with weather concepts
Art Smart: Visual Art
The toddlers used foam brushes to paint on paper with red, blue and purple paint. Some of the toddlers used only their brushes while others explored with their hands too.
We learn to: • Experiment with and explore color • Make deliberate markings or drawings We learn it by: • Expressing creativity in our own way without teacher direction • Using developmentally appropriate art materials
Art Smart: Music
The toddlers played instruments as they listened to music by The Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
We learn to: • Experiment with instruments and sound • Move in response to music and rhythm • Listen and move to music We learn it by: • Playing various instruments • Experiencing culturally diverse music with simple beats and rhythms • Participating in group songs, rhymes, and games
Language Works: Listening
We learn it by: • Predicting and observing the daily weather • Listening to our teachers use weather related terms
The World at Their Fingertips
Toddlers
What in the World Happened Today Date:
6/3/2014
Teacher(s): Kristin and Kierstin
Classroom:
Highlights World Element Math Counts: Numerical Understanding
Activity Description Some of the toddlers were busy with the stacking rings this morning. They problem solved and stacked the rings until the stick was full.
What we learned & How we learned it We learn to: • Understand quantity: identify one, more than one, less than one • Count to two or three We learn it by: • Manipulating stacking and nesting toys in various shapes and sizes
Science Rocks: Active Exploration
The toddlers used legos outside. They stacked the legos together and built tall towers!
We learn to: • Use an object as a tool to complete a task • Understand the basic concept of balance and weight We learn it by: • Building, stacking, and balancing blocks of varied shapes and sizes
Science Rocks: Active Questioning
Ms. Kristin caught a small frog on the playground! The toddlers observed the frog’s color, size, and how high it could jump! After we were done observing the tiny frog, we said goodbye and put it back into the tall grass.
We learn to: • Question when exploring • Formulate “what, why, and how?” questions We learn it by: • Describing and discussing our observations and experiences with teachers
The World at Their Fingertips
Toddlers
What in the World Happened Today Date:
6/4/2014
Teacher(s):
Kristin and Kierstin
Classroom:
Highlights World Element ArtSmart: Music ArtSmart: Dance/ Creative Movement
Math Counts: Classification Language Works: Listening
Well Aware: Movement and Body Awareness
Activity Description The toddlers listened and danced to music this morning. They made their own music with instruments and danced to the music with the wrist ribbons!
What we learned & How we learned it We learn to: • Move in response to music and rhythm • Experiment with instruments and sounds • Move in deliberate, creative, and unique ways We learn it by: • Playing, shaking, and touching instruments • Dancing with scarves to varied types of music
We learned about shapes by taping the outline of a square, triangle, and diamond on the floor. We discussed the shapes and then practiced jumping from shape to shape.
We learn to: • Identify similar items from a variety of objects • Follow one-step directions We learn it by: • Playing sorting games • Engaging in group activities that require following simple directions
The toddlers also explored the tape by using their fine motor skills to peel strips of tape off of the table and other objects in the room.
We learn to: • Strengthen and refine small muscles We learn it by: • Practicing small muscle skills like peeling tape
The World at Their Fingertips
Toddlers
What in the World Happened Today Date:
6/5/2014
Teacher(s): Kristin and Kierstin
Classroom:
Highlights World Element Our World: Relationships with Others
Activity Description In the book A Kiss Means I Love You, the toddlers learned that a hug means “I care.” They showed each other how much they care about one another by giving lots of hugs this morning!
What we learned & How we learned it We learn to: • Make friends and develop positive relationships • Express compassion and empathy We learn it by: • Playing together in learning centers • Being sensitive to classmates’ feelings , and showing other acts of compassion
Math Counts: Spatial Relations
The toddlers strengthened their balance and coordination by standing on the ledge around the sandbox. We practiced putting our arms up in air and lifting one leg.
We learn to: • Describe our actions using spatial terms We learn it by: • Hearing teachers talk continually about what we are doing. “Lift your arms up in the air” “Put your leg down to the ground.”
Well Aware: Health and Safety
The toddlers followed the safety rules by sitting far away from the swings. We also practiced taking turns and sang songs while we were waiting.
We learn to: • Follow simple safety rules • Appreciate the importance of playing safely both indoors and outdoors We learn it by: • Following simple instructions such as, “Sit far away from the swings so you don’t get hurt.”
The World at Their Fingertips
Toddlers
What in the World Happened Today Date:
6/6/2014
Teacher(s):
Kristin and Kierstin
Classroom:
Highlights World Element Science Rocks: Investigate Properties
Language Works: Speaking Language Works: Listening
Math Counts: Spatial Relations
Activity Description The toddlers watched an animal show today! We saw a chinchilla, a porcupine, an anteater, a sloth, baby chicks, and a tarantula! The toddlers were able to pet and hold all of the animals and learned facts about them! Ms. Kristin helped some of the toddlers sit on top of the tunnel. We practiced using words such as “up” and “please” and then sang some of our favorite songs.
Some of the toddlers explored the climber while outside. They practiced climbing up the stairs and going down the slides.
What we learned & How we learned it We learn to: • Recognize basic properties of living things • Understand the life cycle of living things We learn it by: • Exploring natural items in our learning center
We learn to: • Initiate short conversations with teachers and peers • Listen and move to music We learn it by: • Talking to teachers and peers at eye level • Participating in group songs
We learn to: • Understand concepts such as under/over, inside/outside, on/off, up/down We learn it by: • Moving through a simple obstacle course while a teacher describes our actions
The World at Their Fingertips
Toddlers
