Hippo Headlines: Fall, Fall, Fall- 3 Day Class

Our hippos were involved in many fall learning activities throughout the week! Activities included discussing the different types of leaves, noticing the similarities and differences between leaves, learning some facts about leaves, cutting and decorating leaves, spinning like a falling leaf in the wind and raking leaves. The children also enjoyed mulching the leaves (cutting with scissors) and making fall trees and leaves with a variety of materials! The hippos did a great job of patterning leaves. (fine motor, patterning, using language, making decisions independently, participating as a member of a group, recognizing the letter L for leaf, counting, recognizing numbers and comparing nujmbers))

When discussing leaves we examined the veins in our arms and showed the veins in the leaf. Our veins carry blood throughout our body and the veins in a leaf carry water to the leaf. You can point this out again when looking at leaves at home. In addition, we practiced our ABC letters by adding them to our fall tree on the easel. (letter recognition, observations, one to one counting and recognizing numbers)

We added a tree on our arch and cut fall leaves to add to the branches. Everyone enjoyed raking leaves on our fake grass and putting them in a bag. Our sensory table was filled with plastic fall leaves, acorns, tongs and cups. In addition, we pretended to have a camp fire and roast marshmallows (making decisions independently, sensory, gross motor, fine motor, dramatic play, building friendships, cutting, taking turns)

We used props in our story, The Little Old Lady Who Swallowed A Leaf. This aided with comprehension and sequencing. We also did movement and noises with our book, We Are Going On A Leaf Hunt.

(participating as a member of a group, comprehension, sequencing, answering questions)

Our letter this week was O again. We built this letter with wooden pieces, made the O sound and named different things that begin with the letter O.

Our new character word for November is RESPONSIBILITY. We read a book about responsibility, sang a song and asked the students how they are responsible at home and at school. We learned that we are the ones to get the job done. Also, we will be collecting canned food and other items beginning Monday the 18th through Thursday the 21st for a local shelter. We will involve the children in many learning activities with these cans. Thank you very much for your support.

During gym, we played a letter gross motor game. I showed them letters. If the letter was a P, we would pop up and if the letter was a F, we would fall to the ground. All the other letters we named. It was fun a

fun way to practice letter recognition!! (gross motor, letter recognition, following directions)

Our 2nd Steps lesson taught us that it is ok for us to have different feelings about the same thing.

For example, going to the dentist. One person may like it and the other may not like the dentist.

Books we read:
We're Going On A Leaf Hunt

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Leaf

I am Responsible

Reminders:

*11/18-21 Hippo Class Canned Food Drive

*11/27-12/1No School Thanksgiving

*12/3 School Resumes

Questions to ask your child:
What word rhymes with FALL? (fall/tall or fall/cat)
What happens in the fall?
Did the little old lady pop out a scarecrow in the book? (yes)
What is your favorite colored leaf?
What season are we in? (winter, spring, summer or fall)

Things to try with your child at home:
*Go on a leaf/nature hunt. We sent a scavenger hunt sheet home with the students this week. Try to find a variety of items and discuss how they are alike and different. (texture, color, smell, etc.)

*Use a straw to blow leaves across the table. A fun oral motor activity.

Next Week: Popcorn!

Enjoy the pictures!