Coatsworth

A collage of a child counting the beads of coloured bead bars and checking their work by lining up the golden and coloured bead bars of 10

Snake Game: Level 2

The second, third and fourth levels of the snake Game have a child converting a coloured bead bar snake into a golden 10 bar snake. In the second level, the snake is evenly divisible by ten and the child counts the beads and makes a golden snake equaling the number of coloured beads in the coloured Snake. (Click to find out how they check their work and for the full photos.)

View
A collage of children scooping red rice from bowl to bowl, children parading in a dragon costume, and a child exploring velcro sushi

Lunar New Year!

This is the year of the dragon! The Casa children paraded around the school and our classroom with a drum and musical instruments. We also engaged in activities inspired by the new year. We recognized the Lunar new year celebration, did art and sensory activities, and listened to traditional music. (Please click for full photos.)

View
Children climbing and sliding down an indoor climber

Climbing

In the Under 2 environment, we foster the need for climbing and exploration by encouraging the infants to practice climbing in a safe manner. Here we see the children using the stairs and indoor slide in the classroom to further develop their balance, coordination, and gross motor skills. (Please click for more information and the full photos.)

View
A collage of children lighting/snuffing menorahs with a teacher, working with a menorah and laatke set, and doing superimposition of shapes onto a menorah outline

Hanukkah

We learned how to play the Dreidel game and what each Hebrew symbol represents. We read stories and learned about the traditions, foods, and meanings involved. We used the shamash (middle candle) on our menorah to light one candle on each of the 8 days of Hanukkah. (Please click for full photos and more information.)

View
A collage of a child getting materials and placing them on the decimal placement mat

Bank Game

The initial play relies on previous knowledge and experience with the units, 10 bars, 100 squares and 1000 cubes. The child receives a verbal request to bring one of the four quantities. As the child becomes more familiar with the game, the teacher will increase the challenge by including 2, 3 and finally all 4 quantities as the child learns to use the decimal placement mat to place the material in its corresponding places. (Please click for the full photos.)

View
A collage of a child observing and pointing at a fish in an aquarium

Caring for Fish

In the U3 community, we have an aquarium and the children can watch, feed, and help keep their home clean. Observing, caring for, and feeding living things teaches children compassion, respect, and patience as well as responsibility and caretaking. It can be therapeutic, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and improve mood. (Please click for full photos and information.)

View
A collage of children sweeping leaves onto a dustpan with a hand broom

Care of the Outdoor Environment

The children in Under 2 help to care for their outdoor environment by using hand brooms and dustpans to collect leaves and sticks and place them in yard waste bags. Care of outdoor environment exercises foster love for the environment and help children connect and engage with nature. (Click for more photos and info.)

View
Children sitting in the playground using eyedroppers and vinegar water to disintegrate their frozen 'egg'

Dinosaur Eggs!

The Casa children explored a fun dinosaur egg experiment outdoors during our dinosaur themed week. The children each received a dino “egg” made of baking soda and frozen water. To uncover the dinos, the children used eye droppers and “magic water” (diluted vinegar) to dissolve the “egg” and reveal different dinosaurs inside!

View
A child pouring water through a funnel into spinning wheels in the water table, with other children behind

Summer Program

For the months of July and August, we are implementing a fun summer program! Every week we cover a fun theme through crafts, songs, stories, and inventive activities based on that theme. We also have Sprinkler and Water Table Days to help us cool off in the summer heat and have fun while we are at it!

View
A collage of a child holding a container of caterpillars, children looking at butterflies in a net house, and a child holding and looking at a butterfly

Butterflies!

The children experienced and observed the life cycle of a butterfly in real time. The children watched as caterpillars ate their way through the “molting” stage and transitioned into the pupa or chrysalis stage. After the grand arrival of the butterfly, we set them free in the playground on a warm day! (Please click for more information and the full photos.)

View