Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: November 10- 14, 2014

Description
Plan-DoReview

Small
Group
Activities

KDIs

PLANNING Time, WORK Time, RECALL Time

This three-part sequence is unique to the HighScope Curriculum.
Occurring daily, it includes a 10- to 15-minute period during which
children plan what they want to do during work time (the area to visit,
materials to use, and friends to play with); a -minute work time for
children to carry out their plans (or shift to new activities that interest
them); and another 10- to 15-minute period for reviewing and
recalling with an adult and other children what they've done and
learned.
1. Self Portraits : After reading a few books about who we are
individually and discussing what makes us the same and
different, children were encouraged to think about
themselves. What do you look like?, what color are your
eyes? Your hair?, what do your ears look like? Your mouth?
Your nose? were all questions children were encouraged to
reflect upon before using the provided materials to draw a
self portrait of themselves.

Approaches to Learning: initiative, planning, engagement, problem solving, use of

resources, reflection

Social/Emotional: self-identity, sense of competence, emotions, empaty,

community, building relationships, cooperative play, moral development, conflict
resolution

Social/Emotional: self-identity,
Physical: fine motor skills, body awareness
Language/Literacy: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary, book knowledge
Math: spatial awareness, part-whole relationships
Creative: art
Science: observing, classifying, communicating ideas
Social Studies: diversity

2. Clay Balls & Toothpicks:

Children were each given a bowl containing balls made out of clay and
toothpicks. Children were encouraged to explore the materials and
then were asked to see what they could create with the given
materials.

Physical: fine motor

Language: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary
Math: number words, counting, part-whole relationships, shapes, spatial
awareness, patterns, measuring, data analysis
Science: observing, classifying, drawing conclusions, communicating ideas
Social Studies: decision making

Physical: fine motor, gross motor, body awareness

Language: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary, writing
Math: spatial awareness, number words, counting, shapes
Creative: art, movement
Science: experimenting, communicating ideas, tools
Social Studies: diversity, decision making

Social/emotional: community, building relationships

Physical: fine motor, gross motor, body awareness
Language: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary
Math: counting, part-whole relationships, shapes, spatial awareness, patterns,
number words, data analysis
Science: observing, classifying, predicting, drawing conclusions, communicating
ideas
Social Studies: diversity, decision making

3.

Roll of Paper & Markers:

Using a giant roll of paper, we covered our classroom floor with

paper. Each child had their very own section of paper and used
markers to create a masterpiece. We also practiced putting the lids
back on the makers when we are done with a color, and listening for
the snap to know that the lids are securely on.
4. Bristle Blocks:
A great way to introduce new materials into the classroom is through
Small Group time. We used two days of Small Group to introduce
these blocks into the block area. This helps children understand how
to use them and the many options they have with the blocks, as well
as brining their attention to the new material they will see soon on
their shelves. Children were given the blocks and asked to work
together to see what they could come up with. Some children worked
alone while many found a partner or two and constructed some
pretty cool things. Ask your child what they were able to create using
these fun new items!

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: November 10- 14, 2014

5. Waffle Blocks:
A great way to introduce new materials into the classroom is through
Small Group time. We used two days of Small Group to introduce
these blocks into the block area. This helps children understand how
to use them and the many options they have with the blocks, as well
as brining their attention to the new material they will see soon on
their shelves. Children were given the blocks and asked to work
together to see what they could come up with. Some children worked
alone while many found a partner or two and constructed some
pretty cool things. Ask your child what they were able to create using
these fun new items!
Large
Group

Social/emotional: community, building relationships

Physical: fine motor, gross motor, body awareness
Language: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary
Math: counting, part-whole relationships, shapes, spatial awareness, patterns,
number words, data analysis
Science: observing, classifying, predicting, drawing conclusions, communicating
ideas
Social Studies: diversity, decision making

Songs, Fingerplays & Activities:

Song
Birthdays
Seven Days of the Week
Silly Willies
The Days of the Week
Put Your Finger On
Your Face
Lets Be Friends
Stop & Go
Body Part Game
The Number Rock
Learning Letter Sounds

Artist
Jack Hartmann
Jack Hartmann
Greg & Steve
Greg & Steve
Parachute Express
Jack Hartmann
Greg & Steve
Greg & Steve
Greg & Steve
Jack Hartmann

Approaches to Learning: engagement

Social/Emotional: sense of competence, community
Physical: gross motor skills, fine motor skills, body awareness
Language/Literacy: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary, phonological
awareness
Math: number words and symbols, counting, part-whole relationships
Creative: music, movement
Social Studies: diversity

DiscussionLetters & Their Sounds:

Every letter has a name
Each letter has its own sound
Sometimes the letters can have more than one sound
Practice with the letters and their sounds
Literature:

Book Title
Thats What Friends Are For
My Nose, Your Nose
One Duck Stuck
Just Me & My Bicycle
Friends
Roar-A-Noisy-Roar
50 Below Zero
The Man with the Violin

Author
Florence Heide
Melanie Walsh
Phyllis Root
Gina & Mercer Mayer
Helme Heine
Pamela Duncan Edwards
Robert Munsch
Kathy Stinson

Language & Literacy: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary, phonological

awareness, alphabetic knowledge, concepts about print, book knowledge

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: November 10- 14, 2014

The Best Mariachi In The World

J.D. Smith

Sensory
Table
Rice, measuring cups, bowls

What
were
working
on at
school
that you
can work
on at
home

Coats and zippers!

Weve been working hard on becoming independent with our skills.
The children can all put on their own coats and jackets and most of
them can zip them on their own. The children that cant quite zip are
encouraged to try before a teacher assists them. You can support us
and your child at home by having them put on their own coat and
jacket when its time to go somewhere, and practice zipping it on
their own too.

Approaches to Learning: initiative, planning, engagement, problem solving

Social/Emotional: self-identity, sense of competence, emotions, community,
cooperative play, conflict resolution
Physical: fine motor, body awareness
Creative: pretend play
Science: experimenting, communicating ideas, natural and physical world, tools

Social/Emotional: self-identity, sense of competence

Physical: gross motor, fine motor, body awareness, personal care, healthy
behavior

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: November 10- 14, 2014

Balls
of Clay
& Sticks