Thursday, September 11, 2014

A Peek at Our Preschool Garden



A Peek at Our Preschool Garden

Spring is in full swing, and we are taking advantage of the extra time outside to work in our garden!

Here are a few peeks of what it looks like so far!

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We are busy caring for plant starts. So far we have cabbage, and two types of lettuce!
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Students helped write plant labels on paint sticks!
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Morahs and parent volunteers help children plant and tend the garden box during outdoor play.

Get to know The Gan a little better by checking out this photo book!


Check out this Gan photo book and get a better day about what it's like to be a part of The Gan community!

Friday, March 14, 2014

Popcorn Pajama Party!


 


Popcorn Pajama Party!


Our class has been working long and hard on earning a Popcorn and PJs party by filling up their pompom jar. The pompom jar is a tool to motivate the preschool students to follow directions as a class. Each time they line up correctly, sit with table manners or follow group instructions the first time, they earn another pompom in the jar. This week, the jar finally filled up and we got to enjoy our party!

 
 
The children came to school dressed in their coziest sleepwear, and compared their pajama fashion.
 
                     
                     
 
The real excitement started at the beginning of snack time, when we pulled out the air popper and watched the popcorn kernels pop!
 
 
 
We can't wait to fill up our pompom jar and celebrate again! This time, we are thinking of earning a field trip. The children have already started brainstorming ideas of where to go. Where do YOU think we should go?
 
 
 
 Happy Popcorn and PJs Day!
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, March 7, 2014

The Gan Preschool Gets Class Pets!

The Gan Preschool Gets Class Pets


Last week, a parent in our community asked if we would be interested in re-homing her pet parakeets to our preschool classroom. Ever since they joined us, the birds have been a source of curiosity, fascination and excitement in our daily life!

Parents helped us find an ideal location for our bird home and put it up on the wall. It hangs in our art studio, a calmer center in our classroom, within the children's eyesight but out of their reach. 

The Gan students love to start the morning by checking in on our new friends. They feel a real sense of responsibility for the birds' well-being. We check their water and food levels and see if their cage needs to be cleaned as part of the morning routine.


To choose our new pets' names, children first created a brainstorm list of all the names they could think of for the two birds. Afterward, teachers helped narrow it down to three favorites for our class to vote on. 

 
The children love to draw the birds or make art as gifts for the birds in the art studio.










Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Health and the Human Body

Health and the Human Body

Here at the Gan we believe in active minds, healthy bodies and happy faces. During our unit on health and the human body we learned about everything from hand washing, to balanced eating, to exercise and more! The children developed a better understanding of how their bodies work while gaining skills that will keep their bodies well!



In the dramatic play corner, teachers helped the students to set up a doctor's office so we could give check-ups. Say "aaaah"! This not only teaches children that well visits are part of maintaining health, but also  relieves anxiety that some students feel about visiting the doctor.







Toddlers and older preschoolers both enjoyed examining x-rays on the light table. Sensory experiences like this are a central part of how preschool-aged children learn. Here we are learning about our bones and the structure of the human body!


The Gan students helped create a food pyramid on the bulletin board near our eating area. The plates surrounding it are healthy meals the preschoolers drew for themselves.



The highlight of learning about exercise was our Preschool Olympics Day!




Children at the Gan loved participating in our timed obstacle course. Everyone got a medal, and the top three times one bronze, silver and gold! We love exercise!