Welcome to Career Week

This week we are learning about "Careers" and possible things we could "be" when we grow up. I love having the parents come in and share with us what they do. Not to mention the kids are SO EXCITED that their very own mom or dad is coming to preschool to tell us ALL about their job. It's a very exciting time.

I also like to have a Police Officer as a guest speaker and we'll be taking a field trip to the Fire Station on Friday. Lots of things going on.

For our Dramatic Play and Messy Table area (I combined them today) we turned the room into a Career center where the kids could dress up and act out in various job role plays. From being a Doctor, nurse, or veterinarian, to construction workers, computer engineers, secretaries - we had an array of jobs to fulfill.

The doctor was the most popular today, but kids always love working on and checking others as they have been checked at a doctors office.....it's something they can relate to and they know what to do with it.

Today we had a Highschool teacher as our parent visitor, and we'll have lots more stuff to share throughout the week. Stay tuned!

We are also working on a class book of "What I want to Be When I Grow Up".....kids minds change so often, this might be a pretty thick book. But I like to make copies for the kids and let them keep it so they can look back at it and see the things they were once interested in and their classmates also.

When I Grow Up.......

We're finishing up our unit on careers and I had the kids draw a picture of what they thought they might want to be when they grow up. I absolutley LOVE children's illustrations. Many of the kids also wanted to write what they wanted to be all by themselves!! I'm so proud of their progress and all of the learning that I see is so exciting!!

Painting Fire

We were learning all about what policeman and firefighters do. The kids really enjoyed painting fire flames which corresponded with what firefighters do. I basically cut out fire flames and set out yellow and red paint for the children to paint with.

"Firefighters are so brave!"

Grocery lists

We were talking about Grocery Workers and I the kids write their own grocery lists. It was fun to watch them think about what they might find at the grocery store. I would either tell them how to spell the word as they wanted or I would write it down for them to copy. A few students aren't quite ready for that step so they would draw the pictures and I wrote down what they needed.

The kids would write their grocery lists and then bring their list to the "grocery store" I had set up in the dramatic play area to go shopping.

Shopping fun!!

Policeman hats and badges

What a better way to act like being a policeman then with some policeman wearing gear! There were a lot of hats and badges made and then being worn and role playing the life of a policeman.

From jail, speeding tickets, and helping lost kids.....our classroom was busy as the the life of a policeman!

This is the House that Jack Built

Our new unit is all about Careers - "Workers, Tools, and Uniforms". Today we got to learn all about Construction workers and Painters. I love teaching all about the types of things kids can do when they grow up. In the end, they usually want to be EVERYTHING!!

We painted houses at our Art Table and we got to build our own houses out of popsicle sticks at the Cut and Color Table. This was a great experience for the kids to give them a little more understanding of what Construction workers and painters might do, plus develop a few skills while they are at it!

Construction Worker Dramatic Play

I put set up a work bench for the children to work with at the dramatic play area for our Careers and Construction Worker day. They really seemed to enjoy this. I heard a lot of construction worker discussion and socializing going on.

"Hey, I'm building you a kitchen Miss Chelsea!"

"What does this measuring tape say? Is it going to be long enough to make my project?"

What great thought processing going on!!

In the past I've also set up large blue print papers for the children to draw, measure and figure out their projects on. My classroom is a little smaller this year.......maybe next year I could shrink the blue print book. The large one is just so fun and exciting for them to work in.

Fiddlesticks and legos

For some Small Manipulatives, I had Fiddlesticks and legos set out for the children to explore with. I saw some great things being built as they all worked on their awesome construction building skills!!

Community Helpers Day 4

Firemen

Self Selected Activities (AM 9:00-9:45..PM 12:30-1:15)

*Cut and Color Table: FLAMES - Flames will be cut out of red, orange, and yellow paper. The children can glue them onto larger pieces of paper, overlap them, cut them into smaller flames, all while the teacher guides discussions about fires, safety, and how firefighters help us..

*Messy Table: BURNING BUILDINGS - There will be plastic play houses set up in the messy table today like a small town. People, cars, and fire engines will be added also. Three or four spray bottles will be at the table for the children to pretend like the town has caught on fire. The teacher will help guide this activity as I discuss equipment fire fighters wear, what number to call when there is an emergency, etc. The children will have a blast squirting the fires out with their spray bottles!

*Creative Art: BRUSH FIRES - The children will use their "brushes" to paint flames all over their papers using red, orange, and yellow paint. The teacher can show them how to use long strokes and short strokes, and how to use their brushes to "splat" fire onto their papers and swirl the fire around and around!

*Dramatic Play: DOCTORS OFFICE - the dramatic play area will be set up as a doctors office today with a sick bed, bandage wraps, bandaids, stethescope, rubber gloves, lab coats, masks, doctor tools, etc.

Snack (small groups come at different times to eat during Self-Selected Activities. Unless we are making our snack, then we will eat it during large group.)

* Snack: QUACKER OATMEAL COOKIES - We'll be making our snack during large group today as we talk about the letter "Qq" and the words that begin with that sound. Take a look at the recipe page for this yummy recipe!!

Large Group (AM 9:50-10:15...PM 1:20-1:45)

* Large Group: We'll start with the song can to get the kids all gathered round and interacting. We'll read the book, "I Want to be a Firefighter" as we discuss the importance of firefighters, how they help us, and all the things they do. We'll practice our letter Qq and go into making "Quaker Oatmeal Cookies". The children will enjoy measuring, stirring, smelling, and in the end, eating these delicious cookies!!

*Transition: Each child will tell me the number they dial in case of an emergency or fire (911), then will be excused to get ready to go outside!!

Outside Play (AM 10:15-10:25...PM 1:45-1:55)

Small Group (AM 10:30-11:00...PM 2:00-2:30)

* Small Group: Parent volunteers will be set up to come today to share their occupation and what they do. If we still have time we will read the story "Fire Safety" and discuss how to be safe in a fire. The teacher will explain how and why we do "STOP, DROP AND ROLL" and each child will get to practice it. We will practice, "STAY LOW AND GO" and we'll have our own little fire drill as a class. We will discuss the importance of having fire drills at home and other very important aspects of fire safety!

Community Helpers Day 3

Doctors

Self Selected Activities (AM 9:00-9:45..PM 12:30-1:15)

* Cut and Color Table: CARDIOLOGIST - Red hearts cut in half will be placed at the table today. The children will be able to mend the broken hearts by punching holes (teacher can assist), then sew them back together with yarn.

* Messy Table: SURGERY TABLE - Gak will be made out of elmers glue and liquid starch. Blunt needles and thread will be provided and the children can pretend like they are doctors who need to sew up a patient. Doctors masks and coats and rubber gloves will be added for effect.

* Creative Art: MEDICINE DROPPER ART - Coffee filters, food coloring and water, and medicine droppers will all be used today at the art table. Vibrant colors will be used for the children to drip colors from their medicine droppers onto the coffee filters. The colors will spread and mix into a rainbow.

* Dramatic Play: DOCTORS OFFICE - the dramatic play area will be set up as a doctors office today with a sick bed, bandage wraps, bandaids, stethescope, rubber gloves, lab coats, masks, doctor tools, etc.

Snack (small groups come at different times to eat during Self-Selected Activities. Unless we are making our snack, then we will eat it during large group.)

* Snack: ORANGES AND WATER - We'll eat oranges and water today for snack. Developing self help skills as we take turns serving ourselves. Large Group (AM 9:50-10:15...PM 1:20-1:45)

* Large Group: We'll start with the song can as usual, then read "Froggy Goes to the Doctor", discussing how they all have felt when they went to the doctor and how doctors help us and the community. We'll move into share n' teach as we all listen everyone brought to share. We'll learn the letter Qq, discussing the name, sound, and words that begin with it. The children will then learn the poem "Thump Pump Jump" (check it out on community helpers song page). We'll talk a little about blood and how the heart pumps the blood through our bodies.

* Transition: We will talk about breaking bones and scars (the children love doing this and sharing where or how they have hurt themselves). Miss Chelsea has some x-rays from when she broke a bone, she will share it and show the kids what our bones or x-rays look like.

Outside Play (AM 10:15-10:25...PM 1:45-1:55)

Small Group (AM 10:30-11:00...PM 2:00-2:30)

* Small Group: Parent volunteers will be set up to come today to share their occupation and what they do. If we still have time we will read the story "I Want to Be a Doctor" and discuss what it takes to be a doctor. Then, we will use a stethoscope to listen to each others heart beats and our own and the teachers. We will then run in place for a minute and listen to our heart beats again so we can hear the difference.

Community Helpers Day 2

Post Office

Self Selected Activities (AM 9:00-9:45..PM 12:30-1:15)

* Cut and Color Table: MAIL CARRIER BAGS - Using brown paper grocery bags with the top couple of inches cut off and stapled to the bag to create the strap. The students can decorate these and write letters to family and friends to deliver themselves.

* Messy Table: SOAPY WATER - Water and lots of liquid dish soap will be added to the messy table today. Wire wisks, and non-electric hand beaters will be added to keep the soap bubbly in the water. Squirters and different containers will also be added to measure and enjoy. The teacher will have an electric beater on hand to help the bubbles stay put (teacher will be the only one to use the electrice beater).

* Creative Art: FINGER PAINTING - The students will use their fingers to paint with chocolate pudding today. Their taste buds, creativity and small motor skills will be developed as they take part in this activity.

* Dramatic Play: CONSTRUCTION SITE/TOOL BENCH - The dramatic play area will be set up to resemble a construction site and tools. The children can act out being builders, fixers, constructors, or whatever their mind brings them to. They will enhance their imaginations and social skills as they work and play together.

Snack (small groups come at different times to eat during Self-Selected Activities. Unless we are making our snack, then we will eat it during large group.) * Snack: PANCAKES - We'll make pancakes during large group for snack today. We'll discuss other words that start with Pp as we make and eat the pancakes and talk about and measure the indgredients in them.

Large Group (AM 9:50-10:15...PM 1:20-1:45)

* Large Group: We'll start with the song can as usual, then read "The Jolly Postman" discussing why postman are important and how they help our community. We'll practice the letter Pp and make our pancakes for snack.

* Transition: The teacher will give each child an envelope with their name on it and a special note inside telling each child something positive about themselves.

Outside Play (AM 10:15-10:25...PM 1:45-1:55)

Small Group (AM 10:30-11:00...PM 2:00-2:30)

* Small Group: We'll start small group by reading "The Post Office Book". Then we'll each write a letter or draw a picture and the teacher will write the letter for them to someone else in class. They will get to special deliver it to their special friend after they are done.

Community Helpers Day 1

Stop Police!! Self Selected Activities (AM 9:00-9:45..PM 12:30-1:15)

* Cut and Color Table: SAFETY CREATIONS - Different paper, and materials will be set out for the kids to glue, tape, staple, etc. The teacher will assist the kids in writing stories, and drawing pictures about ways to stay safe and stories of what happened to them when they weren't safe. Depending on the kids development, the children can either ask the teacher how to spell words and write it themselves, or the teacher can write while the children dictate the story.

* Messy Table: SOAPY WATER - Water and lots of liquid dish soap will be added to the messy table today. Wire wisks, and non-electric hand beaters will be added to keep the soap bubbly in the water. Squirters and different containers will also be added to measure and enjoy. The teacher will have an electric beater on hand to help the bubbles stay put (teacher will be the only one to use the electrice beater).

* Creative Art: POLICE CAR PAINTING - Toy police cars, different colors of paint, large newsprint, and a play telephone will be set out at the art table. When each new child comes to the table to paint, the teacher will pretend to call 911. The children can pretend to be policemen and race their toy police cars through the paint and all around their papers while making siren noises. They can race the different colors, which will mix together and criss-cross to form beautiful designs.

* Dramatic Play: CONSTRUCTION SITE/TOOL BENCH - The dramatic play area will be set up to resemble a construction site and tools. The children can act out being builders, fixers, constructors, or whatever their mind brings them to. They will enhance their imaginations and social skills as they work and play together.

Snack (small groups come at different times to eat during Self-Selected Activities. Unless we are making our snack, then we will eat it during large group.)

* Snack: GRAHAM CRACKERS AND WATER - We will keep snack simple today with graham crackers and water, bringing small groups at different times during large group. Self help skills and taking turns will be enhanced as they poor their own water, get their napkins and snack and wait patiently for each student to get done.

Large Group (AM 9:50-10:15...PM 1:20-1:45) * Large Group: We will start large group by singing from the song can, bringing all the children together and settling down. We'll take turns doing Share n' Teach, enhancing speaking and group skills. We'll introduce the letter Pp, discussing the name, sound, and words that start with Pp. The children will practice writing their Pp's with guidance from the teacher. We'lll discuss all the different types of community helpers, what they are, and how they help us. Police man - keeps us safe; firefighter - puts out fires and keeps us safe; nurse - keeps us healthy; doctor - keeps us healthy and helps us get better when hurt or sick; farmer - grows food and animals for food and clothing; teacher - helps us learn; post man - delivers our mail; etc. We'll discuss a little about how we can always call 911 or go to a policeman if we are in danger or lost or hurt. * Transition: Practice dialing 911 - using an unhooked real telephone, the children will cojme up one at a time and practice dialing 911. They will dial and then practice telling the police their full name. The teacher will remind them taht 911 is not for playing games and they should never dial the number if there is not an emergency.

Outside Play (AM 10:15-10:25...PM 1:45-1:55)

Small Group (AM 10:30-11:00...PM 2:00-2:30)

* Small Group: The teacher will read the book "Never Talk to Strangers". We will discuss the importance of not talking to people we don't know, but it's ok to talk to someone if our parents say it is alright or if they know them. We will talk a little more about the different Community Helpers around us and then we will make a police mans hat and badge. The children will color it and cut it out (teacher can assist with those who need it), then the teacher will help put it on them. Police man starts with 'P', so it's a perfect day to be doing this activity! Here's the link for the policeman hat and badge..... http://www.first-school.ws/t/policesetbw.htm

Community Helper Songs

Thump Pump Jump!

I hear my heart beat. Thump thump thump

(hand hits chest with each thump)

The blood is rushing. Pump pump pump

(pump arms like when making a muscle)

My body's healthy. Jump jump jump.

(jump up and down in place)

I hear my heart beat. Thump thump thump

(hand hits chest with each thump)

I Have Two Hands

I have two hands that help help help.

I have two hands that help help help.

I have two hands that help help help.

Helping all day long.

I help my mommy wash the dishes.

I help my mommy was the dishes.

I help my mommy wash the dishes.

I help her all day long.

Other verses:

I help daddy wash the car...

I help grandma make some cookies....

helping all day long.