Learning to research facts in a Library + Use info to create own book!

To inspire the children to enjoy reading, as well as value the knowledge they gain from researching in books, we took a trip to the beautiful Camarillo Library!

 The topic we were curious to learn more about was SNOW and HIBERNATION.

In preparing the children for this trip, we spoke about how the children might find the books they want- among so many thousands of books the library has? How will they know which shelf to look for?

The children entered the library armed with knowledge of WHO to ask for help (Librarian), and WHAT we were looking for (books about snow and hibernation!)

Mary- the librarian directing the children

 

 

In this google fast paced world- the skill of staying FOCUSED has got to be one of the most valuable and crucial skills for success. 

The children successfully remained focused on only picking up books that related to the TOPIC we were looking for!

 

 After collecting over a dozen books, we chose one to read at the library!

We then narrowed it down to 6, that we would borrow for our classroom to do the research we were looking for!

While sitting at the library we spoke about how we need to take care of the books.

 * * *

Using research to create our own book!

After reading all about how animals hibernate in the winter, we made a book- where each child authored a page in it!

The children will enjoying reading this book in our classroom library!

We built an Igloo!

 Winter, Snow, Cold.... is fun at Gan!

For our winter unit we explored snow and climates that are filled with ice all winter long! (Something foreign to our children here in California!)

Working together- we made a big Snowman for our Bulletin Board!

We brushed up our cutting skills by creating interesting snowflakes! The children learned how to fold the paper into 4 and then see how each snip created multiple shapes on the artwork! 

We learned that no 2 snowflakes are the same...just like the ones they created!

We talked about lots of fun things to do in the snow!

 

Menucha said she would like to go sledding down a mountain!

Ilan said he would like to build a snowman!

Mo & Rochel said they would like to go skiing!

Jacob said he would like to throw snowballs!

Noach & Mendel said they would like to build an igloo!

Yaisef said he would like to go ice skating!

We got to do some of these fun activities in school..

 

Letter Recognition: I

 

 

 

Our ABC letter of the week tied in perfectly to the winter theme... I is for Igloo!

We all got dressed up in our winter gear to build an Igloo!

Ice Skating:

 We enjoyed ice-skating on wax paper in our rug/rink!

Music, winter gear and freeze game added a fun twist!

Chanuka Festivities brighten our week!

The joy of Chanukah brightened our week! Games full of learning and fun!

 Sorting out candles by color.

Clothespin Menorah!

Painting clothespins...and then using them as candles to clip on and off the base! Lots of fine motor skill development throughout this activity!

 

 

Latke Kitchen Center!

 Ping pong balls make great mess free eggs!

 Cooking up a storm! Using all sorts of real utensils- frying pans, spatulas and more!

 

  Super Sized Latke Pan: matching numbers!

 

Menorah Target Ping Pong Game:

Roll the balls into the candle holders! Aim for the shamash to win!

 Chanukah Storytime at the Camarillo Library:

We enjoyed a fun trip to our beautiful children's library! We joined lots of other children for a felt board story of Chanukah along with some singing and crafts!

 

Retelling the story of Chanukah using felt board puppets!

 

Recycled cans make a fun Math Menorah activity!

Latke Dancing!

 When the music stops....jump in a pan!

 Real Dreidle game:

Lots of counting, rule following and turn taking!

Happy Birthday Noach!

Creating a birthday book full of wishes and blessings for the birthday boy!

 With true Israeli Spirit we raised Noach on a chair 6times! 

5 for his age and one for next year!

Family Chanukah Celebration - Parents as Partners!

The purpose of our Preschool Family get-togethers is to strengthen the important connection between the children, the parents and the school. 

We believe that this partnership is crucial to a successful early childhood education!

With this in mind- the highlight of our Family Chanukah Celebration was a Maccabee Treasure Hunt, in which each child needed a parent to partner with them- to complete his/her mission!

 

Parents were given the first clue to read to their child, along with a set of stickers!

 

Children received a Maccabee shield necklace with 6 open stars- that needed to be filled with stickers! 

For each clue the child solved- the parent gave the child a sticker to fill their shield with!

Clues were posted all over the Gan Camarillo grounds.

With all 6 complete--- the children presented their shields to Morah Lisa--to receive a special Chanukah treat!

 

 

After the hunt we enjoyed a beautiful Chanukah song from our little Maccabees!

 

 Enjoying our Chanuka Kitchen complete with Latkes and all the supplies for the children to cook up a storm!

Following the presentation we enjoyed a delicious Potluck Latke Lunch! Thank you to everyone for contributing and to Iris & Shula for Setting up the food!