Now I know my....

.... ABC'S / ALEF BET...

                            ...next time wont you sing with me :)

This week we used LETTERS (both English & Hebrew) as a springboard for discovery, fun and learning! 

  At Gan Camarillo we believe each child  learns differently, and so we are very intentional about offering many different opportunities for the children to try out/experience with, to facilitate the learning.

 The activities that you see pictured below, also help us as early childhood educators to observe each child and notice what his/her strengths are...we can also learn what areas are ones that need to be worked on.

It is always fascinating to observe which child gravitates to which activities!  Some gravitated to the sensory table where there were rice and letters, others drawing in the tracers on the board etc..

Using Masking tape we created letters on the floor! It is always exciting for the children to see something different or unusual in the classroom- It strikes their curiosity to question what it is...hence the learning unfolds!

I put out some matching colored popsticks, as an invitation for the children to match, follow and learn the unique shapes of the letters!

I introduced these different activities during circle time to give them ideas of what they can do on their own, later.

Healey working really hard making a straight line on the Alef.

 

Sensory table with rice and foam letters



Ellah started making "cake" with the rice and then I
joined her and asked her about what else she saw in the table.

she started playing with the letters, and spelled her name!

Caleb had a fun toy he brought in from home. He used the rice table

to play and connect with the junior counselors... by hiding it and they had to find it!!

I love when the children take these centers and bring it to the next level!

Letter magnet board

I placed each child's name on the board. (They are familiar with their printed name from the sign in activity-- it was encouraging to see all the children --even our newer ones, immediately find their name)

Whenever I use their names in print-  I make the first letter in the color red, to make it easier for the younger ones to recognize their name right away!

 

Children enjoyed sorting letters, matching their own and placing them in order to create their names!

 

Hebrew Alphabet and English Alphabet stencils

 Out door chalk Letters

 In the morning I used chalk to write all the letters, both in English and Hebrew onto the floor outside. I put out spray bottles next to them to see what they would do with it. After some kids thinking it was shower time....Some friends started spraying the lines of the letters on the floor creating the letter with water!

Rochel working on I J and K.

Menucha watching her stream of water close up on the U

 

Letters even in the Dramatic play!

Rochel, Healey and Ellah were playing in the 'office'.

Rochel showed me she found the R and pushed it with much enthusiasm.

"A letter in my play dough!"

 

Before the children arrived I had my own sensory fun:)

Put their names and a flattened piece of play dough with their first

letter of their name. Than I placed trays of cut up straws ...

the rest was up to them...! 

(My fun is  to see what they will come up with!)

 

Menucha lining up the straws on her letter.
"Morah Shira some of them are hard to keep standing but I am trying hard"

She sure did try hard and she succeeded! :)

Rochel concentrating on each straw..

New Books in our library...

Show and Tell

Since we look at ourselves as PARTNERS with PARENTS in educating the children, we like to create as many opportunities as possible to bridge home and school.

In that spirit, each child had to bring in an item that starts with the first letter of their name. It is also a wonderful opportunity to build a child's confidence and public speaking skills.

Healey: Hat and a Harmonica (and she did a little show for us!)

Menucha brought 'menchies'- little people

Rochel brought a Rock

Ellah brought: Arnav- bunny (using the Alef as the Hebrew first letter in her name)
Book that starts with Alef and Earings!

Levi very proud of his L lunch bag with a whole
bunch of stuff ;) lemon juice, pic of lolly pop, L puzzle piece...

Caleb brought a car and did a demonstration how fast it can go!

I had to do homework too ;)  Morahs not excluded! Smile for Shira :)