Saturday, June 13, 2009

Just Playing

JUST PLAY
by Anita Wadley

When I'm building in the block room, please don't say I'm "Just Playing."

For you see, I'm learning as I play, about balance and shapes.
Who knows, I may be an architect someday.

When I'm getting all dressed up, setting the table, caring for the babies,
Don't get the idea I'm "Just Playing." For, you see, I'm learning as I play;
I may be a mother or father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint or standing at an easel, or molding
and shaping clay, Please don't let me hear you say, "He is Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play. I'm expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair "reading" to an imaginary audience,
Please don't laugh and think I'm "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs, or packing my pockets with choice things I find, Don't pass it off as "Just Play."
For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some "plaything" at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in "Play."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is "Just Play."
I'm learning to follow directions and see differences.
I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body,
please don't say I'm "Just Playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I've done at school today, and I say, "I just Played,"
Please don' misunderstand me. For you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in my work. I'm preparing for tomarrow.
Today, I am a child and my work is play.



Saturday, March 7, 2009

Listening Center

When We Listen, We Learn...

* Listen Attentively

* Make Sense of What is Heard

* Expand Our Vocabulary

* Recognize Words in a Story

* Develop a Sense of Story


We listen in the van while we are on field trips. We listen while we are in the classroom. We listen while we sleep.

Cooking

When We Cook, We Learn...


* New Words
* Measuring
* Properties of Matter
* Textures
* Weights
* Expressive Language
* Using 5 Senses
* Fine Motor Control
* Large Motor Control
* Good Nutrition

Games

When We Play with Games, We Learn...

* Fine Motor Control
* Problem Solving
* Shapes
* Colors
* Sizes
* Sorting
* Spatial Relationships
* New Words
* Number
* Counting
* Positions
* Cooperation
* Sharing











Social Studies

When We work at Social Studies, We Learn...

* About Ourselves
* About Our Country
* About Other Cultures
* About Careers

Social Studies is implimented through out our classroom and our curriculm. For example, various career costumes in the Dramatic Play Center. We read various books that discuss our country and others. We also may cook food from various cultures and discuss that culture.

Science Center

When We Play in the Science Area, We Learn...

* New Words
* Problem Solving
* Effects of Gravity
* Measuring
* Properties of Matter
* Textures
* Observe Relationships
* Comparing
* Cooperation
* Expressive Language
* Using 5 Senses
* Creativity and Imagination

Music Center

When We are at the Music Center, We Learn...

* Move to Rhythm
* Respond to Directions
* Recognize Rhymes in words
* Explore Musical Sounds
* Play and Identify Rhythm Instrumenst
* Recall Words to Songs
* Make My Own Music