Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Description
Plan-DoReview

Small
Group
Activities

PLANNING Time, WORK Time, RECALL Time

This three-part sequence is unique to the HighScope Curriculum.
Occurring daily, it includes a 10- to 15-minute period during which
children plan what they want to do during work time (the area to visit,
materials to use, and friends to play with); a -minute work time for
children to carry out their plans (or shift to new activities that interest
them); and another 10- to 15-minute period for reviewing and
recalling with an adult and other children what they've done and
learned.
1.

Popsicle Stick Shapes:

We used popsicle sticks to create shapes. Looking at our guides,

we arranged our popsicle sticks to match the shapes in front of
us. We practiced making lots and lots of shapes and even
experimented to create our own shapes!
2.

Garden Journals:

Three weeks ago we planted our seeds. Weve been using our garden
journals to document the progress thats been observed over the past
few weeks. Children are given their journals and materials to
decorate their journals. Children are given their plant and asked to
observe what they see happening. After theyve done their
observations, they record their findings in their journal.
Day 21: What I see Happening- Our plants are growing like crazy!
Children were given their plants and they recorded what they saw.
3.

Drummunity-

We had the privilege of having Lori Fithian here from Drummunity for
a special interactive musical performance. Check out the photos
below to see just a glimpse of the fun we had with her!

4.

Dandelion Hunt -

Children have been all about the Dandelions lately! Noting their
interest in picking them during recess, we decided to do a Dandelion
hunt with the children. Each child got their own basket, we went out
into a big, open, dandelion covered field and let them go crazy!
Tomorrow, we will count and compare them.

KDIs

Approaches to Learning: initiative, planning, engagement, problem solving, use of

resources, reflection

Social/Emotional: self-identity, sense of competence, emotions, empathy,

community, building relationships, cooperative play, moral development, conflict
resolution

Physical: fine motor skills

Language/Literacy: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary
Mathematics: counting, part-whole relationships, shapes, spatial awareness
Science: observing, classifying, experimenting, communicating ideas

Physical: fine motor, body awareness

Language: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary, book knowledge, writing
Math: shapes, part-whole relationships, spatial awareness, data analysis
Science: observing, classifying, drawing conclusions, communicating ideas, natural
and physical world
Social Studies: ecology

Physical: fine motor, gross motor, body awareness

Language: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary
Math: number words, counting, patterns
Creative: music, movement
Science: classifying, communicating ideas
Social Studies: diversity, decision making

Physical: fine motor, large motor

Language: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary
Math: part-whole relationships, number words, counting, part-whole
relationships, measuring, data analysis
Science: observing, classifying, drawing conclusions, communicating ideas, natural
and physical world

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

5.

Dandelion Counting and Comparing-

Following our dandelion hunt, children each gathered their basket

from the previous day and brought it to small group. There, the
children counted the dandelions in their baskets. We discussed who
had the most, who had the least and who had the same.
Large
Group

Sensory
Table

Physical: fine motor, large motor

Language: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary
Math: part-whole relationships, number words, counting, part-whole
relationships, measuring, data analysis
Science: observing, classifying, drawing conclusions, communicating ideas, natural
and physical world

Songs, Fingerplays & Activities:

Birthday Song
The Baker Song
Friends
Scamper, Scamper
Five Spring Flowers
Had a Little Rooster
Alligator Stomp
Say it the Same
Seven Days of the Week
Counting 1-20 & 20-1

Literature:

Book Title
The Art Lesson
Alligators
The Very Clumsy Click Beetle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
From Caterpillar to Butterfly
Butterflies
Waiting for Wings
First Facts: Bugs

Author
Tomie DePaola
Derek Zobel
Eric Carle
Eric Carle
Melvin and Gilda Berger
Fran Howard
Lois Ehlert
DK Publishing

Approaches to Learning: engagement

Social/Emotional: sense of competence, community
Creative Arts: music, movement, appreciating the arts
Physical: gross motor skills, fine motor skills, body awareness
Language/Literacy: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary, phonological
awareness
Math: number words and symbols, counting, part-whole relationships
Social Studies: diversity

Language & Literacy: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary, phonological

awareness, alphabetic knowledge, concepts about print, book knowledge

Rice + Rollers
Science: classifying, communicating ideas
Creative: pretend play

Play Doh
Table

Playdoh & various cutting & rolling tools

Physical: fine motor,

Physical: large & fine motor skills, body awareness
Language/Literacy: comprehension, speaking, vocabulary, alphabetic knowledge,
number recognition
Math: number words and symbols, counting, part-whole relationships, spatial
awareness, unit, data analysis,

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Science: observing, classifying, experimenting, predicting, drawing conclusions,

communicating ideas

Activity
Table

Life Cycle of a Butterfly

Stringing Beads
Physical: fine motor
Math: number words, counting, part-whole relationships, measuring, data analysis

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

DRUMMUNITY
A Drummunity circle is a high energy, fun and empowering activity for any group. Lori Fithian, drum circle facilitator and workshop
leader, will bring her collection of hand drums and percussion toys to your location to transform your community into a Drummunity a
word she invented for the community-building that happens when people come together around a circle of drums.
SKILLS PROMOTED:
Stress release
Personal growth & empowerment
Cooperation
Listening skills
Team building
Diversity awareness
Spontaneity & creativity
Musical/rhythmic expression
Relaxation
Wellness
Community-building & connection

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

DIAMOND

SQUARE

Costello Building Blocks- Weekly Happenings: May 11-15, 2015

Dandelion Hunt, Counting & Comparing