Week 18: Penguins/Antarctica
Friday, January 24, 2025
Dear Prek Families,
This week we packed our bags and traveled on down to the South Pole! We explored the landscape and the wildlife in many different ways…Many books (both fiction and nonfiction-see curriculum for list), Art projects, a photograph “visit to Antarctica” on the science table, and a short video of what the topography looks like as well as how scientists go through their days in a very cold climate.
We learned about many penguin species and how they behave and what they look like. Ask your child about what penguin species they remember…which is the largest? (Emperor), and how Emperor penguin Dads care for eggs/hatchlings while Moms leave to get food for many days.
In Art this week, we made penguins with cut out shapes, dripped salt and watercolor over large ice blocks to watch both the erosion and the color seep into the cracks and rivulets. We also painted with colored ice cubes and made marble paintings using shaving cream swirled in paint.
Our Dramatic Play area was transformed into Antarctica—a snowy tundra with explorer gear and many penguins and seals. And…how exciting it was to have REAL snow to play with both inside and outside—just like the South Pole!
Other highlights this week:
- Popcorn Science Show! Miss Melanie enthralled us all with a lively and delicious presentation about making popcorn
- Music with Miss Elaine
- We moved into using more lowercase letters in our literacy projects, including having the children start to write their name using them (Starting with a uppercase, of course)!
- Walking like penguins with playground balls held between our knees
- Hiding Penguin Number Search Group Game
Pencil Grip Bootcamp—a fun way to practice the correct grip
Great Math Bags this week—fun show and tell counting activities!