Pre-K Visits the Fire Station

As part of the school's participation in National Fire Prevention Week,  the Orange Volunteer Fire Department again  graciously hosted the MLT students inside the fire station.  Students visited our next door neighbors and learned about what to do if there is a fire.

Don't be afraid of firefighters.

GET LOW AND GO!

We saw the trucks up close.

Everyone got their very own fire hat.

It was a great Fire Prevention Week!

Our First Mystery Readers

Mystery Readers are special guests who come to our classroom to read a story to the class.  All of our pre-k classes had their first "mystery readers" last week.  Mystery Readers can be anyone.

It could be a special family member.

Or it could be a familiar face from our community.

We are always looking for new mystery readers.  We appreciate the interest and are currently booking for November.    

Stay tuned for pictures from our visit to the firehouse.  

Getting ready for Fire Prevention Week and our firehouse visit!

Apple Day

apple tasting

We celebrated Johnny Appleseed's birthday with many different apple activities last week.  

apple stamping

rip and stick (or pinch and stick) apples

and of course some apple crumble baking




What a yummy way to end the week!

Gross Motor and Fine Motor Collaboration

Have you heard your child talk about Mr. Brady?  For those of you who don't know, Mike Brady is the P.E. teacher for Mary L. Tracy students.   He also teaches some P.E. classes at Peck Place School and Race Brook School.   Gross motor development is so important during the preschool years and Mr. Brady works closely with our team to help all students improve their gross motor ability.

parachute play

scooting on scooters

Miss Amy is another name you might hear your child mention.  She is the Occupational Therapist that consults with our team from ACES (Area Cooperative Educational Services).  

The early childhood team collaborates with Miss Amy to help meet the sensory and fine motor needs of our students.  When her schedule allows she might visit to work with a small group, or for a whole group activity.  During the preschool years students build the strength and coordination they need to become writers.  

making mat man

drawing our own mat man

Here We Go!

Welcome to Pre-K!

It's only been a couple of days, but I'd say we're off to a great start! 

Making new friends on the playground.

Familiar faces

P.E. class with Mr. Brady.

Sand table with friends.

Friends

 Lots of smiling faces.

Our First Harvest

Our tomatoes are not doing so well, but we finally have a cucumber that is big enough to harvest!

With a twist and a pull.

TA-DA!

YUM!  This cucumber is delicious!

Preschool Touch Tank Visit

It's been a great summer and we are having fun while learning many new things.   Mr. Jim, one of the traveling teachers from the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, visited our class with the Preschool Touch Tank.  What a treat to go along with our summer ocean theme!

It's a channeled whelk - otherwise know as a sea snail.  You can't tell from this picture, but this snail had a shell that was quite beautiful.  

That spider crab was bumpy!

Not only did we get to touch the horseshoe crab, but we also learned many interesting facts about this species.  

What is it?
A little  Asian shore crab of course.

Some students  preferred the animals without claws or legs, like this happy clam.

In addition to the live animals, Mr. Jim also brought some neat artifacts for us to see.

WOW!  A tiger shark jaw!

 snapping turtle carapace

Special thanks to the Department  of Special Services for funding this visit and to Mr. Jim for bringing so many great creatures and artifacts for us to explore!