P is for Pumpkin

This month we did so many fun activities, several of them related to our  pumpkin theme.

What do you think of our pumpkin faces?  Could they be any cuter?

Fine motor centers in disguise.... students decorated pumpkins using stickers.

After some student voting, we chose a face to carve.

Students helped by picking out pumpkin seeds to roast later.  

A Big THANK YOU to the MLT PTO for donating many of the materials we needed for carving and decorating our pumpkins.

One of our fun Friday activities this month included baking some yummy pumpkin treats.  Our morning classes make pumpkin bread and our afternoon classes make pumpkin cookies.  They were delicious.  

Hope you all enjoyed your hurricane-free Halloween.

We'll have pictures of our Halloween festivities in our next post!   

It's An Interactive Whiteboard

Matthew Bruder, Technology Administrator, is just one of the many players that helped to get our boards installed.

By now you've probably heard that both pre-k classrooms have recently been outfitted each with an interactive whiteboard.  While they do resemble "SMART`boards" they are not technically manufactured by SMART Technologies.   We are so excited to have this new technology in our classrooms.    Take a look.....

                              Calendar during circle time had become  much more animated.


It's not just circle time that has gotten a make-over.   The boards have  internet capabilities so we now are able to access many online resources in a format compatible with whole group activities.

Exploring the letter T on www.starfall.com

Shape sorting with Telly Monster on www.sesamestreet.org

Thanks for reading our blog.  Our next entry will be all about PUMPKINS!!  Stay tuned.

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.