January 2011 – Awesome Acorns Account

Letters and Numbers

Every day we work with letters and numbers in these ways:

• During our class meeting, we talk about the letters in the names of our helpers. We match the letters to our alphabet. We make the letters in sign language. We listen to the sounds the letters make. We draw the letters in the air or in the carpet. Some days we make charts of those that have a certain letter in their name (or who has double letters, or an “r” at the end, etc.). We count the lists of names and talk about which list has more or less.
• We predict which numeral we will put on the calendar. We draw the numerals in the air or carpet. We look for patterns in the numbers.
• We count how many children are present. We count how many snack pieces to serve. We use any opportunity to talk about “how many”, “how many more”, “how many all together”, “which is more”, etc.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

This month we are working with the books Chicka, Chicka Boom Boom (about letters) and Chicka Chicka 1, 2, 3 (about numbers of course). One day each child received a lowercase letter card. As I read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom again, the children placed their letter on our “coconut tree” on the wall when they heard their letter mentioned in the story. Later in the story when the “Mama and Papa” letters comforted the little letters, the boys matched their lowercase letter with the corresponding capital letter listed on the wall. We also have been enjoying many nursery rhymes about numbers.

Bible Story on Fridays

For the next few weeks we will be focusing on the theme of “Jesus Friends”. We heard the story of Mary and Joseph bringing baby Jesus to the temple. At the temple Simeon and Anna welcomed and held baby Jesus. Another Friday we heard the story of a grown Jesus who welcomed and held the little children.
After hearing each Bible story, I invite the children to share what they think is the most important part of the story. Today I said, “I wonder what is the most important part of this story.” One boy piped up, “That kids are important to Jesus.”
We will be hearing stories about Jesus’ fishing friends, Martha and Mary and Zaccheaus. We will discuss how Jesus is our friend and how we can be a friend to others.