Pumpkin Time!

As you probably already know, we teach thematically here at MATES --- and Fall and Pumpkins just so happen to be one of my favorite themes of the year. In addition to planning lessons around a theme, I try to incorporate art and technology projects into our weekly centers and activities. Room 1 is transforming from the multi-colored look to a splash of pumpkins, fall leaves and other spooky decorations. Here's a preview of what you'll see during parent/teacher conferences.

This project took us a few days to complete, but the big black wall in our class looks amazing! The students were given a large piece of white construction paper to paint a large orange pumpkin on. They also painted a separate stem and the leaves of the pumpkin vine. Once the pumpkins were dry, we assembled the pumpkins and made the faces. The students got to choose what type of facial features to put on their pumpkin. Finally, they wrote "I can see the _____ pumpkin." This was the kids' first real exposure to adjectives. They described each of their unique pumpkins. Here are some examples:

"I can see the funny and cute pumpkin."

"I can see the Halloween pumpkin."

"I can see the vampire teeth pumpkin."

"I can see the mutant pumpkin."

Aren't those the cutest?! And what better way to practice writing our sight words and to get into the spirit of fall (since clearly our weather is not cooperating)! 

One great fine motor skill strengthening activity is through the practice of tearing paper. Here we made tear art pumpkins. These mosaics are beautiful!

To incorporate math, we made jack-o-lanterns with shapes. Once the kids colored and made the faces, they counted how many of each shape they made.

Many of the other things we do in class do not make it home in your child's Friday Folder. Every week we have activities that we do in journals, notebooks, math text books, dictionaries, spiral "Daily 4" journals, and a newly introduced activity: writing to the Super Star of the Week. Every week, a student is giving the opportunity to be the Super Star of the Week. They share their interests, information about themselves, and what they want to be when they are older. Later in the week, all of the kids create a page for a Super Star book all about what makes that student special. This week, I was the Super Star. I am amazed at the quality of work the kids put in to writing about how special Mrs. Roll is. The kids made me wait until they were finished with their "wow" pictures for me to see them. 

Avery knows that my favorite Disney princess is Belle :)

These dogs are adorable!

What a great week it was!