Inspired by Nate’s request to read Alphabet Adventure by Audrey Wood, we began our morning by diving into an alphabet letter exploration! After reading the book and singing a few rounds of “A, B, C”, we played a musical merry-go-round game. Melinda placed our sand letter placards around the pillar and friends hopped, walked and swayed to Jane’s Phineas and Ferb CD. When the music stopped, Melinda called out a friend’s name and asked them to find a particular letter.

After each friend had a turn, the music continued to play and Wee Friends enjoyed a dance party. Annie brought special New Year’s celebration crowns to add to the fun!

After the dancing ended, we asked our friends via message board “How can WF become an alphabet island- like in the book?” The class came up with some terrific ideas that we will work on over the coming days.

After our conversation, we invited friends to participate in an alphabet hunt. We taped up all the letters of the alphabet around the art room and island. After finding a letter, friends would stick the letter next to their name on a message board. When the hunt was complete, we regathered and each friend identified which letters they found.

This was an excellent opportunity for the teachers to assess each child’s understanding of and recognition of letters.

After our large group lessons, friends branched off and enjoyed the classroom, independently and collaboratively.

Tami set out alphabet stamps and friends explored creating art with ink pads and watercolor. The question that arose was “which color (dry or wet) creates the clearest impression and sticks better to the paper?”

From our Moncure My First Steps to Reading Collection, Melinda read “Letter B”.

Breakfast today was Cheerios and raisins. For lunch we served scrambled egg casserole, peas and bananas. For snack we will serve yogurt.

Have a great day!

“Teaching is instruction, but the loving and caring presence of the teacher to her students is education.” -unknown