Fun with Shapes And Blue Bot

Fun with Shapes and Blue Bot !

Children were introduced to an array of shapes - the triangle, square, rectangle, circle,
pentagon and diamond shapes. To reinforce the concept of those shapes, we had some
fun games in store for the children! They had to roll a dice with the shapes on each face,
and  had to measure the number of steps it would take for Blue bot to get to the shape
rolled on the dice . Subsequently, they had to program some commands for the robot
in order for it to get there!

It was a great learning experience for children, they learned both about shapes and ICT.

Purpose:

To be able to  recognise and learn the names of the different shapes

To learn how the Blue Bot works

Connection to the Lpfö:

Develop their understanding of shapes and develop their ability to identify technology
and explore how simple technology works.

Room On The Broom :Story Sequencing , Learning about emotions And QR Codes

Room On The Broom

Story Sequencing , Learning about emotions
And QR Codes

The children are really excited to celebrate
Halloween and for this celebration
we selected the story “ Room On The Broom”.
The children enjoyed listening and
sequencing the pictures from the story!
Then they selected their favourite character
from the story , coloured their masks and made
them into stick puppets.

We also talked about emotions of the different
character in the story and later the
children created QR codes for the story.

Purpose:

Develop their language comprehension skills

Ability to retell the story and identify different
emotions and feelings related to the
characters in the story.

To introduce QR codes

Connection to Lpfö:

Develop their interest in pictures, texts and
different media.

Develop their ability to identify technology in everyday life.

Flamingoes: Red Riding Hood Dice Game

Red Riding Hood Dice Game

The children got to choose which character they wanted to dress up as - the wolf or the
Red Riding Hood , then throw a dice and choose a direction (right,left,forward or backwards)
and  move accordingly, to see who would get to Red Riding Hood's grandma first!
They loved the Game!

Purpose:

Develop their sense of direction and numbers.

Develop an understanding of pre coding skills.

Connection to Lpfö:

Develop their understanding of space,location and direction, quantity and number.

Flamingoes: Story Sequencing Activity

Three Billy Goats Gruff Sequencing

Activity:

While reading the story ,Three Billy Goats Gruff , we worked on the children’s abilities to
sequence and retell stories.  We focused on ordinal language: first, next and last and story
grammar components: characters, problem and solution.  The children coloured pictures,
put their story in order and took them home to read to their parents.

Purpose:

• Develop the children’s early literacy skills

Connection to the Lpfö:  

Förskolan ska ge varje barn förutsättningar att utveckla….

“intresse för berättelser, bilder och texter i olika medier, såväl digitala som andra,
samt sin förmåga att använda sig av, tolka, ifrågasätta och samtala om dessa,”

Flamingoes Stem Challenge: Science , Technology , Engineering And Math

Flamingoes Stem Challenge: Science , Technology , Engineering And Math

We read the story of Three Billy Goats Gruff . Later the children were asked how the Billy Goats Gruff would be
able to get across the water if there was no bridge.After a session of brainstorming, they had come up with a
myriad of ideas! In order to help the goats across, they decided upon building a boat.

They were given an array of different materials and could choose whichever they wanted to create the boat.
With a little help, they designed and constructed their boats.

After completing their boats , came the fun part of testing and finding out if the boats would float or sink?

The children really enjoyed the activity!!

Connection to Lpfö:

Develop their ability to reason, build, create and construct using different techniques, materials and tools

Yoga In The Park

Veenu is a yoga instructor brought from India by the Indian Embassy of Stockholm to spread the yoga practice in Sweden.  We are lucky in that she will be joining us once a week to teach the children yoga.  This particular week, the peacocks and flamingos participated in yoga in the park.  The children were very attentive and determined to try all of the poses.  

Purpose: 

to develop the children's self control and body awareness

to develop the children's ability to follow directions

Connection to the Lpfö: 

The preschool should strive to develop each child's: 

motoric, coordination and understanding of their bodies as well as an understanding of the importance of taking car of their health and well-being. 

Flamingoes IMotion Movie Project

ICT : IMotion Movie Project

Flamingoes enjoyed listening to the story of ” Three Billy Goats Gruff”.

We will be doing an ongoing iMotion movie project to retell the story using props.

The children will be developing their storytelling and story comprehension skills!

And they also learned how to use the imotion app. A fun way to combine ICT and storytelling skills!

Maths Day Celebration

Maths Day

To celebrate Maths day, we took the children to the park where we  had set up stations with some fun-filled Maths games awaiting them!  The children enjoyed completing all the Maths challenges !

e.g. To arrange the containers from the lightest to the heaviest,How many children fit into the hula hoop and many more!

Purpose:

• To celebrate Maths day.
• To teach children maths through play.
• For children to problem solve.

Lpfö:

• To develop their mathematical skill in putting forward and following reasoning.
• To develop their ability to use mathematics to investigate, reflect over and test different solutions to problems raised by themselves and others.
  

Flamingoes. A visit to our tree

Today we went to the park and on our way we looked at our tree.
The flamingoes were fascinated to see that all the leaves had fallen from the tree.
They felt the bark of the tree and found it was very rough and strong!
They were also excited to spot a birds nest in the tree!!

Purpose:

To learn to appreciate nature and learn about the seasons

Lpfö:

Develop their understanding of science and relationships to nature and knowledge
of animals

Flamingoes: Autumn Art

Autumn Art

This year we will be working with the green flag as a part of our IPC theme. One of the green flags goal is to reduce paper use. We picked a tree near the small park and labeled it ‘The Flamingoes’ tree’ and had our circle time around our tree. We talked about the different parts of the tree and their importance as well as about recycling, reusing and reducing .We will be following the changes of the tree throughout the whole year.  Children enjoyed  collecting the leaves for our autumn art and craft activity.  

The children had fun creating their own leaf rubbing nature craft from the leaves they had collected!!! They used leaves of different shapes and sizes to create this amazing craft.

They also pressed the autumn leaves to preserve the memories of autumn and expressed what they loved most about Autumn!!!

Purpose:

To develop love and a sense of appreciation for nature

To develop an understanding of how we can contribute in the well being of our society and environment

Develop their creative abilities

Connection to the Lpfö-98 Revised 2016:

Develop their understanding of different cycles in nature and how people, nature and society influence each other.

Flamingoes: Jackson Pullock Art

Jackson Pollock Inspired Art

Children loved the work of “Jackson Pollock” and they loved the fact that he did action painting. We talked about his painting techniques , what happens when primary colors are mixed with secondary colors and their favorite colors.They had fun creating their own version of Jackson Pollock art.They also collectively recreated Jackson Pollock art on a large canvas. The children liked the splattering color technique and had a blast splashing paint on the canvas!!!They did an amazing job !!

Purpose:

To learn about different artist from around the world and their painting techniques

Develop their creative abilities

Connection to the Lpfö-98 Revised 2016:

Develop their creative abilities and the ability to convey
impressions , thoughts and experiences!!

Flamingoes: Food Pyramid Activity

The Flamingoes have been learning about healthy living and the different categories of food that make up the food pyramid. We took a trip to the grocery store and talked about healthy and unhealthy foods. Later, they were given pictures and items of foods which they have to sort and put into the correct category in the food pyramid.

Purpose :

To help children learn the food groups.

To learn the importance of having a balanced diet and acquiring good eating habits.

To learn to sort and classify.

Lpfö revised 2016 :

Develop their awareness of their own body, as well as an understanding of the importance of maintaining their own health and wellbeing 

Flamingoes Valentine's Day Celebration

Valentine Day Celebration 

We started our day with a game “Don't break my heart”. The children had to pass a tissue paper heart back and forth using a clothes pin without breaking the heart. Another favorite game of the day was “ Heart Lava” The children had to move across the room using two heart cutouts and without falling in the lava!!! Lastly they got to make their very own paper plates Valentine crowns and giveaways hearts for friends and family!!!

Purpose:

To learn about different celebrations.

Connection to Lpfö98 Revised 2010:

Develop a feeling and respect for other cultures

Flamingoes: Chinese New Year Celebration

Chinese New Year Celebration

To celebrate the Chinese New Year the children were given a presentation of what it is and how it is celebrated.

This year is the year of the rooster and there are in total 12 animal years and it follows a full 12 year cycle before the year of the rooster comes on again.

We talked about the traditions and culture, the decorations, the special food the Chinese eat (just like one does for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Diwali etc), about the tea ceremony, the lucky red envelopes (Hung Bao) and other fun stories of the  Chinese Zodiac . The children were also shown typical decorations, couplets, red packets, costumes etc. They also watched a short video clip about the Chinese New Year and also the dragon and lion dances, which they thoroughly enjoyed. One of the short stories is called Fortune Tales/ The story of Chinese New Year.

After the presentation, the children were all given a lucky red ‘Hung Bao’ and they were absolutely delighted.

Later on, the children made their own Chinese dragons and they had great fun playing with them!

 

Purpose

Learn more about different cultures and traditions 

To know more about similarities and differences in each other's lives and to respect each other's individualities.

Connection to Lpfo

To develop the ability to accept responsibility and respect for each other's culture and traditions.

Flamingoes Exploring the Sense of Taste

Flamingoes Exploring the Sense of Taste

The Flamingoes learned about the sense of taste  and their taste buds !!! The children were given the opportunity to experience the four basic tastes. They were blindfolded and  they got to taste various ingredients. They described what it taste like -  sour, bitter, sweet or salty . Then they guessed what they think it is. They had fun with  the taste experiment and many did not want it to end !!!!

We talked about how our senses work together eg. we use our  sense of smell when tasting different flavors. So when we can't see the food or smell it, often we  can't guess what we are eating.

Purpose:

To learn that the taste buds on their tongue helps them to taste and that it works together with the nose and eyes.

To explore and develop their  sense of taste( gustatory Sense)

To taste and predict various flavours( discrimination of tastes)

To be able to name the different tastes

Connection to Lpfö:

Develop their understanding of science and awareness of their own body.

Develop their ability to distinguish, explore, document, put questions about and talk about science.

Flamingoes : Nobel Day Charity Project

This school year we have the focus areas, healthy living and children's rights. We decided to combine the two,  into a charity project for Nobel Day. 

The children learned about the 3R’s, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Three great ways that we can reduce waste and protect our environment, which ultimately contributes to our health and well-being. We made art and crafts with the recyclable materials. The children also donated their used books, toys and clothes which others can reuse. 

All the arts and crafts  and collected items were sold in the Christmas Market, which was a great success!!! The funds raised will be donated to Rädda Barnen/Save the Children organisation. It was a great learning experience for the children . They were involved in the whole process!! They learned about how they can take care of their environment by reducing, reusing and recycling and most of all how we can help save the children of the world and give them a better future!!!

Purpose:

For children to know how we can project our environment.

For children to know their rights.

For children to develop their empathy towards others by giving.

Lpfö:

To develop their ability to accept responsibility for their own actions and environment.

To develop the children’s ability to take account of and empathise with the situation of others, as well as the willingness to help others.

To develop an understanding that all persons have equal value.

A visit to the Recycling Center

This year for the Nobel Day the Flamingoes are doing a recycling project. We have been learning about the three R’s of the environment that is to reduce, reuse and recycle. The Flamingoes collected recyclable materials , sorted them and today we went to the recycling center.  All the children got to put the recyclable materials into the correct bins. It was a great hands on experience for the children!!!

Purpose

To teach the children about the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling.

To instill love and care for the environment.

Connection With the Lpfö

To develop a respect and care for the environment

Flamingoes: Chemistry Day

Chemistry Day

Germs Germs Go Away and Fizzing Eye Balls Experiment!!!

For Healthy living and Chemistry Day we have been discussing what germs are, where they are found, how germs spread and how we can get rid of them. We also made our very own vanilla soap bars!!!

The children collected germs samples from around the school eg from the toilet , door handle, floor and from their own washed hands and dirty hands. They carefully placed their samples in agar-filled Petri dishes. The children made predictions as to which sample will have the most bacteria/germs. We will keep the Petri dishes under observation for a few days and see if our predictions match our final results!!!

To show how germs spread, the children rubbed hand lotion together with the glitter ( pretend germs) on their hands. In this way, they could visually see how germs spread. We used paper to wipe off the germs but it didn't work so well. The children then washed their hands with soap and water and all the ‘germs’ was washed away.

To show that germs don't like soap and water, we sprinkled some pepper(germs) into the water. The children dipped their soap-covered finger into the middle of the peppered water. They were amazed to see the soap repelled away the pepper( germs).

Finally we made our very own vanilla fragranced soap bars with cornstarch ,oil,liquid soap, vanilla essence and food coloring!!!

They also loved the fizzing eyeball experiment with vinegar and baking soda!!!

Purpose:

To learn about Germs and understand importance of maintaining their own health and well being.

To build their curiosity and be able to investigate, observe, make predictions and compare results

To be able to measure dry and liquid quantities

Connection to Lpfö:

Develop their understanding of science, relationships to nature, and also simple Chemical processes.

Develop their ability to distinguish , explore, document, put questions about and talk about science.

Flamingoes: Odd and Even Number Activity

Today the Flamingoes learned about Odd and Even numbers using Montessori Maths Method. The children were asked to put the number cards in order from 1 to 10. Then they counted the correct number of lego pieces and matched the quantity to the number cards.

The children were shown that some numbers have friends/partners( pairs) and some don't. The numbers which end up with a friend/partner are even numbers and the ones that don't are  odd numbers.

Purpose:

To reinforce the knowledge that each number is made up of separate quantities.

To learn the sequence of numbers and number recognition

To learn how many separate units go to form each number

To learn about odd and even numbers

Connection to lpfö:

Develop their understanding of quantity, order and number concepts.

Flamingoes: What is blood made of?

What is blood made of ?

We used water beads( red blood cells), ping pong balls(white blood cells) , water (plasma) and red paper strips( platelets) to demonstrate the various parts of blood in a fun and hands on way. The children explored for a while then we talked about the different parts of blood. It was a great sensorial experience for the children!!!!

Teacher:What is blood made up of?

Child :White blood cells and they are like police men!!!

Teacher: Why is heart so important for us?

Child : Heart pumps blood to different stations in our body

Child :It is like a pumping machine

Teacher: What is the liquid in blood called?

Child :Asma , plasma

Purpose:

To learn about the function of heart, what blood is made up of and how we can keep our heart  healthy

To develop interest in Science and the human body

To build their curiosity through exploration and hands on experience 

Lpfö 98

To develop their understanding of Science and awareness of their own body

To develop their understanding of the importance of maintaining their own health and wellbeing.