Rules, Safety and Signs! Shawnee Home Preschool in Lima, Ohio had an exciting first week back to school. Every school day we rotate through art, circle time, centers, music/dance, outdoor play, lunch, drama, fingerplays, stories, quiet time, and board games.
At circle time, we always review our first and last name, the season, weather, date, month and day of the week. We also discuss the letter of the week (Aa) and its sound, words that start with that letter (can you find the letter in your name), the number of the week (1), sorting numbers 1-10, counting as we do an exercise move, the color of the week (red- can you find it in the room?), the shape of the week (octagon- because that is the shape of a stop sign). We review the daily schedule to get a sense of what comes before and after each activity.
Following this, we spent the week focusing on the week’s theme: Rules, Safety and Signs! Since everything was new it was important to establish rules. We decided the rules together.
Shawnee Home Preschool Rules
- Wash our hands before our school day and before we eat, and after bathroom use.
- Use our walking feet inside.
- Clean up each mess before we get out something new.
We discussed how rules keep us safe (from getting sick or injured). This segwayed into our lesson about traffic and signs and how to walk safely outside.
In art we created a traffic light, a stop sign, some mini models, and a vehicle collage. We also practiced writing numbers, shapes and letters in a notebook. This works to improve fine motor muscle skills.
At circle time, we learned to look for signs when out and about to help us know what to do. We went over “Stop, look and listen” before crossing a street, to always hold an adults hand and to cross at the cross walk. Most importantly, to never run into the street after a ball or for any reason. We went outside to sit on the porch and listen to the sounds around us, including the sounds of cars (so we know what to listen for). We also counted the wheels on a parked car. Lastly, we discussed the importance of seatbelts in cars and helmets for bikes.
At centers, we had a playdough and cake party, created a hospital with sick dolls, became construction workers to fix a house, buried treasure in sand, and floated boats and dinosaurs in water.
Music and movement is a favorite time of the day with games such as “The Floor Is Lava” and “Listen and Do”. In addition, we love dancing to Crazy Frog and Dance Monkey. We also learn about rhythm and beat using a variety of musical instruments.
We tied in the traffic safety theme in our fingerplays, drama games and stories. Acting out scenarios such as a ball running into the street and what to do.
Outside we worked on gross motor skills by playing Red Light Green Light, balancing on a beam, going through an obstacle course, running, skipping, hopping and galloping in circles, playing in a fort made of boxes and flying paper airplanes.
At lunch we have special divided plates for the four different food groups. We discuss each group and ensure we always have a grain, protein, fruit and vegetable (with a glass of milk).
After some quiet time, we finish off our days with games such as dominoes, candy land or story cubes. All in all, a great week in Preschool: Rules/Safety/Signs! I look forward to Shawnee Home Preschool’s next week’s theme: Being A Good Friend!
Shawnee Home Preschool 