OUTTA THIS WORLD at AoCS!
I can't say enough about how amazing this week was at school! Our teachers have set the bar extremely high for our summer camp themed weeks and we couldn't be more proud of them. Our school has been buzzing with excitement seeing the teachers' creativity and unique approach to implementing lessons and activities appropriately designed for their age groups. It takes time, preparation, and dedication to make it worth while for the children, and they have shown up! It's something special to witness an entire school come together and join in on a common theme. This is just a small window into the fun we had this week!
Moon Crater Creations in Pre-K1
Teachers prepared a shaving cream moon & students used their gross motor skills to create craters. Students developed social skills such as encouraging their classmates, giving tips and strategies for success, and turn taking! Children were also able to change their force or stance with each turn to evaluate what worked best for them.
Reach For The Stars in Pre-K1
Students used mixed art supplies to color and create shooting stars. Creative expression is really engaging at this age. They take a lot of pride in their work and love to discuss their choices with their peers!
Shape Rockets in Pre-K2
Students were shown a rocket built of shapes and given a mixture of shapes. They used their cognitive thinking skills build their own rockets. After building, they colored their creations!
Phases of the Moon in Preschool 2
After a lesson on the Moon, children participated in a demonstration that provided a visual for how our Moon appears to change in the night sky. It was really hard being patient with yummy Oreos in front of them, but they did such a good job developing their listening skills!
"The Claw" in Preschool 1
Inspired by Toy Story, The Claw was no match for our friends in Preschool 1! What a lot of brainpower and problem solving it took to figure out not only how to operate the claw, but how to navigate this new tool in order to capture their alien friends! The children were so engaged!
Moon Crater Stamping in Preschool 1
Children were given a foil ball as a new way of processing art!
Alien Knock Down in Preschool 1
Practicing their aim and gross motor development while seeing how many alien cans they could knock over!
Dramatic Play Exploration in Toddler 2
Toddler 2 did it all from napping under the stars to dressing up as astronauts with space boots and helmets! Connections are made as children discuss and see photos of space themed topics, then have the chance to dress up and use familiar tools like in the pictures!
Dramatic Play! Lost in Space in Toddler 1
With each summer theme, teachers are asked to enhance one center in their classroom to bring the theme to life. Toddler 1 teachers really knocked it out of the park with their mock space station. Students explored buttons, spinning gadgets, lights, and other noise making features while playing alongside their classmates! A jet pack and star gazing feature was also made available to them all week. Starting at this young age, children begin to mimic what they see the adult in their lives doing. How lucky were they to have the chance to be astronauts for an entire week!
Galaxy Crafts and Sensory Fun in Infant 2
Our infants were given the opportunity to use watercolor pens to create their own galaxies! Viewing colors and touching a variety of materials, such as a dry and wet coffee filter, is great for early brain development. Different parts of their brain continue to wire and fire causing foundational connections and neurological pathways to be formed.