Hello all!
Letter V week was Very, Very, Very exciting! The students returned from Spring Vacation and were more than ready to get right back into the swing of things! Adding to the excitement and anticipation of returning to school was this week’s theme – Volcanoes! Read on below to learn about the fun that was had and the learning that took place!
On Monday and Tuesday, the students began the morning with a lot of hugs for both teachers and friends alike. The students could hardly wait to tell the details of their time off from school. Once morning meeting ended, and shares and stories had been told, the students moved onto their morning work stations. The students did a wonderful job of deciphering the Letter V words during their morning work – Letter V identification/writing activity sheets. One word that proved quite tricky was Van. Thinking it was a car, many students were puzzled as to what it could be. Fortunately, Barbie has many cars – one of which is a van which a student brought in as a share. The student’s share surely helped solve any confusion there was! Also on Monday and Tuesday afternoon, the students created their letter V lists and went hunting for letter V’s around the classroom. Both the V list and the V hunt were Very successful!
Do you see any V’s?
Answer: Vanilla, Volcano, Van and V!
The art exploration of volcanoes began on Wednesday as the students began their TWO-DAY art project! On Wednesday, the students worked their hands and minds to sculpt some fast-drying clay into the shape of a mini-Volcano! Each student squeezed their clay in the perfect cone shape then used a finger to create a hole at the top – just like a real volcano! Once the volcanoes had been molded, they were set aside to dry.
During Wednesday (and Thursday) afternoon, the students participated in Spanish class where they continued learning the vocabulary for the unit – La Transportación (Transportation). Seeing that is was letter V week, a discussion of Various Vehicles proved to be just perfect!
Thursday morning began with a super silly craft! The teachers turned regular old party hats into brown party hats. After cutting off the top, the teachers called the students over and asked what the hats looked like. At first, many of the students said, “Party Hats!” They looked puzzled when the teachers shook their heads and said, “Guess again”. Remembering the theme of the week, the students responded a Volcano and began getting to work. First, the students glued some white fuzz inside the top of the party hat volcano. Next, the teachers squiggled some pencil lines down the side of the hat and handed the students a red paintbrush. Using the brush, the students traced over the teacher-drawn lines to create the lava spilling out of the side of the volcano. The students loved creating the volcano but it was clear that the most fun part was trying it on! Here is how the amazing “VOL-KID-O” art project turned out!
Just as the teachers were finishing up the day on Thursday, Miss Jocelyn rushed over to alert the students that she heard some strange gurgling noises coming from Mt. Parkprep-Vesuvius! The students rushed over to check on the volcano. Eager with anticipation, the students awaited the volcanic activity. Wow! Talk about an explosively exciting activity! Mt. Parkprep-Vesuvius erupted at least ten times that afternoon and again on Friday! Fortunately, these eruptions were contained to inside the PPA water table! 🙂
Knowing that they would be painting their clay volcano from Wednesday, the students arrived at school on Friday ready to get to work! They spent the morning painting and decorating their clay volcanoes a more volcano-appropriate grayish/brownish color.
In the afternoon, the students observed a teacher-constructed technology presentation about volcanoes. Using some of the following computer clips to help, the teachers explained what volcanoes are, where they are found, and why they erupt. Below is one of the clips with a groovy and informative volcano song.
After seeing some footage of actual lava pouring out of a volcano, the students were very relieved to find out that we do not have to worry about volcanoes in New Jersey! Well, that is all for Letter V is for Volcano Week! As always, thank you for reading! Have a great and safe weekend!
– PPA
FYI – For those of you interested in making your own volcano at home – here is what you will need.
Some Clay
Some Water
Some Baking Soda
Red Food Coloring
Some Vinegar
1. Mold your clay volcano then place in a tray (to avoid lava overflow)
2. Mix together some water, some baking soda, and some red food coloring.
3. Pour mixture into the volcano.
4. Pour in the vinegar.
5. LOOK OUT! YOUR VOLCANO IS ERUPTING!!!
REMINDERS:
2016-2017 Re-Enrollment 2nd Deposit is due on Wednesday, April 13th
Next PPA Event:
Mother’s Day Celebration
Friday, May 6th
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
(no aftercare available that day)
We kindly ask that attendance is limited to PPA Students and their Mommies. Thank you!
