UNit 5 - Week 2

April 12-16

Theme – This is our first week of our new unit, Shadows and Reflections. During this unit students will explore shadows and reflections, using observations, experiments and books to learn what makes a shadow and a reflection. Through Story Time books, children hear about a girl playing by a still pond, a puppy who thinks he is a kitten, a crocodile collecting reflections in a pail, a sleepy boy who sees a shadow save a cat, and a raccoon who has an adventure with only his reflection for company.

Theme Concepts: Reflections are images thrown back from a shiny surface.There must be light or there is no reflection.Mirrors and still water reflect light well; dull surfaces do not.If water is moving, its reflections are blurry or crooked.Objects are opaque, translucent, or transparent.Shadows are the dark areas made when an object blocks light.
As part of exploring reflections in water and mirrors we will also be looking for reflections in bubbles. We will be exploring different tools to use to make bubbles (bubble blowers, large wands, just your fingers).

Stories: Play with Me by Marie Hall Ets
Raccoon on His Own by Jim Arnosky
Clap Your Hands by Lorinda Bryan Cauley

Small Groups:
Language – Make a paper raccoon
Math–Making collections of animals
Science - Is this a good reflector?

Choice:
-Rug - trains and train track
-Sensory table - Reflecting pool
-Dramatic Play – Dress Up
- Art – Glitter and finger painting
-Writing Center – My favorite animal book
- Blpue table - Colored peg boards

Songs, Word Plays and Letters -
Littel Turtle
BINGO– with the word Snake
Whose Reflection is in the Pool?
Matching Letter Chant
My Big Balloon
Windshield Wiper
Five Little Fishies

**Reminder - April vacation begins next week! There is no school on April 19-23! Have fun!