2013 TSGI Sprouts: Grow Flower Grow!

We sure got dirty today in the touch and feel pool. There were definitely mixed reactions among all the kiddos when everyone was required to touch a huge mound of dirt in the pool. Bristol really didn't seem to mind it too much and enjoyed getting a plastic green frog down and dirty! Ryan was sick today, and we really missed him throughout the morning. So we hope he gets lots of rest and comes back ready for more fun with dirt on Thursday.

Bristol and I had a quick morning circle and then headed to the music room for centers today. In an effort to make the music room fun and inviting for Bristol, we played with a giant colorful ball, targeted our signs for "go" and "stop" using the ball run and a spinning chair, and we sorted some familiar bears that Ms. Lisa introduced to us. Bristol was happy, engaged, and focused for the entire time, and we praised her for such good work!

Balls of every kind and size continue to be the main attraction on the playground for Bristol. Today we introduced the sign for "ball," which I think will be a functional sign for Bristol to learn given her love of balls. See the following picture for the ASL sign for "ball."

Bristol was also interested in riding a bike on the playground, and we targeted the word "pedal" to make her bike go!

After the playground, we headed inside for our language circle. This week we are learning all about things that grow on a farm, specifically flowers. We read Grow Flower Grow by Lisa Bruce. This is a silly, simple book that teaches children about all the things that flowers need in order to grow. When Fran, the main character, finds a flower pot with a tiny seed growing in it, she tries to feed the flower all of her favorite foods (pizza, strawberry ice cream, cheeseburgers, spaghetti, cookies); and she is disgruntled when the flower will not grow. Her frustration leads her to put the pot outside in the rain, and she is amazed by what she finds several days later.... As we read the book, I presented picture cards that corresponded to all the parts in the book to aid in comprehension and learning new vocabulary. We talked about how plants needed to have sunlight, water, and soil in order to grow and flourish.

After we read the book, Bristol got the opportunity to plant her own seed. Using sequencing picture cards to help her follow all the directions and understand the process, she scooped the dirt with a small shovel, placed it into cups, pushed the seeds into the soil, covered them with a little more dirt, and watered them. Bristol participated happily and throughly enjoyed playing with and feeling the seeds in her hands. We continued to use the seeds to make a beautiful seed collage. Squeezing the glue onto the paper required a significant amount of fine motor strength and was a really good exercise for her.