The Solar System Craft: Knots

30/05/2008 (Friday)

a) Individual Assessment and Corner Playing
The kids marched into their classroom; always many steps faster than me. Thus, they could hide easily without me being notice.....really cute! I brought some blocks for them to play. The boys including JS, JW and Zyg love them. The kids were also happy because they have new toys! So, JN, LX, J pretended to cook and even served some fried kuey tewo for me...haaaa! Meanwhile, I did some assessment with the kids. Today, I called upon JN, Zyg, SC, JH, ZY and LX.

b) Fluoroscent space
Next, we gathered together while singing The Space song. I took out some pieces of black paper. The kids helped to paste them together. I introduced the “glittering or fluoroscent stars”. Then, they helped me to paste the stars and planets onto the black paper. EG and YZ said that they have those at home too. EG said his are “fluoroscent loves”. They would absorp light and remain glittering for a while. Thus, the kids learnt that it is best to keep them in a dark place.

c) Revision on Safari words
Next, we revised words on “Safari”. We did flashcards sessions. This is to assist the kids in their individual asseessment. The words included, “peacock, porcupine, hippopotamus, elephant, seal, giraffe, snake, crocodile and monkey”. Later, they read independently as a group. Next, they read the words randomly and make the particular animal sound.

d) Threads into knots
We continued lessons on “Space”. We continued our “Solar System” craft. Yesterday the kids cut the threads into different lengths. Today, they learned to make a knot. They had to take one of the thread's end. Then, they formed into a circle. Insert the end into the circle. Next, pull the two ends. Of course, it was challenging for them. Otherwise, they could circulate around their second finger to get a circle. Then, insert the end into the circle and pull the two ends. YW, JN and SC were independent. The others were gathered to see the steps real slow. However, Zyg, JS, M, JH were very determined. The knots would be inserted into a cardboard in the next lesson.