Winter Wonder

February 7, 2022 by Amirh Davis

A Month in Review

January 2022

With the transition to Winter came much needed rain here in the bay area and lots of fresh snow up in the mountains. So we brought the frigid fun indoors here at Pillar Kids. We’ve had lots of fun learning about the water cycle and winter weather for the first half of the month. From there we explored the way in which some animals hunker down for the winter to hibernate, and how in other areas like the arctic, animals come out to play!

New Skills

Early Literacy

Some of our most loved activities this past month involved our forest animal, penguin, and polar bear figurines. The kids loved using them for pretend play and acting out some of our favorite stories about slumbering bears and daredevil penguins (see “Currently Reading” list for titles & authors). We built dens out of blocks for our forest animals and our penguins swam through the blue waters of our water table with some friendly sea creatures! Acting out stories helps draw kids attention to key details in a text like characters, setting, and major events or conflicts. Building these skills in early childhood not only makes reading fun, but also prepares kids for kindergarten where they will be asked to identify details and retell stories as they learn to read.

Counting & Cardinality

We have also been building our math skills here at Pillar Kids, in particular our counting and measurement skills. We have been using our math manipulative cubes to compare and contrast the height and width of objects in the classroom and of each other! Clicking our manipulative cubes together to make measuring sticks also works to strengthen fine motor skills. We work together to build the measuring stick as long as our object or person and then count the total number of cubes.

Currently Reading…

“Bear Snores” on by Karma Wilson
“Archie the Daredevil Penguin” by Andy Rash
“Penguins Love Colors” by Sarah Aspinall
“Rain!” by Linda Ashman
“The Luckiest Snowball” by Ellior Kreloff

The Colors of Us

August 10, 2021 by Amirh Davis

Summer camp has come to an end and we are thrilled to say that it was a great success! Our weekly themes kept us busy while having lots of fun as we studied and investigated various subjects of interest. As we transition out of summer camp and into the beginning of back to school season, we will return to exploring one theme for each month.

The topic of focus for August is “All About Me”. Throughout August, Pillar Kids will explore their individuality, interests, and families. At Pillar Kids, the children will have the opportunity to explore cultural awareness in the classroom. By participating in activities that support self diversity, Pillar Kids will create the understanding that we all have alike and unlike characteristics. As we welcome the new school year, “All About Me” will offer wondrous opportunities for Pillar Kids to connect with themselves, their peers, and their community.

What families can do at home to support “All About Me”:

When learning is shared between school and home, there are more opportunities to expand interest and knowledge. At home, families can support this month’s theme in several ways:

Explore books focusing on the self and diversity. (e.g. The Skin You Live In or What I Like About Me!)

Listen to music that explores the body. (e.g. Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes)

Gather family pictures to create a photo album.

By the end of August, Pillar Kids will celebrate all the ways that make them the same and different from one another.

Summer Camp In Full Effect!

July 14, 2021 by Amirh Davis

Our first month of Summer Camp is complete! June kept us actively engaged as a new topic of investigation was introduced each week. Throughout the month, we explored the Ocean, Outer Space, Bugs, and Arts & Crafts. Every day, something new and exciting was discovered at Pillar Kids. Our weekly topics of exploration encouraged Pillar Kids to ask questions and share familiar information with one another. Here’s a quick Summer Camp recap so far:

Week #1: Under the Sea

Pillar Kids dove deep into the trenches by learning about the ocean’s wildlife and structure. Questions such as, “What do whales eat?” and “How deep is the ocean?” were a few of the many curious questions that were asked throughout the week. Pillar Kids’ interest in the ocean encouraged them to investigate the wildlife that roams in each layer of the ocean.

Week #2: 1,2,3, Blast Off!

Pillar Kids were ready for lift off when they entered the second week of summer camp. Our space exploration week introduced
new concepts to investigate such as the solar system, rocket ships, and astronauts. Pillar Kids made real world connections when they discovered the moon and the sun were both outside during this week.

Week #3: Arts & Crafts

Pillar Kids let their imagination and creativity flow during this week. Our arts & crafts week encouraged Pillar Kids to create personal pieces of work by using various art mediums. Pillar Kids made several discoveries such as recognizing that red and blue paint make purple. This week encouraged Pillar Kids to create freely with no limitations.

Week #4: Bugs!

Pillar Kids investigated unique life forms by exploring various insects. During this week, Pillar Kids compared and contrasted insects such as ladybugs, ants, spiders, and worms. Pillar Kids discovered that insects come in all different types of shapes, sizes, and colors. By participating in a hands-on activity with worms, Pillar Kids were able to identify insect characteristics and traits.