The Crew did an amazing job with this week’s activities! We learned so much about the food pyramid and setting the table, and after all our discussions and practice, the Crew are definitely more clued up on their manners and etiquette!
After breaking down the food pyramid, we explained that meat is protein, and that bread, pasta, and rice are carbohydrates. The Crew also learned that the bottom of the pyramid is where the healthiest foods are, and as you move up, you need to eat less of those foods. Right at the very top? That’s where sugar and sweets live—so those are only for weekends! 😉 We then made our very own food pyramids using magazine pictures that the kiddies cut out. This art piece will be saved for our annual art expo.
Music and Movement:
This week, we kept our little bodies moving despite the rainy weather! We had lots of dancing and brain breaks to shake out the wiggles, and of course, our classroom favorite—a mini dance party! I try to do this once a day, and nothing beats “I Like to Move It” from Madagascar for getting everyone energized.
Since our colour of the week was orange, and orange is a secondary colour, the Crew teamed up to mix red and yellow handprints to create their own shades of orange. What a fun and adorable activity—this one was definitely a hit!
Cooking Lesson:
This week, we focused on how to use utensils correctly and table manners. We practiced taking small bites, keeping our elbows off the table, and chewing with our mouths closed—polite little diners in the making!
The Crew also worked on a rainbow of fruits and veggies, and wow—what an improvement in their colouring skills over the past few weeks! Please encourage your child to colour and free draw at home; some of the Crew did get tired after just a few pictures, but in The Crew, we do lots of colouring, writing, and drawing to help prepare them for the work they’ll do in Grade R.
We also tackled a rectangle worksheet where the Crew had to colour in only the rectangles. I was so impressed with how well they followed instructions and completed the task!
FunFit Sport:
Coach Trevor had an absolute blast teaching the Crew some bowling skills this week. It was so much fun to watch as they cheered their friends on—such great teamwork and encouragement!
Important Tips:
Explain, explain, explain! At this age, the Crew understands so much more, and we can use everyday moments as teachable opportunities. Especially when it comes to rules and why we follow them! This week, I used the example of stopping at a red light—what would happen if I just decided not to stop because I didn’t feel like it? The Crew quickly realized that rules are for everyone, everywhere. Use these real-life examples at home too! The Crew also love role-playing scenarios, so acting things out can really help them understand.
Next week’s theme: Safety
This year, we decided that safety is best learned through practical experience rather than just arts and crafts. So, we focused on following important safety rules and practicing drills to help keep the Crew safe in real situations!
One of the biggest highlights this week was prepping the Crew for a fire drill—and wow! The Crew were out of the classroom in under a minute, staying calm and collected the entire time. What an amazing job, Crew! You should be very proud of yourselves!
Music and Movement:
Teacher Nicole took the Curious Crew on a fun drumming adventure this week, and hearing the kids giggle and laugh while trying something new was just the cutest! It’s always so wonderful seeing them explore rhythm and movement in different ways.
Yoga:
This week’s yoga session came with a twist—drum yoga! Following on from our drumming lesson, we used our hands to gently drum on our legs, belly, chest, and arms, stimulating the lymphatic system. Our session included the song Drum-a-Drum Yoga 🪘, incorporating some of our basic poses and finishing with breathing exercises. What a fun way to combine movement and mindfulness! – Love, Teacher Nicole.
Cooking & Safety:
Instead of a cooking lesson this week, we focused on chemical and cleaning detergent safety. I showed the Crew a bottle of bleach and asked them what they thought it looked like—the obvious answer was water! But then, I poured some onto coloured paper, and they were amazed to see the colour disappear. This led to an important discussion about why we never play with cleaning supplies or chemicals without an adult. A simple but powerful lesson!
Worksheets & Fine Motor Skills:
This week, the Crew completed two worksheets.
📌 Number Tracing: We focused on starting numbers in the correct place and forming them properly.
📌 Shape Tracing: The Crew traced different shapes and then coloured them in. When colouring, we always encourage them to go slowly and with control—not to force them into staying in the lines, but to strengthen the fine motor muscles in their hands.
Arts & Crafts:
For a creative touch, the Crew made their own mini fire extinguishers and did some finger-painting to create traffic and emergency signs. These special art pieces will be kept for our annual art expo.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Next week’s theme: My Family
