Mrs. Rachel's Kinder Prep: Easter!

Well, week 3 is in the books. It really has been a bit hard to keep track of the days with the lack of events, schedules, and activities that usually put a structure to our week! As I said in my email, it has taken some time to process the fact that our class won't be back together... Heading off to kindergarten with no in-person goodbyes or end-of-year preschool celebrations. However, I hope we can think of some creative ways to still celebrate them and help them to feel connected in the coming weeks.

This week would have been focused all on EASTER in our room! In the midst of the chaos going on in this world, my heart rejoices in the fact that Jesus NEVER CHANGES! He is still present, He is still on His throne, He is still good, and He is still victorious! Our Savior is alive and reigns, and I pray that your family can take time to celebrate that this week even though celebrations may look very different this year. The truth of the Gospel hasn't changed and never will.

More than any activities, my suggestion would be to read and discuss the story of Easter as much as you can this week. Nothing else you fit in would rival in importance. Nevertheless, I have also included a number of math and literacy activities that we would have done in class! Hoppy learning! :)

1. Uppercase/Lowercase Letters: Grab a bag of eggs and write an uppercase letter on one end and its matching lowercase letter on the other end. Break them apart and scatter them around the yard to have your child find and match up! This week's new letter is Xx!
2. Addition: Use eggs to write a number on one end and then an addition sentence on the other (3+2). Work together to match these. If this is too difficult, write a number on one end and then draw dots on the other to work on counting and matching. **We would have started on subtraction this week too.
3. Sight Words: Try using letters you have at home (Scrabble letters, fridge magnets, etc.) to build words. You could also try sight word jumping or hop scotch... Write them in chalk and then say them as you jump on them! (Super simple) This week's new sight word is "in".
4. Colors/Poetry: If you have a chance to get some Jelly beans, try out this Jelly bean prayer. You could put each color in a bowl and draw out a color, write the color together, and then read what it represents.

5. Bible: It looks like the website we use at LAP for Bible stories has not been updated for April. However, here is one of the songs! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JnFLvGUKP4 If you don't have a children's Bible around, I have always enjoyed using the Saddleback Kids videos on YouTube. Here is a good one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL8R158Ujp4
6. Read Aloud: You can still try out the free online story hours I shared or look up an Easter read-aloud on YouTube! But don't forget the power of just finding a chair and reading together. YOU are your child's best example for becoming a lover of reading!
7. Fine Motor: Here is a good printable letter tracing page... You could pair this with your Easter egg letter hunt if you would like! We love letter hunts!

8. Art/Cooking: Have fun coloring Easter eggs or decorating Easter cookies! I always do a "resurrection rolls" as well... Might give it a try! I also had Anna cut/paint a palm branch for Palm Sunday!