Ms. Denice Seely
Pre-K
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Ms. Denice Seely
The Sign of The Cross
How To Teach Kids To Make The Sign Of The Cross
1. Use a mirror! Tape pictures of the sign of the cross around the edge and let the kids see themselves as they practice.
2. Use a sticker! Kids often get mixed up with which hand to use. That is easily corrected! Just put a cross sticker on your child’s right hand. Tell her that this is her right hand- the hand we use to make the sign of the cross.
3. Do it backwards. I found that when standing in front of kids, teaching them to genuflect and make the sign of the cross, it really helped if I did it backwards with my left hand. This way I was a mirror image of them. Alternately, you can stand in front of the group and face the same way as them to help.
4. Make a craft! this is great?!
Happy Numbers
You all should have gotten an email with log in information to Happy Numbers. Please have your kiddo log in and work the program for at least 10-15 minutes a day. This is not mandatory, but it is a great tool to keep them on the right track.
Using Scissors
Learning how to use scissors plays an important role in developing the fine motor skills young children need in order to hold pencils and crayons. These tips will help you to grow your children’s scissor cutting skills.
Having strong fine motor skills will help children as they begin the tricky process of learning how to write.
It might sound easy, but teaching young children how to cut with scissors is a very complex task.
The Importance of Scissor Cutting Skills
The opening and closing motion of cutting with scissors helps children develop the small muscles in their hands otherwise known as fine motor skills. These muscles are crucial for holding a pencil or crayons and gripping and manipulating objects.
Cutting also helps develop eye-hand coordination as children hold the paper with one hand and cut with the other while tracking the movement of the scissors with their eyes.
Another important skill that is developed through cutting is bilateral coordination. Bilateral coordination involves using both sides of the body at the same time while each hand is performing different tasks. For example, to cut a square, the child must hold the paper with one hand and turn it while the other hand is not only opening and closing the scissors but also moving along the line. Easier said than done!
Tips for Teaching Scissor Cutting Skills
Start by providing high quality scissors for beginners- my absolute favorite brand is Fiskars. Fiskars open and close easily and have a short, blunt tip for safety. Cheaper scissors tend not to cut as well and lead to frustration.
Wrap electrical tape around the thumb hole so children will know where to put their thumb.
Use a song or chant to remind kids where their fingers belong. I use Dr. Jean’s Scissor Snips song from her All Day Long CD.
Start with snipping things like paint chips, play dough, and straws.
Fun websites to do.
Here are some fun websites to do with your kiddos. I "borrowed" these from Mrs. Johnsons page. She will use some of these in kindergarten.
http://www.littlegiraffes.com/
SciShow kids
https://www.youtube.com/user/scishowkids
This is a web site that I used frequently in the classroom. They are short and very informative videos, on almost any science topic. It's a great resource for spring weather, storms and percipitation.
Check it out and let me know what you think!
Stay healthy!
Ms. Seely
Australia Zoo Virtual Tour
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YBRu5JFHmw
This is a virtual field trip to the Australian Zoo. I was a fan of Steve Irwin, Roberts Dad.
Another resource!
This is a great resource for your kiddo to use.
I hope everyone is staying safe!
I miss you all!
https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
Ms. Seely
