The Zoo

The preschoolers had a blast visiting our themed center during the month of March, the zoo!  They seemed to enjoy role-playing the various employees that would work at a zoo including, zookeepers, veterinarians, ticket booth operators & food cart merchants. 

Sometimes, we rode around the zoo in our green jeep to look for wild animals.  During these safari drives, we used our binoculars, flashlights and cameras to spot the various animals who were hiding in our zoo.  At times, we had to bring an injured animal back to the vet's headquarters so that he/she could give them medicine and nurse them back to health.

Over the course of the unit, we learned about the different kinds of foods that each animal liked to eat. We practiced feeding the animals & even tried out some of the same foods that the animals liked to eat.  At times, we worked up quite an appetite ourselves.  Luckily, there were many food carts around the zoo selling ice cream, popcorn and hotdogs.  

In the end, the preschoolers really loved taking care of the animals.  However, toward the end of the unit, they also seemed to enjoy role-playing the animals, as well as creating the habitats for the animals.  A great time was had by all of the students and they didn't even realize that they were learning so much along the way!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Doctor's Office

Over the past few weeks, the preschoolers were able to visit the doctor's office, the dentist's office and the optometrist's office.  This enabled them to learn more about community helpers and the roles that they have in our community.  We read many books about these topics, as well.

The preschoolers have used their imaginations to become doctors, nurses, dentists, medical assistants, optometrists and patients.  The preschoolers have also learned that people can go to these medical offices when they are healthy or sick.  In fact, the preschoolers have become experts at taking care of all types of patients.  They are also familiar with what patients do before they have are called back for a scheduled appointment...in the waiting room.

We talked about many body parts including ears, eyes, mouths & teeth, as well as other body parts that could be hurt or broken.  (Of course, since I actually injured my knee this past January, the preschoolers/patients often had serious knee injuries & were given lots of medicine/shots & crutches.  :)

 
 

 

 

      

 

 

The Boat Dock

Welcome to the boat dock!  We have had many different types of boats that dock in our classroom over the course of the week.  In fact, our large dramatic play boat changes each day based on the preschoolers' imaginations.  We've had a sailboat, a pirate ship, and even a submarine in our classroom!  Using dramatic play, the preschoolers have pretended to be the captain of the ship, the passengers on a boat, and even hard-working ship mates who expertly clean and repair the boats.  Luckily, we also have an anchor and life buoy on board.  These tools help us dock the boat and to save any passengers who have fallen overboard.

In addition to our dramatic play boat, there are many other types of smaller boats to play with in this center.  And, where you have boats, you will have water.  A few weeks ago, we moved our sensory table into the boat docking area.  Here, the preschoolers have enjoyed playing in the water with the smaller boats and people toys.  Some days, the water in the sensory tub is clean and cold.  On other days, the water is warm and soapy.   In either case, the water table has allowed us to enhance the preschoolers' vocabulary words in a fun manner.