Sunday, September 2, 2007 ;
3:05 AM
Other school days
How ds1 normal school days are:
On Tues, they have Spanish from 8.45-9am. They play Spanish games, dances and songs, and learn simple words, eg colours, body parts, things around the house, and basic greetings.
He loves the Spanish time, except for dances. haha
Don't know why, but the teacher told me he cried the first time they did dances. I asked ds1 after that, he said the dance had a lot of spinning ard and he felt giddy, so funny.
According to the teacher, he doesn't want to dance now, but is perfectly ok for the rest of the time. ds1 also said he doesn't like to dance in a circle.
After that, they usually do some hands on stuff, either craft or some project. Then they go out to play. Sometimes it is a walk ard the block, sometimes it is just playing at the school playground.
Then it is snack time, toilet break etc.
After that, story time, and time to go home!
This is very different from the Spore preschools I have brought ds1 to. I know there are some that let the kids play all day also, but I have not been to them. Those I have visited, incl Montessori-based ones, and the PAP ones, and others, do have play, but they have writing and worksheets also. Every day. And colouring.
Well, I don't know how far behind ds1 will be when he returns to Spore, since he plays all the time in school, never learning to write alphabet or Chinese or colouring, but he is very happy, and he is also learning a lot. He tells me about the life cycle of the pumpkin, about the human body, about the stories his teacher tells, and I think I am very happy for him. I don't think I should be worried, right?
Also, although he doesn't actually write the letters, the teacher often let them make up stories and she'll write the words down for them as they narrate, so it is a kind of learning that words help you communicate and tell a story.
Above right: the display corner of the classroom changes according to the theme or season. This particular one is about the Fall/ Autumn, so there are pine cones, corn, leaves... Whenever I pick ds1 up, ds2 will rush in the classroom uninvited and play with the things there. Fortunately the teacher doesn't mind.
Above left: colour chart where the teacher writes down each kid's fav colour. ds1 likes black, apparently. hmmm.
Above right: ds1's standing in front of a poster with his body shape on it. the kids lay on the paper, and the teacher traces ard them. ds1 is also holding up what he drew that day.
Below: the wall outside the classroom, filled with the kids' works. This is about "My Family". So ds1 drew all of us. Some other kids drew their pets too. Very cute. ds1's is the one with black stick figures, 3rd from left, bottom row.
Below: picking him up from school.
Below: sometimes they ask to play at the playground before going home, and i oblige. I borrow the Salt Lake Tribune (SLC's newspapers) from the front office, sit there and read while they play.
rainbows every day, do not worry for the morrow
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Above left: colour chart where the teacher writes down each kid's fav colour. ds1 likes black, apparently. hmmm.
Below: picking him up from school.
Below: sometimes they ask to play at the playground before going home, and i oblige. I borrow the Salt Lake Tribune (SLC's newspapers) from the front office, sit there and read while they play.
