The Pre-K children returned from the winter break with renewed enthusiasm. As they changed the calendar to reflect the arrival of 2017, the children used a 2016 calendar to review and count the months in an entire year. The children shared their hopes and dreams for what they would like to learn to do in the New Year. During their math explorations, the children explored the concept of pairs. They discovered that many parts of there bodies come in pairs and, consequently, many pieces of clothing they wear come in pairs. After generating and illustrating a list of things that come in pairs, the children designed matching mittens and socks. It was challenging to make two mittens that were exactly the same and also mirror images of each other. The children listened to The Mitten Tree by Candace Christiansen and learned about how a woman made mittens for a group of children to show kindness and was thanked with a kindness in return. While learning about pairs, and making pairs of mittens and socks, the children explored the concept of symmetry. Working with partners, the children used pattern tiles to make symmetrical figures. Each child took turns adding a new tile then copied the partner’s tile. In this way, the children collaborated during their work.
