Stirring Up Ideas

We also had some questions and ideas in mind which are;

"Big rain - a super typhoon"
"Baha - flood"
"Strong wind = to strong rain"
"Yolanda is a super typhoon. It's scary,"
"Strong wind brought down houses in Leyte"  

It was fun seeing how it causes things to move. We explored wind using different materials and also enjoyed doing straw painting. We noticed how the paint moved from different directions as we blew on it. Some made a big blow of air in the straw, resulting in the paint going in different directions, while others made a tiny blow. 

This week we learned what the long and short vowels sound like through a game. It wasn't an easy task, but in the end, we could sound it out correctly and even make words that have long and short vowel sounds. This also comes with blending the letters and forming/reading words. 

Aside from that, we also focused on counting 1-30, identifying the numbers that came before and after, and comparing numbers (more and less) and objects (big and small). We were also challenged to understand that the count for a set group of objects stays the same no matter whether they are spread out or close together.

As we began our new term in school, we went deep into water exploration and meaningful discoveries through water-related activities. We are able to put together wet and dry materials such as sand, cement, pebbles, oil, sprinkles, dyed water, flour, coffee, glitter, and plants. We discovered so much about water, but we thought that the main highlight of our activities was to uncover different properties of water.

What can dissolve in water?

What can absorb water?

What can sink and float?

We also had questions about the different types of water. This includes water for drinking, water for bathing, and even water for swimming, among others.

We are happy and excited because everything that comes to our mind is just the beginning of our discovery and is a place for us to learn.

This activity was crafted for us to find out the sharpness of cutting tools and the properties of different materials.

We explored different properties of water through our soaking experiment. We tried drenching and dipping various materials in water to see how these substances would react to it. These materials included colored beans, coffee, biscuits, dishwashing liquid, cotton buds, synthetic cloth, natural cloth, tea, and colored crepe paper. As we were experimenting, we observed how the water changed in color. Aside from that, we also noticed how other materials easily absorbed the water while others did not. We also observed the nature of other substances wherein some will "break into pieces" while drastically changing their texture, and others will remain the same, although wet.

This experiment highlighted the features and nature of different substances and how these materials will react to exposure to water.

As we did this science experiment, we called ourselves Little Scientists because we were so eager to ask, "What if..." and "Why..." whenever we observed changes in our experiment. The students were determined to answer the questions and were so excited to learn more about the world of science. 

For Math, we also learned about ordinal numbers. We studied 1st to 10th numbers with the help of hands-on games and activities. We also listened to a story about animals in a race to help deepen our understanding. Aside from that, we also practiced writing and representing the numerals 1-20. This activity helped reinforce fine motor concepts (including writing with form, order, and sequence), finger gripping, and math skills.

For our Filipino Friday activity, we named and recognized different pictures in Filipino to help us understand the names of different things and eventually encourage us to read and speak in this language. We also integrated other writing activities (i.e. journal writing) and self-help skills in most of our activities.

This art experiment encouraged us to inquire and investigate even more about the concept of solubility.

Making chicken broth soup is relatively simple but involves scientific discoveries. One of them is it's physical process that had been apparent in our activity. 

At first, we were curious about the ingredients and the process of cooking a soup. Then, we observed all the wet and dry ingredients mixed in a pot wherein it simmers, boiled, and seasoned. But as we go along the process of dissolving the substances, we try to compare the taste of the soup with and without different ingredients. We've realized that we can alter its flavor contingent on the substance's nature. Thus, a mixture can have a varying taste, depending on the quantity of ingredients used, and water is an essential factor in adjusting the taste. We also discovered how a raw chicken can change and be eaten by boiling it thoroughly. This also led us to understand how different components, when mixed together, can create another substance.   

But we thought that this activity taught us an even more incredible idea. This is the notion that one to two substances, when mixed, can turn into a cup of rich, warm, and comforting chicken broth.

^{What is Tanghulu - It is a traditional Chinese snack consisting of several rock sugar-coated fruits of China.}

We have witnessed the process of "breaking apart" (dissolving) and "sticking together" (hardening) as we make caramelized sugar and coat it on our apple. We waited a long time to see the result of this activity and how changes occurred in our food experiment. The changes were gradual. However, the differences were apparent. These include texture, taste, and appearance (color and shape).

We got invested in how the substance melted and formed into another substance as it hardened.

To encapsulate our experience, it was good to try making an easy homemade Aioli and Balsamic vinegar. Although it wasn't exactly the same taste, most of us were introduced to new flavors, textures, and even the aroma.

On the other hand, our concentration in numeracy concept was identifying numbers before, after, and in between and sequencing numbers. This hugely benefitted us as we improved our counting and problem-solving skills. Aside from that, this also helped us in later recognition of patterns and order.

We also had our Filipino Friday and encountered new and interesting Filipino action words or "pandiwa". We used the Marungko approach, a modern Filipino alphabet introduced for better reading.

Along with all our activities, we also injected some writing activities and fine motor exercises. We did tracing activities to help us lay the foundation for emergent writing skills.

These questions brought us to experiment and discover our queries by making frozen fruit popsicles. We realized the process could be easy, but the waiting time to freeze or turn the liquid into a solid would take longer. We even had to wait for days, which may vary depending on the type and size of the freezer we were using. In our case, we tried the frozen fruit pops on Thursday.

With these, we had our boiling exploration. We learned different ways to boil the egg. This activity made us think of two concepts: (1) water temperature (how hot should the water be?) and (2) boiling time (how long should we wait to get the egg out of the boiling water?). We noticed that the eggs placed in the boiling water simultaneously didn't turn the same as the others. Some eggs were cracked, some were soft-boiled, and others were hard-boiled.

As we were boiling the eggs, we also had some ideas that led us to a more interesting topic to discover. These include our thoughts about the water disappearing and lessening from the pot and the smoke (steam) coming out of the boiling water.

As we did these activities, we became aware of how solid ice turned into a liquid and investigated the changes in the water.

For our practice writing, we had different stations that facilitated practice writing activities with numbers and letters, coloring by number activities, and kneading and forming playdough to form our names. These helped us with our fine motor skills, following directions, problem-solving skills, and encouraging creativity.

For our reading and literacy, we had phoneme substitution for the letters G, R, B, I, M, A, and T, where we reviewed the sounds and made silly words by substituting either beginning, middle, or end sounds for example, the word "Sam" becomes "Bam" as we replaced S sound with B sound. We also explored the idea of imagining possibilities as we learned how to make predictions (before and after the sequence). This challenged our understanding by arranging the pictures and guessing the cause or result of the action in different scenarios. We fostered communication as we made connections to our early experiences and were encouraged to comment on each other's ideas.

Lastly, for our Filipino Friday, we learned the letters L, Y, G, NG, P, R, D, and H through reading in Filipino, saying good words, and identifying names and actions.

For our math, we had a review of numbers from 11 to 30 using playdough and hopscotch activities. We also learned and made math patterns using loose parts, blocks, shapes, and pictures. Math patterns help us make predictions because we begin to understand what comes next. This also taught us to make logical connections and use reasoning skills.

For our self-help, we did activities like tying laces, buttoning, zippering, tracing, and copying other lines and strokes.

With these, we explored the idea of a water cycle and states of matter. We discussed the process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation through our understanding and vocabulary. Evaporation can mean the "disappearance of water" for us, while condensation can be "water from the air," and precipitation is something we "perceive as rain falling on the sky." We did this through an experiment with ice and hot water called "cloud in a jar."

We also wrapped up our conversation about this by creating an idea map of all our thoughts.

Aside from that, we also worked on discovering 2d and 3d shapes around us. We were able to compare the differences between these two classifications of shapes; for example, not all triangular shapes are triangles. There were some, which we call a pyramid and even a cone.

Moreover, we worked on the letters P, W, and J for literacy. We were determined to understand the sounds of these letters. Learning alliteration along with these letters has become part of our activities when introducing a new one. This taught us that we should pay closer attention to sound, which will help us sound out more complex words. We also tried phoneme addition, deletion, and substitution to master these letters and sounds.

As for physical activities, which help us strengthen our core muscles, stamina, and gross and fine motor skills, we worked on activities that foster crossing the body's midline. We utilize the ball games to pass the ball in different directions. This develops our manipulation, hand dominance, finger strength, & bilateral integration.

_{According to a study by Karen Leigh, crossing the body's midline is the ability to reach the middle of the body with the arms and legs. This allows children to travel over their bodies to perform a task on the opposite side of their body.}

Learning how to express our thoughts and ideas through emergent writing was lovely. We could sometimes be scribbling, using early inventive spelling, doing letter strings, sounding out letters and putting them into words, or even drawing them.

These things made us feel like we were part of the Christmas preparation and celebration.

It started with the video presentation as we observed the boiling water in a pot and saw bubbles forming like a “cloud” forming and rising in the air. While this is happening, we notice the quantity of water decreases because it goes up, spreads, and fills up the surface above. That’s why we went outside to make puddles to see what would happen if we left them under the heat. “Will it dry?” or “Will it stay wet?”. When a puddle of water disappears after being outside in the sun, it means that the water will rise into the air and disappear, and that's the beginning of the process of "Evaporation."

After that, we had another activity where we learned practical life skills by washing clothes and hanging them under the heat. It is not only about learning where the water goes after we dry up the clothes, but it is also beneficial for us as we develop coordination, gross and fine motor skills, and a sense of independence and responsibility.

But we thought that preparing for 2024 was even better when we did a 2024 key chain, and it reminded us that a new year means a great start to do something good and make great memories.

We also talked about 2024 and had a list of "resolutions." Most of us made "resolutions" as yearly traditions, while some were newly introduced to this word.

This is an excellent opportunity to learn Science, as we did an observation chart based on the question regarding the water temperature, size of the substance (mallows), and the time. We had a lot of hypotheses before we started the food experiment. Some of our assumptions were correct. However, most of us have discovered observable things that fascinate us. These include the idea that mallows will dissolve in the hot chocolate because they melt in our mouths, providing heat and moisture.

It was a quick pause from our learning plans, and we enjoyed the most important things around us. We had fun munching on our favorite food and sharing the joys and laughter at one table. We were also challenged to win the Christmas games. It was a friendly competition to win the grand prizes. We especially enjoyed the Christmas Bingo game, the trip to Jerusalem, and the Pass the Action game, among others.

Indeed, it was a December to remember. It was something we are ready to bring with us until the next coming years.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zLwhx8WnqzMsJGx3ue3ylKSkNBD5t0dT/view?usp=sharing

With its sweetness and coldness, the milkshake represents the Christmas feeling and tradition that goes beyond traditional dessert.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

This week, we started our activities with decorating Christmas trees (symmetry) and tracing. We also made Christmas cards for Santa with our wishes for this Christmas.

For our numeracy, we did a review of numbers from 1 to 20 using a flash card, and we also did a "build a city" game using blocks and papers with number boxes. We also learned to follow directions when making our own cookies and have learned new measurement vocabulary words used in baking, like "1 teaspoon, 1 tablespoon, and a pinch."

For our self-help, we had an outdoor activity that introduced us to crossing the midline activities, such as "following the chalk, popping the balloons, hopping on the flowers, and making snakes and ladders." Crossing the midline activities develops a child's gross motor skills, such as coordination and balance. Gross motor development is also essential in order to maintain a child's development with their peers.

It was a lovely catch-up with everyone!

The sense of touch stems from our thoughts and queries about the 'feeling of satisfaction' whenever we feel something from our skin or when we touch an object.

Aside from that, we also engaged in literacy and reading practice as we did phoneme blending and segmenting. This process allows us to break down the words into smaller sounds (segmenting) and merge each sounds to make meaning (blending). We used a flip chart and picture flashcards for CVC words (e.g., s-u-n) while we were also introduced to more complex blending sounds: the L-blends (e.g., glass, class).

It was also a great start to build our love for reading and comprehension as we studied parts of the story and read a book we handpicked. We chose "The Little Red Hen" by Mary Mapes Dodge. Here, we understand that a story has parts, which include its characters, setting, and events.

For Filipino Friday, we focused on learning how to create a phrase in the Filipino language or 'parirala.'

Our texture tub brought us many learning ideas. This includes how each texture attributes to different feelings. Feelings such as happiness, anxiety, disgust, and even yummy (feelings of pleasure and delight). Some of us even described the texture as a pillow (powder), a dog (furry), rock, and sand (salt).

Indeed, textures and feelings have a lot in common!

From this investigation, we enjoyed touching the sugar more than the salt.

As for the taste, Most of us like the salty one. We mentioned that most of our favorite food, like chips, is salty.

The words that were evident in our discussion are the following; "ew," "icky," "cold," "feels like a pillow," "looks like a dog," etc.

During our outdoor activity, we had the chance to search for and locate the objects we needed from our 'Nature Checklist.' Trees, leaves, acorns, grass, stone, twigs, and beach rock are the things that we see in our surroundings. We collected them and put them inside our sensory tub.

As we explore and expose ourselves to nature, it improves both our physical health and naturalist aspects of our lives.

This week, we focused on enhancing our reading skills through phoneme blending and segmenting. Segmenting is breaking a word into phonemes (smallest sound units in a word - ex. /s/ /a/ /d/ for sad), while phoneme blending is combining phonemes to form words. Blending and segmenting words are important skills to learn in teaching children how to read. We learned to read new words (flag, spin, pond, can, etc.) We also engaged in different activities, like spying and word hunting, which made our reading exercise more fun. 

We also listened to and retold a story entitled "I Know an Old Lady." This activity challenged our listening skills, reading comprehension, and building oral language. We did this by chronologically ordering the events that happened in the story. 

We also learned prepositions through the song "Where Am I?" and played a game where our gross motor and listening skills were challenged. 

In addition to that, we also identified, counted, and wrote the numbers 31-40 by counting toy cubes, identifying numbers, and writing them in our journal. We also played "ping pong relay", which tested our gross motor, coordination, and thinking skills.

For Filipino Friday, we learned "magkasing-tunog na mga salita" like aso, baso, maso and tasa, basa, lasa, etc.

We ingested nature's gentle touch through our various bodily parts, conveying different feelings and sensations into our minds as we touched, saw, heard, or smelled the objects in our environment. This day was incredibly fun that taught us to seek different ways to enjoy and be thrilled on whatever we have on our mind, body and feelings.

Inside the box is a different object that has ticklish and rough items. We described how each item made us feel, but we also discussed what words we could use to describe it best. Some described the ouch feeling as "hard" since it makes it hard to touch when the object is "ouchy."

We got invested in building our vocabulary while we tried to identify the best word to use in our descriptions. This week, we are ready to unlock the words ticklish and rough!

Our teachers instructed us to wear a blindfold and pick up an object to describe the sensation before gently placing it on our skin.

The word rough was associated with the words 'ouchy', 'ouwiee', 'hard paper,' and 'bumpy,' while 'ticklish' made our body move, laugh, and giggle. It was a fun activity that strengthened our ability to describe and process our thoughts about the rough and ticklish objects like brushes, velcro, sandpaper, abaca roll, mat, straw, and the table rag that we used. 

We played with different sensory bins that contained other rough materials. Although we said that most items felt "ouch!" (painful), we still enjoyed doing the activity. We also had fun stepping on the materials while listening and following the song directions of "Walking Walking by Super Simple Songs."

This week, we still focused on emergent reading skills with the help of phoneme segmentation using four-letter words. We involved our whole body as we sounded out each letter, using the "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" song as our sound body part.

We were also introduced to new letter sounds such as K, X, V, and Y. In addition to this, we learned that sounds can be blended to form a new sound. Although it can be a little challenging, everyone did their best to recognize and be able to read out words from our chosen books (focusing on sh and ch) as well as words with consonant digraphs th and ph while completing a giant puzzle.

For Math, we focused on introducing the concept of telling time and doing more tasks that entail comparing numbers up to 40 while moving our body parts from side to side.

To culminate our activities this week, we played charades and engaged in a group story-telling activity. These activities fostered social skills, such as respecting differences and observing proper play etiquette.

This week, we were introduced to sharp materials. Although it could be harmful, we tried to experience a gentle touch with those objects. We know how vital these sharp tools are to everyday life. That is why, one way or another, we would be introduced and use these.

Before we started our exploration, we watched a video and listened to students' and teachers' ideas about properly handling it and avoiding being harmed by these sharp tools.

We even made a fruit kebab, which requires us to use a plastic knife and sticks. 

Most of us found rocks that we tried scratching on our skin; we also saw some twigs, mulberries, stems of leaves, pins, and even nails stuck in the wood. It was a lovely outdoor activity that taught us the importance of being mindful of our surroundings and properly handling sharp materials.

Our literacy lessons focused on the letters K, X, V, and Y and using these letters for inventive spelling. We did an activity called "invisible ink." Inventive spelling gives a window into the children's understanding of print and letter/sound knowledge. Through these writing activities, we reinforced letter and sound knowledge, phonemic awareness skills, print awareness, language skills, and creativity. 

We also built and read simple sentences on our own through the use of different flashcards that contained a subject, an action, and prepositions. Creating simple sentences enhances language development, and students can better comprehend and retain sentence structures while enjoying themselves and expressing their creativity.

For math, we learned skip-counting by 5 through counting, clapping our hands, and hopping to different numbers to form the multiples of 5. We also mastered the numbers 40–60 through various activities. We learned thoroughly by recognizing the numbers, writing on the whiteboard, using playdough to create the numbers, and counting different objects like popsicle sticks, beans, money chips, and marker caps.

For Filipino Friday, we pretended to be waiters or waitresses in a restaurant. With this activity, we used Filipino words and emphasized "po" at "opo" when talking the orders of our customers and greeting everyone that came into our restaurant.

Scratching can be turned into an art. 

We used sharp objects as a tool to scrape the mystery paper. We used combs, sticks, coffee stirrers, wooden knives, forks, and even our nails to see what was behind the scratchboard. We're glad that we got a chance to do what we like in the classroom.

In addition, we have engaged in weaving using paper clips and ribbon. At first, putting the clips in the hole was hard, but we developed a strategy to put them in, which helped us strengthen our fine motor skills.

We were excited and loved to see the results of our own story.

The props team, headed by the Tuesday and Thursday classes, decided to make a rainy cloud backdrop with random drawings associated with the storyline of "The 5 Pizza Children."

For literacy, we focused on learning two-letter pairs, which we call diagraphs. These letter pairs work together to make a new sound. We used words that were familiar to us and incorporated picture cards to help us visualize them. We were engaged as we had play activities that let us run, search, and hunt for words and pictures related to the topic. 

Aside from that, we also learned skip counting for numeracy, the same way we did with literacy. We thought it was easier to understand and grasp the concept if we relate it to the materials essential to us; for instance, skip counting by five can be attributed to how we learn the minute hand of the clock and how 50 items can be counted easily with a set of 5. On the other hand, we used pairs of shoes to skip count by 2s. 

This week is pretty challenging yet filled with new learning.

It's a good thing the weighing scale proves it to us!

Our ideas, stories, and investigation were taken out of the box as we delved into open-ended explorations such as job dramatic play, building provocation, and activities that stimulated our ideas about physical change in our bodies.

Exploring these concepts brought us to a different and wider perspective through the power of play. 

Learning different things boosts our cognitive and socio-emotional skills, which enhance our HOTS (higher-order thinking skills) and our confidence to participate in conversation and group discussions. 

For literacy, we introduced digraphs and consonant blends, which are  "ch," "sh," "br," and "fr." Learning digraphs and consonant blends contribute to our ability to decode words, allowing us to read more complex words and understand various letter combinations. We were able to unlock and learn these words in different ways. For instance, we recognize the two-letter sounds through a game called, "Shushing the Train" and play games like memory games, quiz games, and bingo. 

For our numeracy skills, our goal is to count numbers from 1 to 50 using the Base-10 number system. Base-10 means using the ten different digits (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). With these activities, we began to understand that we can only have 0–9 as digits, and it also introduced the concept of place value. We used cut-out squares representing the base-10 (1 strip 10 squares) and small squares representing the ones. At the end of the week, we mastered skip counting by ten and one-to-one correspondence, which affects the understanding of more complex math skills.   

To enhance our Filipino reading skills, we use the Marungko approach. This week, we read words that have "pa" and "ba" syllables. The Marungko Approach is a reading instruction developed to help beginning readers attain reading fluency. This approach suits our early reading needs by understanding the letter-sound correspondence to recognize words instantly. We also learned Filipino words for numbers 1 to 10.

We observed changes in his physical appearance, including changes in hair length, eye color, body size, and bigger and stronger limbs and arms. We also used Teacher Kay and Dom's pictures as a reference to see how humans change and grow from newborn babies to their current age. Our discussion also included their clothes and style.

In today's activity, we saw the changes from newborn babies until we reached one year old to our current age. Our growth affects every part of our life.

It was a fun activity looking back at our old pictures and reminiscing about past experiences that show how we've grown and developed.

Aside from that, we also practiced reading as a way to present the "token economy" system. Whenever we participated and joined the activity, we could earn coin chips, which we would use for the store play. We got to practice reading 4-letter words, blending letter sounds, and even spelling simple to complex words.

We checked how long our feet were by measuring them. We used paper squares to represent the units of measurement and compared them. The length of our feet varies from 7 to 9 squares of paper while the younger children have only 3 to 6 squares of paper.

Of course, we've got to do Easter egg hunting!

We gathered with the Playworks community at the school garden to explore the obstacle course and look for the eggs and bunny bag. We were challenged, yet it was an "egg-citing" experience!

It is important to learn subtraction in practical ways so the students understand how it relates to our everyday lives. We use subtraction when dealing with money, cooking, travel, and learning the concept of time, among countless other daily experiences. 

As for literacy, we find new ways to enhance our vocabulary by doing different activities. Learning new vocabulary helps us express ourselves, understand the world better, and think logically. It also improves our confidence to participate actively in discussions.

We also practiced using the articles "a" and "an," as this is a common grammatical rule we encounter when creating simple sentences. We also enriched our literacy skills through decoding four-letter words and spelling.

Although it was a very different experience for some of us, especially those who don't have younger siblings, we truly enjoyed engaging and playing with them.

Additionally, we've come to understand the importance of communication, especially when interacting with younger individuals, and how to approach them despite the differences in our abilities.

Reflecting on these observations, we realize that despite our differences, we may share more similarities than we initially thought. It's just that now, we've grown a little older, taller, and stronger.

To gain a deeper understanding of these variances, we dedicate time to observing young toddlers inside their classroom and immersing ourselves in their routines this week. We notice that their schedules tend to be slightly more flexible compared to older children, perhaps due to their shorter attention spans. Their music and movement activities primarily involve seated positions, featuring guided movements and fingerplays, often led by a trusted adult.

We also had fun using our math skills to learn about money. We used Philippine Pesos to practice subtraction and learned about saving and spending wisely. It's important to understand money from a young age, so we know how to use it for the things we need and want.

In our literacy lessons, we explored different sounds and words. We talked about consonants like 'sc', 'br', 'str', and 'tr', and learned new words like scarf, brown, straw, and tree. We also had a special day dedicated to learning Filipino words with prefixes 'mi-' and 'bi-'.

Another important topic we discussed was keeping our bodies safe. We learned about safe and unsafe touches and how to assert our boundaries. It's essential to know that our bodies belong to us and that we have the right to say no to unwanted touches. To celebrate our understanding, we created self-portraits featuring our essential body parts.

Overall, it was a busy and enriching week full of learning and growth in our kindergarten class!

We were delighted to observe how the candies differed in color, but when we applied water to them, the outer color dissolved, leaving only the inner part. Through this experiment, we realized that candies are similar to humans. Despite our physical differences (e.g. hair/eye color, race, ethnicity, beliefs, and more), we share similar emotions. For instance, we may feel scared when watching scary films or happy when receiving a toy.

As children, it reminds us that we are all alike in many different ways and that we should embrace our diversity.

As we engaged with these activities, we found that each of us had a unique perspective on 'respect.' However, a common thread emerged – kindness. Many of us expressed that respect is about showing others that they are important and acknowledging their feelings. Additionally, we learned that embracing and accepting our differences is a fundamental aspect of respect. This realization reminded us that we can form meaningful connections and relationships with others, regardless of our backgrounds.

In addition to our discussions, we also created a 'Rainbow and Me' coloring sheet. This activity served as a visual representation of our understanding that despite our differences in interests and preferences, we can come together to create something beautiful. Just like the colors of a rainbow, our diversity can bring light and joy to those around us.

These questions were the focus of our sticks and stones activity. Through it, we came to realize that words can leave a lasting scar on people's hearts. No matter how much we try to make amends and help them feel better, our words hold significant power, and once spoken, they cannot be taken back.

As part of the activity, we also wrote secret letters to individuals we felt we had hurt with our past words or actions.

In our literacy sessions, we expanded our knowledge by delving into new consonant blends like 'tr,' 'br,' 'fr,' and 'pr.' Learning these blends not only enriches our vocabulary but also enhances our ability to think critically and comprehend new words. We also honed our phonemic awareness skills by identifying beginning, middle, and ending sounds in words. Moreover, we practiced constructing sentences, progressing from simple to complex structures. Sentence building serves as a cornerstone for our ongoing language development.

Furthermore, during our Filipino Friday sessions, we enriched our vocabulary by crafting simple sentences using words like "so" and "mo." To complement our learning, we engaged in fun activities such as Zumba dance, bingo, and Dr. Quack games. These activities not only reinforced our gross-motor and fine-motor skills but also made learning enjoyable and interactive.

Our activity involved listening to the song, 'Hello To All The Children Of The World,' showcasing various ways to say hello in different countries. We also learned how they lived, whether in a town, mountain, or sea. We noticed similarities and differences in their costumes, houses, culture, and how people lived in every country. Besides noticing differences in facial features among individuals worldwide, we also observed differences in our languages. The words that we learned are "Buenos Dias," "Bonjour," "Ciao," "Guten-Tag," "Konichiwa," "Do-brey dien," and "Shalom."

During our exploration, we engaged in the 'spot the differences' activity, which provided a unique lens to view different cultures through their national costumes, which we found to be reminiscent of animated superheroes. This activity piqued our interest in understanding how each nationality represents their countries and the unique lives these people lead. We also had the opportunity to create our own paper doll, a process that involved accurately coloring it with our skin tone using crayons that have a wide selection of skin-tone shades. This personalization allowed us to reflect on our own identities and express our unique preferences and self-perceptions.

This week, we've been focusing on enhancing our reading skills, particularly in understanding phrases and sentences. We've been practicing comprehension by examining every word and how they combine to form sentences or phrases to derive meaning. This demonstrates our commitment to becoming effective readers who can understand, analyze, and answer questions based on texts. We've been participating in fun, competitive reading activities such as relays, races, picture-word patterns, and book readings.

In terms of numeracy, we're making significant progress. We are now exploring the base ten system and place value, a fundamental mathematical concept. This involves understanding that the value of a digit in a number depends on its position. For example, in the number 13, the '1' represents tens, and the '3' represents ones. This progression highlights our readiness to advance our addition and subtraction skills. We're eager to tackle larger numbers, demonstrating our growth in math.

Lastly, for our Special Fridays, we played an outdoor relay with different stations that allowed us to practice writing, enhance our gross and fine motor skills, build stamina, and foster sportsmanship, creativity, and a healthy competitive spirit.

We wanted to foster cultural appreciation in this interconnected world by delving into their holidays and traditions. Experiencing the cultural festivities worldwide allows us to see ourselves in the discussion we were learning. We danced, sang, and tried to do the activities that different countries could do. 

Cultural influence also significantly impacts interconnection, as seen by shared artistic practices, languages, beliefs, and historical connections. Furthermore, the diaspora of Asian communities worldwide has not only created networks that span continents but also a strong sense of solidarity and shared identity among Asians regardless of location. These similarities contribute to a sense of interconnectedness among Asian countries despite their distinct histories and cultures.