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We Have Healthy Teeth!
Lauren Renfro | September 14, 2011 | Comment
During the “All About Me” unit in Strands, children had the opportunity to discover the importance of having healthy teeth. We discussed how teeth are important in many ways. Students discovered that if you take care of your teeth, they’ll help take care of you. Strong, healthy teeth help you chew the right foods to help you grow. They help you speak clearly. And yes, they help you look your best!!! During this activity, each student was given their very own tooth brush and toothpaste to use. The kids really enjoyed brushing their teeth alongside their friends, as well as looking at themselves in the mirror!!
Early Preschool parents were very thrilled to see their child engaged in this activity. One parent even commented, “Oh wow, that’s why she likes to brush her teeth now. I usually have to put up a fight to get her to do it!” Students were ecstatic to have their very own toothbrush to take home and use (twice a day!).
If you would like to know more about tooth brushing in children, check out this website at http://pediatrics.about.com/cs/pediatricadvice/a/dental_health.htm .

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Soap and Water
Amber Abbey | September 1, 2011 | Comment
Early preschool students enjoy using their hands to explore how different things look and feel. For science and sensory, our class decided to explore with soap. We filled the sensory table with water and some squirts of dish soap and then mixed the two together with a whisk to make bubbles. Then the children hid colored airplanes at the bottom of the bubbles and tried to scoop them up with their spoons. EPS definitely used fine motor skills to catch those airplanes.
It was very tricky at first with the slippery water, but they managed to catch a couple! Every time they caught an airplane we all pretended to fly like an airplane in the sky. We were able to take advantage of the beautiful day as we played outside, while at the same time reinforce our “air transportation” unit by using large and fine motor skills. As an added bonus, our class smelled so fresh and clean after the lesson!

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Our Early Preschool Class is Growing!
Heidi Summers | September 1, 2011 | Comment
The Plano Early Preschool class has expanded, and in August we opened a new classroom for children 18 months and older. Its so exciting to have Ms. Amber here as the newest addition to our school. Ms. Amber graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is certified to teach Early Childhood through 6th grade. Amber believes in offering the children a variety of hands on and exploratory activities. Its fun to see Ms. Amber and her class walking through the halls of the school. They are already learning classroom routines and procedures, and parents have really enjoyed the pictures and updates she has provided, detailing all the fun acitivities of the day. Ms. Amber’s class started in August with two students, and now she already has six students enrolled. This is going to be a fun year!

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Meet Ms. Lauren
Heidi Summers | September 1, 2011 | Comment (1)
Ms. Lauren is the Strands teacher at The Grove School of Plano. Lauren is from the small town of Prosper, Texas. She graduated from Tarleton State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Sciences and a concentration in Child and Family Studies. Lauren’s goal for the Strands class is for the children to develop their imaginations through fun and creative learning activities. She says, “My philosophy for learning is that each child is unique, and each child learns in a different way. One of my jobs as a teacher is to help your child discover his or her invidviduality and work alongside them to maximize it. I believe in hands-on experiences, learning through creativity, and learning through play.” Lauren has some terrific lesson ideas for this school year. Welcome aboard, Lauren. We are excited to have you here!






