You Take a Turn, I Take a Turn

Learning how to take turns is a curriculum concept that we work on throughout the year in the Etzim classroom.  Bringing toys from home can lead to some tricky situations when there is a group of 13 children, but it can provide a wonderful opportunity for children to practice this important skill.  Last week Nicolas brought some of his lego people in to share.  We played a game called "My turn, your turn" as we passed the people around the circle.  After a few rounds of this game, the toys play became more elaborate and creative as everyone shared the space and toys without teacher assistance.

 

  

Rainy day fun!

 

My Turn, Your Turn...

This week we have been exploring and learning about what the word  "friend" means.  Early on in the week  we asked the children, "What nice things do friends do?"
Elias- sharing, Adam- stopping to listen, Molly- negotiating, Micah R- playing together, Charlotte-play dates, Noah-they hug, Lily-share, Samantha- share, Micah G- hold hands, Josh-they
kiss, Josie- they play together and Zach-take turns.

Today in lunch bunch Micah R mentioned that he really likes to play "slap jack" at home.  I suggested we all play together.  The whole group was excited and interested to learn how to play.   Micah and I explained how to play.  We all had a ball!  Everyone became familiar with each card in the deck...#10, #5, the Jacks, Queens etc.   Every time someone placed down a card they told the group what it was, except for the "Jacks"!  Quickly the children caught on , if you see a "Jack" put your hand on it really, really, fast!   If your hand is there first, you get to keep all the cards.  "Slap Jack is a great way to teach children how to take turns and it's a lot of fun!

Snail Pace Race

The Etzim lunch bunch group (joined by a few Levana children) played a cooperative board game called Snail Pace Race. A die is rolled and a snail moves one space based on the corresponding color that is rolled. The children make predictions, count spaces, and match colors in a fun and collaborative way. It was exciting to see which color snail would finish 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.