s.m.a.r.t. spaces

Here in Minnesota, we are having the most glorious fall! My kindergarten class had a really fun week studying the season and wrapped it up with a day we happily called “Leaf Mania”. As we explored layering different colors on our leaves, one student suggested we save our leaf colorings and roll in them during the Pencil Roll.
​
Great idea!

Everyone was so excited to make more leaves to roll over at our group time rug space. That one little addition of student made work caused the Pencil Roll, the activity they have been doing daily for nearly 8 weeks, exciting to do again. My students happily rolled in the leaves during our S.M.A.R.T. time with laughter, cheering for each other, and of course, some hand-raking to make a fun pile.

Do you recall?

In the S.M.A.R.T. workshop, we learn about how the brain learns best with frequency, intensity, and duration. Adding leaves in the fall, snowflakes in the winter, or flowers in the spring to the Pencil Roll brings the intensity that these developing brains crave for learning. What ideas are coming up in your mind? Share them with us in order to share with the S.M.A.R.T. community of educators.
In the meantime, happy rolling in the leaves!

Reference:

• S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE guide pages 33-34
• S.M.A.R.T. Pre-K CORE guide page 14
• S.M.A.R.T. Curriculum Guide page 36​