Fun Fridays - St. Paul's Preschool

#Watching “Pumpkin Jack” Come to Life in Our Classroom

Every fall, after the excitement of Halloween, our classroom welcomes a very special guest: Pumpkin Jack!

Inspired by Pumpkin Jack, the wonderful story by Will Hubbell, we set our carved pumpkin in a clear container to see what happens as the seasons change. What begins as a bright orange jack-o’-lantern slowly transforms over time — and our children become curious scientists, artists, and storytellers as they observe the process.

Science in Action

Each week, the children check on Pumpkin Jack. At first, they notice small changes — a little shriveling, a darker color, maybe even a few spots of mold. We will talk about what might be happening and why. As weeks go by, the pumpkin softens and sinks, teaching us about decomposition and how nature recycles everything back into the earth.

Through hands-on observation, children begin to understand big scientific ideas:

How living things break down and return nutrients to the soil
The role of weather, moisture, and insects in nature’s cycle
Patience and curiosity as they watch slow changes over time

Language and Art Connections

Pumpkin Jack also inspires storytelling and creativity. The children might draw pictures of how he looks, make predictions about what might happen next, and may even dictate stories about “Jack’s adventures.” These activities encourage descriptive language, sequencing, and observation skills — all while making science feel magical.

A Lesson in Renewal

By springtime, something amazing happens — new green sprouts begin to appear where Pumpkin Jack once sat. The children are thrilled to see that Jack’s life continues in a new form! Together we plant the seedlings in our garden and talk about how the life cycle begins again.

Why We Love This Project

Watching Pumpkin Jack disintegrate over the school year connects children deeply to nature and helps them see the world as a living system full of wonder. It’s messy, beautiful, and full of discovery — just like early learning itself.

#Teach Me Tuesdays

Incorporating Patterns into Our Daily Calendar Work

In our Pre-K classroom, we integrate pattern recognition into our daily calendar routine. As we explore and identify the pattern of the month, students engage in a variety of essential cognitive and mathematical skills. This routine is more than just a fun activity—it’s an intentional practice that builds a strong foundation for future learning.

Through our calendar pattern work, children develop:

Logical Thinking
By identifying relationships and making connections between calendar pieces, students build reasoning skills that support problem-solving across subjects.
Prediction Skills
Students are encouraged to anticipate “what comes next?”—a fundamental aspect of early scientific and mathematical thinking.
Spatial Perception
Manipulating and organizing objects in patterns helps children understand direction, order, and placement—important for early geometry and visual processing.
Foundations for Math
As children engage with patterns, they reinforce counting sequences, understand number relationships, and begin to build algebraic thinking by recognizing rules and sequences.

These engaging activities not only support early math readiness but also foster confidence, curiosity, and joy in learning.

CalendarPatterns

#Teach Me Tuesdays

🎨 Learning Through Play: Why It’s the Heart of Preschool Education

At our preschool, you’ll often hear joyful giggles, see building blocks stacked high, and notice tiny hands covered in paint. While it may look like simple fun, what’s really happening is something much deeper — learning through play.

🧠 What Is Play-Based Learning?

Play-based learning is an approach that uses play as the foundation for development in early childhood. Rather than focusing only on structured lessons or worksheets, we encourage children to explore, imagine, create, and interact. Through this process, they naturally build cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills.

🧩 Why Is Play So Important?

Here are just a few things children learn while they play:

Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking
When a child figures out how to balance blocks or complete a puzzle, they’re learning to think through challenges and try new solutions.
Language & Communication
Conversations during pretend play or while sharing toys help children develop vocabulary, sentence structure, and active listening.
Social & Emotional Growth
Taking turns, expressing feelings, and cooperating with others are all practiced during play. These are skills that build empathy, patience, and confidence.
Physical Development
Whether it’s climbing, painting, or stringing beads, play builds fine and gross motor skills essential for daily tasks and later academic work.
Creativity & Imagination
From building imaginary worlds to creating art, children explore their thoughts and feelings in a safe and open-ended way.

🎒 What Does This Look Like in Our Classroom?

Dramatic Play Corner: Children take on roles like chef, doctor, or parent, learning about the world and how people interact in it.
Sensory Stations: Water, sand, and texture tables invite kids to explore with their senses, sparking curiosity and scientific thinking.
Outdoor Play: Movement games and nature exploration allow children to develop coordination, teamwork, and an appreciation for the environment.
Art & Music Time: Self-expression through colors, sounds, and movement boosts creativity and emotional well-being.

💬 A Message to Parents

Play isn’t a break from learning — it is learning. The skills your child is developing while they “just play” are laying the foundation for reading, writing, math, and more. Most importantly, they are building a love for discovery that will carry with them throughout life.

So, the next time you see your child lost in imaginative play, know that their brain is hard at work — and they’re exactly where they need to be.