NewsStudent LifeFaculty/StaffPre-K to 8ServiceAcademics
Pre-k celebrates Cowboy Day with friends and family
Sep 14, 2004 8:00 AM
By Beth Smith '87 - Faculty
Pre-kindergarten’s month-long study of cowboys culminated in the fifth annual Cowboy Day celebration Monday, Sept. 6, at J.L. Todd’s farm in Kingston, Ga. Students and their families were invited to attend.
“It is just a great way for the pre-k families to meet, and having it on Labor Day means that working parents can come and enjoy the day, too,” said Beth Smith, pre-k teacher.
According to Smith, pre-k always begins the year with a unit on cowboys as a fun way for the students to get to know one another.
“We start off with ‘Wanted’ posters outside our rooms with the children’s names and faces on them as they come to school. We go on a ‘hunt’ for all the places around school, like the Chuck Wagon Hall (lunchroom), Mrs. Lumpkin’s Singin’ and Dancin’ Hall and Sheriff Tayloe, who gives us sheriff badge cookies on the first day,” said Smith. The students also learn songs, complete projects and end the unit with a trip to the farm.
“We rope steer, make trail mix, pan for gold, ride a horse and eat from the chuck wagon with our families,” said Smith. “[The children] love all of the activities. Some have never ridden a horse, not many have tried to rope a steer and they love panning for gold. They think they will be able to take it to the bank!”
Smith said that not only do these types of activities re-enforce the beginnings of pre-k such as listening, following directions, waiting your turn and cheering your friends on, but it teaches them to introduce their parents to their new friends, sing songs we have learned and just build our friends and families up and have a good time.
“This unit has been successful because it eases the students into our routine and rules, with lots of fun,” she said. “It makes them feel comfortable around school. By taking our maps and following the trail to Sheriff Tayloe, the kids learn their way around the building, and they know where things are. Some of our favorite songs throughout the year will be the ones we taught them in the first two weeks of school – ‘I’m a Little Cowpoke’ and ‘Down by the Station.’”
All in all, it was a good time for everyone, and Smith said she hopes the pre-kindergarten students are settled in and ready for a year of learning and loving together.
“It is just a great way for the pre-k families to meet, and having it on Labor Day means that working parents can come and enjoy the day, too,” said Beth Smith, pre-k teacher.
According to Smith, pre-k always begins the year with a unit on cowboys as a fun way for the students to get to know one another.
“We start off with ‘Wanted’ posters outside our rooms with the children’s names and faces on them as they come to school. We go on a ‘hunt’ for all the places around school, like the Chuck Wagon Hall (lunchroom), Mrs. Lumpkin’s Singin’ and Dancin’ Hall and Sheriff Tayloe, who gives us sheriff badge cookies on the first day,” said Smith. The students also learn songs, complete projects and end the unit with a trip to the farm.
“We rope steer, make trail mix, pan for gold, ride a horse and eat from the chuck wagon with our families,” said Smith. “[The children] love all of the activities. Some have never ridden a horse, not many have tried to rope a steer and they love panning for gold. They think they will be able to take it to the bank!”
Smith said that not only do these types of activities re-enforce the beginnings of pre-k such as listening, following directions, waiting your turn and cheering your friends on, but it teaches them to introduce their parents to their new friends, sing songs we have learned and just build our friends and families up and have a good time.
“This unit has been successful because it eases the students into our routine and rules, with lots of fun,” she said. “It makes them feel comfortable around school. By taking our maps and following the trail to Sheriff Tayloe, the kids learn their way around the building, and they know where things are. Some of our favorite songs throughout the year will be the ones we taught them in the first two weeks of school – ‘I’m a Little Cowpoke’ and ‘Down by the Station.’”
All in all, it was a good time for everyone, and Smith said she hopes the pre-kindergarten students are settled in and ready for a year of learning and loving together.
