PKFA2 | Ms. Joanne & Ms. Jean

Welcome to PKFA-2
BE CURIOUS * KEEP LEARNING * TRY YOUR BEST EVERYDAY

In this unit, children move from inquiring and thinking critically about the places where animals and people live to exploring how people move from place to place using vehicles and other methods of transportation. This unit, like all Pre-K for All units, provides opportunities for children to observe objects and phenomena in their environment with increasing complexity through hands-on activities in the classroom and in the community. In this unit, children have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of a major part of New York City life across all five boroughs. The full diversity of our city is reflected in this unit through the examination of trains, boats, cars, airplanes, buses, specialty vehicles and more! 

Essential Question:
How does my community use various modes of transportation?

Focus Questions and vocbulary:
Week 1- “What kinds of transportation do I use and why?” Children read about and may discuss what modes of transportation they use (including motorized vehicles, non-motorized vehicles and other modes like walking)
Vocabulary: bicycle, bus, car, express, fare, feet, helmet, keys, license plate, local, MetroCard, office, parachute, property, scooter, skateboard, stroller, subway, swim, taxi, train, transportation, truck, van, vehicle, wagon
Week 2- How are various modes of transportation similar and different? In week two, children begin to think about how different kinds of transportation are similar and different. This is an opportunity to compare and contrast the attributes of different modes of transportation; children can explore the science of how vehicles move according to their interest levels.
Vocabulary: axle, cargo, crutches, drive, engine, ferry, fly, mechanic, motor, propeller, ramp, roll, run, taxi, transport, truck, tunnel, walk, walker, wheelchair
Week 3 - Who operates the vehicles in my community? In this week, children observe and explore vehicle operators such as bus drivers, police officers, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and other community helpers.
Vocabulary: airplane, airport, ambulance, barge, cement mixer, conductor, crossing guard, driver, EMT, engineer, fire engine, firefighter, harbor, helicopter, locomotive, mail carrier, mail truck, operator, pilot, police car, police officer, school bus, tanker, tugboat, train tracks
Week 4- How do we stay safe when using transportation? Abstract ideas such as safety, traffic and rules become more concrete when explored through games such as Red Light, Green Light
Vocabulary: accident, emergency, safety, seatbelt, speed, speed limit, stop, traffic, traffic jam, traffic light, traffic signs, yield

Family Engagement:
Make a vehicle for our class museum. (See Seesaw for instructions.)