NSU University School
What’s Happening In Our Classrooms?
NSU University School preschoolers are ready to take on the world! This year, they’ve been busy growing, exploring, and learning about physical science, the animal kingdom, mathematics, technology, and human anatomy. From the classroom to the playground, our youngest students learn that kindness always matters and caring counts. We are proud to share some key learning highlights from the past several weeks in the Preschool:
• In PK1, children explored spring through hands-on, sensory-rich activities. They learned about the sun’s role in warmth, light, and plant growth by planting flowers and creating watercolor flower art with droppers. Wind became a focus through fan and pinwheel experiments, helping them understand movement in nature. They also investigated worms and ladybugs—observing how these small creatures live and support our gardens—sparking curiosity about the natural world.
• In PK2, students dove into an ocean-themed exploration, learning about sea creatures like sharks, dolphins, and jellyfish, as well as ocean plants such as coral and seaweed. Math, literacy, and sensory play were woven throughout, with activities like shark counting, jellyfish bead threading, coral reef art, and a hands-on Jell-O ocean rescue. Their final unit of the year focused on weather and plant life. They explored temperature, clouds, and cared for living things by planting seeds and will continue to watch them grow throughout the summer.
• In PK3, the theme was bugs, bugs, bugs! Students observed the butterfly life cycle
firsthand and used sequencing, cutting, and symmetry in their art projects. They also learned about bees, pollination, and honey production. To celebrate finishing their final letter in the Learning Without Tears program, students created their own version of the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.
• Junior Kindergarten students explored the playful world of rhyming through Mother Goose, strengthening phonics and early literacy. In science, they studied weather
phenomena—like tornadoes and hurricanes—through hands-on experiments. Math lessons focused on time, using tally marks and calendars to mark days. In art, students learned about Vincent van Gogh and created their own masterpieces inspired by his work.
Fish Bowl Exploratorium
Aside from the amazing explorations that occur every day in The Fish Bowl Exploratorium, our faculty and staff teamed up for an exciting outdoor, week-long learning experience where children explored water movement using funnels, sponges, and water wheels. They also got creative in the Mud Kitchen, Potion Station, and Construction Zone, engaging in hands-on learning that supported early STEM, sensory, and motor skills development.
Preschool Art Walk
Our hallways came alive with art during the annual Preschool Art Walk! Our students’ art was showcased and parents and grandparents proudly snapped photographs of all the impressive artwork that was displayed throughout the building. This year, each grade level explored a different type of art.
• PK1 and PK2 students featured Action Art which focuses on movement and creativity. They created works of art using rubber bands, marbles, hammers, and more – moving their bodies and getting messy in an immersive art experience.
• PK3 students used the beauty and materials of the natural world to inspire their exploration of nature-inspired art. Students used leaves, sticks, petals, and other natural treasures to create their beautiful art work.
• Junior Kindergarten students had an amazing display of street art inspired by three different artists:
➢ Keith Haring-inspired breakdancers
➢ Banksy-inspired silhouettes
➢ Aakash Nihalani-inspired tape resist and self-expression art.
