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| Andrew and Hunter -- busy constructing a two story building. |
WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
This week I began to shift the focus of the seasons from the changes in weather and plants to seasonal activities in anticipation of Thanksgiving holiday just weeks away. We read a classic, The Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall and The Song and Dance Man, by Karen Ackerman. After discussing what life might have been like over 200 years ago, and how our lives might be different or the same, the children listened to Leah Gartner (Maple’s mom), read The Ox-Cart Man. The children chose their favorite part, illustrated it and wrote a sentence describing what they drew. This was one of their first attempts at using what they have recently learned about writing. Saying a word, tapping sounds, and writing the sounds they hear. They all did an outstanding job connecting their learning to the art of writing.
On Wednesday, another reading volunteer, Jo Gelbach read one more classic, The Song and Dance Man, by Karen Ackerman. Next week we will have some fun activities planned that involve experimenting with tap dancing and putting together a memory trunk. If you have extra shoeboxes, please send them in so the children can begin to think about creating their own memory trunks on a mini-scale. They will need to think of a special moment in their life and will be asked to bring in small objects that might remind them of that time to place in their memory trunk. Please look at the wish list on the back page for special items we will need in order to decorate these trunks.
Jolly Phonics: We have completed our third grouping of letters. This week the children learned the sounds /l/, /f/, and /b/. They are quickly putting them to use as they begin to decode words and write their own sentences. The more opportunities you have at home or in the car to segment words and have them guess what word you are saying, use the actions to “spell” simple words, or just play rhyming games will help support them on the path to literacy. Games and activities will continue to go home in their new book bags daily. I will generally keep them in their bags for a few days and then rotate them to other students.
Explorations:
This week’s explorations took a step towards active learning centers. We are learning how to sort coins (pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters) based on heads and tails. This will help them begin to focus on the different details of each coin. We started a graphing center with tiny plastic pigs. The children loved rolling the pigs and graphing them based on how they landed (on all fours, on their sides, on their snout or on their back). Next week we will be looking at what is the most frequent and what appeared to be the most rare. Intro to Statistics 101. J Building blocks and clay are still very much enjoyed and are productive ways for them to explore concepts, develop fine motor skills, and be creative.
Share: The Share theme this past week was /r/. Our shares this week ranged from colorful rocks, a ring, a deer insignia, to a guitar, more tractor’s and even a disappearing magic trick! Next week sound theme is /d/. I hope it serves to be a delightful activity rather than a dilemma!
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| Finn and Ryan fast at work together graphing at the new pig toss center. |
Social Emotional Skills:
In order to promote a positive learning environment I am putting an extra emphasis on being responsible for ourselves instead of focusing on each other. In other words, by being mindful of our own behavior and being responsible and accountable for our own behavior, we will be able to care of each other and not disrupt the learning process.
Additionally, we are working on self-help skills – shoe-tieing, coat zipping, clearing the table after snack and lunch, staying on task, and being independent learners. Any help you can provide at home to support their independence will be greatly appreciated. Less time spent managing these issues will allow more time for productive learning in the classroom. Thank you! J
HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS:
- Wish List: For upcoming projects: Glue sticks, fabric scraps or pieces, plastic buttons, jewels, lace, ribbons, and shoe-box (if you have more than one, please send in more. We will use them! We will also be starting a project that will involve creating a family tree. Please send in photos of family members. We can make copies of them to use in the project and will return the originals. Thank you!
- Thank you to Kayla’s family for contributing this week’s healthy snacks! Next week’s snack will be provided by Ian's family. :)
- Reminder: If your child has an extra pair of boots or snow pants that can be kept at school, send in a note to let me know. It will cut down on packing backpacks at the end of the day and reduce what your child has to carry. Also, please let me know if your child can keep their sneakers in their cubby.
- Spill-Safe Water bottles: Please send in water bottles for your child to use in the classroom. Although the weather is colder, the air in the classroom can be very dry. They get very thirsty and it is important for them to stay dehydrated. The line at the water fountain can get long, which makes smooth transitions difficult.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bodnar
