Wow it's practically December and almost Christmas already I feel like we didn't even get through fall! I know this is a very busy time for all of us adults and kids as well. I am going to try my best to breathe deeply and enjoy this season with my family and with our class. I am so excited to be inside the classroom this year and to share the joy and excitement that this time brings for your children as I get to watch them wonder, explore, imagine and create holiday memories at home and at school.
We return to school Monday December 1st for 3 weeks which the school has decided to go with a general Holiday theme. Each teacher and class is allowed to cover what ever they choose in the winter holiday area. I have chosen to start off with Gingerbread man I love the story, I love that there are several versions of the story and even new fun twists on the story as well. I love the smell of the spices in gingerbread and the look of each individual cookie and that each is different, and unique like our children. On the second or third week of the holiday theme I will need one parent from MWF and One TTH parent to bake some gingerbread children for us to decorate. I can provide the cookie cutters, and I am offering power hours. Please ask me for details we will do this on a day when its just our class after free choice it will be something we do as a class.
Wednesday December 3rd is the ugly sweater night out and Bunco game at the Highland Springs Resort. Its a fun evening out with a dessert bar, Bunco and conversation. If you are available that evening please RSVP and join us this is one of the few adult only things we do at IPS and its fun to bond with others when the kids are not running around!
We will also cover a little bit of Hanukah. We will play dradle and talk about the lights and menorah. We will also share the story of the birth of Jesus and the manger. This will allow us to explore other holiday traditions as well. My family is Hawaiian, Portuguese, Scottish and Swedish so we celebrate those customs. The children in our school are from so many cultures and religions if there is something you wish to share with our students please feel free to come to me and we can set up a center the day that you work doing an activity from your culture as well. I want our class to learn, absorb and participate in a diverse environment so anything you would like to share is welcome! Please shoot me an email or talk with me in person and I can get plans and arrangements made.
So the first week back we will be transitioning to the holiday theme with some gingerbread man stories, counting, and other fun activities to ease them back into the routine. It is important for us to maintain as much routine during the holiday time as possible. I will be working on maintaining as much consistency as possible. Please help me to do this by reminding your child of the school rules, and being a good listener as we return this week, and in the weeks ahead. Its important that we encourage them to do well at school and use positive reinforcement at school and at home.
When we return you may notice its getting cooler this is a great time to check the extra clothing in your child's backpack to ensure its weather appropriate. IPS doesn't keep a lot of extra clothing on hand and even in chilly weather we still play outside sometimes with water, we still paint and get messy so those extra clothes come in handy. I would suggest also taking a jacket to school each day. Even if they fight it a cheap hoodie in a backpack comes in handy some days and we can put it on as needed. Try to make sure your child's name is on their coats, hats, or any other clothing they use at school so just in case you leave it I can return it quickly. No matter how cold it is we find it valuable to play outside so please consider that when dressing for school. I know sometimes its hard to convince them otherwise. I found with my daughter she said to me recently princesses don't wear pants. I have told her they do but under the dress and I found some cute leggings that go fantastically under dresses. They even make fleece lined tights. For boys I let them know that even super hero's wear jackets and ninja turtles would be nothing without a warm shell.
Cold weather is also a time for us to remind families of the sick child policy we have at IPS. We really encourage you to keep your child home if they are sick and the same goes for parents who work in class. I follow the same rules as the kids in regards to illness usually for me my issues are all allergies and sinus problems. If your child has had fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or any documented contagious illness within the last 48 hours it is recommended that you keep them home. Illnesses that are considered contagious are hand foot and mouth (that illness requires a longer time out of the classroom) strep, pink eye, chicken pox, rotavirus, croup, lice, RSV, Scarlet Fever, Impetigo, whooping cough, and some others. If you have questions as to when they come back the CDC, your doctor and the school staff can help answer those questions also be aware that some illnesses require that your child stay home more than 48 hours please respect these rules. If in doubt keep them home! I am trying my best to fight the spread of illness with good hand washing, cleaning high traffic areas and good self care. You parents are a part of that too when we clean the classroom remembering to hit all those regularly touched surfaces, reminding kids to cover coughs and sneezes and helping with hand washing. Also at home helping to remember what they are taught at school will help them to bring less home and these things are good life lessons.
Work calendars are ready and available on the blog under the work calendars tab. Please remember it is your responsibility to check either the calendar on here or in the office to make sure you have to correct work days. If you are unable to work please try to find a trade or a sub. Failure to find a sub or no-show for a work day results in fines (which are never fun) There is a sub list available in the office. If you or your child are sick please try your best to get a sub coming to school sick just spreads it around more and we don't want to be sick for the holidays.
We will be getting ready for our holiday party as well. On Thursday December 18th and Friday December 19th we will wrap up and head out for break with a party. Our class will sing and dance then we will enjoy a snack and then play games and give gifts at our first Christmas party. I will provide details soon of our scheduled time to sing. As always families are welcome this will be a pajama party with breakfast. Yes I said pajama party we will wear PJ'S to school and be comfy all day even I am wearing PJ'S! Please make sure they are comfortable and school appropriate PJ'S and if needed leggings go great under those super cute night dresses. I am asking that each child bring to school with them a book wrapped and tagged to a friend from your child's name on party day so we can do a Christmas Gift book exchange, that will take place during the party. I am asking as I do on all party days that if you have additional gifts or goodies to give please have them ready to distribute to cubbies that day. I will give you more details on all these things as we as a staff get them finalized.
Our school participates in the Yucaipa, and Beaumont Christmas parades. Yucaipa is a day time parade with a theme and Beaumont's is a night parade with lights. Details of those will come in the Friday blast. I personally always attend the Beaumont parade with my daughter who rides the IPS float with me. Its a fun evening ride.
With all this I want our children to think of others at this time. How can a 3yr do this you ask? Well we have 2 ways this year. One is to donate food that will go to stock local food pantry's they can help you gather items and turn them in to the office. Talk with them about how not every family has food and we are giving this to help others. Let them know that the Bible says we need to share what we are blessed with. Tie it in to your own family holiday traditions as well. In our class we will have a card making station as well. I used to work in the probation system, foster care and retirement care settings and the holidays are particularly rough on those groups of people. I remember working in the retirement home how some residents never got many holiday cards or crafts and how it would make someone's day to know that they received something from someone. So we are partnering with The Lakes at Banning to make cards and crafts that will be distributed to those who may not get them. I will be telling the kids that these are going to a place where people may not get cards and how their simple card with some art will brighten someone's day and make them happy. With that said please encourage your child to make one, and let them know that you are excited to hear what they did. I will be delivering these cards once a week. I am also in need of supplies. Craft items, stickers, ribbon and various card decorations and myself and other parents will be helping the children to write messages in the cards.
Wow this is a lot of stuff! Please continue to check Facebook, the Friday Blast and teacher blogs for the latest updates! And if in doubt ask questions we are here to help.
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Zoophonics parties and school updates
Wow its almost Halloween! I can't believe how fast things are moving along. This week Thursday and Friday are out Zoophonics parties. Your child has the chance to dress up as a Zoophonics character for school that day and enjoy some activities and a party in class. The costume doesn't have to be elaborate ears and a tail or a hat that looks like a character are all they need. Wal-Mart had cat and bat hats in the $1 section and ears and tails are easy to find. You can always do a homemade outfit as well get creative. Don't forget parents working that day are having a contest for best costume as well. Party days are very exciting and for most of you this is your child's first class party. Please remember that its a regular school day as well so that's why our party list was created. If you would like to give an additional treat to the kids in class please have them ready to distribute to cubbies at the end of the day so that we limit the candy and sugar intake at school. We will also be using no paint, water or super messy activities on party day so we don't ruin costumes.
We are now headed into November our study will be on squash and gourds. Did you know that most squash are considered fruit because they contain seeds? I didn't until researching for this study. We will be exploring these items, what we can do with them and lead our way towards what they have to do with Thanksgiving. If you have any or find any cool squash or gourds please bring them to school. After Halloween is a great time to get those items on mark down.
Speaking of markdown if anyone finds any dress-up items or old costumes that would be dramatic play area appropriate please consider donating them to IPS for our dress up areas.
We are discussing how to keep healthy during cold and flu season in class. I have gone over with the kids how to cough into the elbow to lessen the spread of those germs, hand washing and using tissues. Please make sure to practice these things with your child at home as well. If we can start good habits now they will not only help our kids in class get sick less, but also be good habits as they grow up. We do need to make sure we have lots of tissue in class for all the runny noses so if a few families could donate a box every now and then that would be very helpful. Also when your child washes their hands please encourage them to rub their hands with soap before washing it all away under the water. I will continue to work on keeping the classroom clean, and encouraging good healthy habits in class. If your child is sick please follow the schools sick policy and keep them home.
Another thing to help keep everyone safe is by obeying the parking lot speed limits. The speed limit in the parking lot is 10MPH. Remember it only takes one second for a child to run out from behind a car or out into the lot and get hit.
We are now headed into November our study will be on squash and gourds. Did you know that most squash are considered fruit because they contain seeds? I didn't until researching for this study. We will be exploring these items, what we can do with them and lead our way towards what they have to do with Thanksgiving. If you have any or find any cool squash or gourds please bring them to school. After Halloween is a great time to get those items on mark down.
Speaking of markdown if anyone finds any dress-up items or old costumes that would be dramatic play area appropriate please consider donating them to IPS for our dress up areas.
We are discussing how to keep healthy during cold and flu season in class. I have gone over with the kids how to cough into the elbow to lessen the spread of those germs, hand washing and using tissues. Please make sure to practice these things with your child at home as well. If we can start good habits now they will not only help our kids in class get sick less, but also be good habits as they grow up. We do need to make sure we have lots of tissue in class for all the runny noses so if a few families could donate a box every now and then that would be very helpful. Also when your child washes their hands please encourage them to rub their hands with soap before washing it all away under the water. I will continue to work on keeping the classroom clean, and encouraging good healthy habits in class. If your child is sick please follow the schools sick policy and keep them home.
Another thing to help keep everyone safe is by obeying the parking lot speed limits. The speed limit in the parking lot is 10MPH. Remember it only takes one second for a child to run out from behind a car or out into the lot and get hit.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
It's Fall! Eventhough it's still 90+ degrees outside!
Yes you read that correctly it's fall! Unfortunately in So. Cal we don't have a fall we have continued heat. Sorry families for not updating the blog for a few weeks life in our room and at my house have been very busy. I have a few updates and some things to share.
First off your children are doing great and are getting down the routines and rules of our school and they are all adjusting to each other and me. Keep encouraging your child to follow the school rules and routines and let then know when you think they are doing a good job.
Everyone who participates on the rug during Zoophonics has really learned the sound and signals. For more information on Zoophonics you can find them online and some youtube videos so you can practice at home. It's one sound to one signal for example allie the alligator says a with one opening and closing of the hands to make an alligator mouth Our class even did well when I mixed up the cards this week. Speaking of Zoophonics Halloween is just around the corner and that means Zoophonics character dress up day is coming. Every year before Halloween we have our school wide Zoophonics day and party. We ask that those who want to dress up as their favorite Zoophonics animal. For example I am Zeke the Zebra for my animal. It doesn't have to be a fancy costume even just ears and an animal tail are fun so start thinking of those great ideas now to beat the rush before Halloween.
We have been working on numbers in class as well I have tested a few kiddos on the numbers 1-5 that's our focus right now. We are also working on the concept of subitizing which means connecting the number in written form to the number of objects. For example 5 ***** that's what subitizing is. You can practice this as well at home and also counting wrote counting is an important skill as well. This can be fun games like with play dough you can make balls and count them or even make the forms of the numbers with play dough. For wrote counting count steps when you walk or just counting out loud. You can also allow kids to help you cook by counting the scoops you use or the number of times you stir in the bowl. Learning math concepts can be fun!
This last week of all about me we will be focusing on family and pets. I am asking this week if your child can bring in a family photo to share with the class. This is a great time for them to practice speaking in front of others on a subject they know a lot about. This will translate to elementary learning as well with common core kids are asked to present their work often in class so the ability to feel comfortable talking in front of their peers is important. We will do things like this off and on so they begin to feel comfortable speaking to others and answering questions in class.
We are wrapping up our study of all about me and we are working on a theme for our next study but in the coming weeks we will talk a little bit about pumpkins and fall of course in our small group time, and because I love eating pumpkin so much we may do a little cooking and tasting too!
Since we talked about tasting please remember that snack is a small snack. I know a lot of kids are not breakfast fans so come snack time they are very hungry but we do give the kids correct preschool sized portions of food for snack and we serve water to drink. If your child doesn't choose to eat snack we don't keep alternative snacks nor do we allow them to eat snacks from home. Encourage your child as best you can to eat breakfast even if its something small and encourage them to try some of the new foods they encounter at snack. Remember it takes 50 exposures to a new food before a child can truly decide if they like it, so if you keep trying I will too. As for a breakfast a few easy fast ideas you can try are smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, leftover dinner (I do this sometimes at home) my kids love a grilled ham and cheese some mornings more than they would cereal. Think outside of the box some kids just like different foods in the morning.
Jubilee is coming up and our game booths are looking a little under staffed. This event and others like it work on what we call parent power! If every family puts in an hour we can make sure our 3 booths are manned all night and the kids will have a great time. If child care is worry see if another family will help watch your child while you work then you do the same for them. We are only asking for an hour and parents who work the booth get a parent power hour for each hour they work. You can work the booth, a spouse can, an older teen (who is responsible) can, grandma can, auntie, etc. Please see the sign up sheets and choose something you can help with this week! Anyone donating items please have those into the office by next Friday so that they can be counted and set up for distribution. You can purchase jubilee tickets and wristbands in the office as well as meal tickets. Meals are pre-sale only so if you want a yummy dinner option please purchase those tickets before the event.
I think I covered everything! I want to thank all the parents working in class for all your hard work and efforts over the past weeks without you our classroom wouldn't run. Enjoy another hot weekend ahead and I will see everyone soon!
First off your children are doing great and are getting down the routines and rules of our school and they are all adjusting to each other and me. Keep encouraging your child to follow the school rules and routines and let then know when you think they are doing a good job.
Everyone who participates on the rug during Zoophonics has really learned the sound and signals. For more information on Zoophonics you can find them online and some youtube videos so you can practice at home. It's one sound to one signal for example allie the alligator says a with one opening and closing of the hands to make an alligator mouth Our class even did well when I mixed up the cards this week. Speaking of Zoophonics Halloween is just around the corner and that means Zoophonics character dress up day is coming. Every year before Halloween we have our school wide Zoophonics day and party. We ask that those who want to dress up as their favorite Zoophonics animal. For example I am Zeke the Zebra for my animal. It doesn't have to be a fancy costume even just ears and an animal tail are fun so start thinking of those great ideas now to beat the rush before Halloween.
We have been working on numbers in class as well I have tested a few kiddos on the numbers 1-5 that's our focus right now. We are also working on the concept of subitizing which means connecting the number in written form to the number of objects. For example 5 ***** that's what subitizing is. You can practice this as well at home and also counting wrote counting is an important skill as well. This can be fun games like with play dough you can make balls and count them or even make the forms of the numbers with play dough. For wrote counting count steps when you walk or just counting out loud. You can also allow kids to help you cook by counting the scoops you use or the number of times you stir in the bowl. Learning math concepts can be fun!
This last week of all about me we will be focusing on family and pets. I am asking this week if your child can bring in a family photo to share with the class. This is a great time for them to practice speaking in front of others on a subject they know a lot about. This will translate to elementary learning as well with common core kids are asked to present their work often in class so the ability to feel comfortable talking in front of their peers is important. We will do things like this off and on so they begin to feel comfortable speaking to others and answering questions in class.
We are wrapping up our study of all about me and we are working on a theme for our next study but in the coming weeks we will talk a little bit about pumpkins and fall of course in our small group time, and because I love eating pumpkin so much we may do a little cooking and tasting too!
Since we talked about tasting please remember that snack is a small snack. I know a lot of kids are not breakfast fans so come snack time they are very hungry but we do give the kids correct preschool sized portions of food for snack and we serve water to drink. If your child doesn't choose to eat snack we don't keep alternative snacks nor do we allow them to eat snacks from home. Encourage your child as best you can to eat breakfast even if its something small and encourage them to try some of the new foods they encounter at snack. Remember it takes 50 exposures to a new food before a child can truly decide if they like it, so if you keep trying I will too. As for a breakfast a few easy fast ideas you can try are smoothies, breakfast sandwiches, leftover dinner (I do this sometimes at home) my kids love a grilled ham and cheese some mornings more than they would cereal. Think outside of the box some kids just like different foods in the morning.
Jubilee is coming up and our game booths are looking a little under staffed. This event and others like it work on what we call parent power! If every family puts in an hour we can make sure our 3 booths are manned all night and the kids will have a great time. If child care is worry see if another family will help watch your child while you work then you do the same for them. We are only asking for an hour and parents who work the booth get a parent power hour for each hour they work. You can work the booth, a spouse can, an older teen (who is responsible) can, grandma can, auntie, etc. Please see the sign up sheets and choose something you can help with this week! Anyone donating items please have those into the office by next Friday so that they can be counted and set up for distribution. You can purchase jubilee tickets and wristbands in the office as well as meal tickets. Meals are pre-sale only so if you want a yummy dinner option please purchase those tickets before the event.
I think I covered everything! I want to thank all the parents working in class for all your hard work and efforts over the past weeks without you our classroom wouldn't run. Enjoy another hot weekend ahead and I will see everyone soon!
Thursday, September 4, 2014
September
We made it through the first 3 weeks of school! And everyone has done great. Thank you to all the parents working the first few weeks it isn't always easy those first few weeks, but with all your hard work we made it. I have enjoyed getting to know your children and I hope to gain more knowledge as we go on.
Now that we are all more comfortable at school we will be adding activities and things as we go along. We have started our Zoophonics program which is what we use at IPS to teach the letters and sounds for more information on the program you can check the company's web page and videos for all the sound and signal cues can be found on youtube! Each letter is lower case, and each one has an animal which is the card we use at this point in the year, and one signal which is the hand or body motions. These are fun to practice at home. Our first letter this week is a for Ally Alligator, next week we move on to Bubba Bear and his sound we will go through the whole alphabet daily and each week there will be a focus on one letter and character.
We are also working on color recognition most of our class knows all their colors! So now we can find other objects in those colors! We will also start on some number games and counting. We are also learning new songs as we go along.
Our topic is still all about me as we continue to get to know each other. We will also begin to pull a little focus towards apples as we get ready for our first field trip this month. September 18th and 19th we will be headed to Willowbrook apple farm. The tour is short and very appropriate for preschool we even get to press cider! On field trip days families meet at the location, participate in the tour with their child and then when its done its your choice when to go. The school is closed on field trip days and there is no lunch bunch. More information will be in the Friday Blast very soon.
In the Owl room we are working a lot on social/emotional skills of being in school. We are working on sharing, taking turns, and not hurting others with our words, hands or bodies. We are also working on remembering to go potty. So please help me by just giving your little ones a reminder here and there as to how we can get a long, and share. We are doing great with bathroom reminders and I think everyone is getting in the routine of using the bathroom at school.
Parents when you help in class its a great time for you to see up close and personal how your child is learning. Please remember on your work days you need to be in class by 8:15am please don't come too early teachers are still preparing for the day and its hard with little ones here before we are ready. Please plan to stay on work days until 12:15 so that you can finish your jobs and things are all clean. You all are doing an awesome job with the cleaning and our room has been great!
Please remember to check your emails for the Friday Blast and any other information coming from the office.
Now that we are all more comfortable at school we will be adding activities and things as we go along. We have started our Zoophonics program which is what we use at IPS to teach the letters and sounds for more information on the program you can check the company's web page and videos for all the sound and signal cues can be found on youtube! Each letter is lower case, and each one has an animal which is the card we use at this point in the year, and one signal which is the hand or body motions. These are fun to practice at home. Our first letter this week is a for Ally Alligator, next week we move on to Bubba Bear and his sound we will go through the whole alphabet daily and each week there will be a focus on one letter and character.
We are also working on color recognition most of our class knows all their colors! So now we can find other objects in those colors! We will also start on some number games and counting. We are also learning new songs as we go along.
Our topic is still all about me as we continue to get to know each other. We will also begin to pull a little focus towards apples as we get ready for our first field trip this month. September 18th and 19th we will be headed to Willowbrook apple farm. The tour is short and very appropriate for preschool we even get to press cider! On field trip days families meet at the location, participate in the tour with their child and then when its done its your choice when to go. The school is closed on field trip days and there is no lunch bunch. More information will be in the Friday Blast very soon.
In the Owl room we are working a lot on social/emotional skills of being in school. We are working on sharing, taking turns, and not hurting others with our words, hands or bodies. We are also working on remembering to go potty. So please help me by just giving your little ones a reminder here and there as to how we can get a long, and share. We are doing great with bathroom reminders and I think everyone is getting in the routine of using the bathroom at school.
Parents when you help in class its a great time for you to see up close and personal how your child is learning. Please remember on your work days you need to be in class by 8:15am please don't come too early teachers are still preparing for the day and its hard with little ones here before we are ready. Please plan to stay on work days until 12:15 so that you can finish your jobs and things are all clean. You all are doing an awesome job with the cleaning and our room has been great!
Please remember to check your emails for the Friday Blast and any other information coming from the office.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Welcome to Preschool
The day before school starts is always an exciting day for teachers, parents and kids. I am excited and to be honest a little nervous, I get to meet and work with 34 new kids! and 34 new sets of parents and grandparents.
Getting ready for school includes a lot of things first off we want everyone to feel comfortable talk with your child about starting school and allow them to express their fears and their excitement with you. Reassure them as needed that you always come back and that school is a fun welcoming place to be. Remember to send your child to school daily with a backpack and inside that backpack please have a full change of clothing (shirt, bottom, underwear, socks, shoes, etc.) in a ziplock bag. Please try to label your child's items as best you can it helps the teachers and parents make sure everyone goes home with the correct items. The cubbies at this time are marked with names pictures will be added once I get everyone's picture taken.
I have a lot of fun planned for this week but we are going to take it easy and go with the flow. We are going to use this week to get to know each other and learn about how preschool runs and what our expectations are. Be ready to play! We are going to use play dough, paint, art supplies, and lots more this week. I am going to be taking dictations and asking a lot of questions this week in an effort to get to know your child and these sheets will be kept and I will ask the same questions at the end of the year to see what has changed from the start of the year. Our theme for this time is all about me.
If you are working this week be prepared to go with the flow and make changes to our plans as needed. Relax, be yourself, and have fun while working with the kids. Remember this is your chance to play too!
Are you looking to get some power hours? I have a few projects that I need done to help our room be the fun space it needs to be.
Let's have a great first week and I look forward to meeting and working with all of you and your children.
Getting ready for school includes a lot of things first off we want everyone to feel comfortable talk with your child about starting school and allow them to express their fears and their excitement with you. Reassure them as needed that you always come back and that school is a fun welcoming place to be. Remember to send your child to school daily with a backpack and inside that backpack please have a full change of clothing (shirt, bottom, underwear, socks, shoes, etc.) in a ziplock bag. Please try to label your child's items as best you can it helps the teachers and parents make sure everyone goes home with the correct items. The cubbies at this time are marked with names pictures will be added once I get everyone's picture taken.
I have a lot of fun planned for this week but we are going to take it easy and go with the flow. We are going to use this week to get to know each other and learn about how preschool runs and what our expectations are. Be ready to play! We are going to use play dough, paint, art supplies, and lots more this week. I am going to be taking dictations and asking a lot of questions this week in an effort to get to know your child and these sheets will be kept and I will ask the same questions at the end of the year to see what has changed from the start of the year. Our theme for this time is all about me.
If you are working this week be prepared to go with the flow and make changes to our plans as needed. Relax, be yourself, and have fun while working with the kids. Remember this is your chance to play too!
Are you looking to get some power hours? I have a few projects that I need done to help our room be the fun space it needs to be.
- I need some crate seats made. I have the instructions and I believe some of the materials on hand.
- Know how to sew? I am looking to have a few things made for our library area. Some small pillows and some bean bags.
Let's have a great first week and I look forward to meeting and working with all of you and your children.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Welcome Back
Welcome back to school! I hope everyone had a good two weeks off and is ready to return to class on the 31st and 1st. We return to school with a few changes I will now be teaching the MWF Owls as well as the TTH owls. I am ready to continue working with families in both classes and I hope this transition is smooth for our MWF families.While I am sad that Ms. Tara is no longer teaching I am happy that I was chosen to carry on with her class in the Owl room. On MWF we will be having one classroom outside each week so that there is a teacher covering outside as well as still keeping the options open (I hope the weather continues to cooperate) So when you arrive to class on MWF some of the science and art activities will take place outside the first week and then rotate through each class as we progress so it will go Orange Owls, Blue Turtles and Green Dragonflies in that order then back again each week. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Our theme is nature when we return so I am excited to brainstorm with the kids what they think and know about nature and what they want to study in this unit. We will be hatching some silkworms, and looking at life cycles, we may discuss weather and things that come with changes in weather, maybe some plants and planting. I am not sure where we will go but I am excited to go there with everyone.
We will also be getting ready for Easter and discussing eggs and what comes from eggs soon. Please begin to think about our Easter egg hunt. Each year families bring 10 eggs each filled with toys, stickers, tattoos, or a little candy and each child then gets to take home 10 eggs its a fun Easter tradition.
Please enjoy the rest of spring break and I can't wait to see everyone again when we return!
Ms. Charlee
Our theme is nature when we return so I am excited to brainstorm with the kids what they think and know about nature and what they want to study in this unit. We will be hatching some silkworms, and looking at life cycles, we may discuss weather and things that come with changes in weather, maybe some plants and planting. I am not sure where we will go but I am excited to go there with everyone.
We will also be getting ready for Easter and discussing eggs and what comes from eggs soon. Please begin to think about our Easter egg hunt. Each year families bring 10 eggs each filled with toys, stickers, tattoos, or a little candy and each child then gets to take home 10 eggs its a fun Easter tradition.
Please enjoy the rest of spring break and I can't wait to see everyone again when we return!
Ms. Charlee
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Switching Gears
As some of you know we are switch gears over from boxes to transportation. We are excited to be exploring different areas of transportation in our free choice center time, and in our classroom we will extend that theme and also add in a little about community helpers.
This week I will introduce the share bag on Tuesday, and we will be talking a lot about making good choices in our room. We will be working on some simple class rules like Be Kind, and Be Safe. We will be exploring catapults in science so I am hoping the kids will pick up some new vocabulary like fulcrum, pivot point and catapult. We will also speaking with the children about what they want to be when they grow up.
We have a field trip coming up on February 6th to the fire memories museum in Banning. I have never been to this location so I am excited to see the different things related to this fire station. I look forward to seeing a lot of our class there for a fun experience. On field trip days please note that school is closed.
We are celebrating the 100th day of school on Tuesday with a few fun activities related to the number 100. Valentines day is coming and I plan to have a party list posted by the February 1st. The children can bring valentines to class on February 13th but we ask that if you choose to bring them in make sure you include everyone in class we have 18 students. We are asking that instead of student names you write "to my friend" that way they can pass out their own valentines to the kids in class. We will be using tissue boxes as our "mail boxes" So please continue to bring in those square tissue boxes. As with every party parents are always welcome to attend and participate in the festivities.
We are really working hard in class on re direction. When your working in class its our goal to let the children know when they are not making a good choice and to re direct them to another activity or center. I will be helping with that but I need parent support in class as well to help. It is ok for you let a child know that they are not making a good choice or talk with them about good choices and if they are continuing to make a bad choice it is ok to help them to find another center or activity to participate in.
On my wish list are a few items we are collecting for activities, and classroom projects and upkeep.
As always if you have any questions please feel free to send me an email to charlee.ips@gmail.com
Have a great weekend and see you on Tuesday!
Ms. Charlee
This week I will introduce the share bag on Tuesday, and we will be talking a lot about making good choices in our room. We will be working on some simple class rules like Be Kind, and Be Safe. We will be exploring catapults in science so I am hoping the kids will pick up some new vocabulary like fulcrum, pivot point and catapult. We will also speaking with the children about what they want to be when they grow up.
We have a field trip coming up on February 6th to the fire memories museum in Banning. I have never been to this location so I am excited to see the different things related to this fire station. I look forward to seeing a lot of our class there for a fun experience. On field trip days please note that school is closed.
We are celebrating the 100th day of school on Tuesday with a few fun activities related to the number 100. Valentines day is coming and I plan to have a party list posted by the February 1st. The children can bring valentines to class on February 13th but we ask that if you choose to bring them in make sure you include everyone in class we have 18 students. We are asking that instead of student names you write "to my friend" that way they can pass out their own valentines to the kids in class. We will be using tissue boxes as our "mail boxes" So please continue to bring in those square tissue boxes. As with every party parents are always welcome to attend and participate in the festivities.
We are really working hard in class on re direction. When your working in class its our goal to let the children know when they are not making a good choice and to re direct them to another activity or center. I will be helping with that but I need parent support in class as well to help. It is ok for you let a child know that they are not making a good choice or talk with them about good choices and if they are continuing to make a bad choice it is ok to help them to find another center or activity to participate in.
On my wish list are a few items we are collecting for activities, and classroom projects and upkeep.
As always if you have any questions please feel free to send me an email to charlee.ips@gmail.com
Have a great weekend and see you on Tuesday!
Ms. Charlee
Monday, January 20, 2014
Our First Week
We made it through our first week together and if I do say so myself the children are adjusting well to the new teacher and new routine. I want to thank all the parents who have worked this first week for being flexible and understanding as we transition together. I have truly enjoyed working with all of you and your children and I look forward to working with the rest of the class parents as the weeks progress.
This next week we will be working on really getting small group centers going Tara and I have come up with some great plans for the week. Including a class story, creating a book, some new and fun art and making a treasure box. I also plan to re-introduce the share bag this week with me being the first one to share something I will bring in. For share bag to be successful I am asking that the children only place one item in the bag so that it doesn't take over all our circle time which I will tell them on Tuesday when we are back together again. So help your child to think of one special item to place in the share bag something that they love or means something to them and help them to prepare to talk about that item. What makes it special? Why is it their favorite item? Its asking those questions that get them thinking and turn those gears.
There are a few things on the wish list tab these are items that we will be using for projects in class in the coming days and weeks so if you can bring in an item or two that would be greatly appreciated.
We are getting ready to think about Valentines day in the next few weeks (I know it was just New Years!) we will have a class party and I plan to get a list up by February 1st and a list of all the children's names for you as well if you want to start writing out Valentines. As always parents are welcome on party day's.
Enjoy the rest of our 3 day weekend and I will see everyone tomorrow morning.
Ms. Charlee
This next week we will be working on really getting small group centers going Tara and I have come up with some great plans for the week. Including a class story, creating a book, some new and fun art and making a treasure box. I also plan to re-introduce the share bag this week with me being the first one to share something I will bring in. For share bag to be successful I am asking that the children only place one item in the bag so that it doesn't take over all our circle time which I will tell them on Tuesday when we are back together again. So help your child to think of one special item to place in the share bag something that they love or means something to them and help them to prepare to talk about that item. What makes it special? Why is it their favorite item? Its asking those questions that get them thinking and turn those gears.
There are a few things on the wish list tab these are items that we will be using for projects in class in the coming days and weeks so if you can bring in an item or two that would be greatly appreciated.
We are getting ready to think about Valentines day in the next few weeks (I know it was just New Years!) we will have a class party and I plan to get a list up by February 1st and a list of all the children's names for you as well if you want to start writing out Valentines. As always parents are welcome on party day's.
Enjoy the rest of our 3 day weekend and I will see everyone tomorrow morning.
Ms. Charlee
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