Newsletter September 3-5, 2008

Welcome to Irvington Pre-K!  We had a wonderfully exciting first week.  The children took no time at all exploring the classroom and all its facets.   While exploring the classroom the children also learned safety rules, and began to practice some of the skills they will use next year in kindergarten.  We will continue to build and develop such skills as; walking in a straight and quiet line, sitting kris-cross-(applesauce) during circle time, sharing, using our words to communicate, and how to listen and take turns.  Reinforcing and practicing these skills will help your child not only inside the classroom but outside as well.   
Next week, we will begin our first theme of the year: MY FAMILY AND ME!  We will share about our individual selves as well as talk about the people and animals that make up our individual families.  The children will also create individual hand prints and life size drawings of themselves.  The hand prints along with their self-portraits will go into their Time Capsules and stored in their Memory Books.  These are just some of the many ways we’ll focus learning about one another over the next few weeks. 
 We are so excited for the up coming year with each and every one of your children.  Thank you for a terrific first week! 

Reminders:
ü      Please bring in your family pictures!

ü      Check you parent folders for any information on up-coming school events.

ü      Please put your child’s lunch in his/her cubby and their rest time things in their locker.

ü      Don’t forget to sign your child in and out as you drop off/pick up your child. 

ü      Pay for hot lunches to the school cafeteria in the morning after 8:30.

 

The Week in Review:

 Wednesday, September 3, 2008

 Being the first day of school the focus was primarily on meeting each other, touring the classroom, and going over the school rules.  We worked on walking in a line with our voices off and our eyes facing forward; the playground rules and boundaries; and the bathroom/transition procedures. 

 In learning each others names we sang our hello song in the morning and our goodbye song in the afternoon.  Along with the song we each told one funny thing about our families.  This was a great way to learn about each other while laughing and having fun!

 During choice time the children had a multiplicity of activities to choose from.  These included: the sensory table (sand), the dramatic play area (kitchen and dress up play), painting, puzzles, books, art center creations, matching games, cars, blocks, and animals.  The many activities during choice time allowed the children to get to know each other through exploring new activities together.

 Thursday, September 4, 2008

 During circle time we reviewed the outside safety rules and talked about what to do when we see dogs on the playground.  As we went outside to play we walked the perimeter of the playground and practiced our line skills.  The children did great!

 We learned about the different table choices and floor choices.  After choice time the children did a great job working together at clean up time.  We sang the songs, “Five little monkeys” and “I jumped aboard the pirate ship” as we transitioned between activities.  

 After rest time we read Don’t take your snake for a stroll, and Wemberely Worried.  We also practiced walking in line and being, “quiet like mice in the school hallways”.  At closing circle we talked about making new friends and sang our goodbye song.

 Friday, September 5, 2008

 During circle time we discussed what a fire drill is, and what we do when the alarm sounds.  The children practiced listening for their names and verbalizing they were present by saying “here”.  Then we showed the children were we go and what to do if we were to have a fire drill.

 We read the books, If you take a Mouse to School, Don’t let the Pigeon Stay up Late and, I ain’t gonna paint no more.  We also sang the songs, “The dinosaurs in the car”, and “Dinosaur Bones”.  The children love getting all jazzed up while singing these interactive songs!

During choice time the children played in the sensory table with sand, easel painted, played with the Playmobil, and built trains together.  The children are having a blast getting to know each other and making new friends.  At closing circle we reviewed how to walk in line, fire drills, and the clean-up rules.  We also talked about ourselves and our families.