Newsletter September 15-19, 2008

 

Irvington Pre-K Newsletter for the week of September 15-19, 2008

 

 

We had another great week.  The children had a blast telling stories about themselves and their families this week.   While continuing to explore the classroom we have also explored the world this week.  We traveled on the globe, in our imaginations, and through many stories to various countries throughout the world.  We continued 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. 

            Next week, we will begin the theme: Our 5 Senses.  We will explore our amazing bodies and there functions.  The children will also continue to share their individual “Life in a Bag”, so please remember to bring them in!

Do we have any doctors or nurses or medical personnel as Pre-K Family who would like to come in and share what you do/know when we study the human body? We would love to have our first guest at that time!

Thank you for another terrific week! 

 

Reminders:

 

- Parents, keep up the good work in encouraging you child with their

  morning sign-in.

-Please have the children bring in their “Life in a bag” project.

- Shares this week will be anything beginning with the letter Bb.

 

The Week in Review:

 

Monday, September 15, 2008

 

Today we talked about the plan for the week and reviewed the letter Aa.  We reviewed the letters sound and ASL sign, as we will with each letter of the alphabet.  We also talked about the things we like about ourselves, and drew self-portraits.  Some of the children even drew family portraits!  We sang “5 Little Ducks” and listened to a story tape of traditional folktales from other countries.  We looked at the globe and talked about where we live, and then looked at where Germany is located.  The children stretched out their arms and mimicked airplanes as we pretended to fly across the world.  What a blast!  We also talked about speaking different languages, and having different stories or experiences at different homes across the world. 

 

In the sensory table, we talked about measuring and pouring.  Three containers were available, small medium, and large.  Each container was filled with colored water to aid with visibility.  In our afternoon circle, Evelina, Charlie, Alton, Isabel, and Ian shared stories about their families.  This was a great storytelling event for all the children!

 

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

 

At circle time we went over our calendar and the letter of the week.  Amelia brought in an apple for an “Aa” share.  Thank you!  We also went over our new sign in routine, which entails all the students to try and write their names on their sign-in sheet in the morning.

 

Throughout the day we went over different family make-ups.  We read the book, Families are Different by Nina Pellegrini.  The classroom also put up a new word wall that we will be using all year.  This week we have displayed different family words.  Today Ainsly, Lucie, and Marae shared stories about their families. This was lots of giggly fun!

 

In looking at the globe we traveled to India, as well as read Monkey-See, Monkey-Do a tale form India.  Today for the sensory table we went out to the school garden and cut down a sunflower to dissect it.  We also played with the doll house, animals, blocks, puzzles, and the dramatic play area.  At closing circle we played detective, where the children would guess which one of their friends were missing from the circle.  We also jumped on our planes again; as we traveled across the world to Egypt in reading Skippyjon Jones Mummy Trouble.

 

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

 

During circle time we shared stories about our families.  We heard about Leland’s family and how they like to eat at the pub.  We learned that Alex has a two month old sister Calista.  Amelia shared that she has a mom, dad, and a four month old sister named Mirabel. 

 

We had another fire drill today.  Several of the children were very apprehensive, so afterward we discussed that it is “Practice”, and there is no fire.   We practiced our fine motor skills by cutting out houses, and worked on using proper scissors and pencil grip.  After completing our pictures the children dictated stories about their pictures. 

 

Today was our first day in the gym!  Our class did a marvelous job playing tunnel tag, Stop! Freeze! , and learning our gym rules.  Currently the gym is only available in the afternoon, so our morning group has not had a chance to go.  Hopefully this will change once we begin gym with our gym teacher, Karen.

 

Thursday, September 18, 2008

 

At circle time we went over our calendar and sang the months of the year song.  We also went over our letter “Aa”, as well as signed the letter.  We talked about our families some more and then took a trip to Russia.  We read the story Little Lord Feather-Frock from Russia. 

 

During choice time the children had a great time dissecting the sunflowers as well as measuring “light and heavy” objects at the science table.  We also played with the dollhouse, animals, read books, played chess, put puzzles together, and played in the dramatic play area. 

 

Leland, Lucie, and Molly shared their “Life in a Bag”.  Leland likes monster trucks. He also brought and old steam engine, and says he has a hundred trains with a huge train track.  Leland says, “It’s in my basement”.  He brought in a newspaper as well because he loves the weather.

Lucie brought in a picture of her cousin Asher and told us of her friend named Ellen from her old neighborhood.  She also brought a sand dollar from Cannon Beach because she, “loves the ocean”.

Molly shared a picture frame with a picture of she and her friend Jack from England.  She also brought in a picture of her grandparents who are very special to her.  The last object in Molly’s bag was a wonderful little snake that she made.

 

Friday, September 19, 2008

 

Today we sang many songs including a birthday song for Cami who turned 5 a bit ago.  Happy Birthday Cami! We also sang Head, Shoulders, Knees and toes, the Alligator song, and a couple rhyming songs.  We read Owen by Kevin Henkes, and Is your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guardino.  The kids loved saying the rhyming words aloud!  We made a chart of the people that live in our house and had creation station at the art table.

Marae, Rowan, and Nicolas shared their “Life in a bag”.

Nicolas brought a water globe from a special vacation his family took to Hawaii.  Nicolas also brought a crash car because he loves cars.  He brought an archer figurine because it’s his favorite toy.

Marae shared her nesting dolls from her Betty-Lou (grandma).  She loves to play, cuddle and sleep with them.  She brought her littlest pet shopdog because it’s her favorite to.  Marae also brought a beautiful bracelet she made with her dad at Disney Land.

Rowan shared her littlest pet shop mouse because it’s her favorite toy.  “I like mousse”, she says.  She also shared her ganesha statue from India because she used to live there.  She also told us a story of all the rats that lived on her roof in India.  Rowan also brought pink lipstick because, “I like pink it’s my favorite color”.