1-31-12

FREE CHOICE~

We had some astronauts "blast off" today to "work" in the Space Station!

 The photos below explain our new sentence-building activity at the Alphabet Station...

 Children choose words from the tray and match them to the color strip to build sentences.

 They then choose one sentence to copy on to a piece of paper and illustrate.

 Nice work, Mia!

 WHAT DO ANIMALS DO IN WINTER?~

Today we learned what animals do during the Winter.    From our story, we learned that animals migrate, sleep (hibernate), hide, or change color to survive during the Winter.

 Your child brought home a Weekly Reader today that reinforces what we learned and discussed about animals during the Winter.

 OUTER SPACE~

Today we read the story, Meet the Planets.  From the story, we learned which planets are the inner planets and which are the outer planets; which planets have rings (there are 4 of them); and some simple characteristics of each planet.

 We also learned a song to help us learn more about the planets.

1-30-12

WORK STATIONS~

Children will complete a graphing activity at Math Magic.

At the Writing Station, children will complete a new Rainbow Words book.

At the Alphabet Station, children will complete a sound discrimination activity.

POPCORN WORDS!~

We have introduced "Popcorn Words" to the children.  They are called "Popcorn Words" because they pop up all the time in reading.  Today we added the word "and" to our "Popcorn Words". 

FREE CHOICE~

Mary creates a shape design with the hammer, nails, and wooden shapes.

Nathan puts together a challenging Space puzzle.

Ask your child why we gave him/her a Huge Happy Heart!

Nathan shares an astronaut poster he brought from home.

1-27-12

Today we celebrated Lauren's half-birthday.  Lauren's mom read the story, Ruby's Tea Party and then we enjoyed eating Snickerdoodle cookies.  Happy Half-Birthday, Lauren!

REMINDERS

~NEWSPAPER NAME HOMEWORK DUE TOMORROW!

~TOMORROW IS "SPIRIT DAY".  CHILDREN MAY WEAR ACADEMY T-SHIRTS, SWEATSHIRTS, ETC.  DRESS CODE SHOULD BE WORN FROM THE WAIST DOWN.

~SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS ARE DUE BY THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 28TH.  ANY BOOKS YOU BUY PROVIDES US TEACHERS WITH POINTS TO PURCHASE BOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS FOR OUR CLASSROOM.  THANKS!

1-26-12

STAR OF THE WEEK~

Today we learned more about our friend, Sophie.  Her favorite colors are pink, red, blue, and purple; favorite restaurant is First Watch; and favorite dessert is frozen yogurt.  In addition to sharing her photos, Sophie also shared her stuffed elephant, "Louie" with whom she sleeps every night!  Thanks for sharing with us today, Sophie!

 Today we read the story, Snowmen At Night.  We then asked each child to tell us what he/she would do if he/she stayed up all night!  Be careful!!!  A few children said that were really going to stay up all night--tonight!!!  We are going to put the children's ideas into a classstory called, 

Pre-K Children at Night!

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today we helped Sasha celebrate her half-birthday.  Sasha's mom read the story, Goldilicious.  Then, we enjoyed eating yummy cupcakes for Sasha's birthday treat! Happy Half-Birthday, Sasha!

1-25-12

 Check out how we are transforming our Dramatic Play Station into a Space Station!

 Children are making planets, stars, moons, suns, astronauts, rockets, etc. at the Creation Station to make it look like our Space Station is really in Outer Space.

 Mary and Gavin use pattern blocks to make a rocketship.

Sophie and Lauren put together the space shuttle puzzle.

 

Kaitlin, Nathan, and Jack work cooperatively to put together a floor puzzle of Outer Space.

 ~NUMBER ACTIVITY~

There is a new activity added to Math Magic.  Children take a strip with numbers (as in the photo below).  They cut apart the numbers and then glue them in the correct order on to the blue strip of paper.  Each child is required to do this activity at least 1 through 30.  Children can choose to keep their number strip going all the way up to 100!

1-24-12

Today's Weekly Reader was about creatures that stay awake at night!
 
Alek and Lauren modeling their name necklaces!

 Today we celebrated our 90th day of school!  Anna and her parents provided us with a great activity--making a clock!  Be sure ask your child to show you where all the zeroes are in and on the clock!

1-23-12

On Monday we started sending home our Pre-K Color Day book.  Look for this book to come home for your child to share with you for one evening.  Your child should sign his/her name at the back of the book and then return it to school in its special carrying bag.  Happy Reading!

Nathan counts snowflakes and snowmen to 100! 

• 

On Monday, we asked the children to share with us what they know about Outer Space.  Next, we read a book about the Solar System.  Then, we made a list of questions we have about Outer Space and what we would like to learn........ 

~How did Pluto get small?
~What does the Milky Way look like?
~What are planets made of?
~What are planets' rings made of?
~How long does it take to get to Outer Space?
~How fast can shooting stars go?
~How do astronauts float?
~How fast does a rocketship go?

We are definitely ready to BLAST OFF and learn more about Outer Space!

~NEWSPAPER NAMES~

On Monday your child brought home a special homework assignment to complete and return to school by this Friday.