Past Posts
April 22 - May 3
It has been another couple of busy weeks in PreK. Here is what we have been learning about:
Curriculum Read Alouds -
The last two weeks have been all about life cycles. We read The Lifecycle of a Bean, The Lifecycle of a Butterfly, The Lifecycle of a Frog, and The Lifecycle of a Sunflower. We have successfuly grown seeds and grass. We are currently watching caterpillars. They should be turning into cacoons/chrysalis this weekend. Then we will be on butterfly watch.
Next week we will be learning about fruits and vegetables. The following week will be about grains, bread, and tortillas!
Small Group - The week during small group we actually did whole group activities:
We did lots of activites that dealt with life cycles.
Learning Centers - The kids worked on 4 learning centers this week. They did a butterfly push pin, an umbrella/rain color cut paste, number addition flowers, and Spring word writing.
Handwriting: This week we focused on the letter Qq and Ww. We are now practicing our first and last names as well. We are also learning how to stretch out words in order to spell them.
Specials Schedule Next 2 Weeks:
Monday 6th : Gym
Tuesday 7th: Steam
Wednesday 8th: Art
Thursday 9th: Music
Friday 10th: Gym
Monday 13th : Steam
Tuesday 14th: Art
Wednesday 15th: Music
Thursday 16th: Gym
Friday 17th: Steam
Important Information: .
Our Field trip is set for Wednesday, May 15. We are looking forward to our trip to Post Family Farms to help wrap up our growing unit.
LIBRARY: Remember to send Library books to school on Monday. Many kids are forgetting weekly to bring their book bag. Please also return the book in the baggy to keep it protected.
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Many kids are NOT coming with snacks. Please remember to send in 2 snacks everyday with your Prek'er!
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is almost empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
April 8 - 19
It has been another couple of busy weeks in PreK. Here is what we have been learning about:
Curriculum Read Alouds -
Last week we read several social emotional books and reminded ourselves about what we can do when we have big emotions and how to recognize those emotions in others. We read Friends, Happy, The Way I Feel, The Hungry Worry Monsters, and How Do Dinosaurs be Kind. We made several class books that talked about feelings and friends. Copies of the book pages came home last week for you to see.
This week we started learning all about plants. We learned how seeds are planted, plant parts, plant lifecycles, and different types of gardens. We also planted grass seed. We made a Green Hair Gus.....a cup with a face. When the grass seed grows, it will become the hair. Check out the photos section to see each kiddo with their cup.
Here are the themes for the next several weeks of learning. Next week we will be learning about the lifecycles of a bean seed and butterflies. We will be growing seeds and will have live butterflies. The following week we will learn about frog and sunflower lifecyles. Then we will focus on fruits and vegetables.
Small Group - The week during small group we actually did whole group activities:
We learned the parts of a plant and read a little take home book.
We learned about the lifecyle of a plant.
We learned about what a plant needs to grow.
We planted our Green Hair GUs.
Learning Centers - The kids worked on 4 learning centers this week. They did a flower color, cut, paste, a flower pokey pin, letter tracing, and rainbow dot painting.
Handwriting: This week we focused on the letter Cc. We are now practicing our first and last names as well. We are also learning how to stretch out words in order to spell them.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Music
Tuesday: Gym
Wednesday: Steam
Thursday: Art
Friday: Music
Important Information: .
FIELD TRIP REMINDER: Please send in your $8 for the field trip by next week Friday. If there is a financial difficulty please reach out through email. The field trip to Post Family Farm is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15. Please return the bottom of the note if you are interested in having your name put in a hat to be a volunteer parent to go with us.
LIBRARY: Remember to send Library books to school on Monday. Many kids are forgetting weekly to bring their book bag. Please also return the book in the baggy to keep it protected.
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Many kids are NOT coming with snacks. Please remember to send in 2 snacks everyday with your Prek'er!
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is almost empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
AMAZON WISHLIST
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/UK76LWOIS6XJ?ref_=wl_share
March 4 - 15
It has been another couple of busy weeks in PreK. Here is what we have been learning about:
Curriculum Read Alouds - We completed unit 4 by reading Fairy Tales. We have read The Princess and the Pea, The Very Smart Pea and the Princess to Be, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, and the 3 Little Pigs. We have learned that fairy tales have the following components: royalty (prince, princess, queen, king, knights), castles, magic, good/evil characters. We made a class book this week title: If I was a Prince or Princess, I would.....Please visit the picture tab above to see pictures of the kids with the book page.
Small Group - The week the kids rotated through four stations.
Station 1 was doing Khan Kids on their Ipads.
Station 2 was meeting with Mrs. Nash and working on cvc words and missing vowels.
Station 3 was going to the art center and creating.
Station 4 was meeting with Mrs. Harmsen to do our If I Were a Prince or Princess book.
Learning Centers - This kids worked on 4 learning centers this week. They did a a Shamrock pokey pin, Shamrock Dot painting, Count the Room, and a Butterfly Cut/Color Paste.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - No repeated read aloud this week. We did fairy tale activities.
Handwriting: This week we focused on the letters Pp and Rr, and the number 12.. We are now practicing our first and last names as well. We are also learning how to stretch out words in order to spell them.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Steam
Tuesday: Art
Wednesday: Music
Thursday: Gym
Friday: Steam
Important Information:
OUTDOOR GEAR - Please still send students with a jacket but SNOWPANTS AND BOOTS are no longer needed unless we get a random April snowstorm.
Rest towels will come home on March 27. Please wash and return after Spring Break.
Please check out the Picture tab above for new pictures.
LIBRARY: Remember to send Library books to school on Monday. Many kids are forgetting weekly to bring their book bag. Please also return the book in the baggy to keep it protected.
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Many kids are NOT coming with snacks. Please remember to send in 2 snacks everyday with your Prek'er!
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is almost empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Feb. 26 - March 1
It was another fun and busy week in PreK. Here is what we have been doing in the classroom:
Curriculum Read Alouds - We are currently in unit 4 of our curriculum. This units main topics are museums, dinosaurs, castle/knights, and fairytales. Our focus over the last couple of week was dinosaurs, castles, and dragons.
Last week Meet the Dinosaurs, Dinosaur Armor, Dinosaurs Big and Small all taught us about different dinosaurs and dinosaur armor. Rex Wrecks It showcased a dinosaur who had lots of energy and would wreck things and how his friends felt about it. Dinosaur Countdown was a dinosaur counting book. Fossils Tell Stories taught us what fossils are and how to find them.
This week we started learning about castles and fairy tales. We read All About Castles which taught us what castles look like. We also read several books with dragons as characters including Evermore Dragon and Come to School Dear Dragon. Today we learned about real dragons......aka....the komodo dragon.
Small Group - The week the kids rotated through four stations.
Station 1 was going to the construction zone and building castles with blocks.
Station 2 was meeting with Mrs. Nash and working on cvc words.
Station 3 was going to the art center and creating.
Station 4 was doing puzzles.
Learning Centers - This kids worked on 4 learning centers this week. They did a castle pokey pin picture, Castle beginning sounds activity, a Fairytale Memory game, and Fairytale Write the room.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - This week we read There Was An Old Lady who Swallowed a Dragon. We did a sequence page and will be taking home a booklet of the story.
Handwriting: This week we focused on the letters Bb and Oo. We are now practicing our first and last names as well. We are also learning how to stretch out words in order to spell them.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Gym
Tuesday: Steam
Wednesday: Art
Thursday: Music
Friday: Gym
Important Information:
OUTDOOR GEAR - The weather has been so wacky!! Please continue to send boots. Our playground is muddy! Boots help by not tracking mud into the classrooms. Snowpants are not needed currently, BUT if there is snow on the ground, please send them back!!!
Thank you to the parents who attended parent teacher conferences. I appreciate your willingess to meet and talk about your kiddo's progress.
LIBRARY: Remember to send Library books to school on Monday. Many kids are forgetting weekly to bring their book bag. Please also return the book in the baggy to keep it protected.
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Many kids are NOT coming with snacks. Please remember to send in 2 snacks everyday with your Prek'er!
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is almost empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Jan. 29 - Feb. 2
A full week of school was accomplished this week! Lot's of learning happened. This is what we did this week:
Curriculum Read Alouds - This week we took a break from curriculum and did an author study. This week we learned all about Mo Willems book.......Elephant and Piggie, Pigeon books, Unlimited Squirrels, and Knufflebunny. We read many books by Mo Willems and did activities all week to go with them. Today the kiddos are coming home with either and elephant or a piggie craft. Even all the library books this week were Mo Willems books. Make sure you take time to read them with your PreK'er
Small Group - The week the kids rotated through four stations.
Station 1 was meeting with Mrs. Harmsen and learning about addition
Station 2 was meeting with Mrs. Nash and doing rhyming puzzles.
Station 3 was doing their IPADS.
Station 4 was going to the Art center and creating.
Learning Centers - This kids worked on 4 learning centers this week. They did a Pigeon/Piggie/Elephant pokie pin, Qtip painting, Matching Uppercase/Lowercase letters, and Color words write the room.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - We read additional Mo WIllems books in the afternoon.
Handwriting: We are starting our 2nd round of working through the letters for handwriting. This week week we did the Letters Mm and Aa. This round we are practing writing the letters. We are also brainstorming 2 words that start with that letter. The kids are then trying to write the words by stretching the words out and listening for the sounds they hear and matching them to letters.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Music
Tuesday: Gym
Wednesday: Steam
Thursday: Art
Friday: Music
Important Information:
SOAR PARTY......The kiddos have earned a SOAR party. Kids can wear their PJ's to school on Monday. They may also bring 1 small stuffy! Stuffy must fit into their backpacks!!
Valentine's Day.....We will be doing a Valentine's day card exchange. If your child wants to participate, please help them make/buy 17 valentines cards. DO NOT fill in the TO: section of the card. Only have kids write their names in the FROM: section. They will just drop a card into everyone's bag. If your child does not want to participate, that is okay. They will still receive a bag. You can start sending the cards to school next week. Please send them in by next Friday, Feb. 9.
Snow Gear.....PLEASE continue to send snowpants and boots. The playground is very wet and muddy. The snowpants and boots are helping to keep the kids dry and clean. Without boots, the kids are not allowed off the pavement which is not much fun!
LIBRARY: Remember to send Library books to school on Monday. Many kids are forgetting weekly to bring their book bag. Please also return the book in the baggy to keep it protected.
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Many kids are NOT coming with snacks. Please remember to send in 2 snacks everyday with your Prek'er!
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is almost empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Dec. 18 - 22
Our final week with Rascal was great. Here are the books he brought this week:
Bear Stays Up - We did a sequence page and a booklet.
Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree - We read the book and did a sequencing paper.
How to Catch Santa - We read the book and made Santa headbands.
Moosletoe - We read the book, made a headband, and colored a booklet.
There was an Old Lady that Swallowed a Bell - We read the book and did a sequence page
Small Group - The kids got to work on their Ipads and do some fun winter assignments.
Learning Centers - This kids worked on 4 learning centers this week. They did a Wreath color/cut/paste, pokey pin, reindeer dot painting, and letter matching.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - No repeated read aloud this week.
Handwriting: No new letters this week!
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Gym
Tuesday: Steam
Wednesday: Art
Thursday: Music
Friday: Gym
Important Information:
Lots of new photos posted in the Photo Tab.... christmas party, goodie bags, and rascal pictures
Snow Gear.....PLEASE continue practicing getting all snow gear on independently. We are teaching the order here at school: 1st - Snowpants, 2nd - Boots, 3rd - Coat, 4th - Hat, 5th - Gloves. Our goal is complete independence and ready in less than 5 min. When you are practicing at home, it you see your preK'er having difficulty with something, please practice more or consider changing to something easier. Just a heads up.......things VERY difficult for PreK kiddos are: Double layer/zipped coats, gloves with zippers on them, and regular old zippers. I appreciate your help with practicing at home. **Snowpants and boots are only necessary when there is SNOW on the ground. Thank you!
LIBRARY: Remember to send Library books to school on Monday.
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Please remember to send 2 snacks per day with your PreK student. We prefer NOT to have candy as snacks.
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is almost empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations! Dec. 11-15
More excitement this week as Rascal the Reindeer brought us many fun books, activities, and treats! Here are the books he brought this week:
The Littlest Elf - We read the book and played a roll and stamp game.
The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever - We read the book, did christmas tree stickers, and put christmas trees in order from smallest to largest.
Pig the Elf - We read the book, did a sequence page, then wrote our Christmas wishes with Pig the Pug on the top!
Snowmen at Christmas - We read the book, designed our own snowmen, and had a marshmallow/chocolate snowman treat!
The Gingerbread Man - We read the book, did a sequence page, colored a gingerbread, and decorated and ate a gingerbread cookie.
Small Group - This week during small group time the kids got to go to the the Book Nook, Construction Zone (pattern blocks with xmas pictures), Puzzles, and IPads. They also worked with Mrs. Harmsen and Mrs. Nash to make a special gift for mom and dad.
Learning Centers - This kids worked on 4 learning centers this week. They did a Write the Room, Build a Number Christmas train, a candy cane color/cut/paste, and Santa Beard cutting activity.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - No repeated read aloud this week.
Handwriting: This week we learned and practiced the letters Gg and Qq. They also practiced the numbers 10 - 14 as well as their name.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Music - Plaid and Hat Day
Tuesday: Gym - Red & White day
Wednesday: Steam - Christmas sweater/shirt
Thursday: Art - Red & Green
Friday: Music - PJ Day
Important Information:
Rascal the Reindeer came being coming everyday this week. Please check out all the new pictures added to the Photo's Tab above.
Holiday Goody Bags.....We will be decorating our bags on Monday morning and then we will start passing stuff out. Please send in your goodie for the bags by Friday. Thank you!
Snow Gear.....PLEASE continue practicing getting all snow gear on independently. We are teaching the order here at school: 1st - Snowpants, 2nd - Boots, 3rd - Coat, 4th - Hat, 5th - Gloves. Our goal is complete independence and ready in less than 5 min. When you are practicing at home, it you see your preK'er having difficulty with something, please practice more or consider changing to something easier. Just a heads up.......things VERY difficult for PreK kiddos are: Double layer/zipped coats, gloves with zippers on them, and regular old zippers. I appreciate your help with practicing at home. **Snowpants and boots are only necessary when there is SNOW on the ground. Thank you!
I have added pictures to the Photo's Tab above. Please be sure to check them out.
LIBRARY: Remember to send Library books to school on Monday.
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Please remember to send 2 snacks per day with your PreK student. We prefer NOT to have candy as snacks.
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is almost empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Dec. 4 - 8
Lot's of excitement is happening in our room!! Hopefully you have heard about Rascal the Reindeer and all the fun we have had this week with the books he has brought. Here are the books he brought this week:
The Littlest Reindeer - We read the book, colored pictures, did a feelings paper, and took home a little reader book.
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas - We read the book, did some coloring sheets, and did a sequencing of event paper. The kids were great at using the sheet to retell the story.
Elf in the House - We read the book then made special name Elves to hang on our lockers (see the pictures).
Click Clack Ho Ho Ho - We read the book and did a sequencing paper to help us retell the story.
Candy Cane Fiasco - We read the book, colored candy canes using patterns, build candy canes with blocks, and enjoyed a candy cane treat.
Small Group - This week during small group time the kids got to go to the the Book Nook, Construction Zone (built names and letters with wooden pieces), Art Center, and IPads. They also met with Mrs. Harmsen to review the feeling of being afraid and what to do. Plus we played an Emotions Matching Game. They met with Mrs. Nash and worked on beginning sounds and word families/rhyming words. On Friday, we made a Rudolph craft.
Learning Centers - This kids worked on 4 learning centers this week. They did a pokey pin fine motor activity, Count the Room, Reindeer dot painting, and a Santa Roll and Cover number game.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - No repeated read aloud this week.
Handwriting: This week we learned and practiced the letters Cc and Oo. They also practiced the numbers 5 - 9 as well as their name.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Music
Tuesday: Gym
Wednesday: Steam
Thursday: Art
Friday: Early Release - Recess
Important Information:
Rascal the Reindeer came being coming everyday this week. Please check out all the new pictures added to the Photo's Tab above.
Holiday Goody Bags.....a note went home earlier this week about our Holiday Goodie Bags. Please refer to the note for details. Items can be sent to school starting Monday, Dec. 18.
Our Santa Secret Shop date is Tuesday, Dec. 12. If your child is planning on shopping, please send their money and lists on Tuesday.
Snow Gear.....PLEASE continue practicing getting all snow gear on independently. We are teaching the order here at school: 1st - Snowpants, 2nd - Boots, 3rd - Coat, 4th - Hat, 5th - Gloves. Our goal is complete independence and ready in less than 5 min. When you are practicing at home, it you see your preK'er having difficulty with something, please practice more or consider changing to something easier. Just a heads up.......things VERY difficult for PreK kiddos are: Double layer/zipped coats, gloves with zippers on them, and regular old zippers. I appreciate your help with practicing at home. **Snowpants and boots are only necessary when there is SNOW on the ground. Thank you!
Please use the link in the email that was sent on Friday, Dec. 8 if you'd like to volunteer for the Christmas party.
I have added pictures to the Photo's Tab above. Please be sure to check them out.
LIBRARY: Remember to send Library books to school on Monday.
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Please remember to send 2 snacks per day with your PreK student. We prefer NOT to have candy as snacks.
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Nov. 27 - Dec. 1
Here is what we are learning about in the classroom.
Curriculum Read Alouds this week:
We started Unit 3 by focusing on emotions. We are learning to identify our feelings/emotions and what to do when we experience BIG emotions. The kids were introduced to Tucker the Turtle and steps he takes to calm down. Have the kids share what they learned.
The Snowy Day - We read about a boy's different emotions he experienced on a snowy day.
Chocolate Covered Tantrum - We read about a girl who had a tantrum when she didn't get a cookie and what she did to eventually calm down.
Tucker the Turtle book - Tucker taught us the steps he takes when he gets mad. #1 - Recognize your feeling #2 Stop your body from reacting (yelling,hitting, pushing, etc) #3 - Tuck into your shell (calm spot) and do 3 deep breaths. #4 - Come out and think of a good/safe solution to what made you mad. We talked about how in the classroom a calm spot could be the Quiet Corner or your seat. Outside it could be a bench or the wall. Please help your child identify where their calm down spot is at your house. We also practice STAR breathing. Have them show you how to do it.
Sometimes I'm a Bombaloo - We learned about girl named Sophie and how she sometimes turns into a Bombaloo when she gets mad.
Franklin Afraid of the Dark - We discussed the emotion of being afraid and how it is okay.
Small Group - This week during small group time the kids got to go to the the Book Nook, Games to play Memory, Writing Center, and IPads. They also met with Mrs. Harmsen to review letters and Tucker the Turtle. THey met with Mrs. Nash and worked on handwriting review.
Learning Centers - This kids worked on 4 learning centers this week. They did Turkey Subitize, Write the Room, Playdough feathers, and a Fox color/cut/paste.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - No repeated read aloud this week.
Handwriting: This week was a review of letters H, K, L, U, V, W, X, Y, Z. They also practiced the numbers 0-4 as well as their name.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Art
Tuesday: Music
Wednesday: Gym
Thursday: Steam
Friday: Art
Important Information:
Rascal the Reindeer came to our classroom today! He is a special vistor from the North Pole. He will be bring us fun books to read everyday! We are excited about what Rascal will bring.
Snow Gear.....PLEASE continue practicing getting all snow gear on independently. We are teaching the order here at school: 1st - Snowpants, 2nd - Boots, 3rd - Coat, 4th - Hat, 5th - Gloves. Our goal is complete independence and ready in less than 5 min. When you are practicing at home, it you see your preK'er having difficulty with something, please practice more or consider changing to something easier. Just a heads up.......things VERY difficult for PreK kiddos are: Double layer/zipped coats, gloves with zippers on them, and regular old zippers. I appreciate your help with practicing at home. **Snowpants and boots are only necessary when there is SNOW on the ground. Thank you!
Please use the link in the email if you'd like to volunteer for the Christmas party.
I have added pictures to the Photo's Tab above. Please be sure to check them out.
LIBRARY: Remember to send Library books to school on Monday.
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Please remember to send 2 snacks per day with your PreK student. We prefer NOT to have candy as snacks.
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Nov. 6 - 20
It has been a couple week since I've updated the site.....We have been busy!!! Here is what we have been learning about:
Curriculum Read Alouds this week:
We finished up Unit 2 by learning all about the coral reef environment. We also presented our Recycle/Reuse presentations.
Coral Reef - This book taught us what lives in a coral reef.
Clown Fish - We learned all about clown fish and how they live in the coral reef.
Into the A-B-Sea - We learned about an sea animal that starts with each letter of the alphabet.
Pattern Fish - We learned about patterns with this beautifully illustrated fish book.
A House for Hermit Crab - We learned about a hermit crab who went to find a new shell and the friends he made along the way.
Fish Eyes - We practiced counting with this fun number book about fish.
Ocean ABC Book - Another book showing different sea animals that start with the letters of the alphabet.
Small Group - This week during small group time the kids got to go to the the Construction Zone, Art Center, Playdough, and IPads. They also met with Mrs. Harmsen to do a Coral Reef Sort and a Coral Reef picture w/stickers. THey met with Mrs. Nash and worked on beginning sounds and basic addition.
Learning Centers - This kids worked on 4 learning centers this week.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - Last week we read The Little Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves.
Handwriting: This week was a learned the letters Ww, Vv, Yy, Xx, and Zz. Please have the kiddos practice these letters during the week.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Steam
Tuesday: Art
Wednesday: Music
Thursday: Gym
Friday: Steam
Important Information:
Snow Gear.....PLEASE continue practicing getting all snow gear on independently. We are teaching the order here at school: 1st - Snowpants, 2nd - Boots, 3rd - Coat, 4th - Hat, 5th - Gloves. Our goal is complete independence and ready in less than 5 min. When you are practicing at home, it you see your preK'er having difficulty with something, please practice more or consider changing to something easier. Just a heads up.......things VERY difficult for PreK kiddos are: Double layer/zipped coats, gloves with zippers on them, and regular old zippers. I appreciate your help with practicing at home. **Snowpants and boots are only necessary when there is SNOW on the ground. Thank you!
Thank you to all those who made it to Parent Teacher Conferences. It was so great to meet with all of you and discuss the awesome progress being made.
I have added pictures to the Photo's Tab above. Please be sure to check them out.
LIBRARY: We did not have Library this week. We will get new books next Monday after Thanksgiving break.
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Please remember to send 2 snacks per day with your PreK student. We prefer NOT to have candy as snacks.
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Week of Oct. 30 - Nov. 3
This week was a busy one! Lot's of excitement was had!! Here is what we learned in the classroom this week:
Curriculum Read Alouds this week:
This week we continued our theme the Recycle and Reuse. We learned that that recycling and reusing is good for our Environment.
Why Should I Recycle - This book taught us what recycling is.
I Drive a Garbage Truck - We learned where they garbage goes and how to keep the environment clean.
Reusing and Recycling - Another book to help us learn about recycling. After reading this book the kids worked together with their table mates to create something new out of recyclable materials. I added these pictures to the Photos Tab above.
Small Group - This week during small group time the kids got to go to the the Construction Zone, Art Center, Playdough, and IPads. They also met with Mrs. Harmsen to review our Solution Suitcase. We played a game to help us figure out how to solve problems. THey met with Mrs. Nash and worked on Letter puzzles. Matching the uppercase to the lowercase letter while also reviewing sounds.
Learning Centers - This kids worked on 4 learning centers this week. They did a Bat pokey pin, Pumpkin Q-tip painting, Name Spider Web, and a Cat color/cut/glue.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - We did not have a repeated read aloud this week. We read lots of Halloween read alouds instead.
Handwriting: This week was a learned the letters Ll and Uu. Please have the kiddos practice these letters during the week.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Art
Tuesday: Music
Wednesday: Gym
Thursday: Steam
Friday: Art
Important Information:
Recycling Project: are due Next Friday, Nov. 10. Please do not send them to school until then. I can't wait to see what everyone creates.
Snow Gear.....PLEASE continue practicing getting all snow gear on independently. We are teaching the order here at school: 1st - Snowpants, 2nd - Boots, 3rd - Coat, 4th - Hat, 5th - Gloves. Our goal is complete independence and ready in less than 5 min. When you are practicing at home, it you see your preK'er having difficulty with something, please practice more or consider changing to something easier. Just a heads up.......things VERY difficult for PreK kiddos are: Double layer/zipped coats, gloves with zippers on them, and regular old zippers. I appreciate your help with practicing at home. **Snowpants and boots are only necessary when there is SNOW on the ground. Thank you!
PE Cares Food Drive.....a note went home this week regarding the food drive. Please consider donating some food to help families in need this holiday season.
LIBRARY: We will not have library next week due to the Book Fair. We will be visiting the book fair on Monday to see what is down there, and will be purchasing books on Wednesday.
Square 1 Art orders are due on November 7.
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Please remember to send 2 snacks per day with your PreK student. We prefer NOT to have candy as snacks.
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Week of Oct. 23 - 27
The kids are learning so much, so fast! Here is what we have been working on this week:
Curriculum Read Alouds this week:
This week we continued our theme the ENVIRONMENT. We learned that our environment is everything around us including animals, people, plants, earth's features, and things made by man.
Life in a Pond - We read about a pond environment and what type of animals and plants you would find there.
Icky Bug Counting Book - We learned about some icky bugs along with counting practice. We also discussed if we would find some of these icky bugs in our environment of Hudsonville.
The Shape of Things - Another book to help us practice and learn our shapes.
Small Group - This week during small group time the kids got to go to the Book Nook, Puzzles, Art Center, and I-Pads. They also met with Mrs. Harmsen to practice subatizing (number recognition) and made a Shape map. THey met with Mrs. Nash to practiced rhyming words and a High/Low Math game. During small group time, the students meet with an adult to review learned skills.
Learning Centers - This kids continued to work on different learning centers this week. These centers include Pokey Pin, painting, math, count the room, playdough, color cut and paste, letters/sounds. Many of these activities also have a fall/halloween theme to them.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - This week we read There Was An Old Lady Who Swalled a Bat. The kids will be coming home with a book to practice reading to you next week! We aren't quite finished with it.
Handwriting: This week was a learned the letters Hh and Kk. Please have the kiddos practice these letters during the week.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Steam
Tuesday: Art
Wednesday: Music
Thursday: Gym
Friday: Steam
Important Information:
Recycling Project: Next week be on the look out for a recycling project that the kids will working on at home and bring to school.
Halloween is quickly approaching. Pre-K students can wear their costumes to school and stay in them all day. PLEASE make sure that they wear a costume that they can easily still use the restroom independently.
If you did not return a rest towel to school, please do so on Monday.
LIBRARY: Please remember to return Library books on Monday. Please keep books in the plastic baggies when the book isn't being read and return to school in the baggie. Thank You!
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Please remember to send 2 snacks per day with your PreK student. We prefer NOT to have candy as snacks.
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations! Week of Oct. 16 - 20
The kids are learning so much, so fast! Here is what we have been working on this week:
Curriculum Read Alouds this week:
This week our theme was learning about our ENVIRONMENT. We learned that our environment is everything around us including animals, people, plants, earth's features, and things made by man.
Life in the City - This book introduced us to a city environment. We compared/contrasted a city enviroment to our environment.
Big Trees - This book taught us the importance of having plants in our environment.
People and the Environment - This book taught us how people interact with the environment.
Squirrels - This was a nonfiction book about squirrels and learning about what type of environment they live in.
Small Group - This week during small group time the kids got to go to the Book Nook, Construction Zone, Art Center, and I-Pads. They also met with Mrs. Harmsen to practice syllables and met with Mrs. Nash to review the letters we have learned so far in handwriting.
Learning Centers - This kids continued to work on different learning centers this week. These centers include Pokey Pin, painting, math, count the room, playdough, color cut and paste, letters/sounds. Many of these activities also have a fall/halloween theme to them.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - This week we read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. The kids will be coming home with a letter book to help them retell the story to you.
Handwriting: This week was a review week of the letters learned. We also practiced our name. We are working on writing our name with a capital letter at the beginning and the rest of the letters lowercase.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: No School - Fall Break
Tuesday: Art
Wednesday: Music
Thursday: Gym
Friday: Steam
Important Information:
WALK A THON - Today we did the walk a thon. We went outside and walked and danced. See pictures in the Photo's Tab.
Recycling: Last week, a group of 4th graders came to our room and did a recycling presentation. We learned about all the things we can recycle here at school. I added pictures to the Photos tab.
Halloween is quickly approaching. Pre-K students can wear their costumes to school and stay in them all day. PLEASE make sure that they wear a costume that they can easily still use the restroom independently.
Rest towels are coming home today. Please wash and return on Tuesday.
LIBRARY: Please remember to return Library books on Monday. Please keep books in the plastic baggies when the book isn't being read and return to school in the baggie. Thank You!
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Please remember to send 2 snacks per day with your PreK student. We prefer NOT to have candy as snacks.
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Week of Oct. 9 - 13
It was a wet, dreary week but we still learned a lot. Here is what we have been working on in the classroom:
Curriculum Read Alouds this week:
This week our theme was Problem Solving and all our books had characters who had problems to solve. We made a solution suitcase. Inside the suitcase we learned 8 different strategies that we can use to help us solve problems when we are at school or home. These strategies are:
Say "Please Stop"
Ask Nicely
Play together
Ignore
Trade
Wait and take turns
Get a timer
Ask a teacher for help.
Goldilocks and the Three Bears: A Problem Solving Story - This book introduced the Solution Suitcase and taught us several different problem solving strategies.
A Weekend with Wendall - This book was a bossy houseguest who didn't know how to play nicely.
We Are Problem Solvers - This book taught us the steps to solving a problem: 1. Identify the problem, 2. Think of some solutions. 3. Think if the solutions are safe, fair, and kind., 4. Give a solution a try and see if it works.
Swimmy - This was a book about a fish and their friend and how they worked together to solve a problem.
Small Group - This week during small group time the kids got to go to Mrs. Harmsen's to learn about problem solving, the Constructions Zone, A Shape sorting game w/para, and use their I-Pads .
Learning Centers - This kids continued to work on different learning centers this week. These centers include Pokey Pin, painting, math, count the room, playdough, color cut and paste, letters/sounds. Many of these activities also have a fall/halloween theme to them.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - We did not do a repeated read aloud this week. Instead I chose to read some fun fall books as read alouds.
Handwriting: This week we have done the letters Mm & Nn. Please use the practice sheets that come home to familiarize yourself with the words we use for the strokes of the letters. Please have your kids practice these letters at home too!! We also practice the numbers 4 & 5.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Steam
Tuesday: Art
Wednesday: Music
Thursday: Gym
Friday: Recess/ Early Release
Important Information:
WALK A THON - Please make sure you register your child for our school WALK A THON. DIRECTIONS ARE BELOW TO HELP YOU REGISTER. This will help you register for the walk a thon. We have 12 of 17 kids registered. You can also send in cash donations in their folders. Thank you so much for supporting our school!! We will be walking from 9:30 - 9:50 next Thursday morning for the Walk-a-thon!
I added some new pictures of the kids working on their ipads and when Mr. Mermatt came into our classroom to read us a story. Check out the Photos tab above.
LIBRARY: Please remember to return Library books on Monday. Please keep books in the plastic baggies when the book isn't being read and return to school in the baggie. Thank You!
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Please remember to send 2 snacks per day with your PreK student. We prefer NOT to have candy as snacks.
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Week of Oct. 2 - 6
We had great couple of weeks! Here is what we have been working on in the classroom:
Curriculum Read Alouds this week:
Nature Up Close - This book had up close pictures of things from nature and we had to guess what each item was.
Nature Spy - This book was about using our senses to learn about Nature.
Fall - This book was taught us about the season of Fall
Fall Friends - A book about a elephant and a mouse who take a fall adventure.
How Big Will You're Pumpkin Grow - Taught us about how big pumpkin could grow with our imagination.
Five Senses - We finished our Five Senses Book. They were sent home earlier this week.
Small Group - This week during small group time the kids got to go to Mrs. Harmsen's table to look at nature up close with magnifying glasses, the Book Nook, A Friendship Game w/para, and the Art Center.
Learning Centers - This week the kids started doing learning centers with their partner. Three times a week, they do a different center.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - This week our repeated read aloud was It Looks Like Spilt Milk. We practiced reading the book all together. They are coming home with a special copy of their own. Their homework was to "READ" the story to people at home. Please keep these books in a special place. Hopefully by the end of the year, they will have a nice collections of fun little books.
Handwriting: This week we have done the letters Bb & Rr. Please use the practice sheets that come home to familiarize yourself with the words we use for the strokes of the letters. Please have your kids practice these letters at home too!! We also practice the numbers 0 - 3.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Gym
Tuesday: Steam
Wednesday: Art
Thursday: Music
Friday: Gym
Important Information:
WALK A THON - Please make sure you register your child for our school WALK A THON. You can view the note sent home last week below. This will help you register for the walk a thon. We only have 11 of 17 kids registered. Thanks!
On Monday, we had a visit from the Georgetown Fire Department to help us learn about fire safety. Please look at the pictures I added to the Photos tab above.
LIBRARY: Please remember to return Library books on Monday. Please keep books in the plastic baggies when the book isn't being read. Thank You!
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Please remember to send 2 snacks per day with your PreK student. We prefer NOT to have candy as snacks.
CLASSROOM SNACKs NEED: Our classroom snack basket is empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Weeks of Sept. 18 - 29
We had great couple of weeks! Here is what we have been working on in the classroom:
Curriculum Read Alouds this week:
Goldilocks and the 3 Pancakes - We learned about being a good friend shapes.
A Visitor for Bear - We learned about friendship and how to be a good friend.
Yo! Yes! - This book was about friendship and how to ask someone to play.
Bear Snores On - Was about a bear and all his friends.
Mouse Paint - This book taught us about the primary colors and how to mix them to make different colors.
Lunch - This book gave us clues about what a mouse ate for lunch and we had to guess what he ate.
Big Al - This book was about friendship. It taught us that we need to get to know someone to tell if they would be a good friend. Don't judge by how they look.
Don't Upset PU Zorilla - This book was about senses and how to find a right job for a skunk.
How Much Is That Doggy In the Window - A take on the classic song and how a boy wanted a dog but spent his money on his family instead.
Five Senses -We are learning about our five senses. We are also making a five senses book. We have talked about all the senses now. Next week we will be finishing our 5 senses books.
Small Group - This week during small group time the kids got to go to the Construction Zone, Puzzles, Subatize Game w/para, and the Art Center. Mrs. Harmsen met with individual kids to assess what letter sounds they know.
Learning Centers - This week for learning centers the kids did 4 different activities: Dot Painting, Number Puzzles, Letter Puzzles, and Lacing/patterns. Next week the kids will start doing learning centers with a partner 3 days a week.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - This week our repeated read aloud was I See Fall. We practiced reading the book all together and then with partners.. They are coming home with a special copy of their own. Their homework was to "READ" the story to people at home. Please keep these books in a special place. Hopefully by the end of the year, they will have a nice collections of fun little books.
Handwriting: Last week and this week we have done the letters Ff, Ed, Dd, and Pp. Please use the practice sheets that come home to familiarize yourself with the words we use for the strokes of the letters. Please have your kids practice these letters at home too!! We also practice the numbers 0 - 3.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Music
Tuesday: Gym
Wednesday: Steam
Thursday: Art
Friday: Music
Important Information:
Nature Walk - Please use the paper bag sent home on Thursday to collect things from nature. Send the bags to school on MONDAY, October 3. We will be using the collections to look at close up at nature using magnifying glasses.
WALK A THON - Please make sure you register your child for our school WALK A THON. You can view the note sent home last week below. This will help you register for the walk a thon.
Today we had a visit from the Pep Squad from the high school. We got to go outside to see drummers, cheerleaders and football players!!! **See photos
LIBRARY: Please remember to return Library books on Monday. Please keep books in the plastic baggies when the book isn't being read. Thank You!
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
Please remember to send 2 snacks per day with your PreK student. We prefer NOT to have candy as snacks.
Next week Monday we will have a visit from Georgetown FIre Department for Fire Safety. We will be having a presentation by firefighters and then will get to go outside and look at the truck.
Last week the kids participated in a BUS SAFETY presentation. They learned all about being safe on the bus.
I have added some pictures to the 23/24 picture page. Go to the top of this page and click on the Photos 23/24 page.
CLASSROOM SNACK NEED: Our classroom snack basket is empty. This is used if kids forget a snack or are still hungry. If you would be willing to donate some snacks for the basket, we would appreciate it.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Week of Sept. 11 - 15
We had another great week! Here is what we did this week:
Curriculum Read Alouds this week:
Goldilocks and the 3 Bears - we learned about being a good friend and following rules.
A Visitor for Bear - We learned about friendship and how to be a good friend.
Seven Blind Mice - This book taught us about the sense of sight.
Goldilocks and Just One Bear - a twist on the classic story where the bear was the intruder into Goldilocks house.
I Pledge Allegiance - We learned what it meant to Pledge Allegiance to the Flag in honor of Constitution Day. We also learned that the Constitution is a set of rules that Americans need to follow to keep everyone happy and safe.
Five Senses -We are learning about our five senses. We are also making a five senses book. This week we focused on our sense of sight. We did a book page and coloring page. When the book is completed it will be sent home. Next week we will focus on Hearing and Touch.
Small Group - This week during small group time the kids got to go to the Book Nook, Constructions Zone, Art Center, and Mrs. Harmsen's table. At Mrs. Harmsen's table the kids made a Compliment Card for a friend. Give a compliment is one of the ways we learned that you can be a good friend. Compliment cards are coming home today in your child's folder. Please take time to open the card and read it with your child.
Learning Centers - This week for learning centers the kids did 4 different activities: Count the Room, Puff Ball Numbers (using a clothes pin to pick up puff balls and place on numbers), Dry Erase Letter Tracing, and Playdough number mats.. We are learning all the different types of activites whole group then eventually they will be doing learning centers with a partner.
Repeated Read-Aloud: - This week our repeated read aloud was Polar Bear Polar Bear What Do You Hear. We practiced retelling the book. They are coming home with a special copy of their own. Their homework was to "READ" the story to people at home. Please keep these books in a special place. Hopefully by the end of the year, they will have a nice collections of fun little books.
Handwriting: We continued working on handwriting lines: tall down line, slide line, and slant lines. Next week we will start working on numbers and two letters. We also learned Mat Man. This is a special way that we learn how to draw people. See if they can sing the Mat Man song for you!!
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Steam
Tuesday: Art
Wednesday: Music
Thursday: Gym
Friday: Steam
Important Information:
Rest Towels: Rest towels came home today. Please wash them and return them on Monday. Thank You!
LIBRARY: On Monday, the students will be visiting the Library for the first time. They will be allowed to check out 1 book to bring home for the week. I will be placing these books into a large baggie to transport to and from school. Please keep the library book inside this baggy when not reading. It helps protect it from water bottle spills and dirty hands. Library will be every Monday. Please send books back to school on Monday mornings so they can check out a new book.
Please check your child's folder each night and empty it. Have them share what they did for each paper.
COLD LUNCH/HOT LUNCH/MILK - Please continue discussing lunch options every morning. Continue to put 2 snacks seperate in the front pockets of their backpacks. Discuss the two hot lunch choices for the day and which one they will be choosing. This helps move the process along at school. Milk is also available for cold lunch students. They can either get milk or bring their water bottles down to lunch. Menus are available on the HPS website.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Week of Sept. 4 - 8
The kiddo's are doing a great job adjusting to school. We are having fewer tears and more smiles! Here is a breakdown of what we did this week:
Curriculum Read Alouds this week:
Animal Alphabet - a nonfiction book about an animal that starts with each letter of the alphabet. We saw the back end of an animal and had to guess what animal it was.
Ten Black Dots - This was a math book that helped us count to ten and subatize (recognizing dot patterns for numbers without counting). We made our own book. The kids got some dots and turned them into a picture.
Can I Play Too? - This was a Piggy and Elephant book that taught us to include everyone in our play.
Classroom Up Close - a nonfiction book that showed classroom items up close and the kids had to use clues to figure out what they were
Small Group
This week during small group time the kids got to go to the Book Nook, Constructions Zone, Dramatic Play Center, and Puzzles. During this time, a para pro and I did some basic assessments of letter recognition, shapes, numbers, and colors.
Learning Centers
This week for learning centers the kids did 4 different activities: Pokey Pin, Playdough Letters, Paint Dots, and Color, Cut, Paste Pencil. We are learning all the different types of activites whole group then eventually they will be doing learning centers with a partner.
Repeated Read-Aloud:
This week our repeated read aloud was Brown Bear Brown Bear, What Do You See? We practiced retelling the book. They are coming home with a special copy of their own. Their homework was to "READ" the story to people at home. Please keep these books in a special place. Hopefully by the end of the year, they will have a nice collections of fun little books.
Handwriting:
We started handwriting this week. We are working on some pre-handwriting skills such as learning the different types of lines that they will find in letters. We learned about Tall Down lines, Slide lines, and Slant lines. We will be starting letter work in another week or so.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Steam - Picture Day
Tuesday: Art
Wednesday: Music
Thursday: Gym
Friday: Steam (Early Release)
Important Information:
Picture Day is Monday, Sept. 11 - Please send their order form in their yellow folders on Monday. Whether or not you order pictures, every student will have a picture taken.
Rest Towels: I will be sending home rest towels on Early Release Friday's. Please wash them and return them the following Monday! Thank You!
NEEDED: We are in need of some paper towel for our classroom. The brown school stuff does not work very well. If you would be willing to donate a roll, please send it to school in your child's backpack. I appreciate it!!
COLD LUNCH/HOT LUNCH/MILK - Please continue discussing lunch options every morning. Continue to put 2 snacks seperate in the front pockets of their backpacks. Discuss the two hot lunch choices for the day and which one they will be choosing. This helps move the process along at school. Milk is also available for cold lunch students. They can either get milk or bring their water bottles down to lunch. Menus are available on the HPS website.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Week of August 28 - 31
We survived full days!!! This week was a huge adjustment for the kiddos. We had a few more tears and lots of asking "Is it time to go home yet?" The kids did great though. They did awesome at lunch, enjoyed afternoon recess, and did great during rest time. Here is a breakdown of what we did this week:
Curriculum Read Alouds this week:
Otto Goes to School - Otto learned that school isn't a scary place and he can learn and have fun.
Owl Babies - The owl babies were afraid when their mother was gone but they stuck together until mom got home. We learned it is okay to feel worried.
Pete the Cat and his White Shoes - We learned that things happen and don't always go as planned by as Pete says, "Its all good."
Our Senses - A nonfiction book about our 5 senses.
Routines:
This week we learned the lunch procedures (how to order, where to go, how to get hot lunch). We are also practice walking in the hallway with hugs and bubbles. We continue to work on learning rug expectations and table expectations.
Table Materials:
This week we learned how to properly use all our table materials. These include crayons, pencils, markers, scissors, and glue sticks. We learned the proper grasp for writing tools (3 finger pincher grasp) and how to hold our scissors the correct way for cutting.
Repeated Read-Aloud:
Each week we will be doing a repeated read aloud. We will read and discuss the same book everyday. Our hopes is that kids will become familiar with the text and be able to retell the story to you by the end of the week. This week we read the story When I Go Walking. Yesterday the kids came home with the colored animals that can be used to retell the story. Encourage them to use the pieces to tell you the story. Some weeks kids will be coming home with paper copies of the book to "read" at home. We encourage you to find a special place to save these books and use them as a special library to read from.
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: No School
Tuesday: Steam
Wednesday: Art
Thursday: Music
Friday: Gym
Important Information:
COLD LUNCH/HOT LUNCH/MILK - Please continue discussing lunch options every morning. Continue to put 2 snacks seperate in the front pockets of their backpacks. Discuss the two hot lunch choices for the day and which one they will be choosing. This helps move the process along at school. Milk is also available for cold lunch students. They can either get milk or bring their water bottles down to lunch. Menus are available on the HPS website.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Please scroll down to see a few pictures of the kids during purposeful play time today!
Week of August 21 - 25
Wow! What a great first week of school. Thank you for all the support from home as we navigated these first few days. We spent most of the week learning routines and getting to know each other.
Read Alouds this week:
First Day Jitters - In this book we learned that even teachers get nervous on the first day of school.
Kissing Hand - We learned that it is okay to be nervous and scared and that a hug or kiss from a loved one can help us feel loved. Chester the raccoon also took us on a scavenger hunt around the school.
Chrysanthemum - We learned that unkind words can wrinkle or hurt someones heart and that we need to be kind to our friends.
Pete the Cat: Rockin my School Shoes - Pete showed us some places in the school.
Routines:
We learned our morning routine of unpacking our backpacks and our afternoon routine of packing up. The kids are already doing a great job with this. We are working on clean up routines, playground expectations, learning rug expectations, and purposeful play expectations. Next week we will learn about SOAR - Be Safe, Own It, Act Responsibly, and Be Respectful. Kids can earn SOAR tickets for good behavior!!
Specials Schedule Next Week:
Monday: Steam
Tuesday: Art
Wednesday: Music
Thursday: Gym
Important Information:
Next week we start full days of school. It will be a challenge for our PreK kiddos. They will be tired!! We will start our 30 min. rest time in the afternoon. Please make sure you have a rest towel sent to school. Just so you are aware: if students fall asleep during rest time, we typically let them sleep and wake up on their own and it is OK! This happens quite a bit the first few months of school!
COLD LUNCH/HOT LUNCH/MILK - Please talk with your PreK student every morning about whether they have a cold lunch, ordering hot lunch, or ordering milk at school. Please send a cold lunch in a lunch box seperate from their snacks. Continue to put 2 snacks seperate in the front pockets of their backpacks. Discuss the two hot lunch choices for the day and which one they will be choosing. This helps move the process along at school. Milk is also available for cold lunch students. They can either get milk or bring their water bottles down to lunch. Menus are available on the HPS website.
Please remember to fill your child's water bottle with water only and keep it stored in an outside pocket of their backpacks.
Thank you for all the donations that were sent or dropped off at school. Typically when we run out of something, I will send an email out asking for donations.
On Friday's we will be having a member of the Hudsonville Football team come to our classroom to spend time with us. This year Jalen Oosting (former Alward student of mine) will be coming in on Friday's. He is #4 and plays defense on the team. Look for him if you go to the games. The kids were excited to meet him today and play.
Amazon Wishlist: I have a wishlist for our classroom. If you are interested in checking it out, click the Amazon box below. Thank you in advance for any classroom donations!
Please scroll down to see a few pictures of the kids during purposeful play time today!
Welcome to the 2023/2024 school year!!
I am excited to get the year started. Please take some time to explore this site. This will be the main way of communicating information about our classroom learning and happenings! I will attempt to update the site weekly to keep you informed! You will find lots of important information in the tabs along the top.
I look forward to meeting everyone at Open House on Tuesday, August 15th from 6:30 - 7:30pm.
The first day of school is scheduled for Monday, August 21!
I am looking forward to a great school year!