Pre-K A

Newsletter One

Acclimation

Hello Parents, This was a week of acclimation. We played with new and old toys, painted pictures, and constructed tall skyscapers in the block area. We reunited with familiar faces and connected with new children. We began our talk about class rules, particularly, what it means to be kind to one another. We settled on kindness is thinking about your friends’ feelings and treating your friends fairly. Even our line was so considerate when were walking throughout the school.

This Thursday was our first venture out of the classroom and we could not be prouder. We walked around the block (around Poly) and crossed two streets! We learned how to line up outside, how to hold our buddy's hand, turn corners, and quietly cross a street. We talked about the difference of chatting on the street, and being quiet while crossing the crosswalk to stay alert, to stay safe and to receive instructions It was so successful that we decided that we will go the park next week.

Next week, the class will continue our talk of rules and respect and kindness. We will talk about skin, hair, eyes, etc. (physical characteristics attributed to race) and create our own self-portraits. We will spend some time talking in depth about skin and hair to build a solid foundation of truth and affirmation.

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Christina

Newsletter Two

Self Portraits

Our self-portrait project focused on our varied physical characteristics and learning about how things can be the same and different. We talked about skin and its function and the inherent differences. We made a point to talk about skin color refencing race and how some people are not treated well because of their skin color. We also taught how we get our skin color (melanin): ancestry and their relationship to the sun, our parents. We also watched the famous Elmo and Lupita N’yongo skin video. Throughout the year, we will go further into this conversation about our identities: skin, hair, and ancestry. 

Park Time

On Thursday, we took advantage of the beautiful weather and took a trip to the park. The sun was shining, and the temperature felt great. The students enjoyed various activities while we were there. From digging in the dirt (way too much for the teachers’ taste), learning to throw a frisbee or just making a chalk rainbow on the pavement, the students were absolutely filled with boundless joy and enthusiastic energy. We are hoping to take a trip to the park weekly. Check out our photo gallery for some fantastic pictures!

Kindness

This week, we discussed the meaning of friendship, and here are some of the responses we received:

• A friend is someone who is there to help.

• A friend is someone who loves you.

• A friend is someone who is there when you’re sad and lonely. They are there for you.

• A friend is someone who loves you and you love them back

• A friend is someone who cares about you.

We read The Kindness Book by Todd Parr and had a discussion about what it means to be kind to ourselves and to others. We explored how acts of kindness can fill someone's heart with joy.

Class Reminders

We need your help with a few classroom things. We asked you to regularly take home sheets and blankets to be laundered and returned.

We want to send out a reminder that all children should be toilet trained. That includes the ability to fold the toilet paper and wipe once. Repeat the process if necessary. Afterwards wash hands for at least twenty seconds. Please practice this at home to avoid toilet accidents and to ensure the safe sanitation of the classroom.

Name Stories

Please bring in a story about how your child received his or her name (emailing stories works just as well). All stories should be no longer than one or two paragraphs and tailored to be read to young children. The day we receive the story is usually the day we read it to the entire class. These wonderful stories augments Pre K-A’s understanding of themselves and their families, as well as learn about different cultures and different ways to be. There is no actual due date, but we would like to have read all stories before Halloween. Two examples are in the photo gallery.

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Christina

Newsletter Three

This Week...

We wrapped up our self-portraits and kicked off our celebration of El Més de Herencia Latina by exploring the beautiful country of Puerto Rico and the Taino people. We also read the book “Look Like Me by Walter Dean Myers.” Additionally, we discussed what is self-esteem, the importance of loving ourselves and how to describe ourselves. We crafted our own “I AM” poem from that important discussion and created beautiful watercolor paintings to accompany our words. This project will be on display in the classroom next week.

I AM

Annie: I am a helper and a student.

Aradhya: I am a ballet dancer and a daughter.

August: I am a biker and a swimmer.

Avi: I am an artist and a dancer.

Aysha: I am a singer and a dancer.

Ellison: I am a helper and an artist.

Ethan: I am a friend, card player, and a monster truck player.

Faye: I am a rainbow and a dancer.

Hank: I am an inventor and a runner.

Jacob: I am a builder and an artist.

Jina: I am a guitar player and a dinner eater.

Krish: I am a builder and a planter.

Layla: I am a player and a runaway monster.

Liberty: I am a writer, painter, and mommy’s koala.

Niamh: I am a ballerina and a dancer.

Oscar: I am a reader and a student.

Sammy: I am a dancer and a runner.

Valentina: I am a farmer and a horse rider.

Math

This week we had an engaging math activity that educated as well as entertained. The game involved a group of five children holding numbered placards one to five and placing themselves into order. The children got a kick out of reordering themselves. Not only did the children organically learn about ordinal numbers and number amount, but they also learned about cooperation, communication, and leadership.

Name Stories

This week read two name stories that delighted all the students in the classroom, especially the intended recipients. Thanks to the parents that helped us successfully start this project.

Next Week

We will delve further into El Més de Herencia Latina and Taino Indians and create our very own rock drawings. We are planning another engaging math project and we meet our buddy class, 2B.

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Christina

Mathematics

Regarding math instruction, we began to count and to compare numbers and amounts by using rudimentary tallies of class votes. Occasionally, the students will decide which book to read by voting and placing a token under their choice. We count all votes together while using math language like most, least, equal, and total. We also used a number line to identify numerals and demonstrate number construction.

This week we explored various buttons by sorting by size and how many holes. We also counted the amounts 5 and 10, and relied upon the skill of one to one correspondence. It was our first math lesson, which the children were very excited to participate in. We’re just happy that the students are excited by math. 

Petroglyphs (Rock Drawings)

On Thursday, we took advantage of the beautiful weather and took a trip to the park. The sun was shining, and the temperature felt great. The students enjoyed various activities while we were there. From digging in the dirt (way too much for the teachers’ taste), learning to throw a frisbee or just making a chalk rainbow on the pavement, the students were absolutely filled with boundless joy and enthusiastic energy. We are hoping to take a trip to the park weekly. Check out our photo gallery for some fantastic pictures!

The Dot

On Friday, we read, The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds, which sparked a conversation about the importance of having confidence in yourself and believing in your abilities. Even if you're unsure how to do something, it's important to keep trying and stay persistent. Then the children created their very own dot art that was unique and colorful.

Being Zen

We took deep breaths this week and reflected on how to create zen! Zen Happiness by Jon J.  Muth centered our thoughts on colors, actions, and mindfulness that promote wellness in each of us. Ms. Chris led us through a delightful activity that produced “zen balls,” a sensory material the students created, which calmed our senses and reminded us we are loved. Check them out in our photo section.

Buddy Class

This week our class met our buddies, 2B, for the first time. It was a momentous occasion, evinced by everyone smiles as they were paired with their buddy. The second graders patiently read books to their new friends. After buddy time, our students was full glee and shared how much fun they had. We will visit our buddy class many times throughout the year.

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Christina

Newsletter Five

Family Collage

As a class we discussed the various kinds of family that exist. With books and conversations, we explored the variations but came to an understanding that what makes a family a family, is love. Each student is creating their own collage using artistic materials to demonstrate what their family looks like. They look absolutely stunning, we're excited to share the results of them soon! 

In addition to creating collages, we created, as a class, a family graph. We compared number, amount and created tallies. We even made two graphs, one, with our physical bodies and the other with magnetic tokens. This was a fun math lesson!

Trips

On Thursday, October 24, we are going on a field trip to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. There we learn about plants, gardens, and frolic in the Discovery Garden. We, along with Pre K-B, will leave Poly by bus at 9:30 AM and return around 11:30 AM. Please let us know if you are interested in attending as a chaperone. On this outing we only need three chaperones. 

Our second field trip is on Thursday, November 7, to The National Museum of the American Indian located in Lower Manhattan. Again, we will travel with Pre-K B, leaving at 10:00 AM and returning at 1:30. For this trip we need two chaperones. Let us know if you are interested in chaperoning this trip. Please note that there will be more opportunities to chaperone other trips throughout the year.

Valentina's Mom

Valentina's mom visited the classroom to celebrate El Mes De La Herencia Heritage Month by sharing insights about their family's Peruvian roots. She engaged the class with a story, showcased photos of diverse Peruvian animals, presented pictures of traditional foods, and highlighted significant landmarks. As a special treat, each student received a handmade animal finger puppet inspired by the storybook.

What I Like To Do With My Family

Annie- I like playing with my cousins.

Aradhya- I like to play rainbow unicorn with mommy and daddy.

August- I like to play with my little sister who tries to catch me on my bike, but can’t.

Avi- I like to cook pancakes with my mom.

Aysha- I like to play hide and seek with my sister at home.

Ellison- I like going to the beach with my brother.

Ethan- I like to play with cars and monster trucks with my sister even though she doesn’t.

Faye- I like to play with the reading nook with daddy.

Hank- I like to go on the bus with my mom.

Jacob-  I like playing rocketship with mommy and daddy.

Jina- I like when my dad cooks dinner for me.

Krish- I like when my daddy builds a tower taller than me.

Layla- I like to try to play “catch me” with my little sister.

Liberty- I like going to the carousel and playing dragon with Dada.

Nimah- I like going to a rollercoaster with Daddy and mommy. 

Oscar- I like going to my favorite place, Open Air with Daddy.

Sammy- I like going on the train with my mom.

Valentina- I like to play “unicorn” and “horse” with dad and mom.

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Christina

Newsletter Six

Feelings

We have been talking in depth about feelings and reading a spate of emotion books like The Way I Feel , by Janan Cain and How Are You Peeling? , by Joost Effers. The students are learning to identify different emotions, recalling instances when they felt strong feelings, and have begun to recognize characters’ feelings in the books we have been reading lately. We even played a fun game from Sesame Street “Name That Emotion,” where the students were given clues and excited guesses were made. We are in the process of creating feeling masks, and we will paint watercolors that depict the varied emotions encountered by a preschooler. Please note that any feeling depicted does not reflect the current mood of the student (we apologize, but it must be said), but just reflects a deep understanding of our study unit. This study places a strong emphasis on concretely developing empathy and self-regulation, tools that leads to terrific students and considerate human beings.

Pumpkins and Planting

On Friday afternoon we bought some pumpkins  with our buddies. We had a wonderful time holding our buddies's hands and chatting up a storm, as we traversed down to Seventh Avenue to buy a couple of small pumpkins and one huge one. We will carve a jack-o-lantern next week using the power of the vote and the math of tallying. We will scoop out the pulp and separate the seeds (with our hands) with the smaller pumpkins, and root through the soil and plant our very own pumpkin plant. The planted seeds will become sprawling plants that the children daily observe and water. This is a fantastic science project!

Botanical Garden

Yesterday's trip to the Botanical Garden was remarkable! The children got to touch a variety of plants, feeling textures that ranged from soft, velvety leaves to smooth surfaces. They leaned in close to smell the plants, experiencing a spectrum of scents like mint, peppermint, lemon, lavender, gardenia, and more. We loved watching the Japanese koi fish, enjoying the beautiful weather as we walked, and even spending a joyful 10 minutes soaking up the sun.

Valentina's Mom

Valentina's mom visited the classroom to celebrate El Mes De La Herencia Heritage Month by sharing insights about their family's Peruvian roots. She engaged the class with a story, showcased photos of diverse Peruvian animals, presented pictures of traditional foods, and highlighted significant landmarks. As a special treat, each student received a handmade animal finger puppet inspired by the storybook.

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Christina

Solidarity Week

This week we celebrated Solidarity Week, a week where across the nation schools and organizations recognized the need to support and demonstrate allyship for the LGBTQ community. We talked in depth about friendship and what it means to be an upstander and be ally to people who may be different. We talked about celebrating and honoring difference. We had an insightful discussion about gender, gender roles, and fairness. This conversation let the children explore how people adorn their bodies, what jobs they do, and what sports they play. All through the lens of fairness and equality. 

We read the book, Being You, by Megan Madison, which dealt with the themes of gender, self-esteem, and diversity. We also learned about Harvey Milk and the Pride Flag. It was thrilling and affirming to hear the children fervently say, “Boys can have long hair and wear earrings!” or “Girls play basketball!” or “I don’t have to wear a dress if I don’t want to!”

On Friday, the entire lower school rode over to the main campus. Our students were thrilled and excited to be in a new space. They made new friends with the seniors and juniors of the school who led us in decorating “Solidarity Circles.” After, we strode out the baseball field and stood amongst the entire student body and faculty, who were donning the colors of the Pride Flag. We took a beautiful photo, made a pledge to be an upstander and listened to a student from the GSA, the Gay Straight Alliance, talk about the importance of Solidarity Day.

Math: Sorting

During our math lesson this week, students learned how to sort shapes based on different attributes, such as size, shape, color, and thickness. The goal was to identify multiple characteristics of each shape—such as whether it was thick or thin, whether it had sides or no sides---while following multi-step directions. Students practiced using descriptive language to distinguish between the shapes and explain the differences, and begin to understand how to compare and contrast the shapes inherent attributes.

New Teacher

We have a new teacher joining us to replace Ms. Chris while she is in 4th Grade. Here is her short bio:

My name is Maya McDougall, and I’m originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I graduated from Harvard in 2023 with a degree in History and Literature and a focus in Ethnic Studies. Throughout college I taught civic education to 5th graders, and I worked in outdoor education leading backpacking trips for middle and high schoolers — both experiences that piqued my initial interest in teaching. I’m looking forward to a great rest of the year at Poly Prep!

Nurse Sapna

The Department of Health requires all students in Nursery and Pre-K to receive their Flu vaccination; Poly's deadline is December 1, 2024. Please include a note in your newsletter reminding parents to submit proof of vaccination via Magnus. 

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Christina

This week…

This week, we introduced observational drawing, using the pumpkin plants we planted last week as the subject. Some of the plants have made great progress and are now moving past the seedlings’ stage. Looking forward to our plants’ next stage and more observational drawings.

For Friendsgiving, both PreK classes came together to celebrate friendship and gratitude with a variety of food and fruit. We also worked on creating a "We Are Thankful" mural to share what we’re thankful for.

In addition, we enjoyed three different Sesame Street alphabet songs, featuring legendary artists like Patti LaBelle, Usher, and Gina Rodriguez. Each song had its own unique tempo and rhythm, and one of the performers even sang the alphabet song in Spanish! Sesame Street: Patti Labelle Sesame Street: Usher Sesame Street: Gina Rodriguez 

This week, we began reading a book called Yes! No! A First Conversation About Consent. It teaches the importance of asking for permission before touching someone and respecting their response, whether it's a "yes" or a "no." If you say "no," it means they cannot touch you. We also repeated the statement, "This is my body. It belongs to me."

A big thank you to all the parents who contributed food, decorations, and helped set up the Friendsgiving space. Your generosity made the event truly special, and it was heartwarming to see the children having so much fun, laughing, and smiling throughout the day. As teachers, we are incredibly grateful for the ongoing partnership we share with each of you. Your support means a lot to us!

Math: Patterns

The week we talked about patterns, looking specifically at our clothes and our immediate environment, the classroom. This was such a fun conversation as we began to realize that patterns are everywhere! We looked at furniture, books and even the ceiling. We listened to sound patterns, talked about cycles like the days of the week, and played a pattern game that introduced AB and ABC patterns, and even complex ones like AABCC. As you know, patterns are the basis for all mathematics. With our newfound knowledge we created colorful pattern strips and plan to tie in our limited knowledge of First Nation people and make patterned beaded necklaces. As teachers, it is great to see the children get so excited about math. Check out the video!

Thankful Poem

We talked about the first Thanksgiving (we hope everyone has a wonderful holiday break), which can be difficult considering its historical omissions and treatment of Native Americans. The conversation was age appropriate as we emphasized fairness, helping people in need and gratefulness. We had an in depth discussion about what it means to be thankful for the gifts we have, especially from Mother Nature, using the book, Giving Thanks, by Chief Jake Swamp, as a springboard to move past material gain. Material gain being toys. We will create a “Thankful Tree,” listing their thankful words, which should be up in time to view for our Demonstration of Learning in December.

Nurse Sapna

The Department of Health requires all students in Nursery and Pre-K to receive their Flu vaccination; Poly's deadline is December 1, 2024. Please include a note in your newsletter reminding parents to submit proof of vaccination via Magnus. 

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, Christina, and Maya

Patterned Necklaces

We still have been learning about patterns and still recognizing them everywhere. We plan on taking a pattern walk throughout the building, searching out patterns throughout the building, contextualizing our learning. We looked at various First Nations groups and remarked at the beautiful beadwork on the clothing and in the art. From that conversation and our understanding of patterns, we created vivid, beaded necklaces, which will be on display for our Demonstration of Learning.

Indigenous People

We continue to learn about First Nation people and this week we focused more on contemporary people. We read two completely different books that invited the children compare literature and learn new social justice language. After reading When I Was Eight, by Christy Jordan-Fenton, we talked about what it means to stand up for other people and what exactly is an upstander. After reading the book, The Girl and The Wolf, by Katherena Vermette, the children aptly compared the Native American story to Little Red Riding Hood, acknowledging how very different the wolf was depicted in this story. Then Friday, we saw a wonderful celebration of Native American culture during our assembly, which showed various important dances spanning the First Nation landscape.

Gift of Song

We have been singing a ton lately. Not only has song made the classroom joyous and sonorous, but gave real world context to what harmony is. From these songs, we have been learning phonemic skills, what gospel is, mindfulness, and unity. The children are so excited to perform these songs for you soon. We can’t wait!

From the librarian:

We are currently collecting gently used books for our upcoming book sale. This year we are also collecting used bags/totes so that we can offer our shoppers a bag with purchase! Please drop off books for babies, kids and adults, as well as used bags, in the library or by the security desks any time before Friday, January 24th. Contact Kristen Robb (krobb@polyprep.org) with questions, and thanks for helping to make this annual event such a success!

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Maya

Newsletter Ten

Mini Concert

Today we sung in front of our buddy class. It was a perfect opportunity to practice our songs, and more importantly, to become more comfortable performing in front a group of people. They were marvelous! Everyone was in harmony, sung on key, and sang so sonorous that their buddies joined in, which was very moving. There is something amazing about singing with people, especially when the students work in concert.

Behavior in Class

Some of the students have been acting a little silly and distracting other classmates when we are working or listening to a story. We had to remind the entire class of our class agreements and why we come to school. Please continue these conversations at home and reread the class agreements with your children.

Community Agreements- Are our agreements we signed and will be following throughout the remainder of the school year.

1. Be Kind

2. Be Respectful

3. Be Safe

4. Listen to your teachers

5. Use your words

6. Use a quiet voice in the classroom

7. Walk inside the classroom

8. Wait your turn on line

9. Say sorry please and thank you

10. Sit criss cross applesauce on the rug

11. Hands off the walls with art

12. Push in your chair

13. When you’re finished cleaning your area, help a friend.

Science Learning & Activity

On Friday, we had three wonderful parents—Tammy, Erika, and Jessie—come in to teach us about the importance of handwashing. We learned that scientists are like superheroes, and germs are the "bad guys" that can make us sick. Just like superheroes need sidekicks, we learned that soap is our special helper in fighting germs.

Afterward, we looked at salt, flour, and pepper under a microscope and saw all the tiny molecules up close! We also swabbed germs from our hands and placed them on cover slips. On Monday, we'll check back to see how the germs grow.

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Maya

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

We have talked a lot about Martin Luther King, Jr., focusing on how he peacefully solved problems using his powerful words. The books Martin’s Big Words, by Doreen Rappaport, deepened our understanding of MLK and the unfair rules he fought against. This led to a great conversation about fairness, rights of people, boycotting and protest. Please note, during these conversations about Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King, and Jim Crow it is impossible not to talk about enslavement and Africa, which we did—in appropriate developmental way. In the upcoming weeks we will delve further into these topics, specifically looking at Africa, as the school celebrates African American History Month. We encourage you to continue these conversations at home.

Rosa Parks

This week, we learned about the iconic Rosa Parks and her significant role in history. We talked about how she courageously refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus when asked by the driver to move. Her act of defiance sparked a bus boycott, which was led by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., helping to ignite the Civil Rights Movement. We taught the kids how her actions as an upstander contributed to the struggle for freedom.

We Shall Overcome!

On Wednesday we got to connect our classroom learning to what the students are learning in music class! In the classroom we've been discussing Martin Luther King Jr. and civil rights, and in music students have been learning the song "We Shall Overcome," so we read the book "We Shall Overcome: The Story of a Song" by Debbie Levy to connect the song with its historical context. The picture book outlines the long history of this protest song, from its roots as a form of resilience during slavery to its use during the civil rights movement to its eventual spread across the globe. After reading the book, we all joined hands and sang the song together.

A Random Math Moment

One student wanted know how to add two numbers in the tens. We showed him the traditional way of writing out the stacked equations and how the abacus can be a perfect tool for this problem. After talking about the history of the abacus and making sure everyone knew its origins hail from China, we demonstrated how the abacus is divided by separate amounts of ten that total 100. Then we proceeded to count by tens, to the delight of the whole room. Once we established that skill (with most of the students), we showed how you can represent the amounts that the student wanted to add. They were all amazed and felt proud when they arrived at the correct amount. The abacus is something we will definitely revisit soon!

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Maya

Newsletter Twelve

Kyonna, Olugbala, & Maya

Newsletter Thirteen

Math

This week we worked on our counting skills! Each student was given 10 unifix cubes and a piece of paper with 10 dots on it. We first asked them to build whatever they wanted, to allow for exploration of the material. Then we asked them to count out 7 cubes and put them on the corresponding dots. Next, we said, “We changed our minds! We want to see 3 cubes on your paper,” to engage the ability to subtract. And then we asked to see five cubes to demonstrate addition, and so on. The students did a great job!

Lunar New Year

This week, we explored Lunar New Year and discussed the significance of red as a lucky color in many Asian cultures. We also shared what objects bring us good luck. To celebrate, we created our own “lucky” red banners, outlining our drawings with gold. They look astonishing in our room as they hang above our tables.

Charlotte’s Web

We have started reading the famous book Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. Before reading the whimsical novel, we talked about and started to define terms like characters, main character, setting or place, problem, solution, and story. Although we have only read a few chapters, the pupils started to identify who are the characters and understand the setting. We had a really cool moments after just reading the first chapter, one child remarked, “We have found the problem yet!” It is fantastic to hear the hearty laughter during humorous parts and see the marvel of beautiful literature engendering rapt attention in children so young. We look forward to reading this story over the next few months.

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Maya

Newsletter Fourteen

Opposites

We have been learning about opposites, which can be an abstract concept and a bit of a challenge, but the students have learned new vocabulary and identifying the contrasts that surround them daily. We are using a new art technique to create torn paper collages to depict their examples of opposites, which will improve and hone their fine motor skills while strengthening the skill of comparing and contrasting. The vivid, thoughtful illustrations are something to behold.

Math: Part, Part, Whole

This week we further explored number relationships by breaking number amounts into two parts, sometime three (to add another level differentiation). First, as a group we chose a small amount like the number 5 and asked the children what two numbers make up 5. After choosing a correct pair, we put those numbers, represented by magnetic tokens, into two separate fields (parts) on our large board. The students then counted the entire amount (the whole) to check their choices. We repeated this process, individually, but this time choosing larger amounts for some students to add another challenging layer. This lesson allowed more process than product, as people had to be willing to make a mistake, and we also practiced printing our numbers. Look at the photo section for some examples of this lesson.

Printing Names

This week we learned about printing the correct way: using the appropriate pencil grip, paying attention to writing from the top to bottom, and maintaining the size of the letters. 

Everyone was excited to print their names this way. We will continue to practice writing our names and printing others words.

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Maya

Love Is…

This week we learned about poetry and love in anticipation of Valentine’s Day. On Tuesday we discussed what a poem is (using words to paint a picture, words that make you feel something, a song with music, etc.) and read the book “Love” by Matt De La Peña and Loren Long. On Wednesday, we reviewed what a poem is and learned what a poet is (someone who writes poems). We read the poem “Lullaby: For a Black Mother” by Langston Hughes, which inspired us to write our own poem about love! Look below to read our poem:

Love is…

Love is a gem. – Layla

Love makes me feel like hearts are everywhere. – Annie

Love is an orchid. – Krish

Love is a rainbow. – Ellison

Love is a pink cloud. – Aradhya

Love is animals. – Liberty

Love is working on a computer. – Jina

Love is a diamond. – Faye

Love is stars. – Avi

Love is wishing. – Sammy

Love is petting horses. – August

Love is seeing my plants grow. – Ethan

Love is when I do yoga. – Aysha

Love is kindness. – Valentina

Love is a cat. – Nimah

Love is dogs. – Oscar

Counting On

This week was full of math games and math puzzles. One that stood out in particular that students fully began to grasp was “counting on.” We created a number line up to 15, we chose a number on the line, and counting one more, a student provided an answer. After establishing an understanding, the teachers were able to differentiate and ask some students to count on using 2 or 9 or even 13. It was fun to see the children engage with math and become comfortable with challenge. This is an activity the class will revisit in the near future.

Song

We have been singing so many songs. Besides the fact that singing augments phonemic awareness, a key component to reading, through song we have been learning about different cultures, honoring heroes, and celebrating the spirit of freedom. We learned a Yoruba song that recalls the Orisha, Yemaya, who helped the Africans make the perilous journey. We learned the Black National Anthem and what that means to so many people. We have sung the version of This Little Light of Mine, by Fannie Lou Hamer. And finally, we continue to belt out Stand Up, by Cynthia Erivo at every chance we get. It is so moving to see little people, “catch” the spirit and sing with such passion. So much so, that we have been invited to sing it at the African American History Assembly.

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Maya

Newsletter Sixteen

Alma Thomas

In our recent art project we explored the colorful, abstract work of artist Alma Thomas. The children were introduced to her signature style, which is known for vibrant colors and bold, geometric shapes. After discussing how Thomas used color to express energy and the world around her, the kids were given the chance to create their own pieces inspired by her work. They used construction paper squares, and glue sticks to design their own abstract compositions, focusing on patterns, shapes, and colors, just like Thomas did in her famous paintings. It was a fun and creative exploration that helped the children connect with art in a hands-on, imaginative way!

African American History Month (Black History Month)

The students’ performance at the Black History Month assembly was truly inspiring. As they sang, their voices filled the room with confidence and unity, each note resonating with purpose. Their harmonies blended beautifully, creating a sense of togetherness and pride. The kids sang with such joy and energy, fully engaged in the meaning behind the songs, making the performance not only a celebration of Black history but also a powerful expression of respect and gratitude. Their confidence shone through, and it was clear that they felt a deep connection to the message they were sharing. It was a moment of pure harmony, both musically and emotionally. We are proud of them!

Fairness Paintings

Early this year, we talked about Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on how he made peace and solved problems using his words. The books, Happy Birthday Martin Luther King, by Jean Marzollo, and My Brother Martin, by Christine King Farris, deepened our understanding of MLK and the unfair rules he fought against. We learned about freedom fighters, like Harriet Tubman and Ruby Bridges. Of course song also played a huge role in our understanding of fairness. From these discussions, Pre K-A created vivacious and vivid paintings based on the questions: What exactly is fairness and how do you extend it to others? To mine this question further we made distinctions between needs and wants; and began to see needs as human rights. We were very proud of the class’s words, particularly of our discussions about fairness, rights, peace, and kindness. We will cull their words and art into a book, and, hopefully, share them during Open School Night.

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Maya

Ramadan

This week we talked about and read books about Ramadan, the holiday which started last Saturday. We created a thoughtful list poem and some beautiful illustrations about what Ramadan is. We also had a student share wonderful details about what Ramadan looks like in their household. They even fielded questions from teachers and students successful. It was quite an impressive feat, and added a real dimension to the holiday for everyone.

Fingerprints

Recently, we had a discussion about being unique and exploring the idea there is only one of us on the planet. A fact that should be celebrated and loved. To drive the point home, we created little people out of our fingerprints. Well, not before examining them with a magnifying glass and comparing them. It was a nice lesson that celebrated identity and added a little science into our day.

Number Book

This week students created a number book that showcases numbers 1 to 20. For each number, they draw objects that represent that specific quantity.  This book helps students visualize and connect numerical values with tangible objects, reinforcing their understanding of counting, number recognition, and printing numbers in a fun and creative way.

Charlotte’s Web

We finished reading Charlotte’s Web! It was such a success that we are including the notes of our final discussion of the book:

Place or Setting 

Barn

The Fair 

The Farm

Characters

Charlotte          Wilbur

Fern                   Templeton

Fern’s Dad         Avery

The Sheep         The Old Sheep

Uncle Homer    Mr. Zuckerman

Lurvy                  Uncle (the pig)

Problem

Wilbur didn’t want to be eaten

Solution

Charlotte wrote words in her web that saved Wilbur

What was the book about?

Community

Helping each other

Sharing their friendship

It was about being friends with each other

Being nice together

Sharing their love

Family

Caring for each other

Wishing

Next up on a chapter book reading list: Wild Robot

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Maya

Newsletter Eighteen

Bodies and Consent

This week, we read a book called Yes! No! A First Conversation About Consent by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli. It teaches the importance of asking for permission before touching someone and respecting their response, whether it's a "yes" or a "no." If you say "no," it means they cannot touch you. We also repeated the statement, "This is my body. It belongs to me." The book also covers the appropriate language for our body parts, including so called private parts, to emphasis the respect each body needs. It was a good lesson with a few giggles interspersed, and we appreciate you following up our lesson with a conversation at home.

Spring

This week we had an extensive conversation about spring, investigating and describing all the changes the new season brings. We read a few books and journaled “spring” art into our journals. It was a nice moment, where most of the teaching took place amongst the students, which was made possible by their ability to listen closely to one another.

The Solar System

We’ve begun our exploration of the solar system and kicked off a space object project. Each student selected an object from the solar system and has started sewing their own version of it. Once the students have completed their objects, they will decorate them, conduct research, and come up with two interesting facts about their chosen space object. Everyone, including the teachers, is so excited about this project. 

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Maya

Measurement

Most of this week, we talked in length about measurement and the different ways people measure. We focused on length and height, tracing our feet, which we used to compare their sizes to various objects in the room (see photos in the newsletter). Not only did we find things that were shorter or longer than our feet, but we also found objects that were the same size, no small feat. We even measured ourselves, introducing the language of feet and inches, later lining up in sequential order to take a photo. This allowed the students to see and experience the relationship of size, number, and measurement. 

For us, the teachers, it was a thrill to see the students rush about the room excitedly using the giant ruler to measuring objects like chairs, books, and sneakers. Their enthusiasm for math was inspiringly beautiful.

Phonemic Awareness

To help students build early reading skills, the teachers wrote all the letters of the alphabet on the board and said a letter sound out loud. One by one, the children came up to choose the letter that matched the sound they heard. After each child identified their letter, the teacher gave each student a letter and they gave a word to correspond with that letter.

Mindfulness

Along with math, honing our pre-reading skills, the students engaged in mindfulness. We sat in a circle and focused on the now (being present) and fostered our empathy skills. First, we sat and practice our breathing. Then we sat in silence, listening to the world that surrounds us. Afterwards, many of the responses about we heard were hilarious and insightful. To end our session, we reflected on a time when we were afraid or felt fear. This was a good conversation that connected our community and exercised our empathy muscles.

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Maya

Newsletter Twenty

A Mural

In preparation for our upcoming trip to the Al Madinah School, the students have been learning about Arab culture. We had some prior knowledge because our Ramadan project and due some parents sharing their culture with us. We read, Arab Arab All Year Long!, by Cathy Camper, which highlighted aspects of Arab culture like doumbeks and drawing with henna! From these discussions the class created a beautiful mural, which we will gift to the children of the Al Madinah School on Monday. Take a look at the mural in our photo section!

Earth Day

This Earth Day we learned about the three R’s: Reduce, reuse and recycle. Before we talked about the ways we can do these things, we talked about how these actions differ from one another. To further commemorate Earth Day we read The Great Kapok Tree, by Lynne Cherry. Please continue to talk your children about the importance of trees, bees, and our fragile ecology. 

Below you will find the children’s words and thoughts on this important topic!

Earth is Important...

Earth is important because we need it so we can breathe.  - Annie

Earth is important because where would we live without it? - Aradhya

Earth is important because it is the only planet we can live on. - August

Earth is important because we wouldn’t survive without water. - Avi

Earth is important because it keeps us healthy. - Aysha

Earth is important because it is the only planet we can live on. - Ethan

Earth is important because we need it to keep us safe. - Faye

Earth is important because it’s the only planet we can survive on. - Hank

Earth is important because it needs to have countries.- Jacob

Earth is important because it is the most dense.  - Krish

Earth is important because we take care of it. - Jina

Earth is important because we have to live. - Layla

Earth is important because it has oxygen. - Liberty 

Earth is important because it has water to keep us healthy. - Nimah

Earth is important because we would not be alive without it. - Oscar

Earth is important because we need land. - Sammy

Earth is important because it can help us. – Valentina

I Love Earth

 I love Earth because of all of the colors. - Annie

I love Earth because there are rabbits. - Aradhya

I love Earth because of the trees. - August

I love Earth because of the sun. - Avi

I love Earth because of all  the animals. - Aysha

I love Earth because of the moon. -Ellison

I love Earth because it has trees. - Ethan

I love Earth because of the rainbows. - Faye

I love Earth because of all the animals. - Hank

I love Earth because of the buildings. - Jacob

I love Earth because of the animals. - Jina

I love Earth because of the Tiger Lily flowers. - Krish

I love Earth because it gives us oxygen. - Layla

I love Earth because it has rainbows. - Liberty

 I love Earth because it has beaches. - Nimah

 I love Earth because it has animals. - Oscar

I love Earth because of the planets. - Sammy

 I love Earth because of the stars. - Valentina

Grandparents and Special Friends Day

The day was full of song, mirth, and joy. The children had such a wonderful time hosting their special people and sharing their space. Please check out the photos to capture some of the day's magic!

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Maya

Our Outings

This week was filled with class trips. On Monday, we went to the Al Madinah school to share culture, share stories, and build friendship with another prekindergarten class. It was a true lesson about the concept of same but different. Later in the week, Thursday, we went to the Hayden Planetarium to learn about the universe we inhabit. The teachers were astounded by how much information the students retained. It was also cool to see the awe-filled faces looking up at stars, nebulas, and orb clouds during the space movie.

Space Shuttle and Butterflies…

This week we started our construction of a cardboard space shuttle. The shuttle will have everyone’s input and some kind of contribution. Once finished, it will be added to the dramatic play area and incorporated into Pre K-A’s space narratives. 

This week, we also received caterpillars, which become butterflies. We will continue our learning of butterflies, life cycles and insects. If time allots, we, as a group, will construct a large, flying butterfly. Fingers crossed.

Parent Day

Given that the diverse family population that Poly serves has multiple constructions, it is only fitting to examine the Mother’s Day nomenclature. In the spirit of fairness and inclusion, we are changing how we celebrate the day. The gift we are preparing for this Sunday celebrates all parents or parent in a household, thus the name change. We talked to your children about it, and they agree that it is a great way to be fair. We are always happy to respect and acknowledge family diversity. With that said, we will be creating a special gift for Parent Day!

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Maya

Good Conversation

This week we had to have some important conversations for the well-being of our class community, focusing on four topics: Behavior, friendship, privacy, and respecting property.

First, the children talked about the need to behave and why we behave in school. We talked about keeping each other safe and how behavior is one of the ways we make school work for us. We all must follow rules.

Then, due to recent squabbles and harsh speaking tones, we talked about what friendship looks like, delving into the idea of spreading the love. We do not have to play with only one friend throughout the day. It is not only okay to find other classmates, but will also make for a healthy community that is more inclusive.

We defined what privacy looks like in its many forms, honing in keeping our private body parts private. We discuss what curiosity is and how if you are curious about your body to talk to your parents to gain further information. At this age, curiosity prompts exploration and bodies are no exception. We just have to supply age appropriate information.

Finally, we talked about respecting school property and the property of others. In this regard, we talked about why marring property is not only disrespectful, but is not fair to others in the class. Fairness was a big talking point and many students gravitated to it and had a lot to say. In fact, they had a lot to say during the entire conversation. Please continue these talks about these prekindergarten issues at home. Thank you.

The rest of the week

The rest of the week, we stayed dry, practiced yoga and mindfulness, and continue work on our space shuttle. Speaking of which, it is coming out fantastic. We are measuring, gluing, pasting, cutting, and probably, mostly importanly, designing. Everyone in the class is excited about its progress. Lastly, we have butterflies in the room, well, caterpillars in chrysalises, which we can't wait to release. In the meanwhile, we have been charting their metamophasis daily.

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Maya

UBUNTU (Bantu) “I am because we are.”

Ubuntu is an African humanist philosophy that recognizes the humanity in all of us. It a concept that is inclusive and honors belonging. We first told a parable about African children demonstrating compassion to one another, which engender a good conversation. Then, to further our understanding of taking care of one another and being just with one another, we asked the children to think about activities we do or can do together. Here are their nifty responses.

Annie – We sit together!

Aradhya – We create together!

August – We play together! 

Avi – We eat together!

Aysha – We rest together!

Ellison – We do show and tell together!

Ethan – We do science together!

Faye – We teach together!

Hank – We go to the park together!

Jacob – We do puzzles together!

Jina – We walk together!

Krish – We build together!

Layla – We learn together!

Liberty – We are kind to one another!

Nimah – We go to places together!

Oscar – We learn math together!

Sammy – We read together!

Valentina – We make plans together!

Yoga

Recently, we had a discussion about being unique and exploring the idea there is only one of us on the planet. A fact that should be celebrated and loved. To drive the point home, we created little people out of our fingerprints. Well, not before examining them with a magnifying glass and comparing them. It was a nice lesson that celebrated identity and added a little science into our day.

Masks

We have introduced a new project this week: Masks. The big question was why do people wear or make masks? We talked about various types of masks throughout the world and focused on using masks from African as an inspiration. I brought in my masks from Gabon, Nigeria, and the Dogon for contextualization. The children got a kick out of feeling their textures, comparing their weights, and imagining what the masks represented. From this conversation, we compiled a list of things from nature to direct our mask making, which we began creating this week. So far, we made paper-machê balloons and we designed and painted the first layer of our masks. Next week, we will glue buttons, feathers, foam, and other miscellaneous material our marvelous masks. We are very excited to embark on this project!

Wild Robot by Peter Brown

We finished reading Wild Robot, which was a hit. So much so, the students have been clamoring for us to start Wild Robot 2. If we do, you will definitely have to purchase this book over the summer.

Thank you,

Olugbala, Kyonna, and Maya