What do you want to know about the solar system?

Last week Monday, we went on an observation walk to begin our unit on patterns. We used our eyes, ears, nose, and hands to closely observe things in our surroundings. Here are some of our observations: “I feel the wind. I see a flower and it is purple. I see a fence and it feels soft and hard and it is with x’s. It is a brown leaf. I feel rain. I hear machines, the bell.” There are great pictures of what was observed: Mrs. Jenkins (teaching P.E.), tetherball, cars, leaves (with every line drawn), trees, rocks, fences, and flowers.

These observations helped us to pay close attention to details as we played three games in math. In “What’s Missing?”, the children looked at a 3x3 array of 9 items. After a short period of time, they were instructed to look away as an item was removed. The students were then asked to identify the missing item. As they played throughout the week, the children made the game harder by removing two items. Games were also played with buttons and attribute blocks where one button or block was chosen and players needed to find a matching button or block (with at least one common attribute). The students challenged themselves by finding buttons or blocks with more than one common attribute.

We were so fortunate on Friday to enjoy a yummy and beautiful fruit bouquet from Edible Arrangements. Mr. Bob graciously gave four baskets to our preschool and Kindergarten classes. Our basket’s theme was Hello Kitty, and there were a few pineapple pieces shaped and stamped with Hello Kitty’s face. There were pineapple flowers with cantaloupe (ball) centers. Grapes, strawberries, and honeydew melon also adorned our bouquet. YUMMY! We hope that you are able to enjoy a yummy arrangement yourself one day.

Last week we got to experience some things as 1st graders do – snack outside at recess and lunch in the dining hall. While lunch in the dining hall will be a rare treat, we will continue to have snack outside during our recess time. Your children have been doing a great job of taking their snacks out of their snack bags and bringing them back into the classroom. They’ve been keeping our playground neat and clean by throwing away their rubbish and have been keeping track of their snack containers and water bottles. As the semester progresses, we will be tapering our rest time. We started last week Friday by including a shared writing time (thank you letter to Mr. Bob) and having a shorter rest time. Please continue to send your child’s nap mat to school, as we have not eliminated it all together.

If you have any recyclable items we can use in our art center, please send them with your child. Items need to be stored on a shelf in our classroom, so please, no bulky items. Suggested items include paper towel/toilet paper rolls, styrofoam pieces, and fabric/wallpaper squares. Thank you!

Everyone looks forward to the Guest Reader on Friday afternoons. If you are interested in coming into the classroom to read to the children, please contact Sabrina Ako.

Parent volunteers are such a help and blessing to us, especially when projects arise. If you are able to volunteer your time (no skill or experience needed, training provided), please contact Sabrina Ako.

We hope you enjoyed your first set of Family Learning Activities. We’ve added a few more to last week’s list. Remember, these activities are optional; please enjoy them, as your family’s schedule and available time will allow.

Remember, our 100th day celebration is scheduled for January 29. Thank you to the four parents who have volunteered to run a station! Everyone is invited, so please let us know if you would like to attend, as we will need to inform campus security of the extra cars on campus.

Beginning in February, we will highlight two Students-of-the-Week. Both students will have an opportunity to bring in pictures and other items that show who they are as unique individuals. Parent volunteers for the week will help the students assemble their bulletin board “showcase” which will be up in the classroom for a week. During the week, the bulletin board will be used as a sharing tool as we celebrate the Students-of-the-Week. Also during this week, the next students will begin to bring in their items.

The following dates show when the new bulletin boards will be assembled for display. The initials of the Students-of-the-Week are listed after each date.

2/6 – GA, RB (Items may be brought in from 1/30)

2/13 – EC, IC (Items may be brought in from 2/6)

2/20 – SC, WC (Items may be brought in from 2/13)

2/27 – JD, KF (Items may be brought in from 2/20)

3/12 – AG, ZH (Items may be brought in from 3/5)

4/9 – BH, DJ (Items may be brought in from 4/2)

4/16 – RJ, GK (Items may be brought in from 4/9)

4/23 – JM, TS (Items may be brought in from 4/16)

4/30 – LY (Items may be brought in from 4/23)

Posted on January 22, 2008 9:19 AM | Permalink