Wednesday, November 30

Group Meeting:  My apologies for not posting the Gift of Kindness yesterday.  I had an afternoon appointment and had to post quickly.  The Gift of Kindness for yesterday was to give someone a high five for doing something well.  Today's Gift was to help someone at clean up time.   It was really nice to see everyone help.  Clean up time went much more quickly.  

Story:  The story for today was Santa's Secret Helper by Andrew Clements.  Santa needs a little help delivering presents this year.  He has a helper this year, but it is a secret.  Can the children guess who it is?  Ask your help to tell you who it is.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was D.

Small Groups:  The children used Spin Art to make paper ornaments for our hallway display.  Not everyone had time to complete one, so we will do it again tomorrow.

Large Group:  The children completed a "Count the Room" activity.  They were given a paper with pictures of things that they had to find posted around the room.  Once they found a picture, they counted the items and printed that number on the paper.  

Snack:  The morning snack was Scooby Snacks, and the afternoon snack was Cheerios.  Both classes had milk and water.

We are planning to go outdoors tomorrow.  Please dress your child warmly!

Tuesday, November 29

Group Meeting:  We are beginning to bring out a few Christmas things.  This season goes by so fast that we wanted to get them out now so that the children have time to enjoy them.

Story:  The story for today was I Can't Wait Until Christmas by Linda Maifair.   This book is about Big Bird and his friends.  Big Bird and Granny have just celebrated Thanksgiving.  Now, he wants to know how long it will be until Christmas.  Granny tells him it is four weeks away.  Big Bird thinks that is a long time to wait.  Granny gives him ideas of things to do until Christmas comes.  Big Bird bakes cookies, decorates a tree and makes a present for Granny.  Ask your child to tell you what he makes.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was R.

Small Groups:  The children met Scout our Therapy Dog.  The practiced asking if they could pet him.  They let Scout sniff them and then they gave her gentle pets.  

Large Group:  The children picked parts for our Christmas program.  We did this by putting pictures of the "characters" in a bag.  The children closed their eyes and reached in the bag to pick a part.  Some of the children might not be able to remember what they picked.  Once we start practicing, they will be able to tell you.

Snack:  The snack for today was apples, Nutella, milk, and water.

Monday, November 28

Group Meeting:  We started our day by talking about the Thanksgiving Break.  The children shared stories about going to relative's homes or staying home with their family.  It sounds like everyone had a good time with good food to eat.

Story:  The story for today was Dakota, the Therapy Dog by Lara Clear.  Dakota, the dog, is going to school.  He wonders what school will be like.  Will the children like him?  Will the children be nice?  Dakota finds that school is a nice place where friends play together.  I read this story today because Scout, our therapy dog, will be coming to school this week.  We will slowly introduce her to the children.  The children will learn how to approach a dog, how to let the dog sniff first, and how to give gentle pets.  Later in the month, Scout will be joining us for story time and play time.

Gift of Kindness:  We will be counting down the days until Spring Break by opening a Gift of Kindness each day.  Please read the note in your child's folder that came home today.  The gift for the children to give today was a smile.  We encouraged the children to smile at their classmates and teachers throughout the day to help everyone feel welcome.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was B.

Gross Motor:  The children played "Kindness Musical Chairs".   The variation in this game is that when a child does not have a chair, he or she shares with another child.  By the end of the game, many children are sharing the same chair.

Snack:  The snack for today was bagels, cream cheese, juice and water. 

Tuesday, November 22

Group Meeting: Everyone seemed a little more excited today as the Thanksgiving holiday is just around the corner.  Some of the children shared their Thanksgiving Day plans.

Story:  The story for today was Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dave Pilkey.  A group of children are on their way to a field trip when they discover a small turkey farm.  The children enjoy playing with the turkeys until the farmer tells them what will happen to the turkeys on Thanksgiving.  When the children start to cry, the farmer and teacher run to the well to get them water to drink.  When they return, the children are no longer crying, but the turkeys have disappeared.  Ask your child to tell you where the turkeys are hiding.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was P.

Let's Find Out Magazine:  How do you celebrate Thanksgiving?  The magazine gave examples of things that people do to celebrate Thanksgiving.  The video was about being thankful.  More resources are available at letsfindout.com  Login as a student and use the password redeemer.

Snack:  The snack for today was Mandarin oranges, milk and water.

Happy Thanksgiving!  We will return to school on Monday.  A December calendar was sent home today.

Monday, November 21

Group Meeting:  The children noticed that Mrs. Crawford was absent today.  I explained that she is in Texas to visit her daughter who is having a baby today.  She will return next Monday.

Story:  The story for today was Who Will Carve the Turkey This Thanksgiving? by Jerry Pallota.  In this story, a boy is waiting for his grandparents to arrive for Thanksgiving dinner.   While he waits, he wonders who will carve the turkey.  His imagination takes over as he thinks of interesting animals that could carve the turkey.  Ask your child to tell you who will carve the turkey for Thanksgiving.

Study:  We watched a video about things that we can do with rocks.  Rocks can be used for sidewalks and roads.  Rocks can be used to build houses, fireplaces, and countertops.  We also learned that rocks are not good for beds, are not good to eat, and should not be thrown at someone.  

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was J.

Large Group:  The children played a gross motor game called "Farmer and the Turkeys".  This is a chasing game.  Ask your child to tell you how to play.

Snack:  The snack for today was corn chips, salsa, juice and water.

Thursday, November 17

Group Meeting:  We watched a video about turkeys.  We learned what turkeys eat, how they find their food, and that they can fly short distances.

Small Groups:  The children were given rock dough which is dough made with flour, coffee, and salt.  When it dries, it looks like a rock.  They molded the rock dough to make a turkey body and added things like beads, googly eyes, feathers, colored sticks, and pipe cleaners to make a turkey.

Let's Find Out Magazine:  We watched a video about a boy who belongs to the Tsimshian tribe in Alaska.  His family has a tradition of wood carving.  We watched Tain leave to carve wood with his dad.  Please help your child complete the back page of the magazine.

Field Trip:  Before leaving for the food pantry, we reviewed the story from yesterday.  I hope everyone learned a little about how the food pantry helps those in need.  If you want to make donations to the food pantry, you are welcome to send them to preschool with your child.  We will send them with the church donations.  

Snack:  The snack was Scooby Snacks, milk and water.

Thank you to those who provided transportation to the food pantry for us.  It was a short trip but I hope it will help the children see the importance of helping those in need.

Group Meeting:  Thanksgiving is a time for thanks and for giving.  We are hoping our conversations about this holiday will help the children be thankful and willing to share with others. 

Story:  In preparation for our field trip tomorrow, I read Maddi's Fridge by Lois Brandt.  This is the story of two friends, Maddi and Sophia.  After playing on the playground, Sophia wants to go to Maddi's house for a snack.  When she opens Maddi's fridge, she discovers that Maddi only has milk and bread.  Maddi tells her that they don't have much food but doesn't want Sophia to tell anyone.  Sophia promises not to tell.  Sophia struggles knowing that she has so much food, but Maddi doesn't have any.  Ask your child to tell you if Sophia keeps Maddi's secret.  

Large Group:  We prepared for our trip by talking about where our food comes from.  The children knew that parents go to the store to get food and that they have to pay money for it.  I explained that some families don't always have enough money to buy food.  We can help them by taking food to the Food Pantry.  

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was S.

Snack:  The snack was Belly Bears, applesauce, and water.

Tuesday, November 15

Group Meeting:  This week, we have been starting our group meetings by talking about things that make us happy.  Everyone gets the chance to tell about something that is making them happy.  We have a lot to be happy and thankful for.

Story:  The book that I read today was If Rocks Could Sing by Leslie McGuirk.   I started at the back of the book with the picture of the author.  Leslie McGuirk search the Florida beach by her home looking for rocks that were shaped like letters and familiar items.  She put them together to make this alphabet book.  For example, the letter B is rock shaped like a lowercase b along with a bird shaped rock.  It was fun to read through the book and decide if we could figure out the shape that went with each letter.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was G.

Large Group:  The children watched a video that explained how rocks are formed.  This was a children's video which described the forms in simple language.  Igneous rocks are formed from volcanic lava.  Metamorphic rocks are made when the earth moves causing the rocks to be pushed and pulled.  Sedimentary rocks are formed when water and wind moves the rocks.  While I don't expect the children to remember the names, they could tell me different ways rocks are made.

Snack:  The snack for today was Sun Chips, milk and water.

Monday, November 14

Group Meeting:  The children noticed a turkey on the wall when they came into the room today.  For the next two weeks, we will be learning about Thanksgiving and what it means to be thankful.  We will be continuing our rock study as well.

Story:  The story for today was Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes.  This is a picture book in which children are telling about the things for which they are thankful such as family members, pets, rain, toys, etc.  

Small Groups:  Following the story, the children were asked to think of something for which they are thankful.  After we shared a few ideas, the children were given paper feathers.  They drew their ideas on the paper feathers and added them to our classroom turkey.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was Q.

Snack:  Our snack was Goldfish, string cheese, and water.

Thursday, November 10

Group Meeting:  Tomorrow is Veteran's Day.  Our story and Let's Find Out magazine is about how to celebrate this special day, so I thought we'd better talk about it a little.  A few children knew that they had family members in the military.  We are so thankful for them and their families.

Story:  The story for today was Veterans: Heroes in Our Neighborhood by Valerie Pfundstein.  This book gives a simple description of Veterans Day for children to understand.  It tells about people in our daily lives that have served in the Armed Forces.

Small Groups:  The children made the snack for today.  It was Birthday Day, but we didn't have any November birthdays in either class.  We made Pumpkin Pie Pudding.  Every child had a task.  We mixed vanilla pudding mix with milk, pumpkin, and cinnamon sugar.  Then we put it in the refrigerator while we went outside for play time.

Let's Find Out Magazine:  The video was about Veteran's Day.  We also played the video game in which the children had to complete a pattern.  This game is available online as well at letsfindout.com  Login as a student and use the password redeemer.

Snack:  The snack for today was Pumpkin Pie Pudding, milk, water, and Birthday Brownies.

Wednesday, November 9

Group Meeting: We started our day by doing a little yoga.  We stretched along with the video and learned how to breath.  Starting the day with a little exercise gets our body and brain ready to learn.

Story:  The story for today was Stick and Stone: Friends Forever by Beth Ferry.  This is the second book in the Stick and Stone series.  Stick has always wanted to find his family tree.  With stone, they set out on an adventure to find it.  They walk through forests and up mountains but cannot find his tree.  When they return, Stick tells Stone to not be sad.  He has a family.  Ask your child to tell you who is Stick's family.

Study:  The study question for today was: Do rocks sink or float?  We used tubs of water and different kinds and sizes of rocks.  We also found out what happens when you drop a big rock into the water.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was O.

Snack:  The snack for today was Life cereal, milk, and water.

Tuesday, November 8

Group Meeting:   Our rock collection keeps growing.  It's interesting to see all of the different kinds.  Today, we are starting experiments with the rocks that I have gathered.  We will keep our rock display going.

Story:  The story for today was Stick and Stone by Beth Ferry.  This is a book of friendship.  Stone is alone.  Stick is lonely.  When Stick sees Pinecone teasing Stone, he steps in to help.  This creates a friendship between Stick and Stone.  When a storm comes, Stick gets blown away and lands in a puddle of water.  How can Stone help?  Ask your child to tell you.

Study:  Our study questions for the day were; do rocks roll, do all rocks roll, and what makes rocks roll?  I gave the children wooden ramps and various rocks to see if a rock would slide or roll.  We also tried raising the ramps and lowering the ramps to see if it would change the outcome.  

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was C.

Snack:  The snack for today was wheat bread, sugar free jam, milk, and water.

Monday, November 7

Group Meeting:  The preschool is decorating a tree for the Festival of Trees.  We will be working on the ornaments all week.  We are making peppermint pigs.  If you've never heard of the peppermint pig tradition, ask your child to tell you.   I shared the story with the children at Group Meeting, and a few children started making the ornaments during play time.  I'll be sending home more information about this next week.

Story:  The story for today was A Rock Can Be by Laura Purdie Salas.  Before we read the book, I asked the children to help me make a list of words that describe rocks.  The book was about all of the things that a rock can be such as a beach (sand), a statue, a bridge, etc.  After the story, we added to our list.  

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was U.

Study:  We've received a good variety of rocks to start our study.  I'm attaching a picture of our display and a picture of the rocks in our sensory table.

Snack:  The snack for today was cottage cheese, Wheat Thins, and water.

Thursday, November 3

Group Meeting:  We had more rocks come in today, and we are getting a nice variety.  We spent a few minutes exploring them with our magnifying glasses.

Story:  The story for today was It's Mine by Leo Lionni.  Before I read the story, we talked about what it means to quarrel with someone.  In this story, three frogs quarrel over everything; the water, the pebbles, and the sky.  A wise toad from the other side of the pond comes to tell them that he can hear them quarrel every day.  He wishes there was a way for them to find peace.  It begins to rain and a flood forces the frogs to gather together on one rock.  When the water subsides, they find that the rock was really the toad.  Now, they know that they can share and the peace that comes from sharing.

At the end of the story, we talked about sharing.  I had several students say "sharing is caring".  When I asked them what that meant, they couldn't tell me.  We decided that sharing with someone is a way to say "I like you.  I want you to be my friend".  

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was I.

Let's Find Out:  The magazine that we used today was actually a leftover from October.   It was about Autumn changes.  If you'd like get more resources, go to letsfindout.com  sign in as a student and use the password redeemer.

Snack:  The snack for today was Belvita bars, milk and water.

We spent all of play time outside today.  This is our Thursday plan from here on.  Unless it is raining, snowing, or very cold, we will be going outside for play time on Thursdays.

Group Meeting:  A few children brought rocks to show.  We are setting up a display area for the rocks that the children want to bring in.  We will have them labeled so that the rocks are returned to the right owners.  We're getting a good variety so far.  We'd love to have more.

Story:  The story for today was If You Find a Rock by Peggy Christian.  This is a book of photographs of different kinds of rocks that children have found.  Some rocks are for skipping, some for splashing, some rocks make chalk drawings on the ground, and some are for memories.  We are hoping to find all of the kinds of rocks in our study.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was T.

Large Group:  The children went to the Outdoor Classroom.  We took paper and crayons to make leaf rubbings.  Our play area is filled with leaves right now.  

Snack:  The snack for today was waffles, maple butter, milk, and water.

Monday, November 1

Group Meeting:  We are starting a new month today was well as a new study.  I told the children that we would be starting a study of rocks this week.  Please read the note that was sent home in the folders today.

Story:  The story for today was Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig.  Sylvester can’t believe his luck when he finds a magic pebble that can make wishes come true. But when a lion jumps out at him on his way home, Sylvester hastily wishes that he was a rock so that the lion could not eat him.  How will Sylvester return to being a donkey again?  Ask your child to tell you how this ends.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was H.

Large Group:  The children went to the Outdoor Classroom.  It looks like we have been blessed with another week of warm weather.  We'll take advantage of that as much as we can.

Snack:  The snack for today was sliced peaches, milk, and water.