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.