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Archive | Preschool

April Notes from Ms. Cathy Jake’s Preschool Teacher

April 28, 2014 by Preschool
Dear Bear Parents,
As I type this I am reminded we are entering our last month of preschool.  This year has flown by and it has been incredibly rewarding teaching your children.  They have blossomed since September – emotionally, spiritually and cognitively.  Their fine motor and problem-solving skills are developing every day.  It’s such a blessing to be involved in these key formative years and I thank you for your trust and support.  It has been a joy to teach with Miss Ashley as well.
April was a short month due to spring break.  Here are some highlights for the month:
Jelly bean color sorting and counting
Tissue paper crosses
Jewel crosses
Easter egg dying
Role playing the Easter story (Jesus riding on donkey into Jerusalem, bystanders waving palm leaves saying “Hosanna to the King”)
Cutting and fringing palm leaves
In-house field trips: INSECT SAFARI and REPTILE MAN (the black widow spider and “Sponge Bob Scale Pants” tortoise were very popular)
Science: preserved bugs and magnifiers
Pretend bugs in playdough and shaving cream
Letter V violet painting
Letter W watermelon art
Painted Lady butterflies in a net to observe life cycle (egg, caterpillar, pupa, butterfly).  We will release them when they become butterflies.
Butterfly art
Thank you to the following parents:
Kyle (Ruby’s dad) played guitar and sang for us
Charlie (Daniel’s dad) was a guest reader
Peter (Sabryna’s grandpa) led us in movement games
Jen (Kevin’s mom) provided Easter eggs for us to dye, and she stayed to lead us in this fun activity.  Kristin (Calvin’s mom) stayed and helped as well.
Karen (Emmy’s mom) is coming tomorrow to lead us in a planting project
Jen (Kevin’s mom) read to us on Wednesdays
“Marvelous Me” posters:
A poster board will come home with your child tomorrow.  Please support your child as s/he decorates it with photos, drawings, magazine cut-outs, anything that reflects your unique, special child (e.g., favorite food, color, vacation spot, toy, song, pet, book, grandparents, family photo, quote, sample of artwork…..be creative).  Each bear will have a chance to share with the class his/her poster, and then the posters will be displayed in the hallway for a few weeks.  Please return the posters in one week, Monday, May 5th.  Thank you for your help with this fun project! 🙂
Traveling Teddy Journals:
Our Traveling Teddy visited each student  all winter long and the journals are all in!  They were delightful and we made a class book.  Thank you parents for your help with this.  Teddy will return to your house – in the backpack and with the class book – for your reading enjoyment.  Please keep the book one or two nights and then return it to class in the backpack for another bear to take home.
Looking ahead:
May 8th, Mother’s Day Coffee, 11:15-noon in our classroom
May 16th, Spring Fling, evening
May 28th, Killarney Glen Park class picnic, 10:00am-noon (pack a lunch and meet at the park)
May 29th, last day of school  (we will celebrate with movement games and popsicles)
Springtime blessings,
Cathy

February Preschool Highlights from Ms. Cathy

March 31, 2014 by Preschool
Dear Bear Parents,
 
It’s been a gray and drizzly month, but it’s been no problem keeping our spirits bright in the Bear Class. 
Some highlights include:
 
Eric Ode in-house field trip (local children’s musician and author)
Paper plate shakers for music & movement
Letter R “Red Day”
Collecting and painting rocks
“BEAR” month (Be Excited About Reading)
Cat in the Hats (displayed in hall)
Letter R Rainbows
Letter S snakes out of paper towel rolls (in hall)
Letter T Turtles out of egg cartons
Letter U umbrellas with clouds and foil raindrops
Creations out of recyclables
St Patty’s Day crowns
Story sequencing during circle time
Rhyming cards during circle
Fishing for letters
Vet clinic – pretend center
Color and shape BINGO game
Light table during choice time
Garbanzo beans in sensory tub with scoopers and construction vehicles
Intro to sign language song for Mother’s Day Coffee
 
Many thanks to:
Nylah (Mack’s mom) for making mashed potatoes and butter with us!
Nylah for sharing real baby chicks (we were very gentle) 🙂
Nylah for making beautiful green playdough for St. Patty’s Day
Jen (Kevin’s mom) for reading with us on Wednesdays
Karen (Emmy’s mom) for reading to us during BEAR month
Kelly (Matthew’s mom) for reading to us during BEAR month
Ning (Danny’s mom) for making red playdough
Sergio (Sabryna’s dad) for taking photos of Eric Ode (check out our Shutterfly site)
Peter (Sabryna’s grandpa) for leading us in large motor movement games
Jessica (Jake’s mom) for sharing Lucy, the family rescue dog for pet week
Ashley, for sharing her sweet kitty for pet week
  
April Event:  
Wednesday, April 30 from 10-11:30   Kim Estes from Savvy Parents Safe Kids.  All are invited.
Free Childcare will be available with advance reservations.  Look for info coming home after Spring Break. http://www.savvyparentssafekids.com
Springtime blessings,
Cathy