12/22/17
Happy 5th Birthday to Aiden and
Happy 5th Birthday to Felix (who turns 5 over break)
Dear Parents:
A big thank you to Linsay Conn (Owen’s mom) and Tracey Epley (Sammy’s mom) for coming into the class and talking about Hanukkah. They shared with the children why people celebrate Hanukkah and explained and showed a menorah. They talked about how the middle candle is used to light the other candles and how it represents the leader of the Jewish people who fought for freedom. Linsay and Tracey explained the reason that there are 8 candles on the menorah. The children were also able to look at and try to spin a dreidel. They learned what the 4 Hebrew symbols say on each side of the dreidel. The four letters which appear on the four corners of a dreidel spell out: Nes (N-miracle), Gadol (G-great), Haya (H-happened) and Sham (S-there, meaning in Israel).
Sammy and Owen showed us how they lit the menorah at their homes. Owen said the blessing as he lit his candles and Sammy sang her blessing as she lit hers. The children were able to ask many questions about Hanukkah such as, are there different menorahs? Are only candles used? And do you blow the candles out? So thank you again Linsay and Tracey for sharing the Hanukkah holiday with us!
I wish you all a relaxing, safe and happy break! Happy Holidays!
Ms. Rachel, Ms. Erin & Ms. Britanie
12/15/17
Dear Parents,
The children were so excited to see the snow coming down this week! We have pulled out the sleds and snow shovels on the playground for the children.
Lately, in the class, the golden bead work has been very popular. Children are working on addition, subtraction, multiplication and division with these materials. This is a group activity that can be done with me or a child who has had practice with the materials. The children learn the different categories of a unit, ten, hundred and thousand. I will pick a number for them to bring with the number cards (example 4623). They will then get their number of beads (quantity) and all the children will come together. At this point, we start counting together and practicing reading 4 digit numbers. Using the golden beads gives the children a sensorial impression of the operations they are working on. This lesson also takes focus, concentration and patience. There is a good amount of material to set up so the children sometimes help each other if they finish setting up early.
I always like to watch when the children decide to do the lesson without me. They demonstrate cooperating with each other. They take turns and work out any conflict that may arise. When they are able to do this successfully, I know they fully understand the material.
Ms. Rachel, Ms. Erin & Ms. Britanie
12/8/17
Happy 6th Birthday to Harper!
I’d like to thank Dr. Ed Smith for coming into our class and talking about how pieces come together to create an object. He talked about what parts make up a hammer and asked the children to think about what would happen if it was missing pieces. He talked about the function of a hammer and its parts. The children were able to see how a hammer worked and were even given an opportunity to use a hammer and nail on wood. They children were very excited and asked great questions!
With the arrival of cold weather, hats and gloves are needed when we play outside. The children enjoy recess when they have warm clothing. It can get pretty cold when we are outside.
I would also like to welcome Nolan to our class. He is moving up from the toddler room and has been visiting our class every day. The children have been very welcoming to him.
A song we have been singing lately is called “I’m a little snowman” sung to the tune of “I’m a little teapot”
The words are:
I’m a little snowman
Short and round
Here are my eyes and my nose you found.
When the sun and springtime
Hits the ground
Watch me melt without a sound.
Ms. Rachel, Ms. Erin & Ms. Britanie