Fun with our Zoo animals!

Jan. 15-17    The children worked in their journals drawing self-portraits and we journaled "What do you do to get ready for school?"  

    The highlight of the week was reading the book, "What does the fox say?"  Check out Miss Kathi's What does the fox say?  at this link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDs0tP7qB6Q

I am putting great emphasis on writing at the beginning of the session, as I am watching what hand they write with, form holding the crayon or marker, and pressure.   We practice with a wipe off alphabet board which help new writers form letters and we are using the "Handwriting Without Tears" alphabet sticks to make letters, and spell our names.

Group activités have been helping the children get to know the new students and it bonds the class together, helping make new friends.  Children always amaze me as they love to read and tell stories together.    We also group painted and did an experiment with lemon!

First Day-Winter Session '14

A Day to Meet New Friends!  The children had a great time just getting to know each other.  I have four previous students and four new ones!  Welcome to Kalaya, Saira, Olivia and Cole!   This is such a sweet group of children and we are going to have some great fun this session.
Each child will have a small book that I will "journal" their stories in.   I collect writing samples, drawings, pictures, etc.  and they will come home at the end of the session.   We worked on writing on Monday and they did very well.    At circle time we began our phonics with letter A -Allie Alligator and B- Bubba Bear.  We are learning some sign language and the color words in Spanish.
Counting, Days of the Week, Months and book reading too!   Of course, it is most important to find out who the special helper is.  : )
I will be sending home a special Science project on Friday that you and your child can help me with.
We will be setting up a Science center next week.
Please as always, let me know if you have any questions.  Thank you to all who are bringing in snacks for us.

What does the Fox Say? Book by Svein Nyhus

Yes, of course with Phonics at the Zoo we have to read this book!  Kids love to make sounds!   Use the lyrics I send home to have a family sing-a-long.  Don't worry if you don't sing it right - they just love making the sounds!

Ylvis - The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?) [Official music video HD]

I'm Back and can't wait until Jan. 13th!   My back surgery was successful, and with a little PT and a little care I am ready to get back to teaching!  I know I will have lots of little helpers.    We start this new session learning about the following themes: Zoo Phonic animals, Transportation, Safety, Community Workers, Valentines, Flags and our President, the Desert and Shapes/Colors.  A great lineup!     Will see you on Monday.  

On the Mend

Dear Parents - It pains me not to be able to complete this session or prepare for the next.   I am on my back, never suspecting it was a disc injury.    I wanted to get out the last pictures I took from my last class.  It has been a true pleasure having your child in my class and I hope to return after the holidays.

The children love music time and learning about new instruments!

I was so surprised to see my friends spelling their names.  They all have done well in learning the letter sounds and recognition.

Miss Stacey has also been trained in our  "Handwriting without Tears" program and the children are learning the correct way to hold a writing instrument and form shapes and letters.  

Beary, Beary Fun!

   This week we learn about bears, their habitat and take in some fun, too with a bear hospital and tea party.  The children were so excited to bring their  friends to school.  We used the bears for math, comparing and contrasting colors, shapes and sizes.   We even did some adding along with this activity.   Welcome to our new friend, Chase!   Arianna was last weeks' Star and this week is Elias.   This is a very important activity to them to be able to tell their friends about their family.  Thank you for taking time with your child to complete their poster!  All the children will have a chance to be a shining star before the end of the session.

     Even with our short week last week, we learned about how special we are with our "All About Me" unit.  This a great way to show children diversity and why we are all so unique.   We had a sensory science center learning about the five senses.  Most every one did not like the slime at our touch center!
We made skeletons to learn about our bones and even did a life size skeleton puzzle!

We continue to do writing exercises and math at our hands on learning centers.  Remember, samples of writing are being put in your child's journal and they may not bring writing home.  We have wipe off tablets that the children work on during every class.

Our writing curriculum also uses wood pieces to make the letters.  We are learning to start at the top of the letters and go down.  You'll find the great handout in your parent packet for working on this at home.   Encourage your child to hold the pencil correctly to avoid a new habit forming.  Fat markers are great for beginners!  

Even holding a paintbrush correctly can help your child gain fine motor strength.