"Almost all children respond to music. Music is an open-sesame, and if you can use it carefully and appropriately, you can reach into that child's potential for development." Dr. Clive Robbins

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Announcements

  • I have had a few students move so I'm looking for more preschool students to fill our classes.  I'm hoping to get them filled so I don't have to combine our Monday and Wednesday classes to one class.  Spread the word, I'm running a special price for new students.  If they sign up before Dec 1st.  They can get 1/2 off December tuition.  December will be a really fun month.  We are getting ready for our Christmas program and will be learning fun songs and even play a tone bell song.  We have some fun projects planned!
  • I sent December calendars home Monday and Wednesday.  
  • I sent you all an invite to join the Music Train Preschool Calendar on Google Calendar.  This might help remind for field trips, and show and tell.  --Let me know if you have questions about how to get this working for you.  
  • December tuition is due by December 5th. Even though it is shorter month, tuition still is the same price. 
  • The tour at Lee's was so much fun!  Pete, the store manager did such a great job.  We made him a thank you card, have your kids say "hi" next time you are in there.  We took some fun pictures.  Thanks to Rachelle and Cami for helping make this trip possible by driving!   I put a few pictures up today if you want to see it.  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Music-Train-Preschool/370826534799

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Kitchentime


28th
Lee’s Market Place Tour
Meet at Preschool at 9:30
Pick up at Preschool at 11:30

29th
Lee’s Market Place Tour
Meet at Preschool at 9:00
Pick up at Preschool at 11:30

November 30 and Dec 1st—Kitchen Time
Seat Work
Practice writing names
Weather/Calendar
Introduce Theme and Letter and Number of the Day: Letter L Number 12
Counting
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments—All Around the Kitchen
Social—Song Writing“Kitchen Fun” Sung to Clementine
Counting-10 little Indians
Music Appreciation/Readiness—ABC Sing to Me
Small and Large Movement Skills
ABC/Reading—Stone Soup
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Creating Project (arts and crafts)—Make no bake Cookies
Free Time-choose activity inside or outside before snacks
Snacktime—Stone Soup
Reading Time/Writing assignment (numbers and/or letters)
Group Motor Activity—Balancing on lines
Math/Science Skills—Sorting Silverware and Celery Magic
Storytime
Calendar: Look for December calendar to come home this week in backpacks
On December14th and Dec 15th we will be sharing some Christmas Songs we have been working on with you. Notice time on your Calendar.

Homework Challenge: The kitchen can be a learning center for your preschooler. This week let them help by setting the table for meals, empty the dishwasher (sorting skills), Helping you make dinner, or treats can be a fun experience for them. Just plan on taking extra time so you can have the patience to take a little longer with their help.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Thanksgiving

Monday and Tuesday

Introduce Theme and Letter and Number of the Day --Letter U and Number 11
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments—Harvest Instruments
Social—Over the River and Through the Woods—Let each share something they are grateful for and     
what they like about Thanksgiving (pass bean bag and when music stops they share something—play 
“Thankful” by Josh Groban
Counting-10 little Indians
Music Appreciation/Readiness—Blue Jellos
Small and Large Movement Skills—Get up and move
ABC/Reading-Alphabet Rumba
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Creating Project (arts and crafts) Handprint Turkey’s  Cut out hands and write one thing we are grateful on each feather. 
Snacktime—Graham Crackers and milk
Group Motor Activity-Turkey Tag—Jump on the Blanket
Math/Science Skills—Thanksgiving Bingo
Storytime—Thanksgiving Day
Calendar:  Remember no preschool on Wed and Thursday--Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving
Next week we are going on a Field Trip to Lee's Market.  I will have Rachelle, our great teacher volunteer, drive so we don't need any mom's to come unless of course you would like to.  Monday groups will meet together at my house at 9:30.  You can pick up at preschool at 11:30.  Tuesday will have the same time as usual.  We will do some things before and after the field trip.  Please bring and leave carseats/boosters and have your child wear their preschool t-shirt.  
This week for the homework challenge I just wanted to give you encouragement for having your child in preschool by giving you the reason I think preschool is important.
Learning the ABC's and numbers can be done at home as well as art's and crafts.  The most important thing I think preschool teaches children is learning social skills with children their own age and then learning the importance of respect and how to treat a teacher.   
I also believe preschool teaches the child attention skills that are vital to learning.  In our preschool we have short periods of time when everyone sits and listens to the teacher.  I see each of the children getting better and better at focusing during instruction time.  This routine of practicing focusing their attention is so important.  It's hard to simulate the teacher/student classroom experience at home so I complement you for allowing your child the opportunity to experience this here at preschool.  
 Thank you for all those that have e-mailed me back the survey!  I really appreciate the feedback so far it has been so helpful.  Those of you who haven't done it--when you get a chance I would really appreciate it.  

Friday, November 11, 2011

I love music

We are going to try a condenced version of our schedule so it's not so long.  We will still do the other things each time I just won't put it on this to save time.  Let me know if you like this better.
Theme:  I love music
Letter for the Week:  F
Number of the Week:  1-10 review
Mon and Tuesday: 
Art and Craft: Making Shakers!
Snacktime:  Rice Crispy Treats
Motor:  Hot Potato Game
Math:  Number Tiles w/ dice

Wed and Thur
Spotlight for Madden on Thursday
Art and Craft:  Making our own music on the staff
Snacktime:  Fruit Roll ups
Motor:  Physical Challenges
Math:  Number Puzzles


Homework challenge:  With the Tuesday and Thursday we have been working in the Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons by Engelmann.  I love this method of teaching children to read.  I highly recommend that all my parents buy this book and use it at home to reinforce the reading at home.  We will begin using the book in the Monday and Wednesday Classes starting in January.  I didn’t feel like they were quite ready to begin it yet but by Jan.  I think they will be.  Most of the kids are doing really well with the reading and are catching on fast.  You can get the book at The Book Table or online.  I know they have the book at most libraries so if you want to check it out first before you buy it that may be a good option. 


Announcements:
I will be sending an e-mail with a survey to see if you have any suggestions or things you would like done at preschool.  We have been going for a few months and I would like some feedback to know if I can make this a better experience for you and your student.  You can return this via e-mail or print it out and return in person.  Thank you!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

My Amazing Body

Theme:  My Amazing Body
Monday and Tuesday
Seat Work
Practice writing names
Weather/Calendar
Spotlights on preschool children-About one a month--Brooke
Introduce Theme and Letter and Number of the Day  Letter N Number 10
Counting
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments-Instrument Play
Social—My Body (where is Thumpkin tune)  This is my body…It’s the only one I’ve got…I’m going to take good care of it…Yes I am….  Spinner on how to take care of body
Counting—10 little fingers
Music Appreciation/Readiness-Musical Snake
Small and Large Movement Skills—Head Shoulder
ABC/Reading—ABC line up
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Creating Project (arts and crafts)—Silhouettes
Free Time-choose activity inside or outside before snacks
Snacktime—Carrots and water
Reading Time
Writing assignment (numbers and/or letters)
Group Motor Activity—Passing Game with bean bag
Math/Science Skills—Food Pyramid Game
Storytime
Goodbye Song

Wednesday and Thursday
Seat Work
Practice writing names
Weather/Calendar
Introduce Theme and Letter and Number of the Day-Letter N; Number 10
Counting
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments—choose favorite instrument to play Trish Trash Polka
Social—Body Floor mat and brush teeth
Counting—Hickory Dickory Dock
Music Appreciation/Readiness—Clef Review
Small and Large Movement Skills—Do your ears hang low
ABC/Reading—Alphabet Rumba
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Creating Project (arts and crafts)-Body Tracings
Free Time-choose activity inside or outside before snacks
Snacktime—muffins and water
Reading Time
Writing assignment (numbers and/or letters)
Group Motor Activity—The Balancing Act
Math/Science Skills—Counting Beans with number dice
Storytime
Goodbye Song
Announcements:  FYI:  Some of things we create we will not bring them home because I am collecting a few things to put in a packet to give them at Preschool Graduation.  This will be a fun thing to have as a memory of preschool and I will print off a few pictures to put in their as well. 
Flu and Cold Season is hitting.  If you child is running a fever, has been throwing up within 24 hours of preschool, or has a green runny nose please keep them home so we don’t spread the sickness.  My kids may get sick and if this happens I will provide a separate place for them to be during preschool and still have preschool.  If I get the flu I will contact you and cancel preschool.  I haven’t had to do this before so lets hope I can stay healthy!
Homework Challenge:  I have been working with our students on correct pencil grip.  This is a challenge for many of the students.  If they are reinforced at home to hold their pencil, crayon, marker or whatever correctly then I know the habit will be made much faster.  The middle finger and thumb form a vise for holding the pencil.  The index, or pointing, finger rests between the middle finger and the thumb.  Fingers need to be close to the point of the pencil.  All knuckles, including the thumb, should be bent and the fingers and thumb rounded to the same degree. 
Did you know we are on Facebook?  Share with your friends how much you like Music Train Preschool by “liking” us and sharing it on your homepage!  Thanks in advance for spreading the word. Follow the link for our facebook page.   http://www.facebook.com/pages/Music-Train-Preschool/370826534799