"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

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Christmas Around the World

This week we are preparing for our Program on Wednesday and Thursday during music time
Letter M  Number 14

We will be do our mid-year assessments during free time and revisit each student's Academic and Social Goal.  I will be e-mailing you sometime during the break to let you know your child's results.

Craft on Monday and Tuesday will be Christmas Chains to Count Down to Christmas
Craft on Wednesday and Thursday will be decorating cookies for program

Announcements: Don't forget the program on Wed or Thur at 10:30 am.
We still are going outside for about 5-10 minutes.  Because it is cold I am reducing the free play outside and increasing the free play at the beginning of the day so the children will have time to socialize and play with each other.  I feel this is very important.  I am having many of the children complain because they are cold outside.  Even though they only go out for a small time please have them bring a coat everyday and pack them some mittens/gloves and a hat in their backpack that they can wear if needed.  I want them to be comfortable while they play.

Home Challenge:  This week Christmas is getting closer and often time it means more stress in the home.  Do your best to keep stress at home to a minimum.  If you keep your child well rested by going to bed on time and taking naps during the day, and consistent meals.  This can take the stress off quite a bit and keep them healthy.  Also it's important to take time to do a fun Christmas Project with your child like make gingerbread cookies, a gingerbread house, Go Christmas Caroling with your family.  These memories will be treasured in your children’s mind forever.


Sunday, December 8, 2013

Kitchen Time

December 9-12—Kitchen Time  Letter: L  Number 13
Monday and Tuesday-Field Trip day!
Don't forget your carseat and Music Train Shirts!

Wednesday and Thursday
9:00  Self-Directed Play Time and Clean up
9:10  Seat Work (writing name, worksheet)
9:20  Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Day
9:25  Reading Time/Phonograms (letter sounds)
9:30  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—I like to Eat…Apples and Bananas
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
10:00  Outside Play (Dress appropriately for weather)
10:10  Snacktime/Storytime  Popcorn (story read by teacher while eating snacks)
10:20  Creating Project (arts and crafts)—Edible Bead Necklaces
10:45  Math/Science Skills—Sorting Silverware and Celery Magic
10:55  Clean up and Goodbye Song

Upcoming Calendar:  Next week on Dec 18th or 19th we will be doing a Christmas program for our families for the last half hour of preschool.  We will highlight the kids and some of the songs they have been learning.  It will be a treat to see them show off a bit.  You are welcome to come and enjoy that.  We will also have refreshments afterward.

Homework Challenge:  This week we will be talking about the kitchen.  There are so many math, science, and reading skills that are built by doing cooking activities.  Please find time to include your child in some of your cooking/baking this holiday season.  These memories of cooking with mom and dad are priceless!  It takes some patience so do it when you both are well rested and have more time to dedicate to the project.  Don’t be offended if they get tired after helping for a few minutes.  Make sure they feel special for helping even for just a little bit.  This will encourage them to help more and build up their self confidence especially if you tell others they helped you make it while they are listening!


Sunday, December 1, 2013

Numbers

Theme:  All about Numbers
Number: K   Letter:  12
Show and Tell this week!  On Wednesday or Thursday have your child bring 10 similar items to show and count for the class.  (cars, marbles, candy, buttons)
Music:  This week I'm going to try something new with music time.  I'm going to focus on the same songs throughout the week to reinforce them more and hopefully this will help the children learn the songs and be more comfortable with the songs with more repetition.  This week we will be working on these songs:
Hello Song
Instruments—All Night All Day
Social—Ant’s Go Marching 1 by 1 (have each child choose the next person to go marching with the group.)
Counting-Hickory Dickory Dock
Music Appreciation/Readiness—Rhythm Practice w/ cards
Small and Large Movement Skills—All the Sleepy Bunnies
ABC/Reading— Bingo (count how many times we will clap)
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Thank you Song
Snacktime:  Count-a-Snack/Fruit w/Jello
Arts and Craft time:  Cutting Practice/Number Books
Math Games:  Zimbos/Number Bingo

Announcements:  We were going to go on a field trip this week to Lee's Marketplace.  This has been postponed.  I will e-mail you details on the field trip soon.
It's already December!  Tuition is due this week.  I will send home a calendar with your child this week as well.   Mark on your calendar December 18th or 19th at 10:30 we will have a Christmas program where the class will share some of their favorite songs with you.  We also will have them serve you a christmas treat.

Home Challenge:  For those of you who have children who will be entering kindergarten in the Fall of 2015 I highly recommend you register your child for the Upstart preschool?  This would be for those that are 3 or 4 years old now.  I had my two youngest children participate in the program and they loved it.  I would recommend you do this in addition and not in replacement of preschool.  You just can't replace the social aspects of preschool.  Learning to sit up and listen to a teacher, playing and cooperating with other children their age, taking turns to talk and participate in a class room setting are only some of the social skills your children learn to prepare them for school.  The upstart preschool is free and done completely all from your home computer.  The children learn at their own pace and their is lots of music involved in the learning.  Here is the information and I would sign up soon because spots are very limited!
UPSTART is now accepting applications for 2014. UPSTART has a 99.8% approval rating from parents and was recently awarded by Parents for Choice in Education. UPSTART uses Waterford’s early reading, math, and science curriculum, adapting the learning pace to the child’s ability for a personalized, effective, and rewarding experience. The native-language support team ensures that you and your child achieve success. UPSTART is easy to use and free, but spots are limited. Apply now! Learn more and sign up at www.utahupstart.org.