THE TEDDE TIMES
Week of November 2 - 6, 2009
Howdy!!
This week we began learning about Native Americans and that they lived
differently according to where they were in North America. We saw that they
wore different clothing, ate different foods, and built different houses by
using supplies that were near them. The children found out that they did not
have letters and that they often communicated through sign language and
pictographs. They enjoyed making the picture-writing book with 16 pictographs
that they actually had to draw from my direction. They did quite well with
this, and have shown nice growth in learning to carry out instructions step by
step. Their hand muscles are maturing nicely and will be ready to do more
writing after winter break.
We made our November calendar and have had Mm as letter of the week. The
children really like making their calendars. This month I taught them how to
curl paper and they thought that was cool. Also, they had to start tracing
some numbers and will have to do more as the year progresses. Please make
certain that you have their calendar visible and use it to look at the date
and day.
We have been painting a turkey scene and have made some cute, colorful
turkeys that are on our back bulletin board. The children are showing nice
growth in following directions and sequencing steps to complete projects. We
will be putting some details on our painted turkeys and then they will be
displayed on the front windows. They are sure to make you smile.
On Friday we made a little leaf book. Please make certain to save these
little books and have your child read them to many people. It would be very
easy for you to make similar ones at home with stickers or easy software
programs that would give you some clip art. I use Print Shop a lot for school
and home.
Of course we went to Music, Computers, P.E., Library, and saw our
Buddies. I am telling them (our kids and the buddies) a story. It is a very
rare thing to be able to experience storytelling nowadays and it is so good
for the kids. Our kids are so overexposed to videos, computer graphics, etc.,
and it’s nice for them to really use their listening skills to stay focused.
They actually really love it. I remember when I was quite young my older
cousin (in his twenties) lived with us. Every night before dinner we kids
were sent to the bathroom to wash our hands. Brian went with us and told us a
continuing story about some silly kids. Mom never had to ask us twice,
because we couldn’t wait to wash our hands every night!! Try some good
old-fashioned story telling at home this weekend. Let your child/ren use
their imagination to add to the story. You never know where you’ll end up.
I will be meeting with the room moms next week regarding our big
Thanksgiving Feast Day. You will get a note regarding our schedule and your
responsibility for that day. We have quite a bit of money left over from
Halloween, so it shouldn’t be too much. It’s a really big celebration with
lots of preparation leading up to the actual day, which will be Thursday,
November 19th. I hope you know that we have the whole Thanksgiving week off ~
YAHOO!! Also, don’t forget that we have next Wednesday off for Veteran’s
Day. The day before that is “Dress like the First Letter of Your Name Day”.
Your child does not have to participate, but these days are quite fun for the
kids. For example, Arianna can wear a paper Apple necklace and Brady can wear
a Batman shirt. Nothing fancy or costly!!
Please read the paper attached regarding the special Project Love that
our school does each year. It is a lovely project and Ms. Read, our third
grade teacher, puts in countless hours to make this a success. Even if you
can’t ask for a child, you are welcome to send in a donation, as she often
purchases items to fulfill wishes.
Please turn in your class address/phone paper so that Mrs. Pate can get
it completed and send it out. With a week off at Thanksgiving you may want to
get some play dates in before you get too busy with cooking and visiting.
That’s it for now. Have a great weekend. Blessings to all ~ Mrs. M.
