Mrs. Fillion
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May 20th-good sunny morning! I can't wait to get outside! If you haven't visited the classroom lately, stop by to see the Rainforest that is developing! It's wonderful. The children are loving this unit. We tasted fresh pineapple this week and just about everyone loved it! I promised some mango, and maybe even some figs! We had lots of fun making our Toucans-boy was that a lot of cutting! We have some very good cutters in the afternoon class! Tomorrow is "Z" day-the last one! yikes. I am so impressed with the letter recognition skills and even the beginning recognition of sounds. We've also finished our LIPS sounds for the year, and have been practicing blending some of them together. I have completed most of the phonemic awareness assessments I had planned to complete-I'm pleased to see the growth from September. After Memorial Day, we will begin our final assessment for progress reports. All of this is done informally, as the children are participating in their centers, or playing. We started weeding our gardens this week--Ok, well the teachers weeded, and the children complained! Ha! I'll be putting up a sign up sheet on the classroom door for anyone who'd be willing to donate a flat of veggies. I stopped at Dodge's Friday, and they have tomatoes, cucumbers, squash,pumpkins- -I didn't see "bikinis", but I'll keep looking:)) We already have some pumpkins coming up from the ones that were there last year! If anyone has a handful of annuals leftover, we'll take those too, for around our tree. What a lot of flower fun we've been having in the morning class. We'll begin talking about the sequence of planting a seed and how it progresses to a flower! Our Memorial Day celebration is on a Wednesday this year, but I'm pretty sure I WILL NOT have the morning class participate. It's just too long. If you are planning on attending and you'd like to take your own child with you, please feel free. Maybe we'll participate in the procession to place the wreath, but I'm still on the fence with this. I'll let you know. Now that the weathr is nice, we're trying to get out as often as time permits. Be sure your child has sunscreen and bug repellent, and keep in mind, that the grass is very wet in the morning, soo..... we might get wet! Enjoy the rest of your sunny Sunday! Stay cool and have a great week! Robin May 13th-good morning nd HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!! I hope everyone has a wonderful day-I've already heard from all 3 of my children-love them! What a fun week of rainbow activities we had in the morning class this week. This week we'll continue our color practice with flowers and planting activities. I hope it stays dry and we can get out in our own garden to start getting it ready to be planted! Happy birthday to Gabe O. tomorrow and welcome to Logan on Tuesday--for those keeping track--#6! In the afternoon class,we are gradually creating a rainforest, both on the bulletin board and also in our classrom. We're learning about lots and lots of very different animals that live there, but definitely do not live in New Hampshire! I've started some phonemic awareness screening in the afternoon class, so if the children mention that they have been doing "big Kindergarten work" with me, that's what they're talking about. It's nice to compare to the fall assessment and see how much they've learned during the year. Enjoy the rest of your day and have a great week! Robin Sunday May 6th-good sunny Sunday morning! I think we all survived the first week back to school-it's always hard for everyone after a vacation! The afternoon class is very, very excited about learning about the Rain Forest! We have read a few stories and are beginnig to turn our classroom into our own rain forest-they'll be very surprised when they arrive tomorrow! I can't believe there are only 6 full weeks of school left! We have so much to do! The afternoon class will learn about the letter "W" tomorrow-Mrs. Lamontange's day and then there are only 3 more letters! We are very interested in alphabet games, puzzles, and any letter identification activity. I'm quite impressed actually in the students' letter identification skills. We've learned all of the LIPS sounds I planned to cover this year and the children are also doing a great job with those as well. Ths week we tried making "wacky words" for the first time. I laid out 3 pictures and we blended the sounds together to make some very silly words! It was lots of fun. This is a great pre-reading activity! The children will have another "trick" to figure out when they arrive tomorrow-we're signing in with our birthdays! The morning class just continues to grow! I am very proud of the students as they welcome the newer students and make them feel comfortable. We are continuing to review colors, counting sets, number recognition, sorting and recognizing the letters in our names. It's nice to see some of the children begin to create their names without having to match the letters or even look at a model! We're working very hard on listening to directions the first time in the morning class. I have been noticing a little bit of regression in the older students as younger children with less experience join the group. This too shall pass! Enjoy the rest of your sunny Sunday and have a great week! Robin Sunday April 29th--good morning and I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing vacation--I definitely did! I had a nice visit at the beach with my family, and now I'm looking forward to seeing all the children tomorrow! <3 The girls will be relieved to know we have finished our car/truck unit and will be having lots of "rainbow" fun this week! We will be reviewing all the colors of the rainbow, and practicing more counting as well. Welcome Alexandra to the morning class on Wednesday! Yup-that makes 5! The afternoon class is quickly heading towards the end of the alphabet--"V Day" on Wednesday--Eli's day. We will also be starting a fun "Rainforest" unit this week. Some of the things we will be talking about in the next several weeks will include:; 1. what are the animals that come from the rainforest?, 2. what products come from the rainforest, and 3. what can we do to help save the rainforests? We will continue our counting and numeral recognition to 30, as well as sorting, patterning and counting sets. We've even begun to make some numbers with our wood pieces and try them on white boards as well. The poems that came home with the April calendars really help us remember how to make the numbers to 10. Enjoy the rest of your sunny Sunday and have a great week! Robin ���Sunday April 15th-�good �morn��in�g and what a beautiful morn�in�g it is!We had so many fun "bunny" activities� in �the morn�in�g class last week and I have a few more� in �store for this week too! We have been do�in�g lots of count�in��g and color identification� with �our "bunny" books and this week we will be work��in�g on a new class book based on the story "Home For A Bunny". We all know bunnies like carrots, so we'll be explor�in�g carrots this week as well. I hope none of the carrots get "lost" and the children become responsible for f�in�d�in�g them! � In �the afternoon class, we have been work�in�g very hard on numeral recognition to 20. Last week, we learned the last LIPS sounds we will learn this year--the slider sounds. These are pretty tricky-your mouth slides from one sound to another. For� in�stance, the "ow" sound is made by start�in��g� with � an "open" sound and then slid��in�g� in��to a "round" sound. Try it! I am trly amazed at how well the kids have done� with �learn��in�g the names of the sounds and how to produce them. I told them we might try mak�in�g some "wacky words" by blend�in�g some of the sounds� in �the com�in�g weeks! They're pretty excited about that. � In �our letter recognition activities, we are explor�in�g "T" tomorrow (Trevor's day" and "U" on Thursday (Isaac S.'s day). I can't believe�� we're ��almost at the end of the alphabet. We will cont�in�ue to practice recogniz�in��g these letters� with �games, puzzles, blocks, etc. and explore the sounds as well. This is a very excit��in�g time� in � preschool. There's lots and lots of learn�in�g go�in�g on and it's fun to watch as different children "get" different concepts. Welcome to our new friend Andre� in �the morn�in�g class. Yup--that's 4 s�in�ce the last vacation!:)) You should all have received progress reports and graded IEP's--please give me a call, or e-mail if you would like to schedule a parent/teacher conference. As soon as we retrn from vacation, I will schedul�in�g all of the IEP meet�in�gs left--don't worry, I now who you are! Enjoy the rest of your gorgeous Sunday and enjoy the great week ahead! Rob�in �� ��Sunday ���April ���8th-�good � ���morn��in��g! ��� Happy ���Easter! � We had lots of fun� with �Easter activities last week. The childen enjoyed marble pa��in�t�in�g, pa�in�t�in�g at the easel and the afternoon class dyed eggs on Thursday. � In �the morn�in�g we tried carry�in�g eggs on spoons--that was very tricky! We will cont�in��ue� with �some fun bunny and carrot activities�� in �the morn�in�g class this week and next, and we will def�in�itely keep work�in�g on our cars! The afternoon class will be practic�in�g "S" on Monday (Mason's day)and both classes will explore Purple Day on Thursday. Progress reports and graded IEP's will go home this week- let me know if you are� in�terested� in �schedul�in�g a conference. Enjoy your Easter������ Sunday �and have a great week! Rob�in �� � Sunday ���April ��1st--�good�� morn��in�g! � It's a chilly�� April ��Fool's morn�in�g. This week we will be hav�in�g Easter fun� in �both classes as we cont�in�ue to work on our skills. The afternoon class has been explor�in�g all the different ways we can sort th�in��gs: by color,� shape�, size, etc. We will cont��in�ue to sort and pattern this week and practice recogniz�in�g our numerals to 20. Monday will be "Q" day (Gretchen) and Thursday will be "R" day (Isaac W). Larn�in�g our addresses is go�in�g really, really well. We just have to stop and th�in�k for a m�in�ute about whether�� we're ��be�in��g asked for our address or telephone number- tricky! When you receive the monthly calendar on Monday, you will see a page of number poems that Mrs. Anderson and I made up to help� with � proper formation of the numerals 1-10. Practic��in��g these at home will help� with � familiarity and carryover�� in�to K�in�dergarten! The morn�in�g class is gett�in�g bigger aga�in�! We will be welcom�in�g another friend, Gabriel this week! We will also explore lots and lots of Easter egg and bunny activities. Our cars are com�in��g along and our� shape �books are almost done! This week we will be mak��in�g license plates for our cars and add�in�g wheels. We will also be explor�in�g some really cool th�in�gs� in �the sensory table and lots of egg activities! Grades close this week, and progress reports and graded IEP's will be go�in�g home next week. Aga�in��, I am� happy �to schedule conferences � with �anyone who wishes to have one. After vacation, I will beg��in �schedul�in�g IEP meet�in�gs for those that expire this summer. Speak�in�g of IEP's-- special education parents will be receiv�in�g a survey� in � the mail (it probably arrived at the end of this past week). I am encourag�in�g you to please complete it, and return it, as the feedback comes directly to the school so we can better our specil ed process. The preschool has has strong participation the last couple of years-keep it up! Enjoy the rest of your��� Sunday �and have a great week! Rob�in �� � Sunday ��March 25th-well, unfortunately, this is more like it--�good �morn��in�g. We had a wonderful week this week, gett�in�g outside as much as possible. Everyone was so� happy �to have coats off and shorts on, even if it was only for a very little while. The morn�in�g children have been pa�in�t�in�g, wash�in�g and explor�in��g cars and trucks. We've started a book about� shape�s and have been driv��in��g our little cars around � shape�s. There is a new class book com��in�g around about construction vehicles- -this was great fun to create! We will cont�in�ue practicng some cutt�in�g around our diamonds and will explore diamonds � in �collages, and� in �our names and maybe even some patterns. The afternoon class is work�in�g hard to remember their addresses and have been work�in��g hard� with �phonemic awareness activities. On Thursday, we clapped the syllables�� in �words--that was fun and the rhym�in�g cont�in�ues to get better and better. We are up to the letter "P" this week-- Carter's day on Wednesday and we have also been hav�in�g lots and lots of fish fun after read�in�g "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish"! It's hard to believe we'll be gett�in�g out the Easter activities next week, and we'll also be assess�in�g aga�in �for report cards. The morn�in�g class welcomes Aidan this week and another new friend next week! WOW! Enjoy the rest of your ra�in�y�� sunday �and have a great week! Rob�in � � Sunday ��March 18th- �Happy �belated St. Patrick's Day and� happy �sunny�� Sunday�! The morn�in�g class welcomes our new friend, Landan to the group. We have been hav�in��g so much fun� with �our car and truck unit--even Kaitlyn and Elizabeth! Scrubb��in��g the cars clean was lots of fun and this week we will "drive" our cars around � shape�s to practice� shape �recognition. The afternoon class cont��in�ues to explore Dr. Seuss' rhymes and silly stories. We made a graph on Wednesday to see who "likes green eggs and ham." Well, the only way to have accurate data is to actually try them--so we did! I was amazed that all of the children tried the green eggs! The ham was a big hit, but there were mixed feel�in�gs about the green eggs! It was lots of fun. Monday will be "N" day-- Nathan's turn. We will be explor�in�g our addresses this week as well. I am look�in�g forward to gett�in�g outside as much as possible dur�in�g this warm spell. Enjoy the rest of your� Sunday �and have a great week! Rob�in � � Sunday �� March 11th-it's later than you th�in�k-did you remember to turn your clocks ahead! Tomorrow morn�in��g could be a little rough! We had a great first week back after vacation, even� with �the full moon! wow! Our car and truck unit is start��in��g off� with �a bang. The children are lov��in�g the big car ramp that Mrs. Dana brought down for us, and we've been br�in�g�in�g� in �some of our own cars to share as well. Pa�in�t�in��g� with �cars was really cool and maybe this week we'll have to get those cars�� in �the car wash! We cont�in�ue to practice recogniz�in�g our names and the letters� in �our names, and also the numerals 1-5. We had so much fun driv�in�g our "cars" around the classroom and freez�in��g on a "road"� with �a number on it. The children are improv��in�g nicely! We've started to talk more about sort�in�g and will practice some pattern�in��g. I was very pleased� with �the "car" books the children made, utiliz��in�g prepositions. I'm see�in�g nice progress there as well. The afternoon class has begun their Dr. Seuss unit and are enjoy�in�g all the rhym�in�g fun. Any time you can practice rhym�in�g at home, it would be very beneficial for your child. Some of the children just aren't gett�in�g it yet. We also met "Weather Bear" this week and have been hav�in�g lots of fun discuss�in�g the weather each day. We've learned about the types of weather we can see, and the types we can feel. We've been check�in�g out the flag pole every day to see what the w�in�d has been do�in�g to the flags. Weather provides lots and lots of opportunities for language-yeah! � In �our LIPS lesson this week, we learned about W�in��d sounds (wh, w, h). We counted 11 sounds we've learned so far and there are only 4 more! We will start our week� with � letter "M"-mov��in�g right along. Thursday is Green Day for both classes- hmmmmmmm-I wonder who likes green eggs and ham? I guess we'll just have to f�in�d out! Remember, Thursday is Green Day for both classes and also, there is no school on Tuesday. It's look�in�g like it will be warm�in�g up and the snow will leave aga�in��, but boots would probably still be a� good � idea for outside days-the playground is pretty soggy. Rem��in�d your friends that I am now tak�in�g calls for� in�terest� in �role models screens (�April �6th). We actually have a few open�in�gs for the 4 yr old class this year. Just a couple for the 3's. Enjoy the rest of your quick�� Sunday �and have a great week! Rob�in���Sunday ��March 4th-�good�� morn��in�g! ��� Happy �March! I hope everyone have an awesome vacation, and is healthy,� happy�, well rested and ready to get back to work! � Happy �birthday to Dr. Seuss! The afternoon class will beg�in �a Dr Seuss unit this week. We will explore as many of his titles as we can and will practice our own rhym�in�g as well. We are up to letter "L" this week- Thursday (Laura) and will also start talk�in�g about the weather at circle. We will meet "Weather Bear" and will be dress�in�g him each day accord�in�g to the day's weather. As March has obviously come� in �like a lion, we will be resum�in�g our snowsuit days and chang�in�g� in�to boots� in�to the hallway. As far as the morn�in�g class, I've taken the approach of "if you can't beat em, jo�in �em!" We will start a fun vehicle unit this week. We will have all k�in�ds of car and truck activities and hopefully, make our own cars or trucks � in �a few weeks! Enjoy the rest of your��� Sunday ��and I can't wait to see everyone bright and early tomorrow� morn�in��g! � �� Sunday ��February 19th--�good�� morn��in�g! � It's a bright�, �sunny�� Sunday�-I'll take it! Well�, �we had a very fun Valent�in�e's Day� in �both classes�, �and we certa�in��ly had plenty of� good�ies to enjoy-thanks to everyone who sent�� in � treats! Both classes enjoyed the HOkey Pokey this week. The morn�in�g class practiced color recognition while they played and the afternoon class worked on numeral recognition. Both groups are mak�in�g great progress� in � these areas. This week we will f�in�ish up any outstand�in��g projects�, �and review colors and � shape��s before the vacation. Monday will be "J" day (Isaac S) for the afternoon group�, �and Wednesday will be "K" day (Annie). We practice the formation of these letters� with �our slates and the "wet�, �dry�, �try" method. ��� In � isolation�, � it's go�in�g well�, �we just need to try generaliz�in�g this method� in�to our natural activities. � In �our LIPS lesson this week�, �we learned about "Fat Pushed Air" soiunds�, �and we will be review�in�g all of the sounds we've learned so far before� in�troduc�in�g a new sound after vacation. We've had many fun discussions abuot how to "calm down" when we have very strong feel�in�gs. We've learned to take a "belly breath"�, �and count to 10 and then do someth�in�g different to take our m�in�d off our feel�in�g. We've learned that mov�in�g our bodies can help and the children had lots of great ideas of how to do that: ride bikes�, �sw�in��g�, �run around�, �etc! I've had some questions about the need for snowsuits on outside days. � Sunday ��February 12th-�good�� morn��in�g! � brrrr! What a lot of fun Valent�in�e activities we've been enjoy�in�g. Tomorrow is P�in�k Day-- the boys are SO excited! ha! Many of them have already told me they won't wear p�in�k because it's for girls-where do they get this stuff?:)) Valent�in�e's parties will be on Tuesday� in �both classes. You should have all received class lists for Valent�in�e's and the sign-up sheets are still on the classroom door. The morn�in��g class has met "Mat Man"--you might hear about him or "Bat" man-- we'll have lots of opportunities to play � with �the wood pieces and build Matman. We also spent lots of time this week explor��in�g the wood pieces� in � our "Handwrit�in��g� With�out Tears" program. There are big l��in�es�, �little l�in��es�, � big curves and little curves. We did the hokey pokey� with �our pieces to develop some familiarity� with �them. We cont��in�ue to practice count�in�g�, �numeral recognition to 5 and recogniz�in�g our names� in �pr�in�t. The afternoon class has worked hard as well--we learned about the letter "H" this week�, �and this week will be "I" day. We've been play�in��g the number hokey pokey at circle to practice numeral recognition�, � and we also reviewed the lifter sounds. These are very hard. I am very pleased� with �the progress both groups are mak��in�g� in � putt�in �on their outside cloth�in�g-not that we actually need them! boo! But�, �the� in�dependence is improv�in�g daily. Every time you can allow your child to get� in�to his/her own jacket�, �the better. Enjoy the rest of this freez�in�g cold�� Sunday �and have a great week! Rob�in �� � Sunday ���February 5th- -�good�� morn��in��g! ��Everyone should have received their child's progress reports and/or IEP's by now�, �and if you have any questions at all about these�, �please give me a call or shoot me an e- mail. I'd be � happy �to sit down � with �anyone for either a conference� with � just me�, �or if you'd like a team progress update�, �we can schedule that as well. It's hard to believe�, �but I will be�� in �touch� in ��the next week or 2 � with �IEP parents to discuss summer program. All ESY meet��in�gs must be held prior to ��� April � vacation�, �so I will be contact�in�g you soon. The other item that is currently on the agenda is prepar�in�g for next year's role models. I will be plac�in�g a blurb� in �the school notices� in �the next couple of weeks�, � but if you know anyone who is� in�terested� in �hav�in�g their child considered for next year's program�, �please give them my name�, �e-mail�, � phone number�, � etc. and have them contact me. Afternoon parents�, �if you haven't already registered your child for K�in�dergatrten� in �September�, �please do so. Even if we have had (or will have) placement meet�in�gs�, �the office still needs to have an idea of the numbers. It's hard to believe there's only 3 weeks until our next vacation. We'll be work�in�g very hard dur�in��g this time on our number skills�, �color and� shape � review�, �HWT--���we're ��on letter "G" already this week�, �and LIPS--we learned the "lifters" this week. This is a pretty tricky sound to make. There are front lifters (lift tongue beh�in�d the front teeth to make "L" sound�, �and the back lifter (lift back of tongue to make "R" sound.) We've been do�in��g lots and lots of tongue exercises and Mrs. Dana is very impressed� with �the progress. Speak��in�g of Mrs. Dana�,�she cont�in�ues to work on rhym�in��g� with �the afternoon class�, �as well as sequenc��in�g. Our goal is not only for the students to visually sequence pictures� in �the correct order�, �but to put some appropriate language to the cards. We practice "tell�in�g the story" to each other. HWT practice is go�in�g well-- we've practiced letters to "F" and numbers 1�, �2�, � and 3. The children are gett�in�g the hang of "wet�, �dry�, �try" and they love�, � love�, �love to work� in � their books. Matman has made an appearance� in �the morn�in�g class�, �and we have been hav�in�g fun s�in�g�in�g the song and build�in��g him � with �wood pieces. This gives us an opportunity to practice and discuss body parts and where they are on our bodies�, �and also to start to th��in�k about how to draw a person's body. The goal is to eventually have those arms and legs come out of the body�, �not the head! Learn�in�g our telephone numbers is go�in�g well- slowly�, �but well. Notes will be go�in��g home this week� with �names for Valent��in�e's and there will be sign up sheets on the classroom door for party snacks. Enjoy the rest of your�� Sunday�--Go Pats!--and have a great week! Rob�in �� � Sunday ��January 29-�good �morn��in�g. Well�, �I hope everyone is recovered from all the illnesses and I'm� happy � to see everyone back from vacation as well! We had a crazy week aga�in � try�in��g to catch up from the week before. I am just about done� with � assess��in�g and progress reports/IEP's should be ready to go by Thursday at the latest. Thursday was a fun "blue" day�, �and we will be do�in�g some more "blue" activities on Monday. Both classes were able to get outside and play this week�, �and I was very proud of them as they worked hard to get� in�to their own snowsuits! Please label your child's cloth�in�g if you can! The morn�in�g class will cont�in�ue to explore w�in�ter activities and will be count�in�g w�in�ter items�, �pa�in�t�in�g snowmen at the easel�, �and match�in�g mittens. We will cont�in�ue to practice count�in�g and numeral recognition to 5 every day! � In �the afternoon class�, �we have also been work�in�g hard on numeral recognition�, �but�� we're ��practic�in�g to 20�, �yikes! Mrs. Dana has been do�in�g many sequenc�in��g activities� with �us and also rhym��in�g-there's a lot to learn� in � preschool right now!�� We're ��even add�in�g� in �our telephone numbers this week as well! � In �our 2nd Step lesson this week�, �we learned about strong feel�in�gs and some strategies to "calm down" from them. �� We're �� learn�in�g about tak�in�g "belly breathes" and this week we will practice count�in�g to 10 to see if that helps as well. Matman is improv�in��g� with � everyone! We drew him together at circle and I'm start��in��g to see more and more people� with �bodies and correct position��in�g on limbs! We also used scarves to practice mak�in�g "Magic C". Those curves can be tricky sometimes. � In �our LIPS lesson�, �we reviewed the sounds we've learned so far: lip poppers (p�,�b)�, �tip tappers (t�,�d)�, �sk�in�ny air (s�,�z) �, �fat air (sh�, �zh)�, �lip coolers (f�,�v)�, �tongue coolers (th) �, �tongue scrapers (c�,�g)�, �and nose sounds (m�, �n�, � ng). Our next sound will be a "lifter"--lift�in�g the front of your tongue makes the "l" sound and lift�in�g the back of your tongue makes the "r" sound-- NOT EASY!!!!! We have a busy week ahead! Enjoy the rest of your�� Sunday �and have a great week! Rob�in � � Sunday ��January 22--brrr aga�in�! So�, �between vacations�, �illnesses�, �days off�, � last week wasn't the mmost productive week we've ever had� in �preschool! Oh well-back at it this week. We will cont�in�ue assess�in�g for report cards dur�in�g the week and will cont�in��ue to practice numeral recognition. Any practice you can do� with � your child at home is a great help. I'd really like to see the afternoon class master numerals 1-10�� in �and out of order. The morn�in��g class is practice� with � numeral recognition and count��in��g items to 5. Our HWT practice � with �letters cont��in�ues--we are gett�in�g the hang of the "wet�, � dry�, �try" method of mak�in�g letters on our slates and we've even practiced numbers 1 and 2! The morn�in�g class is go�in�g to meet "matman" this week! This is part of the HWT program of mak�in��g people� with �our wood pieces and practic��in��g body part awareness at the same time. I'm sure you've all seen the "mr. potato head" people your children draw� with �arms and legs com��in�g out of the head. This is very normal and "Matman" will help us learn to add bodies and put the arms and legs� in �the appropriate places. I hope! � In �our LIPS lesson this week�, �we learned about a "fat air" sound. We compared and contrasted between this sound and the "sk�in�ny air" sound. When mak�in�g a "fat air" sound�, �our lips are rounded�, �mak�in�g a fatter space for the air to come out of--thus mak�in�g the "sh" sound. When we turn on our voices to make it noisy�, �it becomes the "zh" sound�, �like� in �the middle of measure. The afternoon children are do�in��g a great job� with �their last names�, �and I th��in�k it might be time for a new "trick" next week! Stay tuned! Thanks to everyone who donated to the theme basket-I believe they'll be displayed this week� in � the hallway upstairs. Keep� in �m�in�d our outside days--TUESDAY for AFTERNOON and THURSDAY for MORN�IN�G. The children will be very� happy �to learn that I dragged out the sleds Friday and the K�in�dergarteners packed down our slid�in�g trail too! We are collect�in�g tissue boxes for our Valent�in�e holders�, �so if you have 1 or 2�, �we'd love to have them. Thanks Have a great�� Sunday �and a great rest of the week! Rob�in � ���Sunday �January 15-brrrrrrrrrr! I will apologize first th�in�g for the weird th�in�gs this site has been do�in�g-it's not me. So�, �we had a short week last week and another one this week. Oh well. We'll just keep plugg�in�g along! Now that there's snow�, �please don't forget snow clothes-- TUESDAY for afternoon students�, �and THURSDAY for morn�in�g students. I will use my judgement concern�in�g the temperature and/or the ic�in�ess outside. Tuesday will be White Day for both classes�, �as we missed it on Thursday. The afternoon class will cont�in��ue� with �our letter exploration--C day on Wednesday � with �Carter! Mrs. Anderson�, �Mrs. Dana and I will be do��in�g some assess�in�g � in �the next 2 weeks for progress reports. We work very hard at imbedd�in�g the assessments� in�to the daily activities as much as possibie�, �but the children beg me to come work 1 on 1 on the "big kid" work! They love it! We will beg�in �practic�in�g numeral recognition to 15�, �and then 20� in �the afternoon class�, �and we are still work�in�g on 1-5� in �the morn�in��g class. ���Sunday �� January 8�, �2012--�good � morn��in�g�, �and I'm sure everyone is as� happy �as I am that the "first" week back to school is over. There were many yawns and slow mov�in�g children (and teachers!)�, �but there was a lot of excite��me��nt as well. The chidlren were very excited to discuss their Christmas surprises and gifts and we had many great conversations. We started our� in��troduction to letters� with �the afternoon class and it was a lot of fun! Annie brought �� in �"an amaz�in�g amount" of "A" items to share-3 or 4 is f�in�e!:)) We also glued animals on our "A's" and we now have a new area � in �our center ti��me��--the exploration station! � In � this area�, �the children can explore stamps�, �punches�, � stencils�, �pictures�, �books�, �letter wheels�, �etc. after they f�in�ish their letter center. It's lots of fun and really supports the different levels of learn�in�g that are present� in ���the group. We also learned all about "wet�, � dry�, �try" and made the letter "A" � with � clay�, �magna doodle boards and slates! �� Sunday ��January 1�, �2012--�� good � morn��in�g and� HAPPY � NEW YEAR!!It feels like we just said that�, �and it def�in�itely feels like we've just barely co��me ��back to school-boy�, �it flies. I hope everyone has had a wonderful�, �restful vacation and is look�in�g forward to gett�in�g back to the rout�in�e tomorrow. I know I am. We have lots of excit�in�g activities planned for January and�� we're ��go�in�g to be very busy� in � the preschool. As I have been tell�in�g the children for a �� few �� weeks now�, �the afternoon class will beg�in �our � in�troduction to letters this week. At the preschool level�, �I focus on recognition of the uppercase letters (for now) and the beg�in�n�in�g letter sound. We will explore a variety of multi-sensory craft projects for our letters�, � glue�in�g so��me��th�in�g on each letter of the alphabet. We will also � in��corporate our HWT curriculum and learn to make the letters� with �our wood pieces�, � clay�, �magna-doodle boards and chalk boards � with � the "WET�, �DRY�, � TRY" �� me��thod of practic��in�g. We cont�in�ue to use the language of HWT as we use wet sponges to create the l�in�es and curves of our letters on our chalk boards (slates)�, � then we wil use a dry piece of towel to retrace the letter�, � mak�in�g it disappear. F�in��ally�, �we will "try" it ourselves� with �a piece of chalk! This is a process that will be re��in��forced and practiced through the entire alphabet by Mrs. Anderson and/or myself. Although we have not learned all of our LIPS sounds yet�, � when we learn a new letter na��me���, �we will practice the sound of it as well. When you receive your m0nthly calendar�, �you will notice the children's na��me��s � with �a letter on various days of the month. This�� me��ans that it is that child's turn to br��in��g a�� few ��items to school that day that start� with �that letter. These should be small items that can be managed by the child�, �and that the child is familiar � with �so he/she can share at circle. Have fun scour��in��g your house� with � your child to f��in�d 4-5 items to discuss at school. I will also put the children's "days" on the calendar on this website and will try to re��me��mber to send ho��me ��a rem�in�der note the day before. We will also beg�in �practic�in��g how to form our nu��me��rals� with � our wood pieces�, � clay�,�geo boards�, �shav��in�g cream and chalk this month as well. Phew-lots of work com�in�g up! Mrs. Dana plans to beg�in �a unit on sequenc�in��g� with � the 4 year olds. We will practice identify��in�g th�in�gs that co��me ��first�, �next�, �last�, �etc. and we will also practice add�in�g the appropriate language to describe the stories we tell. A number of the children are� in�terested� in��, �and practic�in�g so��me ��rhym�in�g-- we will start to place more emphasis on rhym�in�g as well this month. � In � our f�in��e motor lessons� with �Mrs. Anderson�, �when we are not work��in�g on letter formation�, �we will cont�in�ue to practice hand strength activities and p�in��cer grasps. I have so��me ��very � good �"cutters"�� in �the aftenoon class�, � and we will cont�in�ue to practice cutt�in�g and us�in�g our f�in�gers by p�in�ch�in�g�, � squeeznig�, �lac�in�g�, �etc. The morn�in�g class will have lots and lots of fun explor�in�g snow�, �snow��me��n�, � mittens and all k�in�ds of w�in�ter cloth�in�g. Hopefully we'll have so��me ��real snow to play� in �as well. We will cont�in�ue to practice recogniz�in�g our first na��me��s� in � pr�in�t�, � and many of us are ready to try creat�in��g our na��me ���with�out hav��in�g to match the letters. Count�in�g practice cont�in�ues--most of the children are gett�in��g pretty� good �at count��in�g to 5 and recogniz�in�g these nu��me��rals as well. Match�in�g�, �sort�in�g activities will cont�in�ue and we might even explore so��me �� patterns as well. If it ever snows�, � we will have outside days 1 ti��me � �each week. The morn�in�g children will have outside play on THURSDAY�, �and the afternoon class will have outside play on TUESDAY. This is dependent on the temperature (must be at least 20 degrees) and also on the preparedness of the children. � In �� other words�, �if your child co��me��s to school � with�out outdoor cloth��in�g on our designated day�, �the entire class must stay� in�side and that is really unfair to those who are prepared. If you don't want your child to play outside�, � you should really reconsider send�in�g him/her to school that day. If your child wears boots to school�, � please�, �please have him/her change � in�to shoes � in � the hallway before com�in�g � in�to the classroom. The wet floor is very slippery and dangerous. The boots can rema�in ��under the bench. Thanks for your cooperation� with �this. I will beg��in �assess�in�g� in �both classes this month for our next report card and look forward to�� me��et�in��g � with � any of you who are�� in�terested� in �a parent/teacher conference. Just give�� me �� a call or shoot�� me ��an e- mail. F�in�ally�, �be sure to label your child's hats�, � mittens�, �boots�, � snowpants�, � etc.and extra mittens� in �the backpack are never a bad idea! Enjoy the rest of your�� Sunday �and have a great week! I can't wait to see everyone tomorrow! Rob�in �� � Sunday �� December 1�8th-�good ��morn��in�g- brrrr! I guess I shouldn't compla�in��, � because it's been pretty warm for most of the month. This week is go�in�g to be so much fun� in �both classes! Tomorrow is Gold Day � in �both classes and I'm sure we can add plenty of gold glitter to the floor�, � chairs�, �etc. for our poor custodian. On Tuesday�, �the afternoon class will be mak�in�g small graham cracker g�in�gerbread houses. There is a sign up sheet on the door for supplies for the houses�, �as well as sign up sheets for the parties. If you can't stop by�, �give�� me ��a call and I'll give you so��me ��ideas about what we could use. On Wednesday�, �the afternoon class will be asked to co��me ��to school� in �their p.j.'s� in � preparation for a ride on the Polar Express. Mrs. Dana and Mrs. Anderson will jo�in �us� in � read�in�g the story�, �act�in�g out the story�, �creat�in�g yoga poses for different parts of the story and f�in�ally�, �s�in�g�in�g so��me ��songs from the CD and dr�in�k�in�g hot cocoa! It is a lot of fun for all of us! F�in�ally�, � Thursday is party day. The morn�in�g class is go�in�g to attend the 1st grade dress rehearsal for their concert and then return to the classroom for treats! Aga�in��, �I try to keep our parties as low key as possible. The afternoon class will enjoy our favorite songs�, �music and move��me��nt activities before we also have a special treat and celebration. A rem�in�der--I will not have the children exchange gifts�, �as this can so��me��ti��me��s be a very difficult�, � disappo�in�t�in�g experience. I will have a little so��me��th�in�g for all of the children to open�, �and if you really want to do so��me��th�in�g�, �just get a gift for the class. This is ABSOLUTELY not required and I do not want anyone to feel obligated. If you have any questions about this�, �feel free to give�� me �� a call or shoot�� me ��an e- mail. Enjoy your�� Sunday �and try not to get too stressed! This com�in�g from�� me��? Pretty funny! Have a great week! Rob�in �� � Sunday �� December 11�, � 2011- first the bad news�, �and then the� good � news. I tested positive for strep throat on Friday�, �but the antibiotics are work��in�g wonders and I feel much better! Keep an eye on your little ones--I don't know if I started it�, �or if it ca��me ��from one of them�, �but we obviously don't have ti��me � �for "sick" right now do we?!? So�, � hopefully we'll have a full�, � productive week this week! Tomorrow is silver day� in �both classes and it should be very sparkly! The morn�in�g class will be mak�in�g their "re�in�deer food" and br�in�g�in�g it ho��me ��to spr�in�kle on the ....grass? Fortunately�, � those re�in�deer are magical and are sure to f�in�d it! We will be�� me��asur�in�g and count�in�g as we follow the recipe. Mrs. Anderson and I will be work�in�g on first na��me ��writ�in�g so��me ��more� in �the afternoon class. So��me ��of the children are forgett�in�g to start their letters at the top and others are try�in�g to mix � in ��lower case letters-augh! This is why I do not teach lowercase letters- the children need to have mastery of the uppercase letters first before they get confused� with �the lowercase. There's plenty of ti��me ��for that! We'll have sign-up sheets up for holiday parties (Thurs Dec. 22) by the end of the week. There will be 2 sign-ups for the afternoon class�, �one for our g��in�gerbread houses that we will be mak�in�g on Tues (20th) and the other for the party. All morn�in�g students are� in�vited to attend school on Thurs. for party day! The children will NOT exchange gifts. We will have a special snack and do our very best to keep th�in�gs as low key (yeah right!) as possible! � Happy � birthday Laura! Enjoy the rest of your chilly �� Sunday � and have a great week! Rob�in �� Sunday �December 4�,�2011--and the countdown beg�in�s! When the children (4's) arrive tomorrow�, �they will see their countdown cha�in�s hang�in�g from the ceil�in�g (I guess Santa was here over the weekend!)�, �and we will take a loop off each day and count the days left-- excit�in�g for them�, �stressful for�� me��! ha I can not say enough about how well the 4's are do�in��g� with � recogniz��in�g uppercase letters � in ��their na��me��s. � With � our HWT pieces�, �we have discussed how to make all the letters�� in �the alphabet. We have talked about whether we have those letters� in �our first na��me��s�, �where they are�, � and how many. Now �� we're ��even f�in�d�in�g them� in �our last na��me��s! Dur�in��g December we will review these and focus on the sa��me �� process� with �the numbers 1-10! We cont��in�ue to work on those tricky diagnonals that are � in � many letters (A�, � K�, �M�, �N�, �R�, �V�, �W�, �X�, �Y�, �and Z) and also� in � triangles�, � (and now stars!). When you see your child attempt�in��g letters � with �this diagonal l��in�e�, �rem�in�d him/her to "slide" it down to the corner- just like a slide! These take a VERY long ti��me ��to master. We will be hav�in��g lots of fun� with �our g��in�gerbread unit this month-count�in�g�, � sort�in�g�, � pattern�in�g�, � trac�in�g�, � cutt�in�g�, �cook�in�g�, �everyth�in�g we can th�in�k of! Our new LIPS sound this week is the sk�in�ny air sound (s�,�z)- -when you make the space between your teeth and lips very sk�in�ny�, �your tongue can't get out�, �but the sk�in�ny sound can! Mrs. Dana cues the children to "pull" this long�, � sk�in�ny sound out of their mouths. We've now been exposed to the follow�in�g sound pairs: lip poppers (p�,�b)�, �tip tappers (t�,�d)�, �lip coolers (f�,�v)�, �tongue coolers (th�,�th voiced)�, �tongue scrapers (k�,�g) and sk�in�ny air (s�,�z). At this stage of our develop��me��nt�, �I am NOT assign�in�g letter na��me��s to these sounds�, � this is just a ti��me ��to learn what our mouths do to make the sounds. So��me � �of the children are beg�in�n�in�g to make the connection to the letter na��me��s�, � but I am not teach�in�g it yet. The morn�in�g children will be hav�in�g a little "Rudolph" fun this week and we will even be mak�in�g so��me � �re�in�deer treats to spr�in�kle on the lawn. Our count�in�g practice cont�in��ues � with �a variety of fun Christmas manipulatives-we are becom��in�g more consistent count�in�g to 5! We have also been work�in�g very hard on ga��me��s and activities that help us recognize our na��me��s� in � pr�in�t. I know the weather has been madden�in�gly� in�consistent�, �but we would really�, � really like to get outside whenever we can squeeze � in �a�� few �� m�in�utes. It is VERY cold � in �the morn�in�gs-- please�, �please be sure your child is dressed appropriately to go outside. Warm jackets�, �hats�, �mittens are really important! If your child has started wear�in�g boots to school�, � it's really important that he/she has shoes to change� in�to-- it is very hard to participate� in ��our gross motor activities (such as yoga� with �Mrs. Anderson) � with �big clunky boots on! Thanks for your understand��in�g on this issue. Enjoy the rest of your� Sunday �and have a great week! Rob�in �� � Sunday ��November 27�, �2011--�good � morn��in�g and� Happy � Thanksgiv�in�g! I hope everyone has been enjoy�in��g this extra long holiday break-I know I had a wonderful ti��me ���with �my own children who were here to visit-I was a very� happy � mommy! I've�� me��t� with � a�� few ��of you quickly to discuss progress reports/IEP's�, �but please re��me��mber to give�� me ��a call if you want to schedule a parent/teacher conference. So�, �I am look��in�g forward to a full week�, �so we can get down to work before the December craz�in�ess beg�in�s. We will cont�in�ue to practice our last na��me��s � in � the afternoon class�, � and cont�in�ue our count�in�g practice as well. We will be review�in��g all of the wood pieces�, ��shape��s�, �and letters we've learned how to make� with �our HWT program�, �and also beg���in �to practice mak�in�g numbers as well (re��me��mber�, �my focus is not to be mak�in��g these letters� with � pencil and paper�, � but� with �the pieces�, �clay�, � or any other manipulatives.) The morn��in�g class will cont�in�ue work�in�g on recognizimg our first na��me��s� in � pr�in�t and becom�in��g more familiar � with �the �� in�dividual letters� in �them. Nu��me��ral recognition and count�in�g are focal po�in�ts � in �this class as well. Our sensory table is full of scrap paper and scissors�, �and that is a favorite area of the classroom. The children have the opportunity to practice handl�in�g scissors�, �and explore cutt�in�g. Many of the 3 yr olds are just learn�in�g how to get the scissors� in � one hand and make snips� in �the paper. So��me ��are beg�in�n�in�g to cut all the way across the paper�, �and this is a great ti��me ��for practic�in�g. The afternoon children are all pretty� in�dependent cutters�, �and have been practic�in�g how to trace around so��me��th�in�g and then cut it out. Learn�in�g how to hold the paper � in � the other hand and move the paper � in�stead of our arms�, �is tricky! When the children are cutt�in�g�, �I rem�in�d them to keep their thumbs "on top" and help them pull their elbows back� in � closer to the body-they're gett�in�g better and better all the ti��me��. Enjoy the rema�in�der of your�� Sunday�-- look�in�g forward to see�in�g all the children tomorrow! Have a great week! Rob�in �� � Sunday �� November 20�,�2011-- � good�� morn��in�g! � Tomorrow is Brown Day for both classes-brown like Thanksgiv�in�g Turkeys!>! This is another short week�, �and I truly can't believe it's Thanksgiv�in�g already. It feels like the year has just started! The afternoon class was � in�troduced to their last na��me��s this week and were actually "tricked" for a m�in�ute there! They did a great job of f�in�d�in�g the letters� in �their last na��me��s to make their silly turkey headbands and loved practic�in�g the new sound we learned- tongue scrapers to say "gobble gobble!" � In �the morn�in�g class�, �we've been practic�in�g colors and work�in�g hard on sort�in�g and count�in�g sets to 5. They're def�in�itely gett�in�g better! Re��me��mber�, �Wednesday is an early release day�, �so there is no afternoon session. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiv�in�g and enjoys the long weekend! Enjoy your week. Rob�in �� �� Sunday �November 13�, �2011--�good � morn��in�g�, �and I hope everyone enjoyed their Friday off. I was busy work�in�g on gett�in�g the horse out of my throat-I th�in�k he might f�in�ally be on his way out! phew! Well�, �the afternoon class started us�in�g their center cards this week�, �and what a great job they did. At center ti��me���, �they each have a picture schedule�, �and they are becom�in�g more and more� in�dependent f�in�d�in�g their own centers and transition�in��g to the next� with�out adult cue��in�g. It's aweso��me ��to watch how quickly they have figured it out and how quickly they more from center to center on their own. Thursday was a fun Gray Day�, � and no�, �I didn't th�in�k of any gray snacks either! The morn�in�g class has been hav�in��g lots of fun� with �squirrel activities-we even learned a squirrel pose � with � Mrs. Anderson! Ask your child to s��in�g "Gray Squirrel" for you! We've been do�in�g a lot of color practice and also sort�in�g. The children are gett�in��g pretty� good �at sort��in�g by one attribute. We've done color and this week we've been sort�in��g by � shape � as well. We will learn about triangles this week! The afternoon class practiced triangles last week. These are VERY difficult to draw because they have those diagonal l��in�es� in �them. Many children aren't able to draw diagonals until they are almost 5. We'll keep practic�in��g! We've had a lot of fun� with �our scarecrow activities and even made a book tht will start circulat��in�g this week! This week we will explore turkey activities � in �both classes-Thanksgiv�in�g's gett�in�g close. I've been work�in�g frantically on progress reports and grad�in�g IEP's--these will go ho��me ��this week. Please feel free to call�� me ��if you are � in�terested� in � schedul�in�g a parent/teacher conference. Enjoy the rest of your� Sunday�! Rob�in �� � Sunday ��November 6�, � 2011-�good�� morn��in�g! � I hope everyone re��me��mbered to turn back their clocks. Well�, �after another crazy week�, �I am def�in�itely look�in�g forward to a normal week this week. We did enjoy our belated Halloween parties and enjoyed celebrat�in�g Carter's and Annie's birthdays as well! This week� in � our HWT lesson�, �we learned about diagonal l�in�es and talked about all of the letters that have diagonals� in � them. We will also practice triangles at the sa��me ��ti��me��. The 4 yr olds have been very�, � very � in�terested � in � identify�in�g the letters� in � their na��me��s and are do�in�g a great job of tell�in�g �� me ��whether the letters are at the beg�in�n�in�g�, � middle or end of their na��me��s. We will cont�in�ue to review all of the l�in�es and curves throughout November and December�, �and will beg�in �to start explor�in�g letters�, � one at a ti��me���, �after the holidays. This week�, � we will learn about Tongue Scrapers� in �our LIPS lessons--these are very tricky for our age. Pull�in�g your tongue back (scrap�in�g) will make the "k" and "g" sound. You may notice your child mak�in�g a "t" sound� in � these words-very common. Now that the afternoon class has learned the rout�in�e for center ti��me���, �we will beg�in �to use our own "center cards" start�in�g tomorrow. Each child will have his/her own card (schedule) for centers. There will be pictures to depict each center and the children will learn how to identify the center�, �go to the appropriate area�, �and move to the next upon completion. These schedules are a wonderful way to build� in�dependence and it's always amaz�in�g to�� me ��how quickly the children get the hang of it. I am a firm believer � in �fad�in�g verbal cues as quickly as possible to teach children to figure out what to do next�, �on their own. I have these schedules at the sign-�in � area�, �at circle ti��me���, ��in �the bathroom�, �you na��me ��it. Just a tip-they're great to use at ho��me �� too! Enjoy your extra long �� Sunday �and have a great week! Rob�in � � Sunday �� October 30th- holy cow! I guess I've got my work cut out for�� me ��this morn�in�g- blah! Any way�, � what a busy week we had. Both classes absolutely loved the obstacle course� in ��the gym-and everyone did really well� with �it too. Climb��in�g�, � crawl�in�g�, �sw�in�g�in�g�, �balanc�in�g--all our favorite th�in�gs to do! The Fire Prevention (or "perfection"�, �depend�in�g on who you talk to!:)) was fun�, � even though it was ra�in�y. We learned to "get low and go!" and also to "stop�, � drop�, �and roll". Go�in�g � in�side the fire truck was soooo cool and so��me ��of the children even walked through the ambulance to see what that was like as well. The hats were a huge hit of course! The children are all excited for Halloween tomorrow and can all wear their costu��me��s to school. The morn�in�g class will WATCH the parade tomorrow morn�in�g- -well�, �if we can see over the snow banks!haha! Our party will be as low key as a school party can be- just kids and just a special assort��me��nt of snacks. The afternoon class will probably parade through the school before our party � in � the classroom. � In �our LIPS lesson this week�, �we reviewed the follow�in�g sounds that we've been� in�troduced to so far: lip poppers (p�,�b)�, �tip tappers (t�,�d)�, � lip coolers (f�,�v) and tongue coolers (th). Mrs. Dana will be spend�in�g lots and lots of ti��me ��work�in�g on tongue coolers�, �as she has noticed that that is a difficult sound for the entire afternoon group! � In �our Second Step curriculum�, �we have talked abuot the follow�in�g feel�in�gs: � happy��, � sad�, � angry�, � scared�, �and disgusted (this one was very fun to talk about!). We have been learn�in�g to look at people's faces�, �bodies and what is happen�in�g around them to get an idea about how they are feel�in�g. This takes quite a bit of practice at this age�, �as we are still very egocentric and learn�in�g to take the perspective of another person takes ti��me��. � IN �HWT�, �we are plann�in�g to learn about diagonal l�in�es--many 4 year olds are not yet able to make diagonal l�in�es and this is why you might see their "A's" � in � their na��me��s lean�in�g on the side. Very develop��me��ntally appropriate. Well�, � I really didn't th�in�k I'd have to talk about boots yet�, �but here goes. If your child wears boots to school�, �please�, �please be sure he/she has SHOES�, � not slippers to change� in �to. We will change out of boots� in � the hall on the bench and leave boots under the bench to m�in�imize the wet floor� in �the classroom. It's never too early to encourage your child to try to do the boots and shoes him/herself. I don't th�in�k this snow is go�in�g to last long�, � so I hope we won't be need�in�g snowsuits yet. F�in�ally�, � Tuesday November 1st is picture retake day. Please be sure to let �� me ��know if your child needs a retake�, �or if you missed the first one�, �and you want to get pictures taken now. Ok�, �I've avoided shovel�in�g long enough--�Happy � Birthday to Evan! and lets hope we all at least have power today while we dig out! Have a great week! Rob�in �� �� Sunday ��Octobe 23rd- brrrr! � Good � � morn��in�g! �What a wonderful apple pick�in�g field trip we had� in � the afternoon class! The children filled 2 huge bags of apples�, �1 for the class�, �and 1 for Mr. Fillion! We've already been cook�in�g our apples � in � the classroom and they're almost gone! The applesauce was delicious and whipped cream was a perfect compli��me��nt for our "Apple Crumble Bumble" dessert! It was very simple-we crushed graham crackers�, �sugar�, � c�in�namon and�� me��lted butter and put it over the apples like you would make apple crisp. Everyone� in �the school could s��me��ll it cook�in�g � in � our class- yummmmm! We've also started talk�in�g about pumpk�in�s and I'm sure you saw the pumpk�in � sequence project co��me ��ho��me ��this week. The children have learned the follow�in�g terms: seed�, �sprout�, � v�in�e�, �flower�, � pumpk�in �and jack- o-lantern! We've also had lots of fun s�in�g�in�g/say�in�g the "5 Little Pumpk�in�s Sitt�in�g on a Gate" poem. When the children have f�in�ished their work�, �they have opportunities to visit the flannel board and act out the story on their own or make up their own story! This week is another busy week. On Tuesday�, � we will have an opportunity to visit Mrs. Moulton's spooky spider obstacle course� in �the gym-it's a big hit � in �both classes every year! Don't forget to ask your child about it. On Wednesday�, �both classes will visit the firefighters for fire prevention week activities-- please don't forget your permission slips. We will NOT be go�in�g � in ��the simulation trailor� with �the 3 yr olds�, �just the 4's. Thursday is not only BLACK DAY�� in �both classes�, �but it is also the school wide evacuation drill. The morn�in��g class will participate� with �the entire school�, �and the afternoon preschool and K��in�dergarten classes will practice as well�, �just on a much smaller scale! Make sure your child has a warm coat�, �and appropriate shoes to walk downtown that day. There is a sign- up sheet� in ���the classroom for Halloween parties which will take place on Monday October 31st. Thanks to Carter�, �Elizabeth and Kaitlyn�, � we are all set� with � paper�� good�s for the party�, �so the rest is up to you! Keep �� in �m�in�d that I keep our parties VERY short and LOW KEY. They are generally just a special snack ti��me��. Anyth�in�g more is just too overwhelm�in�g for the children-- oh yeah�, �and�� me��!:))) I am a big fan of "less is more" at this age. Enjoy your beautiful fall�� Sunday�-- have a great week! Rob�in �� � Sunday �October 16th-�good � afternoon! Well�, � everyth��in�g went well at our house and�� we're ��ho��me ��and recuperat�in�g. I'll def�in�itely be at school tomorrow!:)) I heard noth�in�g but great reports about last week-yeah! I thought new black and white sign-� in �crayons would trick the 4 yr olds-no such luck! The patterns the 4 yr olds made for the bullet�in �board look aweso��me��! I guess we'll have to try so��me ��trickier patterns soon. We are very excited to take a field trip to the apple orchard tomorrow afternoon. Look�in�g forward to lots of delicious apple cook�in�g activities. I'm look�in�g forward to gett�in�g back to school and back to our rout�in�e! See you tomorrow! Enjoy the rema�in�der of this sunny fall � Sunday�! Rob�in �� � Sunday ��October 9�, �2011-� good�� morn��in�g! �I hope everyone is enjoy�in�g this wonderful fall (sum��me��r!) long weekend! Red day was lots of fun for both classes and we all enjoyed explor�in�g a variety of red th�in��gs and activities. Orange Day will be on Thursday of this week for both classes. Our square exploration went really well and the children will be surprised to see a new� shape ��on the rug when they return on Tuesday! shhhh- it's a circle! Circles have curves and this week the afternoon class learned about "big curves" and "little curves"� with �our HWT program. We learned that we could make the follow���in�g letters: C�, �S�, �O�, � G�, � and Q�, �and then we checked to see who had any of these letters� in � their na��me��s. It's excit�in�g to see how the children are really tun�in�g � in�to their na��me��s and the� in�dividual letters that make up their na��me��s. Speak�in�g of na��me��s�, �watch out for another surprise when they arrive on Tuesday! We'll f�in�d out quite quickly if the students are actually recogniz�in�g their na��me��s� in � pr�in�t�, �or the color of their sign-�in � crayon. Maybe I'll actually trick them this ti��me��!:)) Our calendar has apples and pumpk�in�s on it and we are learn�in�g that they are � in � a pattern! We say we know it's a pattern because we say the "sa��me ��th�in�g over and over and over!" The afternoon class will be mak�in�g their own apple/pumpk�in �patterns on Tuesday-they'll be on the bullet�in �board for everyone to see! � In �our 2nd Step lesson this week we learned abut "angry" and discussed that different th�in�gs make different people angry and people get angry� in � different ways. So��me ��people are quiet and so��me ��people are loud! That was an � in�terest�in�g discussion! We learned about "lip coolers" � in �our LIPS lesson--f and v sounds. If you put your teeth on your lower lip and then let a stream of air co��me ��out and "cool" your lip�, � you'll be mak�in�g the sound correctly. This is a tough sound for many 4 yr olds to make. The children� in �the afternoon class already know that I will not be� in �school this week-my husband is hav�in�g back surgery� in �� Boston tomorrow. So�, �if they tell you that Mr. Fillion broke his back�, � they're close! They've promised to be� good � listeners for Mrs. Lamontagne and know I'll be check��in��g for a � good � report! I'm not worried-they're really settl��in�g� in�to a hard work�in�g group. Enjoy the rest of this spectacular weekend and re��me��mber I am always available by e- mail for any questions or concerns. Have a great week! Rob�in � � morn�in�g! � Well�, �another busy week has flown by � in �the preschool. Picture Day went well�, �and I well let you know when retake day is for those who missed it or would like to try aga�in�! haha! Both classes practices squares this week and we talked a lot about the 4 sides be�in��g the sa��me��. We'll have fun� with �"Jack and Jill" this week�� in �the morn�in�g class�, �and we will also start so��me ��fun apple activities�, �now that it's officially fall. Tuesday will be RED DAY for both classes and we will explore all the cool collage items and shar�in�g items the children br�in��g to school. Now that we are very comfortable� with �big and little l��in�es (HWT)� in �the afternoon class�, � we will� in��troduce big and little curves this week. I wonder who has letters � with �curves�� in �their na��me��s? We cont�in�ue to practice trac�in�g our first na��me��s every day and they are look�in�g better and better all the ti��me��. I have also been show�in�g the children their na��me��s� in � a variety of formats to be sure they really recognize the na��me ��and not just the color of the card it's on. Very tricky! � In �our LIPS lesson this week�, �we learned about Tip Tappers- - the tip of our tongue taps the top of our mouth (�in�side). We will review the lip poppers and tip tappers before we move on. �� We're �� do�in�g lots and lots of count�in�g�, �both rote count�in�g and count�in�g sets to 10. Our October calendar pieces will be � in �a pattern�, �so we'll start th�in�k�in�g about patterns as well. Stay dry and enjoy your week! Rob�in �� September 25�, � 2011-� good � morn��in�g-another sticky one! It was another productive week� in � preschool this week. Welco��me ��to our new morn�in�g friend�, � Evan! The afternoon students have really settled� in�to their schedule and are work�in�g very hard. They are learn�in�g the rout�in�e and are becom�in�g more and more� in�dependent every day! We explored "big" and "little" l�in�es � in �our HWT lessons this week. We learned that we can make the follow�in��g letters� with �these pieces: L�, �F�, � E�, �I�, � H�, �and T. It was fun to see who had these letters�� in �their na��me��s and we practiced our cutt�in�g skills to make a bunch of these l�in�es to practice at ho��me��. Other than learn�in�g to write our own na��me��s�, �we are NOT yet learn�in�g about writ�in�g these letters on paper- just explor�in��g � with � pieces�, �playdoh�, � paper pieces�, �etc. We reviewed "lip poppers" and will learn a new sound this week-"tip tappers". �� In �this sound�, �the tip of your tongue taps the top of your mouth and makes the "t" and "d" sounds. This week's nursery rhy��me ��for the morn�in�g class will be "Mary Had a Little Lamb"- we have lots of count�in�g and color recognition activities planned! Both classes are work�in�g hard to recognize our own na��me��s � in � pr�in�t and �� we're �� gett�in��g better every day. We will also have a big surprise of a huge� shape �on the rug! Ask your child what � shape �it is! (shhhh-it's a square):)) Don't forget�, � Thursday is picture day-- order forms will be go��in�g ho��me �� tomorrow morn�in�g-don't forget to return them! There is always a retake day later � in � the fall�, �and I'll let you know as soon as I know. F�in�ally�, �I'm look�in�g for full sized conta�in�ers of REAL playdoh for the aftenoon class- 1 per student-- for our HWT centers. I'm hop�in�g to keep the "play" playdoh for "play" and have separate "work" playdoh for "work." Any donations would be greatly appreciated! Enjoy the rest of your�� Sunday �� and have a great week! Rob�in �� September 18�, �2011--�Good �� morn��in�g! �It's look�in�g like it's go�in�g to be a beautiful fall week. Yeah! We had a lot of fun this past week�, �gett�in�g to know each other and learn�in�g our way around the classroom. The afternoon class has begun "centers" and has done a nice job of learn�in�g to rema�in �at their designated center until it is ti��me ��to change. They've been practic�in�g f�in�d�in�g their own na��me��s around the classroom and participat�in�g� in ��the activities. Mrs. Dana and Mrs. Anderson have been � with �us on Mon�, �Wed�, �and Thurs and they are also �� in�volved� in �our centers. Mrs. Anderson does a gross motor center on Wednesdays�, �and a f�in�e motor center on Thursday. Mrs. Dana alternates between articulation practice and language� in �her centers. This has been a very busy week�, �as we have begun to explore our Handwrit�in��g � With�out Tears curriculum as well as Second Step and LIPS. Be sure to check out my "l��in��ks" section to learn more about these curriculas. We learned about "lip poppers" this week-- if you pop your lips together� with�out your voice�, �it will make the "p" sound�, � but it you make a "noisy popper"� with �your voice on�, �it will make the "b" sound. We learned 2 new songs this week: "Where Do You Start Your Letters?" The answer is�, �AT THE TOP! We also learned "Pick Up A Crayon" to practice how to hold our writ��in�g utensils. The children are already s�in�g�in�g these songs on their own! The morn�in�g class has also been enjoy�in�g their week and learn�in�g how to be at school. We are gett�in�g more and more� in�dependent at our daily arrival rout�in�e and sitt�in�g and participat�in��g at circle ti��me��. Mrs. Dana co��me��s on Monday and Thursday� with �"Tyler" her turtle puppet. Tyler enjoys talk��in�g to the children and hav�in�g them repeat back to him the silly th�in��gs he says. We've already started to move our bodies and mouths and practice sounds. The children are very excited to see him! Mrs. Anderson ca��me ��this week � with � her bag of fun th��in�gs for our gross motor group on Wednesdays. We are go�in�g to learn a variety of yoga poses and � in�corporate tons of language� in � the process! Our "Tw�in�kle Tw�in�kle Little Star" activities were lots of fun�, � and this week we will practice "Hickory Dickory Dock". Thursday is YELLOW day� in � both classes. We try to wear the color and the morn�in�g children will be asked to br�in�g � in �items that can be glued onto a color collage. I'm go�in�g to try so��me��th�in��g a little different� with � the afternoon group-�� in�stead of collage items�, �I'd like them to br�in�g� in �an item from ho��me � �that can be discussed and explored-these items will go back ho��me��. There will be notes go�in�g ho��me ��this week as rem�in��ders. Color days are always so much fun! School pictures are on the 29th-I'd like all the children to attend on that day�, �so we can get a group photo! Re��me��mber�, �you can e- mail�� me ��at any ti��me ��� with � questions or concerns. This is also a great way to let�� me ��know if your child will be absent. This year�, �we are request��in�g a note after your child has been absent. The cafeteria has requested that we set up accounts for all of the children who buy milk. Mrs. Lamontagne worked on this on Friday. Those students who have sibl�in�gs � in �the build�in�g will just be added to the family lunch account and those who do not have sibl�in�gs�, �now have their own accounts. This should make it easier for you and us. Just drop off a check and you'll be� in�for��me��d when the account is gett�in�g low. Enjoy the beautiful�� Sunday ����we're �� supposed to have and have a great week! Rob�in �� September 11�, �2011 � Good �� morn��in�g! �What a great first week we had- it feels like we never left! ha! Return�in�g students got right to work on their sign � in �rout�in�es and did a great job. New students are learn�in�g quickly as well. We have been learn�in�g about sitt�in�g "criss cross applesauce" at circe ti��me ��and the afternoon class has been learn�in�g about rais�in�g their hands so a teacher can see who needs help or wants a turn to contribute. We also learned a very important sign- "toilet" and the students are already us�in�g it when they need to go to the bathroom! I'm very proud of them! This week the morn�in�g class will beg�in �talk�in�g about so��me ��favorite nursery rhy��me��s- "Tw�in�kle�, � Tw�in�kle" and we will also�� me��et Mrs. Dana's friend "Tyler" when she br�in��gs him to circle ti��me ��(he's a puppet�, �by the way!). Mrs. Dana works � with �the entire morn��in�g group on speech and language activities and so��me��ti��me��s she and Tyler even br�in�g so��me ��treats! Mrs. Anderson will also be jo�in��in�g us at circle ti��me ��this week for so��me ��gross motor activities--it's go�in�g to be so much fun. First up� in �the afternoon�, �we will be learn�in�g the correct way to trace our first na��me��s�, �mak�in�g sure to start all of the letters at the top. We will also be practic�in�g recogniz�in�g our na��me��s� in � pr�in��t. Any practice you can do at ho��me ���with � this would be great! We will learn 2 important songs this week-- "Where Do You Start Your Letters? At The Top!" and "Pick up Crayon". This songs support our Handwrit��in��g � With�out Tears curriculum and are fun rem��in�ders for letter formation and pencil grip. Gett�in�g used to the more structured afternoon session will take so��me �� ti��me���, �so we will still be try�in�g to get outside as often as possible-when the weather cooperates! Feel free to e-mail or give�� me ��a call if you have any questions or concerns�, � and here's to a great second week! Have a great �� Sunday ��Rob�in �� September 4�, � 2011 � Good�� morn��in�g! � I hope everyone is enjoy�in�g this last blast of sum��me��r before we start school on Tuesday! We had a great turn out at the picnic on Wednesday night-it was great to see everyone! And the food was aweso��me��! I will be check�in�g� in �here every weekend to�� me��ntion the highlights of the prior week and also the upcom�in�g week. This is an important place to check for special days�, �items we need for the room or curriculum � in�formation. I check my e-mail several ti��me��s each day�, �even on weekends�, �and that is a great mode of communication. Dur�in�g September�, � we will try to get outside as often as the weather permits. Please re��me��mber sunscreen�, �bug spray and safe shoes. As the weather gets colder�, �we will have scheduled days for outside play�, �but for now�, �we'll go when the go�in��g's � good�!:)) If you have any last m��in�ute questions�, �feel free to e-mail�� me ��at rfillion@nbcs.k12.nh.us any ti��me��. I can't wait to see everyone on Tuesday! Rob�in � ������
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