"Oh, nothin'..."

Dear Parent,

This week we spent time getting ready for Thanksgiving by finishing our leaves for our Thanksgiving wreath. Every year Mrs. Candeloro writes on each leaf something for which the children are thankful. She always shares them with me and we are often touched by what the children say. This year it occurred to me that rather than just use them for decoration, we should use the children’s “thanksgivings” as part of our prayer service. So in place of our petitions, each child will read one of the things for which they give thanks. We have also been practicing our songs for the prayer service. In outreach news, the 8^th graders took our Thanksgiving basket up to the lobby on Friday, so please send your items by the deadline tomorrow.

In Second Step we spoke of ways to handle our anger and practiced again the calming down steps, a few of which I had to put into practice myself! I have been placing great emphasis on the children listening to and following the one direction that I give, especially during transition times. Transition time is when we have completed one activity and are moving to another. It is then that I need to grab books or supplies and give a direction to Mrs. C. (My supplies are handy so this is a matter of seconds.) At that time I will tell the group exactly what I need them to do. For example, I may say, “Please sit on the floor in front of the rocker.”  At this time of the year the children should be able to follow that direction immediately. From what I saw last week, I find that I am going to have to enforce better listening the first time something is said. Next week if your child is in the “red zone,” ignoring oral directions given to the class may be why. On December’s first trimester report “Listens and follows directions in a group” and “accepts school routines and rules” are two categories that cover this skill.

We have been busy with language arts. We are putting great emphasis on initial sounds, blending simple words, and building rhyming word families. You have received the home practice folder for lists of words or skills that need to be practiced. We have thoroughly covered the initial sounds of M, S, R, B, N, and T. We have made lists of words, played jumping games, and written silly sentences for homework.  Each child has been assessed on recognizing these initial sounds. It was interesting to see that some of the children who had trouble jumping from one initial sound to another did better when they sat alone to work with a set of picture cards to sort by sound.

We were also busy with creative writing this week. We are writing a class book using color words and sight words. The children illustrated and printed the sentences about an animal they chose. Once that book is bound, it will start its rounds through the families. This week we begin one of my many favorites, our Color and Clothes book, another opportunity to write and read sight words. As soon as all silly sentence homework is returned, the children will be working on silly sentence books. Creating books with the children is my favorite part of language arts because it is purposeful use of reading and writing with fine motor skills practice.

Speaking of fine motors, we made progress with three of the four “magic C” letters.  This week we practiced capitals C, O, and Q. Next week we will do the letter G. Please watch the children with these letters at home. During creative writing many of them started O’s from the bottom. It can’t be said enough that we always start our letters from the top.

We had fun with math this week with finger counting, counting spots, and using 10 frames with plastic discs. Finger counting is a great game for anytime or place. Hold up some fingers in various combinations and see how fast your child can give the number. We also stressed the “tricky teens” this week. They are tricky because of the way they are pronounced – backwards! We used our ten frames to show that teen means ten. The ten frames are a great way to show numbers visually. Don’t forget to give your child opportunities to read and count wherever you are!

In science we continued our study of two types of trees we see: leaf shedding (broad-leafed/hardwood/deciduous) and evergreen (softwood/coniferous). We compared and contrasted the trees by observing their distinguishing features and went on our homework tree hunts. Please be sure that your child’s leaf count homework has been returned. We will be integrating our math tally counts with our tree study. The children will also be working on a science/art project focusing on these trees.

In social studies, library, and DEAR time we have been reading about the first Thanksgiving and some silly Thanksgiving books too. In art the children have begun a study of Spanish artist Joan Miro. Mrs. D came down on Friday to hang the Klimt pieces on the Garden Level. They look great and Mrs. D posted some Klimt posters to show the inspiration for the children’s work.

Mrs. C has been so busy in centers! Along with the various review and assessment centers, she has begun to start a few Christmas projects to have displayed for when the children return from Thanksgiving break. To get a good idea of what center time looks like in K-B, go to “See Our Work” on this web page. Mrs. C took several photos of the children having fun while they learn at center time. You can easily see why they always want to be back there with Mrs. C!

December 1 is a school time Open House, so pass the word. I am sure that we are all looking at the calendar in disbelief that Thanksgiving is upon us. On my list of many blessings I give thanks for a career working with a fabulous aide/friend, a talented and spirited class, a forward-thinking administration, and supportive, interested parents in a Mercy-driven nationally recognized Blue Ribbon School of Excellence!

Mrs. Brennan

“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”

W. T. Purkiser