Week of May 27-29, 2014

Week of May 27-29, 2014

Theme: End of School/Summer

Dear Parents,

This is the last week of preschool, I can't believe it. It seems like just a short time ago that I was writing the first newsletter to begin the school year. I want to thank everyone for their support and participation this school year.  I thank you for allowing me to participate in your child's life and watch them grow and develop. I hope everyone has a happy and healthy summer.

This last week of school we will be doing some activities that are related to summer fun. We will be spending some time outside each day playing on the playground and with the bikes.

Last week round up:

May 27th-Field trip for p.m. children to visit kindergarten schools

May 28th- End of school year party (all parents welcome) - 10-10:45 a.m. party and 1:15-2:15 p.m. party

May 29th-Last day of preschool 

Week of May 19-22, 2014

Week of May 19-22, 2014

Theme: Pirates and Princesses

Dear Families,

Last week we discussed and incorporated activities about having a healthy body. The children had the opportunity to design their own obstacle courses in small groups. On Thursday we were able to make each obstacle course and have turns running through each one, the weather did not cooperate so we moved things around in the classroom and we were able to have the obstacle course in the classroom. It was a great day of physical activity and skills.

This week our theme is Pirates and Princesses. We are going to be doing many activities including sorting pirates and princesses by size, finding differences, putting together puzzles and making patterns with pirates and princesses. Hilton Elementary also has planned a school wide pirate and princess day on Tuesday so your children can wear their favorite pirate or princess outfit to school. Please do not feel you need to purchase anything for this I have outfits in the classroom that the children can use. They will also have an extra day to dress up as pirates and princesses on Thursday as we will have a classroom Pirate and Princess Party. We are going to walk the plank and sail the seven seas. 

Upcoming dates and events:

Pirate and Princess dress up dates: May 20 & May 22

Kindergarten visitation field trip: May 27th

Class Party: All parents are invited to attend May 28th

Last day of Preschool: May 29th

Week of May 12-15, 2014

Week of May 12-15, 2014

Theme: Healthy Fun

Dear Family,

Getting preschoolers to move is never a problem! This week children will learn why the movements and exercise they undertake on a daily basis is so important to their health. They will review the names of their body parts and they will also learn to do some exercises that strengthen their bodies and keep them flexible. 

We will work together to design an obstacle course in groups. We will then try out each obstacle course on Thursday outside. We are going to be reviewing all letters until the end of the school year so we will be working on activities that emphasize and review letters that the children have learned and some that they still need to practice. We will also work on using these letter to begin to make words and hear their sounds in words.

The art table will be open this week and we will do some free exploration of a variety of materials.

Learning Together:

• Choose and listen to some favorite songs with your child. Then, together, dance along to the music.
• With your child, choose a time every morning or afternoon to do bending an stretching exercises together.
• Play the game "Match Me" with your child. Perform exercises, such as jumping jacks, toe-touches, or marching in place, and then have your child try to replicate the exercise that you performed.

Upcoming activities:

For those students moving on to kindergarten who are currently on IEP's, transition meetings have been scheduled and confirmed. Please check your calendars for your scheduled date and time and if you need a reminder please contact me.

May 27th-Field trip for those students going to kindergarten to their home school.

May 28th-End of the school year parties-a.m. 10:00-10:45 and p.m. 1:15-2:15. The room parents have been contacted and may be contacting your for assistance with the party. 

May 29th-Last day of preschool

Week of May 5-8, 2014

Week of May 5-8, 2-14

Theme: Healthy Foods

No letter this week

Dear Family,

Getting children to make healthy food choices is often difficult! This week's lessons help prepare children to do just that. They will learn about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables, and they will have the chance to taste some healthy snacks. One of the stories the class will discuss is Growing Vegetable Soup and the children will identify the healthy foods that are being grown to put in the soup. We are going to have a class Pizza Shop and the children will have the opportunity to visit the Pizza Shop to order their favorites toppings and choose the correct coins to pay for their order. We will do activities to match initial sounds of vegetables to their letter. We will also sort fruits and vegetables. 

We will also be working on several special activities to celebrate the coming weekend. We are trying to keep them a secret until your child brings them home for you to see this weekend. 
We have planned a special field trip for those students going on to kindergarten on May 27th. The students will be taking a bus to their home kindergarten school to take a school tour and visit a kindergarten classroom at that building. More information including a permission slip will be coming home shortly.

Learning Together

• With your child, make a healthy snack such as "Ants on a Log." To do so, spread cream cheese or peanut butter on celery sticks and sprinkle with raising.
• With your child, look at advertising flyers from grocery stores. Ask your child to circle pictures of the healthy foods.
• Together, make a graph showing our family's favorite fruits and vegetables.
• Have fun with your child by planning a day's breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. Ask your child to name healthy fruits, vegetables, and dairy products to include in the meals.

Visiting the Library

Gregory, the Terrible Easter  by Mitchell Sharmat

Showdown at the Food Pyramid by Rex Barron

Good Enough to Eat: A Kid's Guide to Food and Nutrition  by Lizzy Rockwell

Eat Healthy, Feel Great by William Sears, Martha Sears, and Christie Watts Kelly

Ten Apples Up On Top! by Dr. Seuss

Upcoming dates:
May 27th- Kindergarten visit
May 28th-End of the year party, parents invited
May 29th-Last day of preschool