Dec 10-13

Our letter of the week was Nn.  We talked about the sound Nn makes (like in nice, newt, noodles nest, and more).  We practiced our hand symbol, our handwriting sheet, and read our Alphatales story, The Nice Newt.  The students are doing really well with our alphabet letters.  I am so proud of their progress with the sign language symbol, the sound symbol, the letter and even our handwriting sheets are improving!  Nn was an easy transition from the R in formation and the students are doing well with it.

Our theme was Snow and winter again.

In our small group we talked about how all the snowflakes in the whole world are different.  Though some are close, they are all different.  Students put glue on a snowflake however they chose and then chose between rainbow, white, or silver glitter.  They then shook their own snowflake off using their fine motor skills, and then put it on the drying rack.  They are on our 3D tree in our classroom and look great!

We have been practicing The Gingerbread Man.  We have been practicing the role playing of the skit and showing how a story can be made into parts. Students are very excited.  Don't worry though, if you are unable to make it students still get to practice, laugh, enjoy it and have fun.  We did talk about if moms and dads say they can't make it it is ok, they are still VERY important! PLEASE GET THOSE RSVPs in!

We also made snowmen.  Students wrote their own name on their paper.  They then cut out the three snowballs out.  They then put them in size order, small, middle big to make a snowman.  They then decorated the snowman with their scraps and crayons.  

I sent home the number writing practice sheets to help students writing the numbers as well as counting and the number word.  I encourage you to work on these at some point so that students can get practice with their counting, number recognition, fine motor skills, and writing numbers.

Through out the week, students come into the room looking for the trouble Herbie got into during the week.  He was hiding on the pencil sharpener on Monday and Tuesday, we think he liked it because it goes around and around.  The kids thought this was funny when I demonstrated!  Wednesday he had drawn on the board!  It was a Christmas tree, his picture and his name.  We couldn't believe it!  Thursday he was perched up in the 3D tree just hanging out watching!

Igloo Progress

Afternoon class helped us make a circle.  One student held the middle
of the string and we went around the circle, each student applying
tape around the circle

Taping in progress

Taping in progress

Making our way around the circle

The circle is complete.  We did it!

This many friends fit in it right now!

I put the hot glue on the milk jugs, and then passed it
to the students.  They held it together while the glue dried

After students left today I finished gluing everything together and got as far as I could with the jugs we had.  This is a total of 48 milk jugs so keep them coming so we can build it up!  Also, upon reading the directions again, they did use some half gallon jugs as well.  If you have some bring them in!  I am so excited for them to play in the igloo!

Skills used thus far: counting jugs, sorting caps, making a circle, team work, taking turns, following directions of increasing complexity.

Important Notes:

• RSVP for Reading with the Stars.  Regardless if you are able to attend or not, please RSVP to the reading with the stars program so I can be sure there is at least one student at each part of the program.  Students will participate regardless, but I just wanted to be sure that there is someone for each job the night of.  The program is TUESDAY DECEMBER 18 5:30PM-6:30PM.
• Book Orders are in for the holidays. I did not plan on submitting another one until after the holiday, but they are always open to put an order in.  If there are a lot at some point, I will submit an order, so let me know if this is something you would want/need/be interested in.  
• Milk Jugs  Please continue to bring in the milk jugs.  We have a good start, but according to the website, we need almost 400!  We are going to use the caps to pattern and sort.  We will use the igloo in counting and other math activities.  Building this will include fine and gross motor skills.  Also, it will build the imagination as they play it in the home living center!  We are all very excited about this and all the learning and imagination it can bring!
• Dress for the Weather.  We go outside Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Students need coats, hats, and mittens.  If there is snow or even if it is in the 30s I would suggest snowpants and boots for warmth and dryness.  St. Edward Extended day families, these students go outside for "long recess" after lunch daily and need to be dressed for it daily.  Please come with everything they need to stay warm and have fun!
• Lost and Found.  Our lost and found is growing.  If you are missing something please feel free to check out the box on top of the lockers by our door, or email me and I will take a look for you!  
• As always, any questions or concerns please feel free to email me!  Have a great weekend!

Next week:

Theme: Holidays

Letter: Mm

AM Snack: Plamann

PM Snack: Court