Jan 14-Jan 17

Our letter of the week was Pp.  We talked about the sound Pp makes (like in pig, polar, and penguin).  We practiced our hand symbol, practiced the hand writing sheet, and made our hand print book page (penguin), and we decorated the letter Pp with popcorn.  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!  

We continued our theme of Polar Animals.

We started the week by making a walrus.  Students cut their paper plate (it is a thicker material so more difficult to cut), painted a large paper plate, a small paper plate, and the two halves of the small paper plates.   Painting was using our fine motor skills, but also endurance in using this skill as there was so much to paint.  Students then had to follow directions and put two eyes on and two tusks on in the proper location on the head.

We also wrapped up our polar animal unit with making a snow globe.  Students cut out the animals and their globes using their fine motor skills--cutting on straight and curved lines.  Students then opened up a ziplock bag and put their animal pieces in--using their fine motor skills and pinching.  They then scooped 2 scoops of hole punched snow  and added 10 shakes of the snow glitter.  Once their globes were assembled, students wrote the the sounds they hear when they say "polar" and "animals" writing the P and the A.

This and many 

"There was an Old Lady" 

books for many seasons 

and themes are available 

at scholastic

Reading with the stars went well!  It was nice to see new families there!  We read some There Was an Old Lady stories.  These stories continue reinforcing rhymes.  Again, this is a game you can play at home, in the car, or anywhere!  Say a word and have them rhyme to it, have them give you some words they know that rhyme.  Made up words are fine, we just encouraging the actual rhyming.  

Progress continues on the igloo, it is almost done!  We have domed the ceiling and just waiting to close the skylight!  We do have to work on treating the igloo and classroom materials with love.  One of the sides broke out with only 2 days of play!  I will repair the igloo, but hope students will be able to play in the igloo nicely in the next couple of weeks so we can enjoy it.  It is fun to hear the little polar bears, penguins, and families living in the cold in there!

Literacy bags started coming home.  We are going to be doing a 10 child rotation.  PM's 10 students have the bags this week.  Next week, the 10 AM students who go home on the bus or by car will get them. The following week, the 10 students from the AM that stay for the Extended Day program will get them.  This will then be the rotation.  Please try to get your bags in on the Tuesday after you get them so we are able to re-stuff the folders, and get them out to the next group!  I encourage you to do the activities in the folder not only once, but a couple times.  The bonding between you and your child is precious.  The memories you will create laughing and playing together while learning will stick to the both of you while creating foundational skills for your child.

Book orders will be submitted Saturday morning so get them in by midnight Friday (today).  Again, please consider ordering books from our school book order (or going to the library or reading the books you already have!)   Reading is a wonderful bonding opportunity between you and your child.  It also helps build their vocabulary and reading skills.  When reading with them, have them show you where to start the book, where to go next, what letter some words start with.  They are doing great with this in school and bridging the school curriculum to home helps build authentic learning and is fun for the students!

Important Notes:

• Book Orders are due January 18th.  There are some great new collections. Also, if you order online you get a coupon for free books.  It also earns points and free books for our classroom as well!  
• Milk Jugs  Please continue to bring in the milk jugs.  We are almost done!  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: Community Helpers

Letter: 

AM Snack: Wheaton Family

PM Snack: Sawinski Family