January 2-January 3

We continued/reviewed the letter Mm this week.
Our letter of the week was Mm.  We talked about the sound Mm makes (like in monkey, Monday, mom, and more).  We practiced our hand symbol, practiced the hand writing sheet, and made our hand print book page.  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!  Mm was an easy transition from the Nn in formation and the students are doing well with it.




I slightly modified, having students do the sign language for M (see website) and rubbing that symbol on their stomachs.
Mrs. Gloudemans' Class Website

Construction continues on the igloo.  Please keep the milk jugs coming!  Students help by holding the jugs together while they dry and then help bring them to the wall to put on.  We are four rows up and will begin the doming of the igloo next!  We are currently waiting on more jumbo hot glue sticks to be purchased to complete the project.  If any parents would be willing to donate the jumbo (fat) high heat glue sticks please let me know.  Thank you! (There is an image on the class website on the wish list page -see link above-of the type of glue sticks as well)

click on image to enlarge

Our theme was Polar Animals.  We started the week by creating a list of what we know about polar animals.  This ranged from names of animals that live there and facts about specific animals.  They are off to a great start with this list and we continue to add more information as we go!  This includes: camouflage, what they eat, and adaptations.


We made penguins out of ripped up paper.  This included using their fine motor skills to rip, pinch, and place on their paper as well as painting in the lines of the template with their glue paint brushes.  Students had to follow mulit-step directions and use their listening skills.  Also, they had to do some counting when I have them 1 piece of yellow and told them it had to make 2 feet and 1 beak. They had to figure out how many pieces to rip from there.  Students did great with them and they turned out even cuter than I had imagined!

We had the opportunity to watch a video of a baby penguin learning to walk and a clip on sled dogs.  The children really enjoyed these clips.

Sensory table if filled with polar animals that live and play in our snow (rice).  That brought a new element to sensory play and the children are enjoying it.  

Finally, Herbie left us a note saying good bye and how happy he was to be visiting us.  He complimented the children on doing their best to be good little boys and girls.  

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!

We are working on independence with the students getting themselves dressed. Though Mrs. Drummond and myself are always there to help with a stuck book, zipper, or buckling snow pants, we encourage the students to dress themselves. This is a life skill as well as one of our standards we are to meet during the school year.  Please encourage your child to do so at home.  We use a chart posted on the wall to help the students to navigate through getting dressed. 1> shoes in your backpack 2>snowpants on 3> boots on 4> coat on 5> hats, mittens, and scarves.  The chart is posted at left. 

Happy New Year and best wishes in the upcoming year!

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 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: Polar Animals Continued

Letter: Uu

AM Snack: Eidahl Family

PM Snack: Schmidt Family