Pumpkins & PALS

We finished up our week of PALS and talked about pumpkins this week.

We talked about he parts of a pumpkin after doing our art project.  We
rolled a dice to count how many seeds and then they measured 1 ruler of string for the pumpkin guts, also known as pulp.

We also talked about the life cycle of the pumpkin is a pattern, something that happens again and again and again.  We did the whole life cycle as a gross motor activity.  It was a little like yoga, a little like interpretive dance, and a little bit of silly rolling on the ground, but it was so fun!

Seed

grow roots

Vines

flowers

tiny pumpkins

Big pumpkins

We did not have a letter of the week because of the short week and we finished up what we didnt get done with the O from PALS taking a little extra time.

In PM class Our listening center book
ran out of batteries, students had a
choice to close listening or learn
a newlistening center.

in the AM class, we were not done
watching the move "Olive." Students
chose to stop watching and go outside
or stay in and watch Olive.

We have been doing a variety of votes.  This teaches children they have to make one choice, we mark the choice, count the votes, talk about which has most, and then go with what has most.  Though it is not always what everyone wants to do, it is the one with the biggest vote and we have to go with it-a big life skill to accept.

We  are still working a lot on name writing.  It is important that your child can write their name because it is the foundation of a lot of their writing skills, the beginning of their letter recognition, strengthens and refines their fine motor skills, and it is important to be on all papers so we know whose it is!  Please work on name writing at home. Sheets are in our writing center to help them at school.

We have been working on proper writing in general.  Here is a look at our lines. There is the sky line, the plane line, and the ground. (eventually there will be a worm line but we aren't to worm line letters).  We always start at the sky line. ALWAYS.  For T, it is start at the sky, pull down to the ground.  Across the sky.  for t, it is pull down, across the plane line.  Encourage this language and proper formation as it will truly help the with their fluency down the road.


Important Notes:

• Next week is Halloween week.  We do not wear costumes to school, but students are welcome to wear them to our 4K Fall Family Fun night that is Tuesday night 5-6:30  The event is come in as you choose and stay as long as works for your family.
• Dress for the weather Please send your child dressed for the weather.  We go outside 2 days a week (We really TRY).  AM goes out Wednesday and Thursday.  PM goes out Tuesday and Thursday.  Extended day (students who stay all day) go out every day.  Unless it is below 0* or raining we do go out.  Please send the clothes that will keep them warm.  Also, please attempt to send in clothes that your child can do themselves.  This may be sending a zip up sweatshirt over a pull over, zipper instead of buttons, mittens instead of gloves, etc.  Thought we will always help to get your child ready, we cannot help all at the same time.  Teaching the children self help and self dress skills is an important goal of the 4k program.  By sending easier clothes, it helps them be more successful.  
• Layers may be necessary in the school.  Heat does not turn on until later in the fall/early winter so the building can be a little chilly in the morning before the bodies warm it up.  Send your child in layers and maybe have an extra sweatshirt/sweater left in lockers in case they are cold.  It may also be time to switch out the clothes in the top of lockers to warmer options.
• Conferences will be held the week of November 9.  They will be evening 15 minute appointments.  Our school secretary, Lynn Schuh will be sending an email with a link to sign up online.
• As a part of our room decorations and to make every one feel at home, we have a "family and friends" board in our room.  Students will feel more at home and have a school family if they have their home family with them.  (The same as you putting a family picture on your desk).    Please feel free to send in a family photo that will be stapled up on our wall for the duration of the school year. Send in those family photos!
• Background checks. When it comes to these, we assume you are good unless we get a note otherwise, but we are counting on it not being processed (and will not make that assumption that it was run and you are good) until 2 WEEKS AFTER TURNING THE FORMS IN.
• Homework Some parents have asked about homework and keep home stuff.  Homework would be the only blank stuff sent home.  We have a homework stamp page in the back of you child's every day folder.  When you do homework with your child and send it back, we stamp the homework, stamp the homework page, and then send it back. Anything with a stamp on it or a project that is already done is yours to keep.  The homework page in the back of the folder explains more about homework. Homework TYPICALLY comes home on Thursdays and it is some reinforcing of letters at home (same sheet different letters so they also become independent).
• Folders. Please be checking your child's daily folder each night.  We put notes on the notebook pages in their folders as well as any notes we may have for you.  Artwork is also sent home this way. As we start letter of the week, we will also start sending home homework to help reinforce the letter concept and identification.  Please work on this with you child to help the students make the connection between home and school. 
• Also, Please check the student's Wednesday Folders.  Please try to take info out and return the folder and any forms/info/payments in those folders a day or two after receiving. 
• Literacy Bags come home every three weeks.  Students will have a week to complete the project inside and can then return the bag with completed sheets in it on MONDAY.
• Library Books come every week.  We go to library on Monday and student have the opportunity to check out a book and keep it for a week. It can be kept in their back packs or at home, but please remember to bring it on Mondays. 
• Book Order was submitted.  Books will be sent home with your child when they come in unless you send a note that you would like it done differently.  We do encourage books to be gifts so if this is the case, please send a note and we put them in brown paper bags and tell the student it is mom/dad's homework.  The next book order is due November 25th.  Books make great holiday presents and these fliers are coming out do include our holiday edition.  Please click on the link for scholastic at the top of this page.  When you buy books for your child, it helps buy books and supplies for our classrooms. Remember if you want books as a gift just send and email and I will get them to you discreetly!

Next Week:
Theme: Pumpkins/Halloween
Letter of the Week: Aa
AM Snack: Whitney
PM Snack : Griesbach
***Thanks to a parent suggestion, here is a healthy snack list site that can help with some ideas!***
Snack List