Happy Holidays!

I hope everyone has a very Happy Holiday.  

Enjoy the time off from school!  

     I can't believe how fast the month of December has flown by.  This month the children were very busy working on the puzzle wreath gift and practicing for The Gingerbread Man performance.  I think the children did a fantastic job retelling and acting out the story of The Gingerbread Man during our party yesterday.  A BIG thank you to all the families that sent in supplies and attended the party.  The kids had a great time.  Today, we read The Polar Express, had chocolate milk and cookies, and the movie played during work time.  

     This month we practiced patterns while making bead wreaths and beaded candy canes.  The children also had a lesson with the hand drill this month.  They are enjoying making holes in a piece of wood.  I hope to introduce the use of other tools after the break.  Many of the children are very interested in writing and have been busy making books and other papers for their friends.    

     During our Gingerbread Man study we worked on many literacy skills including; making predictions, re-telling a story, sequencing a story, developing new vocabulary (butcher, sow), comparing different versions of the same story, and many other literacy skills.  Over the break, ask your child to tell you the Gingerbread story.  Hopefully they can recall and retell 3 or more parts of the story.  This month's writing journal prompt was "The Gingerbread Man ran away from..."  The children came up with their own idea about who/what the Gingerbread Man ran away from and then drew and wrote about it.  Each month, the children are improving in their ability to use drawing, symbols, letters, and words to portray meaning.  We will continue with writing journal throughout the year.

     The letters we have covered so far during letter of the week include: M, T, A, S, P, C, I, B, N, and R.  January's letters are: D, K, F, and O.  We continue to review the letter names and sounds we have previously learned.  

     In January, we will begin a clothing study.  We will learn all about types of clothes, where/why people wear types of clothes, how clothes are made, compare and describe different fabrics, and other topics related to clothing.   

REMINDERS...

• Bring in your mid-year supplies from the list that was sent home earlier this week.  If you need another supply list, please contact me.

Have a happy, healthy, wonderful Holiday and New Year!  See  you in 2015!

Run, Run as fast as you can...

     We started our Gingerbread Man theme this week and the children are really enjoying it so far.  We read our first Gingerbread Man book this week.  On Monday, we did a picture walk of the book - we looked at the pictures and talked about them but we didn't look at the end of the book.  Then, the children made predictions about what would happen to the Gingerbread Man.  We read the story on Tuesday, but didn't finish the story.  On Wednesday, we read the whole story.  Lastly, we read the story and the children helped re-tell the story and chanted the repetitive text.  We'll read several other versions and variations of the Gingerbread Man this month.  At the end of the month, we will compare the different stories we told.  

     The children have also been busy working on a special holiday gift for their loved ones.  We have a Gingerbread Man paper punching work on the shelf.  After the children punch out the Gingerbread Man, they can decorate him with buttons, googly eyes, and glitter glue.  Paper punching involves using an over-sized push pin to poke holes in paper following an outline of a shape (pumpkin, Gingerbread Man, fish, etc...).  After the children punch all the way around the outline, the teacher tears out the shape for the child.  This work requires a lot of concentration and fine motor control.  The children were also recently introduced to the table scrubbing work.  They really enjoy scrubbing the tables in our classroom.  This work has a lot of steps!  Table scrubbing helps children develop their ability to sequence an activity.  The children have to think about and plan for what they need to do to clean the table.  

     There are several new works available on the math shelves now.  This week, we had our first student complete the 100 Board!  Way to go Mason Tyree.  This work involves putting number tiles from 1-100 in order. 
 
Other works include the teen and ten boards, the bead stair, and the decimal system layout (bank game).  During the next few weeks, I will be introducing these works to the children.  

SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS...
There is still time to order books in time for Christmas delivery.  Orders are due 12/11.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA...
-Sign ups for Breakfast with Santa were sent home recently.  This is a FREE event.  The "amount enclosed" line is a misprint.


MID-YEAR SUPPLY LIST
As stated at the beginning of the school year, a mid-year supply list will be sent home the week before winter break.  The list will include classroom supplies needed for the remainder of the school year.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS...
The Sign-Up Genius page has been updated with dates for January through March.

Holiday Party...
*You are invited to our Holiday Cookie Decorating Party on Wednesday December 17th.  Party details were sent home in your child's folder on Thursday and an email was sent with a link to Sign-up Genius to RSVP for the party (or a paper copy for parents who prefer).  A few important things about the party:
-Time: 10:30AM and 2:15PM
- 1 adult per student please (due to space limitations).
- Adults need to have fingerprints on file.
- You might want to bring your camera, we have a little surprise planned!
- Link to sign-up: Click here RSVP and sign up

Polar Express and Pajama Day...
*On Thursday December 18th, please have your child wear his/her pajamas to school.  We will read the Polar Express and the movie will also be playing during work time.  We will also have a special snack.  Please make sure your child's pajamas are appropriate for the weather (we may go outside) and appropriate for school and play.  Your child needs to wear regular shoes to school but you can send slippers in his/her backpack if you would like.