Thursday, September 24th

 Group Meeting:  We received a few more family pictures today.  We looked at them and added them to our family tree.  If you have not sent a picture, you can do so at any time.

Story:  The book I read today was Have a Ball by Amy Paradis.  This is the same book that I asked your child to watch yesterday.  We looked at the book one more time and used it to help us make a list of things that we know about balls.  We also made a list of things that we want to know about balls.  I will share these lists with you when they are complete. 

Fine Motor:  We made Mat Man again with the wooden pieces.  Then we followed the music to the Mat Man song and drew Mat Man in our writing journals.

Let's Find Out Magazine:  The magazine was all about apples.  We watched a video about how apples grow.  We completed the back page of the magazine together.

Art:   The children used marbles (balls) to create a piece of art work.  The children rolled marbles through paint puddles.

Snack:  The snack today was raisins, cheese sticks, milk and water.

At Home Learning

Name Journal

Math Journal:  The children are to draw enough balloons for two children.  This assumes that each child only gets one balloon :)

Mat Man:  Listen to the Mat Man song and have your child draw it on the paper marked "Mat Man".

Story:  The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza by Philemon Sturges https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7so7q3UH1e8  After listening to this story, ask your child to compare it to The Little Red Hen that we read at school.  This story ends differently.

  

Wednesday, September 23

Group Meeting:  We received a few more family pictures today.  We looked at them and added them to our family tree.  If you have not sent a picture, you can do so at any time.

Story:  The book I read today was Have a Ball by Amy Paradis.  This is the same book that I asked your child to watch yesterday.  We looked at the book one more time and used it to help us make a list of things that we know about balls.  We also made a list of things that we want to know about balls.  I will share these lists with you when they are complete. 

Fine Motor:  We made Mat Man again with the wooden pieces.  Then we followed the music to the Mat Man song and drew Mat Man in our writing journals.

Let's Find Out Magazine:  The magazine was all about apples.  We watched a video about how apples grow.  We completed the back page of the magazine together.

Art:   The children used marbles (balls) to create a piece of art work.  The children rolled marbles through paint puddles.

Snack:  The snack today was raisins, cheese sticks, milk and water.

At Home Learning

Name Journal

Math Journal:  The children are to draw enough balloons for two children.  This assumes that each child only gets one balloon :)

Mat Man:  Listen to the Mat Man song and have your child draw it on the paper marked "Mat Man".

Story:  The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza by Philemon Sturges https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7so7q3UH1e8  After listening to this story, ask your child to compare it to The Little Red Hen that we read at school.  This story ends differently.

  

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

 Group Meeting:  We started our day by printing in our name book and dancing to Jack Hartmann's Dance and Freeze.  We also looked at the family pictures that were sent in today.  If you did not send one, you can do it on Wednesday.

Story:   The story for today was The Little Red Hen retold by Bonnie Dobkin.  This is the classic tale of the hen who finds a bag of wheat seeds and wants to plant them so that she can grow wheat for bread.  She asks her friends Dog, Cat, and Goose to help, but they are busy doing other things like nap and play.  When she finally bakes a loaf of bread, the cat, dog and goose smell it and would like to have some.  Ask your child to tell you what the Little Red Hen has to say.

Fine Motor:  The children learned to make Mat Man.  Mat Man is part of the Learning Without Tears program.  We use the same lines and curves to build him that we will use for letter making.   In your child's packet today, you will see a picture of Mat Man.

Study:  We are starting a new study today.  I placed a ball in a box and gave the children clues so that they could guess what it was.  A note explaining the study is in your child's packet.

Snack:  The snack for today was Bug Bites graham crackers, milk and water.

At Home Learning

Name Printing:  Ask your child to trace the letters.  A crayon works best.

Math Journal:  Today's page is about making patterns.  You may need to draw a pattern for an example.  They usually catch on pretty quick.

Mat Man:  Ask your child to listen to the song of Mat Man while pointing to the parts on the Mat Man picture.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLltrcA1u7Q   Play the song again.  This time use the second Mat Man paper and have them trace the head and body and add the parts that are missing.

Story:  The story that I would like your child to listen to is Have a Ball by Nancy Noel Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VX3yVf8hII&t=76s

Ball Study:  Read the study note.  Ask your child to help you assemble a ball collection.  Find anything in the house that can be considered a ball.  How many can you find?

The field trip permission form is in your child's packet today.  I would like to have them back by September 29th.

Monday, September 21

 Group Meeting:  We started our day by printing in our name book and dancing to Jack Hartmann's Dance and Freeze.  We also looked at the family pictures that were sent in today.  If you did not send one, you can do it on Wednesday.

Story:   The story for today was The Little Red Hen retold by Bonnie Dobkin.  This is the classic tale of the hen who finds a bag of wheat seeds and wants to plant them so that she can grow wheat for bread.  She asks her friends Dog, Cat, and Goose to help, but they are busy doing other things like nap and play.  When she finally bakes a loaf of bread, the cat, dog and goose smell it and would like to have some.  Ask your child to tell you what the Little Red Hen has to say.

Fine Motor:  The children learned to make Mat Man.  Mat Man is part of the Learning Without Tears program.  We use the same lines and curves to build him that we will use for letter making.   In your child's packet today, you will see a picture of Mat Man.

Study:  We are starting a new study today.  I placed a ball in a box and gave the children clues so that they could guess what it was.  A note explaining the study is in your child's packet.

Snack:  The snack for today was Goldfish, juice and water.

At Home Learning

Name Printing:  Ask your child to trace the letters.  A crayon works best.

Math Journal:  Today's page is about making patterns.  You may need to draw a pattern for an example.  They usually catch on pretty quick.

Mat Man:  Ask your child to listen to the song of Mat Man while pointing to the parts on the Mat Man picture.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLltrcA1u7Q   Play the song again.  This time use the second Mat Man paper and have them trace the head and body and add the parts that are missing.

Story:  The story that I would like your child to listen to is Have a Ball by Nancy Noel Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VX3yVf8hII&t=76s

Ball Study:  Read the study note.  Ask your child to help you assemble a ball collection.  Find anything in the house that can be considered a ball.  How many can you find?

The field trip permission form is in your child's packet today.  I would like to have them back by September 30th.

Thursday, September 17

 Group Meeting:  The children danced to the video "Moose-ta-cha".  They thought we looked very silly when it was done.

Story:   The story for today was Peeny Butter Fudge by Toni Morrison.  In this story, Mother is going away for the evening.  She leaves the children with Nana.  Nana reads stories, joins the children in a gunny sack race,  helps them do a puzzle, and dances with them.  Now, Nana shares the secret recipe for Peeny Butter Fudge.  The children make a delicious, but messy batch.  What will Mother say when she returns?  Ask your child to tell you.

Fine Motor:  On the previous school day, the children were introduced to the wooden lines and curves that we use to make letters.  Today, the children used those lines and curves to sing the Wood Piece Hokey Pokey.

Let's Find Out Magazine:  Our magazine was about emotions.  The children had to cut the magazine in half with a scissors to create a book.  Please read through this book with your child.   

Gross Motor:  The children went to the Outdoor Classroom.

Snack:  The snack for today was Goldfish, juice and water.

At Home Learning

Name Book: please help your child trace the letters.

Math Journal: Read the directions and help your child follow them to complete the page

Story:  The story I would like the children to listen to is Quinito Day and Night by Ina Cumpiano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Goi3LR3jAS4  Following the story, ask your child how your family is alike and different from Quinito's.

Fine Motor:  The paper for fine motor practice is making horizontal and vertical lines.  I know it seems like I've been sending a lot of color/drawing papers home.  This is to give the children some fine motor practice before making letters.  We typically will not be doing "worksheets".

We would like to have a family picture.  Please read the note in the take home folder about a family picture for school.

Wednesday, September 16

Group Meeting:  The children danced to the video "Moose-ta-cha".  They thought we looked very silly when it was done.

Story:   The story for today was Peeny Butter Fudge by Toni Morrison.  In this story, Mother is going away for the evening.  She leaves the children with Nana.  Nana reads stories, joins the children in a gunny sack race,  helps them do a puzzle, and dances with them.  Now, Nana shares the secret recipe for Peeny Butter Fudge.  The children make a delicious, but messy batch.  What will Mother say when she returns?  Ask your child to tell you.

Fine Motor:  On the previous school day, the children were introduced to the wooden lines and curves that we use to make letters.  Today, the children used those lines and curves to sing the Wood Piece Hokey Pokey.

Let's Find Out Magazine:  Our magazine was about emotions.  The children had to cut the magazine in half with a scissors to create a book.  Please read through this book with your child.   

Gross Motor:  The children went to the Outdoor Classroom.

Snack:  The snack for today was carrots, ranch dip, juice and water.

At Home Learning

Name Book: please help your child trace the letters.

Math Journal: Read the directions and help your child follow them to complete the page

Story:  The story I would like the children to listen to is Quinito Day and Night by Ina Cumpiano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Goi3LR3jAS4  Following the story, ask your child how your family is alike and different from Quinito's.

Fine Motor:  The paper for fine motor practice is making horizontal and vertical lines.  I know it seems like I've been sending a lot of color/drawing papers home.  This is to give the children some fine motor practice before making letters.  We typically will not be doing "worksheets".

We would like to have a family picture.  Please read the note in the take home folder about a family picture for school.

Tuesday, September 15

 Group Meeting:  After everyone had finished name printing in their Name Book , we did the Freeze Dance.

Story:  The story for today was Charlie Anderson by Barbara Abercrombie.  Charlie is a cat who lives with Sarah and Elizabeth.  Everyday after breakfast, Charlie leaves their house and goes into the woods.  At night, Charlie returns in time for dinner and bed time.  One stormy night, Charlie doesn't come home.  Ask your child to tell you where they found Charlie. 

Fine Motor:  The children were introduced to the lines and curves that we will be using as part of the Learning Without Tears curriculum.  They learned about big lines and little lines, big curves and little curves.  We used the little curves to play along with a song called Tap, Tap.

Math Journal:  The children received their first Math Journal.  They used crayons to color the apple on the cover.  

Gross Motor:  The children went to the Outdoor Classroom.   We were so happy to get outside!!

Snack:  The snack for today was applesauce with milk and water.

At Home Learning

Name Page:  Ask your child to trace the letters.

Story:  Listen to the story A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman or watch it on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-6unKFRTsQ 

Positional Words:  Where is Corduroy?  Cut the cards for your child.  Have them pick a card and tell you where Corduroy is in the picture.  Encourage them to use words such as behind, under, in, next to, etc.

Math Journal:  Complete the math journal page as directed.  You may want to demonstrate how to draw an apple.  A simple circle with a stem is good!

Fine Motor:  Use the paper of the fence with birds to practice tracing lines.  Follow the arrows to make lines that start at the top and go down and lines that go from left to right.

If you ever have any questions about the take home work, please let me know!

Monday, September 14

Group Meeting:  After everyone had finished name printing in their Name Book , we did the Freeze Dance.

Story:  The story for today was Charlie Anderson by Barbara Abercrombie.  Charlie is a cat who lives with Sarah and Elizabeth.  Everyday after breakfast, Charlie leaves their house and goes into the woods.  At night, Charlie returns in time for dinner and bed time.  One stormy night, Charlie doesn't come home.  Ask your child to tell you where they found Charlie. 

Fine Motor:  The children were introduced to the lines and curves that we will be using as part of the Learning Without Tears curriculum.  They learned about big lines and little lines, big curves and little curves.  We used the little curves to play along with a song called Tap, Tap.

Math Journal:  The children received their first Math Journal.  They used crayons to color the apple on the cover.  

Gross Motor:  The children went to the Outdoor Classroom.   We were so happy to get outside!!

Snack:  The snack for today was yogurt with juice and water.

At Home Learning

Name Page:  Ask your child to trace the letters.

Story:  Listen to the story A Pocket for Corduroy by Don Freeman or watch it on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-6unKFRTsQ 

Positional Words:  Where is Corduroy?  Cut the cards for your child.  Have them pick a card and tell you where Corduroy is in the picture.  Encourage them to use words such as behind, under, in, next to, etc.

Math Journal:  Complete the math journal page as directed.  You may want to demonstrate how to draw an apple.  A simple circle with a stem is good!

Fine Motor:  Use the paper of the fence with birds to practice tracing lines.  Follow the arrows to make lines that start at the top and go down and lines that go from left to right.

If you ever have any questions about the take home work, please let me know!

Thursday, September 10th

Group Meeting:  The children started school by printing their name in their name book.  In the take home folder today, you will find a page for your child to do at home.

We also danced to Koo Koo Kangaroo's Pop See Ko.  It's on Youtube.  Give it a try!

Story:  The story for today was Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes.  Wemberly worried about everything.  She worried that the tree might fall on her house.  She worried that she might shrink in the bathtub.  Wemberly has a new worry: school!  Wemberly wonders if her teacher will be nice.  She worries about making a friend.  When she gets to school, she finds that school is great because she finds a _____.  Ask your child to tell you what she finds!

Fine Motor:  We sang the song "Pick Up a Crayon" again from the Learning Without Tears program.  We practiced holding the crayon and coloring by filling in fireworks on our paper.

Let's Find Out Magazine:  The magazine for today was about community helpers.  We completed the back page of the magazine.  They may keep this at home.

Gross Motor Game:  The children listened to the music to Mash the Trash.  We pretended to be garbage collectors.  Each child had a bucket to be the garbage can and a ball to be the trash.  As the music played, they tried to throw the trash into the garbage can.

At Home Learning:

In the folder you will find a name practice page, a paper with stars and a quilt, and 7 chameleons.

Read the story A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8rab-HcTN0

Following the story, talk about animals that use camouflage to hide themselves from other animals and people.  Give your child the 7 colored chameleons.  Ask them to find something that is the same color and help the chameleon to camouflage himself.  You may want to point out the beginning letter of the color word and make the beginning sound.

The name practice page is similar to the one we use in school.  The children trace over the letters as they learn the proper formation of the letter.  If you need another copy of the letter formation chart, please let me know.

The stars and quilt page goes along with a song that we learned about holding the crayon correctly.  It is mentioned above.  Help your child hold the crayon correctly while pointing to the stars and wiggling a little color on the star.  If your child wants to keep coloring, he/she can complete the quilt.  It is a lot of coloring for some children, so they may need a break or some help from you.

 Group Meeting:  During our group meeting, the children were introduced to Name Books.  The Name Books will be used daily by the children to learn how to print their name properly.  We start by tracing the letters in their name.  They will begin their name with an uppercase letter and continue with lowercase letters.

Story:  The story for today was Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes.  Wemberly worried about everything.  She worried that the tree might fall on her house.  She worried that she might shrink in the bathtub.  Wemberly has a new worry: school!  Wemberly wonders if her teacher will be nice.  She worries about making a friend.  When she gets to school, she finds that school is great because she finds a _____.  Ask your child to tell you what she finds!

Fine Motor:   Before we learn to print letters, we need to be sure that we can hold the crayon correctly.  The children listened to a song called "The Crayon Song" from the Learning Without Tears program (available on Youtube).  The song teaches them the correct way to hold the crayon.  After the song, we practiced holding the crayon and coloring.  The children were encouraged to point the crayon on a star or firefly and wiggle the crayon to put a little color on it.

Let's Find Out Magazine:  The magazine for today was about community helpers.  We completed the back page of the magazine.  They may keep this at home.

Snack:  The snack for today was blueberry fig bars with juice and water.

At Home Learning:

In the folder you will find a name practice page, a paper with stars and a quilt, and 7 chameleons.

Read the story A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8rab-HcTN0

Following the story, talk about animals that use camouflage to hide themselves from other animals and people.  Give your child the 7 colored chameleons.  Ask them to find something that is the same color and help the chameleon to camouflage himself.  You may want to point out the beginning letter of the color word and make the beginning sound.

The name practice page is similar to the one we use in school.  The children trace over the letters as they learn the proper formation of the letter.  If you need another copy of the letter formation chart, please let me know.

The stars and quilt page goes along with a song that we learned about holding the crayon correctly.  It is mentioned above.  Help your child hold the crayon correctly while pointing to the stars and wiggling a little color on the star.  If your child wants to keep coloring, he/she can complete the quilt.  It is a lot of coloring for some children, so they may need a break or some help from you.

 Group Meeting:  During our group meeting, the children were introduced to Name Books.  The Name Books will be used daily by the children to learn how to print their name properly.  We start by tracing the letters in their name.  They will begin their name with an uppercase letter and continue with lowercase letters.

Story:  The story for today was Pete the Cat Rocking in His School Shoes by Eric Litwin.  Pete the Cat is going to school.  He is not familiar with all of the areas of the school.  Does he worry?  Goodness no!  No matter what happens, he keeps singing his song!

Math:  Following the story, we played a numeral identification game.  I had a small cutout of Pete the Cat.  In a pocket chart, I placed 10 cards with a numeral on each card 1-10.  The children closed their eyes while I hid Pete behind one of the cards.  The children took turns guessing which card Pete was hiding behind.  The children took turns hiding Pete and guessing where he was.

Fine Motor:   Before we learn to print letters, we need to be sure that we can hold the crayon correctly.  The children listened to a song called "The Crayon Song" from the Learning Without Tears program (available on Youtube).  The song teaches them the correct way to hold the crayon.  After the song, we practiced holding the crayon and coloring.  The children were encouraged to point the crayon on a star or firefly and wiggle the crayon to put a little color on it.

Snack:  The snack for today was applesauce, milk and water. 

The children do not have any "homework" for today.  With the holiday being yesterday, the Mon/Wed class did not have school.  Therefore, I didn't want to get the classes ahead of each other.  They should have a new book to read, however, if they returned the last one that they took home. 

We're off to a good start!

 Group Meeting:  We had a great first full session of school!  We are counting the days that we attend school using a Ten Frame.  I will put a sticker on the Ten Frame every day.  We are beginning to learn the Pledge of Allegiance.  During Group Meeting, I introduced the children to Meier and Malia my classroom puppets.  Meier and Malia will be teaching the children about our classroom rules.

Story:  The story for today was Little Blue and Little Yellow by Leo Lionni.  Little Blue and Little Yellow are friends.  One day, they hugged each other.  When they did, they turned green.  When they were green, their parents couldn't recognize them.  How will they be able to make their parents see who they are?  Ask your child to tell you.

Science:  I read the nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty to the children.  We said it together several times. Humpty Dumpty is an egg.  I told the children that we were going recreate the story of Humpty Dumpty.  I used blocks to create wall.  I used an egg for Humpty Dumpty.  When the children got to the words "had a great fall", I let Humpty fall.  The egg cracked but didn't break.  After a few more tries, I told the children that I had boiled the egg and that it was a solid now instead of a liquid.  Then I did it again with a raw egg.  This time, the egg broke and we couldn't put Humpty together again.

Let's Find Out Magazine:  Once a week, we will get a Let's Find Out Magazine from Scholastic.  The issue for today was about washing hands.  After reading the magazine, we washed hands for snack time.  We did not complete the back of the magazine because it was a little difficult.  This is something that you could do together at home.

Gross Motor:  We went to the Outdoor Classroom at the end of class.  

Snack:  The snack for Thursday was Belvita blueberry minis in the morning and fig bars in the afternoon with milk or water.  

In your child's take home folder, you will find two activities.  One is a re-telling of the nursery rhyme of Humpty Dumpty.  Help your child cut the pictures apart.  Glue them onto the other paper in the correct order.  

The second paper goes with the story that we read today.  Little Blue and Little Yellow turned green.  Use the paper on mixing colors to try a few others.  You use paint, crayons, or markers for this activity.

If your child brought back the book that they took home, they selected another.  

Please return any completed papers in your child's take home folder.  This is how the Bettendorf School District is counting attendance for the days that your child is working at home.  

If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.