Monday, November 30

Group Meeting: Today is the last day of November. We counted all of the turkeys that we put in the 10 frame this month. 

Story: The story for today was Froggy's Best Christmas by Jonathan London. Froggy has never celebrated Christmas before. He is usually hibernating. This year, his friend Max wakes him up so that he can celebrate. They go out to search for the perfect Christmas tree so that they can celebrate with Froggy's family. Ask your child to tell you what happens when Froggy puts the star on the top. 

After the story, we watched a video of a teacher going to a tree farm to find the perfect tree for her classroom.  

Fine Motor: The children glued small pieces of tissue paper to the back of a paper Christmas tree that had holes punched in it. When we tape the trees in the window, it will look like the tree has Christmas lights.

Letter Learning: The letter for today was W. 

Gross Motor: The children danced to Christmas Dance and Freeze by Jack Hartmann. 

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

At Home Learning 

Name tracing 

Story: The story to watch today is The Mitten Tree by Candace Christiansen.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EODSI1vGOA  This a wonderful story of a lady who knits mittens for children who do not have any.  What will the children do for the lady?

Math Journal:  Gingerbread Boys

Math Game:  Mitten Roll and Cover   For this game, you are going to need something to cover the numbers as they are rolled such as coins, paper clips, squares of cut paper, etc.  Using the dice in the packet, roll and identifying how many dots are on top.  Can your child identify the number without counting?  Then cover the matching number on the paper.  

Letter Learning:  Use two big lines to make the letter X.  Use the wet, dry, try board to make the letter X.

Tuesday, November 24

 The children drew pictures on the feathers of things for which they are thankful.

                                                     Creations inspired by the Leaf Man book

Group Meeting:  We did a little more Thanksgiving Yoga today.  This time, we spelled the word pumpkin and did the stretches that went along with the letters.

Story:  The story for today was Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey.  In this story, a class of children are going on a field trip.  Along the way, the come upon a turkey farm.  The children get out of the bus and enjoy playing with the turkeys.  Then, someone sees an ax by the turkey pen.  They wonder what it is for.  Ask your child to tell you how this story ends. 

Thanksgiving Count the Room:  Around the room, I taped pictures of Thanksgiving items.  The children were given a corresponding piece of paper that had all of the pictures on it.  They had to walk around the room, count the items and print the correct numeral in the box.   I thought they all did a wonderful job with this activity.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was N.

Snack:  The snack was celery, peanutbutter, raisins, juice, and water.

At Home Learning

Name printing page

Story:  Turkey Trouble by Wendy Silvano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjXTNlW2qaU

Math Journal:  Feather Pattern

Letter Learning:  Use two big lines to make the letter V.  Use the wet, dry, try to print the letter V.

Let's Find Out Magzine:  Watch the video about being thankful.  The last page of the magazine is a little advanced for most preschoolers.  Do it together.  It will be a good way to start learning about beginning sounds.  letsfindout.com  Log in as a student and use the password

Monday, November 23

 The children drew pictures on the feathers of things for which they are thankful.

                                                     Creations inspired by the Leaf Man book

Group Meeting:  We did a little more Thanksgiving Yoga today.  This time, we spelled the word pumpkin and did the stretches that went along with the letters.

Story:  The story for today was Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey.  In this story, a class of children are going on a field trip.  Along the way, the come upon a turkey farm.  The children get out of the bus and enjoy playing with the turkeys.  Then, someone sees an ax by the turkey pen.  They wonder what it is for.  Ask your child to tell you how this story ends. 

Thanksgiving Count the Room:  Around the room, I taped pictures of Thanksgiving items.  The children were given a corresponding piece of paper that had all of the pictures on it.  They had to walk around the room, count the items and print the correct numeral in the box.   I thought they all did a wonderful job with this activity.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was N.

Gross Motor:  The children went to the Outdoor Classroom.

Snack:  The snack was celery, peanutbutter, raisins, juice, and water.

At Home Learning

Name printing page

Story:  Turkey Trouble by Wendy Silvano https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjXTNlW2qaU

Math Journal:  Feather Pattern

Letter Learning:  Use two big lines to make the letter V.  Use the wet, dry, try to print the letter V.

Let's Find Out Magzine:  Watch the video about being thankful.  The last page of the magazine is a little advanced for most preschoolers.  Do it together.  It will be a good way to start learning about beginning sounds.  letsfindout.com  Log in as a student and use the password redeemer.

Thursday, November 19

 Group Meeting:  We started our day by doing some Thanksgiving yoga.  We spelled turkey and did a movement using each letter.

Story:  The story for today was One Little, Two Little, Three Little Turkeys by BG Hennessy.  The story of the first Thanksgiving may be a little hard for young children to understand, but this book is illustrated to show Pilgrim children and Wampanoag children in their daily work and play.  It’s also a great counting book!

Fine Motor:  The children made a turkey using playdough, feathers, popsicle sticks, googly eyes, beads, etc.  We are leaving them to dry over the weekend.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was A.

Snack:  The snack was Wheat Thins, cheese, juice and water.

Gross Motor:  We went to the Outdoor Classroom.

At Home Learning

Name printing page

Story:  Who Will Carve the Turkey this Thanksgiving? by Jerry Pallotta  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzwvUpSRGJA  This is a fun book full of imagination.  While waiting for his grandparents to arrive for Thanksgiving, a boy imagines what would happen if someone other than his grandfather carved the Thanksgiving turkey.

Math Journal:  Hooray for Pumpkin Pie

Letter Learning:  Use four big lines to make the letter M.  Use the wet, dry, try board to print the letter M.

Sorting and Counting:  Sort the M&Ms on to the graph paper that is in the folder.  Now count each color.   Ask your child "which color has the most?"  "which color has the least?" Eat the M&Ms!!

Wednesday, November 18

Group Meeting:  We started our day by doing some Thanksgiving yoga.  We spelled turkey and did a movement using each letter.

Story:  The story for today was One Little, Two Little, Three Little Turkeys by BG Hennessy.  The story of the first Thanksgiving may be a little hard for young children to understand, but this book is illustrated to show Pilgrim children and Wampanoag children in their daily work and play.  It’s also a great counting book!

Fine Motor:  The children made a turkey using playdough, feathers, popsicle sticks, googly eyes, beads, etc.  We are leaving them to dry over the weekend.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was A.

Snack:  The snack was Wheat Thins, cheese, juice and water.

Gross Motor:  We went to the Outdoor Classroom.

At Home Learning

Name printing page

Story:  Who Will Carve the Turkey this Thanksgiving? by Jerry Pallotta  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzwvUpSRGJA  This is a fun book full of imagination.  While waiting for his grandparents to arrive for Thanksgiving, a boy imagines what would happen if someone other than his grandfather carved the Thanksgiving turkey.

Math Journal:  Hooray for Pumpkin Pie

Letter Learning:  Use four big lines to make the letter M.  Use the wet, dry, try board to print the letter M.

Sorting and Counting:  Sort the M&Ms on to the graph paper that is in the folder.  Now count each color.   Ask your child "which color has the most?"  "which color has the least?" Eat the M&Ms!!

Tuesday, November 17

Group Meeting:  We will be talking about Thanksgiving this week.  We started by doing the "Turkey Hokey Pokey" by the Kiboomers.

Story:  The story for today was Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes.  This beautiful picture book tells about all of the things for which we can be thankful.  I used this book to start a conversation about the things that make us feel thankful.

Thankful Turkey:  On the hallway bulletin board, I have placed a turkey that is missing his tail.  The children took paper feather shapes and drew pictures of things for which they are thankful.   Together, we took our leaves into the hall and used them to create a beautiful tail for our turkey.  It was nice to listen to the children tell that they are thankful for family, food, and pets.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was R

Snack:  The snack for today was apples, peanut butter, milk and juice.

Gross Motor:  We went to the Outdoor Classroom!  We will continue to do so.  Some of the children were wishing they had gloves or mittens today.  Stick some in their pockets when it gets cold.

At Home Learning  

Name page

Story:  Listen to the story Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaaYh3t14Hw

Fine Motor Turkey: In the take home folder, you will find a picture of a turkey standing on a pumpkin.  The words “Color. Snip. Glue.” at the top.  You will also find strips of orange, yellow, and red construction paper.  Have your child color the picture.  Then, ask him/her to use a scissors to cut the strips of paper on the lines to create squares.  Use a glue stick or squeeze glue to fasten the pieces in the squares around the turkey.   

Letter Learning:  Use a large line, little curve, and little line to make the letter K.  Use the wet, dry, try board to make the letter K.

Math Journal:  Triangle-have your child trace the triangle, then attempt to make one next to it.

Monday, November 16

Group Meeting:  We will be talking about Thanksgiving this week.  We started by doing the "Turkey Hokey Pokey" by the Kiboomers.

Story:  The story for today was Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes.  This beautiful picture book tells about all of the things for which we can be thankful.  I used this book to start a conversation about the things that make us feel thankful.

Thankful Turkey:  On the hallway bulletin board, I have placed a turkey that is missing his tail.  The children took paper feather shapes and drew pictures of things for which they are thankful.   Together, we took our leaves into the hall and used them to create a beautiful tail for our turkey.  It was nice to listen to the children tell that they are thankful for family, food, and pets.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was R

Snack:  The snack for today was apples, peanut butter, milk and juice.

At Home Learning  

Name page

Story:  Listen to the story Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaaYh3t14Hw

Fine Motor Turkey: In the take home folder, you will find a picture of a turkey standing on a pumpkin.  The words “Color. Snip. Glue.” at the top.  You will also find strips of orange, yellow, and red construction paper.  Have your child color the picture.  Then, ask him/her to use a scissors to cut the strips of paper on the lines to create squares.  Use a glue stick or squeeze glue to fasten the pieces in the squares around the turkey.   

Letter Learning:  Use a large line, little curve, and little line to make the letter K.  Use the wet, dry, try board to make the letter K.

Math Journal:  Triangle-have your child trace the triangle, then attempt to make one next to it.

 

 

Thursday, November 12

I want to thank all of the parents who were able to attend conferences on Monday and Tuesday.  It was nice to have the opportunity to touch base with everyone.

Group Meeting: Our opening movement activities will be about Thanksgiving for the next few weeks. Today, we did theTurkey Freeze Dance by The Learning Station.

Story: The story for today was Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert. Look in your child’s take home folder for a description of the story and for an activity that goes with it.

Let’s Find Out Magazine: Yesterday was Veteran’s Day. The magazine and accompanying video taught us about veterans and all of the things that they do for our country.

Gross Motor: We went to the Outdoor Classroom.

At Home Learning

Name Book page

Story: Re-read Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert and complete the activity in you child’s folder  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3Ia1YSha3M

Math Journal: Fine Feather

Letter Learning: Use a big line and little curve to make the letter P. Use the wet, dry, try board.

Wednesday, November 11

 I want to thank all of the parents who were able to attend conferences on Monday and Tuesday.  It was nice to have the opportunity to touch base with everyone.

Group Meeting: Our opening movement activities will be about Thanksgiving for the next few weeks. Today, we did theTurkey Freeze Dance by The Learning Station.

Story: The story for today was Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert. Look in your child’s take home folder for a description of the story and for an activity that goes with it.

Let’s Find Out Magazine: Today is Veteran’s Day. The magazine and accompanying video taught us about veterans and all of the things that they do for our country.

Gross Motor: We went to the Outdoor Classroom.

At Home Learning

Name Book page

Story: Re-read Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert and complete the activity in you child’s folder  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3Ia1YSha3M

Math Journal: Fine Feather

Letter Learning: Use a big line and little curve to make the letter P. Use the wet, dry, try board.

Thursday, November 5

  Group Meeting:  We are ending the Ball Study today.  We reviewed what we have learned.  I heard children using words like solid and hollow, bounce and roll, heavy and light.

Story:  The story for today was Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judy Barrett.    Some of the children in the class knew this story as the movie by the same name.  The book version is a little simpler.  Grandpa tells the story of a city named ChewandSwallow.  In this town, it never rained rain or snowed snow.  At three times a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner, food would fall from the sky.  At the end of the story, the people have to leave the city.  Ask your child to tell you why.

Ball Study:  Today, we ended the Ball Study by drawing pictures in our Writing Journal of things that we have learned.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was J.

Gross Motor:  The children went to the Outdoor Classroom.  What a beautiful day!

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

At Home Learning

Name Book page

Story:  This is a Ball and Beck and Matt Statton   This is a funny story in which the children are asked to identify things such as a ball.  But the authors seem confused.  I hope your child enjoys this book.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee5BCl7_mGQ&t=45s 

Math Journal:  Dinner is Served  This page may be a little challenging.  I find that using props to explain will help.

Letter Learning:  Place the big line and big curve on the letter D.  Make the letter D on the wet, dry, try board

Please read the note about Parent/Teacher Conferences.

Wednesday, November 4

 Group Meeting:  We are ending the Ball Study today.  We reviewed what we have learned.  I heard children using words like solid and hollow, bounce and roll, heavy and light.

Story:  The story for today was Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judy Barrett.    Some of the children in the class knew this story as the movie by the same name.  The book version is a little simpler.  Grandpa tells the story of a city named ChewandSwallow.  In this town, it never rained rain or snowed snow.  At three times a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner, food would fall from the sky.  At the end of the story, the people have to leave the city.  Ask your child to tell you why.

Ball Study:  Today, we ended the Ball Study by drawing pictures in our Writing Journal of things that we have learned.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was J.

Gross Motor:  The children went to the Outdoor Classroom.  What a beautiful day!

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

At Home Learning

Name Book page

Story:  This is a Ball and Beck and Matt Statton   This is a funny story in which the children are asked to identify things such as a ball.  But the authors seem confused.  I hope your child enjoys this book.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee5BCl7_mGQ&t=45s 

Math Journal:  Dinner is Served  This page may be a little challenging.  I find that using props to explain will help.

Letter Learning:  Place the big line and big curve on the letter D.  Make the letter D on the wet, dry, try board

Please read the note about Parent/Teacher Conferences.

Tuesday, November 3

 Group Meeting:  We have started a new month!  We will put turkey stickers on our 10 frame as we count how many days we have been attending school.  

Story:  The story for today was Construction Site Mission: Demolition by Sherri Duskey Rinker.  The construction equipment has arrived to demolish a building that is old and in disrepair.  The main character is the wrecking ball.  After the wrecking ball knocks down the building, the other equipment comes into separate the materials for recycling.  

Science:  The children experimented with a wrecking ball that I made using PVC pipe, a bouncy ball, and some string.  We tried knocking down wooden blocks and foam blocks.  I used the words energy and force to describe what was needed to knock down the blocks.

You might want to check out these videos about other balls that do work.

Ball Bearings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RihQOUNsN9c

Ball Point Pen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAlbDi-kDQo

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was G.

Snacks:  The snack for today was Belvita bars, milk and water.

At Home Learning

Name page

Math Journal:  Feather Flourish

Letter Learning:  Use two small curves to make the letter S.  Use the wet, dry, try boards to make the letter S.

Shape Hunt:  In your child's packet, you will find a paper with shapes in boxes.  Cut the boxes apart and tape the shapes around your house without your child seeing where you are placing them.  Give your child the other paper and ask them to find the shapes that you have put up.  When they find the shape, have them draw it on their paper.  How many shapes can your child identify?  Please indicate this on their paper.

Story:  Summertime Bounce by Flitzy Books  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0htGZFzR3i4&t=28s

Monday, November 2

Group Meeting:  We have started a new month!  We will put turkey stickers on our 10 frame as we count how many days we have been attending school.  

Story:  The story for today was Construction Site Mission: Demolition by Sherri Duskey Rinker.  The construction equipment has arrived to demolish a building that is old and in disrepair.  The main character is the wrecking ball.  After the wrecking ball knocks down the building, the other equipment comes into separate the materials for recycling.  

Science:  The children experimented with a wrecking ball that I made using PVC pipe, a bouncy ball, and some string.  We tried knocking down wooden blocks and foam blocks.  I used the words energy and force to describe what was needed to knock down the blocks.

You might want to check out these videos about other balls that do work.

Ball Bearings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RihQOUNsN9c

Ball Point Pen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAlbDi-kDQo

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was G.

Snacks:  The snack for today was Belvita bars, milk and water.

At Home Learning

Name page

Math Journal:  Feather Flourish

Letter Learning:  Use two small curves to make the letter S.  Use the wet, dry, try boards to make the letter S.

Shape Hunt:  In your child's packet, you will find a paper with shapes in boxes.  Cut the boxes apart and tape the shapes around your house without your child seeing where you are placing them.  Give your child the other paper and ask them to find the shapes that you have put up.  When they find the shape, have them draw it on their paper.  How many shapes can your child identify?  Please indicate this on their paper.

Story:  Summertime Bounce by Flitzy Books  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAlbDi-kDQo