Tuesday, December 15

 Group Meeting:  The children noticed a few changes in the classroom today.  The risers are up for the program which means the Promethean board has been moved, too.  It was just enough to raise the excitement!

Story:  The story for today was The Elves and the Shoemaker retold by Freya Littledale.  This is the classic tale of a shoemaker who only has one piece of leather left to make shoes.  He cuts the leather and leaves it on his bench until the morning.  Overnight, someone comes to the workshop and finishes the shoes.  Who is helping the shoemaker?  Ask your child to tell you who it is and what the shoemaker and his wife do next.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was Ee.

Count the Room:  The children did a Christmas Count the Room activity.  They are getting very good at counting and printing numerals.

We practiced our songs for Thursday.  We can't wait to see you!

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

At Home Learning

Name printing

Story:  The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever by Steven Kroll  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UZhyP6jUHw

Measuring Activity: In the packet, find the red piece of construction paper with strips of paper.  Have your child glue the brown square to the red paper at the bottom.  Ask your child to put the strips of paper in order from largest to smallest.  If you have a ruler, you may want to show them how to measure the strips.  They should be 1” apart in length.  Glue the strips to the red paper above the brown square to create a Christmas tree shape.  Stick the star at the top.  

Letter Learning:  Ff

Math Journal:  Holiday Lights

Monday, December 14

Group Meeting:  The children noticed a few changes in the classroom today.  The risers are up for the program which means the Promethean board has been moved, too.  It was just enough to raise the excitement!

Story:  The story for today was The Elves and the Shoemaker retold by Freya Littledale.  This is the classic tale of a shoemaker who only has one piece of leather left to make shoes.  He cuts the leather and leaves it on his bench until the morning.  Overnight, someone comes to the workshop and finishes the shoes.  Who is helping the shoemaker?  Ask your child to tell you who it is and what the shoemaker and his wife do next.

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was Ee.

Count the Room:  The children did a Christmas Count the Room activity.  They are getting very good at counting and printing numerals.

We practiced our songs for Wednesday.  We can't wait to see you!

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

At Home Learning

Name printing

Story:  The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever by Steven Kroll  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UZhyP6jUHw

Measuring Activity: In the packet, find the red piece of construction paper with strips of paper.  Have your child glue the brown square to the red paper at the bottom.  Ask your child to put the strips of paper in order from largest to smallest.  If you have a ruler, you may want to show them how to measure the strips.  They should be 1” apart in length.  Glue the strips to the red paper above the brown square to create a Christmas tree shape.  Stick the star at the top.  

Letter Learning:  Ff

Math Journal:  Holiday Lights

Thursday, December 10

Group Meeting:  We started out the day doing yoga with Jamie on Cosmic Yoga.  We pretended that we are on our way to see Santa.

Story:  The story for today was How to Catch a Reindeer by Alice Walstead  This book is from a series of “How to Catch” books.   The children in the story are trying to catch a reindeer.  They have set up a series of traps.  Will they catch Comet or is she too smart?

STEM:  If you could catch a reindeer, where would you keep it?  The children used Nuudles and toothpicks to build something that could hold their reindeer.  Once they got the idea of building in three dimension, they were very creative.   I tried to get a picture of everyone's creation, but missed a few.  It was a busy day!

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was Cc.

Snack:   The snack was reindeer bread.  The children took bread, spread peanut butter, added raisins, pretzels, and a cherry to create a reindeer that they could eat.  It was birthday day as well.  We had birthday brownies, juice and water.               

       

At Home Learning

Name page

Story:  Who Will Guide My Sleigh Tonight?  by Jerry Pallotta.   We read the Thanksgiving story from the same author, Who Will Carve the Turkey This Thanksgiving?    This time, Santa is looking for animals to use instead of reindeer.  

Math Journal: Giving Gifts

Letter Learning:  Dd using the paper in the folder.

Please read the note concerning the Christmas program for next week!     

Wednesday, December 9

 Group Meeting:  We started out the day doing yoga with Jamie on Cosmic Yoga.  We pretended that we are on our way to see Santa.

Story:  The story for today was How to Catch a Reindeer by Alice Walstead  This book is from a series of “How to Catch” books.   The children in the story are trying to catch a reindeer.  They have set up a series of traps.  Will they catch Comet or is she too smart?

STEM:  If you could catch a reindeer, where would you keep it?  The children used Nuudles and toothpicks to build something that could hold their reindeer.  Once they got the idea of building in three dimension, they were very creative.   I tried to get a picture of everyone's creation, but missed a few.  It was a busy day!

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was Cc.

Snack:   The snack was reindeer bread.  The children took bread, spread peanut butter, added raisins, pretzels, and a cherry to create a reindeer that they could eat.  It was birthday day as well.  We had birthday brownies, juice and water.

At Home Learning

Name page

Story:  Who Will Guide My Sleigh Tonight?  by Jerry Pallotta.   We read the Thanksgiving story from the same author, Who Will Carve the Turkey This Thanksgiving?    This time, Santa is looking for animals to use instead of reindeer.  

Math Journal: Giving Gifts

Letter Learning:  Dd using the paper in the folder.

Please read the note concerning the Christmas program for next week!

Tuesday, December 8

  Group Meeting:  Our opening activity today was Christmas Yoga with YoYo.  The kids really enjoy her exercise activities.

Story:  Today's story was There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell by Lucille Colandro   This book is one in a series of “There Was an Old Lady…” books.  It is very similar to the classic There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.  The items in this book are all Christmas related.  Ask your child to tell you what happens to all of the things that the Old Lady swallows.  After the story, the children strung a jingle bell and beads onto a pipe cleaner.  We will use this when singing our Christmas songs.

Art:  The children did a paint activity to make a decoration for the classroom.  They chose a color of paper and put two colors of paint on it.  We laid a piece of plastic wrap on top of it and the children squished the colors together.  After the paint dries, we will cut an ornament shape out of it.

Letter Learning:  We are beginning the alphabet for the second time.  This time, we will do it in alphabetical order.  Today was Aa.

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

Gross Motor:  The children went to the Outdoor Classroom.  We will continue to go out unless it's raining or snowing.  Please send them in a warm coat with mittens or gloves.

At Home Learning

Name page-ask your child to print their name in the boxes

Story:  Bears Christmas Star by Mireille D’Allance   This is a cute story of a bear cub who wants to help decorate the Christmas tree, but he is too little.  I think many children can relate to this story.  I love the ending.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwz9XsTrXeg

Science:  Crystal Star-the directions and star are in the packet

Math Journal:  Holiday Cookies

Letter Learning:  Bb-directions are in the packet

Please read the note about the straps on your child's bag.  Thank you!

Monday, December 7

 Group Meeting:  Our opening activity today was Christmas Yoga with YoYo.  The kids really enjoy her exercise activities.

Story:  Today's story was There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell by Lucille Colandro   This book is one in a series of “There Was an Old Lady…” books.  It is very similar to the classic There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.  The items in this book are all Christmas related.  Ask your child to tell you what happens to all of the things that the Old Lady swallows.  After the story, the children strung a jingle bell and beads onto a pipe cleaner.  We will use this when singing our Christmas songs.

Art:  The children did a paint activity to make a decoration for the classroom.  They chose a color of paper and put two colors of paint on it.  We laid a piece of plastic wrap on top of it and the children squished the colors together.  After the paint dries, we will cut an ornament shape out of it.

Letter Learning:  We are beginning the alphabet for the second time.  This time, we will do it in alphabetical order.  Today was Aa.

Snack:  The snack for today was strawberry fig bars, milk, and water.

Gross Motor:  The children went to the Outdoor Classroom.  We will continue to go out unless it's raining or snowing.  Please send them in a warm coat with mittens or gloves.

At Home Learning

Name page-ask your child to print their name in the boxes

Story:  Bears Christmas Star by Mireille D’Allance   This is a cute story of a bear cub who wants to help decorate the Christmas tree, but he is too little.  I think many children can relate to this story.  I love the ending.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fwz9XsTrXeg

Science:  Crystal Star-the directions and star are in the packet

Math Journal:  Holiday Cookies

Letter Learning:  Bb-directions are in the packet

Please read the note about the straps on your child's bag.  Thank you!

Thursday, December 3

  Group Meeting:  We are learning some Christmas action songs at the beginning of classtime.  We are hoping to perform some of them before school is out for Christmas break.

Story:  The story for today was Santa's Secret Helper by Andrew Clements.  Santa is so busy that he is going to have a helper.  The helper dresses like Santa and has a sleigh to deliver toys.  The helper does everything that Santa would do.  Who is the helper?  Ask your child to tell you!

Fine Motor/ Art:  After the story, we talked about Christmas secrets.  The children worked on a something for their family.  They are going to try to keep it a secret!

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was Y.

Gross Motor:  The children went to the Outdoor Classroom.

Snacks:  The snack for today was Paw Patrol grahams, juice and water.

At Home Learning

Name page

Story:  If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcnCfeQ1gPg

If you are familiar with the books by Laura Numeroff, you will know that one thing leads to another.  

Science:  In the story, the mouse wanted  popcorn!  Let's make popcorn.  You will need unpopped popcorn.  Make the popcorn using whatever method works best for you.  If you can do it safely, make the popcorn in a way that your child can see it popping.  After making and eating the popcorn, complete the “What’s popping?” paper in the packet.  I do not expect your child to do the writing, but let them watch you print their answers.  Children learn a lot from watching you print.  They make the connection between speaking words and printing them.  Talk about what letters your are printing and the sounds the letters make.

Math Journal:  Stockings Were Hung

Letter Learning:  Use 2 little lines and 1 big line to make the letter Z.  Use the wet, dry, try boards to print the letter Z.  

We have completed the alphabet!  We will start all over again next week but will be doing something different.  Please return the chalkboard on Monday!  Thank you!

Wednesday, December 2

 Group Meeting:  We are learning some Christmas action songs at the beginning of classtime.  We are hoping to perform some of them before school is out for Christmas break.

Story:  The story for today was Santa's Secret Helper by Andrew Clements.  Santa is so busy that he is going to have a helper.  The helper dresses like Santa and has a sleigh to deliver toys.  The helper does everything that Santa would do.  Who is the helper?  Ask your child to tell you!

Fine Motor/ Art:  After the story, we talked about Christmas secrets.  The children worked on a something for their family.  They are going to try to keep it a secret!

Letter Learning:  The letter for today was Y.

Gross Motor:  The children went to the Outdoor Classroom.

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

At Home Learning

Name page

Story:  If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcnCfeQ1gPg

If you are familiar with the books by Laura Numeroff, you will know that one thing leads to another.  

Science:  In the story, the mouse wanted  popcorn!  Let's make popcorn.  You will need unpopped popcorn.  Make the popcorn using whatever method works best for you.  If you can do it safely, make the popcorn in a way that your child can see it popping.  After making and eating the popcorn, complete the “What’s popping?” paper in the packet.  I do not expect your child to do the writing, but let them watch you print their answers.  Children learn a lot from watching you print.  They make the connection between speaking words and printing them.  Talk about what letters your are printing and the sounds the letters make.

Math Journal:  Stockings Were Hung

Letter Learning:  Use 2 little lines and 1 big line to make the letter Z.  Use the wet, dry, try boards to print the letter Z.  

We have completed the alphabet!  We will start all over again next week but will be doing something different.  Please return the chalkboard on Monday!  Thank you!

Tuesday, December 2

 Group Meeting: Today is the first day of December.  We will be all about Christmas now.  We are putting Christmas tree stickers on the ten frame that helps us count our days. 

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