After two full months of school it seems that we are all getting settled and understand the routine of the day. Joint attention during our opening morning song, Rise and Shine, is just one way we have come to all understand our opening circle expectations. Engagement during the song can look like, looking at me during circle time, sitting in their chair, following my arm motor movements, or singing parts of the song. Now that we have established the general expectations during circle time we are now expanding and adding new activities and directions during this time. During our morning roll call, instead of putting our own names on the whiteboard, we now hand a friend their name. It is a work in progress finding and acknowledging who are friends are but the waiting for our turn is always a focus throughout our day.
Pete the Cat is a big hit this year! We dance along with our stick puppets during circle time, we lift our feet during any Pete book about shoes. We also wear cool sunglasses during Pete’s Magic Sunglasses. If you hear your child saying “oh no!” it is probably a Pete the Cat reference. Just some quick notes:
Themes for October will be...you can probably guess...fall related! Apples, leaves, pumpkins, the color orange, and triangles. Does your family have a favorite fall book? It would be great to share a home favorite with the class! I have been told that Halloween is a big deal here at Live Oak. Once I know all the details and as the day gets closer I will post again and send out an e-mail. Thank you for all you do to help your child grow!
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Pete the Cat is one cool cat that goes on so many adventures that teaches kiddos that when things go wrong there is no need to worry. As Pete would say, “Goodness No!” Some adventures Pete goes on are losing buttons and cupcakes (simple subtraction), rocking in his school shoes (recognizing parts of a school campus), stepping in different piles that turn is shoes different colors (cause and effect and colors), and meeting a new friend (making friends) and when a misstep happens that it is ok and to not worry.
Many books are set to songs and a download link is on the cover of each book. I have also found some songs and videos here. The website also has Pete the Cat versions of other popular books and songs we listen to in class, 5 Little Ducks and The Wheels on the Bus. Pete the Cat also has a collection of I Can Read books that are a quick read and use simple pictures that you and your child can work on having them show you where certain pictures are (“where is Pete?” “what did Pete have for lunch? *then pointing together to the items on his sandwich.*) My hope is that by starting the year with books that students enjoy it might spark an interest in reading and learning to sit and listen to a book. Reading is a part of our lives that will always be around a needed life skill. If story time isn't a preferred time of day, learning to not escape, to take a breath and not worry like Pete the Cat is really the more important life skill. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! Is the book of the week. If you haven’t come across the video on youtube, it is quite catchy. I find myself singing it long after the school day is over. This is another book that I enjoy to start off the school year. Learning your ABCs and being able to identify letters is a big part of preschool. Learning that letters are made up of lines, and those lines form letters, and together they create words is a foundational step to learning. Each student is at a different stage of this step. Some are working on making vertical and horizontal lines. Some student can say the letters of the alphabet, while others are able to point. Some kiddos know their name, some are beginning to know their classmates name as well. This week and all school year we will developing these skills about our own name and our peers. This week we will do many activities that work on name recognition and for students to begin to recognize their name in print and to respond when they hear their name. On Monday, students worked to create a multi-step project incorporating many skills including names. Students first colored a palm tree using green and brown crayons. Then they cut out their tree to then glue on a piece of paper. Fine motor skills include holding a crayon and working on their grasp. Additionally we are developing those tricky scissor skills, holding the scissor with our thumbs up and holding the scissor out away from us and not inwards. Be on the lookout for another instagram post once we have finished our project! Sensory tub fun! The sensory tub this week contains lentil beans, garbanzo beans, and foam letters from a puzzle purchased at the Dollar Tree. To make the tree I used a paper towel roll and covered it with a brown felt square. I used green pipe cleaners and green foam sheets to make the leaves that I put in with the felt square before rolling it all together and sealing with velcro squares. What you can do! Letters and words are all around us. They are part of our everyday lives. Pointing them out while on a walk or in the car creates a moment of joint attention between you and your child. It is teaching your child that letters are words are important to you and helps your child generalize that letters and words are not only at school but all around them. Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? is a classic preschool book. I love to read this book at the beginning to the school year because it touches so many important school readiness skills. Colors, animals, and sequencing! Many kids are also already familiar with this hit book that it they are excited to share that they know the animals and the tune of the song. In the morning I have been working with your child individually to make their own Brown Bear book using different art mediums. We have cut snips of paper, used liquid glue, covered ourselves in glitter, and spread our fingers in finger paint! To see a sneak peek check out our private class Instagram page! What you can do at home Read the story with your child. Better yet, have your child read it you! Encourage them to say the both the color and the animal. Sensory experiences Mix food coloring with rice, beans, or pasta. Image source: https://goo.gl/images/BRQBLr
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ThemesLearn with your child about the theme of the week and what you might be able to do at home. Archives
February 2019
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