Specialty Classes
December
Art
The kindergarten students explored the natural world in this month. In preparation for their "realistic" project we talked about birds in winter. They enjoyed learning about the "boy" and "girl" cardinals and how they travel together. Each student made a drawing of a bird in winter and painted it carefully with watercolors to create a natural scene.
In prek our focus was on collage and using parts to make a whole picture. We looked at an abstract collage by Picasso, called "Guitar". The children then used fabric, paper and lace to design their own collages, complete with titles. To celebrate the season the children also created colorful "holiday trees" from construction paper and marker, Excitement was in the air as they delighted in adding their own decorations to the trees.
Wishing all of our families a warm and wonderful holiday season!
Mrs. Glavas
Oswego Road PreK Children Create Collages
Spanish
¡Llegaron las fiestas de diciembre! The Holiday Season is here and in Spanish class we are using all vocabulary to describe, count and have conversations about items and traditions. I am focusing on Latin American traditions, but we mentioned other celebrations like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. This week the students learned about the life of Jose Feliciano, who made the popular song “Feliz Navidad”. We made a comparison of “Rudolph” with “El burrito Sabanero” (The Sabana Donkey) a Puertorrican traditional song. We also talked a little about "Las Posadas", a Mexican tradition. Christmas is full of religious traditions in Latin America but in class we only discussed the cultural aspects of it.
I wish all families a joyous time and a safe Winter Break!
Bartlett Kinder- garten Class
Plainfield Kinder- garten Class
Wheaton PreK
Music
Kindergarten classes finished their rhythm stick compositions and performed them! They were very brave and shared that some of them were "nervous", but that they had fun showing their unique compositions. Performing is a valuable skill that can build confidence in front of people. I was impressed with each student for stepping out of their comfort zone and performing their songs. In Kindergarten, we also read a few holiday books this month. Students listened and sang along with "There was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow" and "There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell.
In Preschool this month, we began the second book in the "Music For Little Mozart" series. We met a new character named Nannerl Mouse who studied music in Germany. We discussed many composers this month and learned that each of our characters in our lessons is named after a famous composer. We listened to songs such as, "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" by Johann Sebastian Bach (every students favorite. Ask them about "the spooky song". I included a video below), Beethoven's "Ecossaise", and "The Blue Danube Waltz" by Johann Strauss, Jr. We discussed how songs can make us feel different kind of emotions and how they use different notes, and instruments to do so. This week students also played the notes E,D,D,C on the Xylophone exploring "Mi, Re, and Do" as well as playing along with voices.
Physical Development
Kindergarten wrapped up their hockey unit and were finally able to play, a short hockey game. Students also started a Manipulatives unit where they worked on visual tracking, aiming, target throwing, and coordination by playing partner games with paddles and beanbags. This week students played a Rudolph tag game! "Rudolph" stands in the middle of the gym, calls out the different names of Santa's reindeer, and the "reindeer" have to run by Rudolph to the other side of the gym without getting tagged. If the reindeer gets tagged, s/he becomes "Rudolph's helper" and helps Rudolph tag other reindeer. When the students return from winter break, we will wrap up our Manipulatives unit and incorporate miniature beach balls to pass back and forth with a partner using paddles! Next, we still start a, "Stunts and Balances" unit.
PreK students practiced skipping along with quite a few other gross motor and balancing techniques. In stations, students participated throwing and catching a ball with a partner, pre-soccer skillsl, relay races, and beanbag tosses. This week students learned a new game called "Snowball Fight" which is a cross between tag and dodgeball. One student is "It" and the other students run to keep from getting hit with snowballs (crumbled up paper). Students can run to the "Safety Zone" for a 10 second break, but them they have to move again.
Ask your child to lead your family in a Crazy Christmas Santa Clone dance over break! We warmed up to this dance each day in PE this month.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10TUPkt2ez0
Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. You can reach me at brooke.rodgers@nlcinc.com or via phone at 630-527-0833.
Have a happy, healthy, and SAFE holiday break! :)
Warm Holiday Regards,
Mrs. Brooke Rodgers :)
Physical Development and Health Teacher
Technology
Happy Holidays!
Winter break has approach so quickly! I am so impressed with the progress your children have made both with mouse control and keyboarding so far.
Students in Pre-K drew a picture of a snowflake or something winter related and typed their name below it using shift and the space bar.
Students in Kindergarten created a book about their favorite winter activity. Students made sure to include a picture that matched their words.
Coming up in Technology class, students will be learning about the evolution of technology including phones, GPS, and more!
As always, if you have any questions or concerns in regards to your student in Technology class, please to not hesitate to contact me through email at Candice.Ziebart@nlcinc.com. Hope you and your family have a safe, happy, and healthy holiday! I will see you all next year!!! :)