The Wintonbury Peeper
Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School
April, 2023
In This Issue
Principal's Message
Play outside during spring vacation
Parent Teacher Organization Updates and important Information
Alpaca and Sheep at Auerfarm
Emergent Curriculum and the Project Approach
The Discovery Area
The Wintonbury Podcast
Outdoor Fun with Math and Science
Community Connections
Important Dates
April 7 No School Good Friday
April 10-14 No School Spring Recess
April 17-21 Earth Day Celebrations
April 26 Early Dismissal Teacher Professional Development
May 3 MDA Hop-A-Thon (More information to come).
May 17 PTO
THANK YOU for your donations!
Thank you for the many donations to Bloomfield Public Schools' Community Outreach Project. At Wintonbury were able to put together over 50 hygiene kits for people in need.
Principal's Message
By Samantha Straker
Family Climate Survey & "Positive" Family Contact
During the months of December and January all families received a Family School Climate Survey. One statement families were asked to rate was “My child’s teacher has contacted me about something positive he or she had done.” 91. 67% of families agreed or strongly agreed that their child’s teacher had contacted them about something “positive” that their child had done. So, what does this recognition look like at Wintonbury?
Teachers recognize positive actions or skills that a child is utilizing from any of the developmental domains and communicates this in a variety of ways. Through newsletters, teachers can highlight “positives” of the entire group. Utilizing emails, phone calls and classroom door conversations, teachers can communicate “positive things” that individual students are doing.
Often, teachers will also email photos from the classroom. These are not random. They are chosen specifically to illuminate a new skill, accomplishment or classroom contribution. Some examples of “positive things” include: inviting a friend to play, sorting beads in two different ways, using scissors with the correct grasp, successfully pouring water, independently using calming down strategies, zipping a jacket, matching letters.
“Wintonbury Winners” are also presented to students for exceptional work. This slip of paper, adorned with our school’s logo, the Wintonbury Peeper, includes an “I notice” statement that is completed by the teacher or another adult in the building. “I notice” statements highlight what the child is doing. By purposefully describing the “positive” behavior, whether it be the effort or the process, the child receives a genuine and meaningful response.
Finally, teachers also keep parents informed about their child’s progress, including “positive things” their child is doing or has done through parent/teacher conferences and progress reports. You may also hear about the “positive things” your child is doing at a school through conversations at a school event or when you are engaging in a different school based activity such as chaperoning a school field trip.
Stay in touch and if you ever have any questions reach out to your child’s teacher or myself!
From our Social Worker
By Natasha Whyte
Research shows that physical activity improves mental health outcomes in children. Benefits of physical activity include reduced stress, positive self-outlook, healthy relationships (a protective mental health factor), and increased concentration. During school vacations, parents may have difficulty keeping their children active without the structure of the school day. To keep your child moving and protect their well-being, explore the activities listed below during spring break. Your child can engage in these activities at home or in the community and with family or friends.
Ball activities (i.e.,throwing, catching, kicking)
Bike riding
Playground
Listening games (i.e.,Red Light Green Light, Simon Says, and Musical Statues)
Yoga
Bubble blowing
Scavenger hunt
Trampoline jumping
For additional activities, visit https://activeforlife.com/57-fun-physical-activities-to-do-with-kids-aged-2-to-4/
PTO News
The PTO is looking for volunteers to help assist with a spring cleanup in the courtyard, planning for teacher appreciation week in May and the end of year picnic in June. If you have some time to donate please e-mail WintonburyPTO@gmail.com. As always, thank you for all your support.
Please join us at the next PTO meeting on May 10 at 9 am in the Wintonbury conference room or via Zoom.
Join The Wintonbury PTO Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6588099102?pwd=d2xscDlzZ25PVys3RmdxK0NzVkUxZz09
Meeting ID: 658 809 9102
Passcode: PTO
For any questions, comments, and volunteer opportunities please email us @ mailto:wintonburypto@gmail.com
Thank you so much for your continued support of the PTO!
Curriculum Corner
Auerfarm: Alpaca and Sheep
Students were able to interact with the sheep at Auerfarm and feel their fleece. (The alpacas were being a little shy). In the classrooms, children participated in the processing of alpaca fleece (washing and carding it) to prepare it for spinning it into yarn. Students learned how to make warm clothes from yarn by knitting and weaving it. The pictures are from Room 104's visit to the farm.
Washing and drying alpaca flber
Creating art work with alpaca fiber
Discovery Area
Young children have many questions about the world around them. They ask: “Where did the puddle go?”, “What do worms eat?”, How can I make my truck go faster?”, “Do fish sleep?”
In preschool classrooms, the Discovery Area is a place where children can explore and investigate to answer their questions. They observe, experiment, measure, solve problems, take things apart, and explore the materials and living things we put out. They guess what will happen as a result of their actions.
In the Discovery Area children do what scientists do—ask questions, plan and conduct investigations, gather information, construct an explanation, and communicate findings. They also learn important concepts in science as they study plants, animals, magnets, properties of materials, light, shadows, how things work, rainbows, our body, our senses, how things move and change, and more. In addition to learning science content, they learn how to solve problems together and how to communicate with others.
What Can You Do at Home?
Young children are curious and love to investigate. You don't need to be an expert to help your child learn about science. Science is all around us, from making bubbles in the bathtub to boiling water on the stove. Your enthusiasm and positive attitude about science will be contagious. Get in the habit of wondering out loud, i.e. “I wonder why sometimes your shadow is big and sometimes it is small?”
The kinds of questions you ask and statements you make when your child is exploring will help develop his scientific thinking skills . . .“What do you think will happen if . . .” “I wonder why . . .” “How do you think we can find out?”
Look for opportunities to support your child's scientific thinking during everyday activities: playing with toys, taking a bath, helping ot make dinner, playing in the backyard or going on an outing. Remember, you don’t need to know all the answers—you can discover them together!!
Creative Curriculum©
For more suggestions, access the article in the Parent Resource section below.
Emergent Curriculum in Room 201
The way we prepare lessons and the environment at Wintonbury is through Emergent Curriculum. Emergent curriculum refers to a cycle that involves observing and listening to children and responding in ways that support children's ideas, questions and thinking. (adapted from The Unscripted Classroom, by Susan Stacey).
By Mrs. Hein, Teacher, Room 303
Mrs. Hein from Room 201 was watching the news one morning and heard a story about a man, Ryan Rosario, who taught himself to paint using only his mouth because he was paralyzed from a diving accident when he was younger. She thought it was such an inspirational story and knew how much the children in her class loved art, so she decided to show them the video. The children were so excited about the idea of mouth painting that they wanted to try and paint just like Ryan Rosario!
Here is the link to the story if you would like to watch it together at home:
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/meriden-man-overcomes-disability-through-art/3000292/
Mrs. Hein reached out to Ryan and told him about the children wanting to paint like him and he asked if he could come talk to the class to give them some words of encouragement and motivation via Zoom! It was an amazing experience! The children were so excited to share their art work with him and he gave us some wonderful words of inspiration! He said “You can be anything you want to be in life and don’t let anyone discourage you!” We are Ryan’s biggest fans!!
Students learn about the artist Ryan Rosario
Students practice mouth painting.
Ryan zooms with Room 201!
Project Approach in Room 303
One of the ways we involve children in learning at Wintonbury is through the Project Approach. The Project Approach is an in-depth investigation of a topic initiated by the curiosity and interests of the children. Children have the opportunity to ask questions and research answers through a variety of resources, including "experts" as illustrated below. During the project, the teacher integrates curriculum objectives into the study and provides opportunity for reflection and documentation.
By Jennifer Pearl, Teacher
The children in Room 303 began their study of the history of our mail system by selecting black inventor Phillip Downing, the creator of the street mailbox.
Our first step was to make a connection between Mr. Downing’s invention and the children. Each child was invited to share a photograph of their home mailbox. These were then shared with the class. We discussed how some mailboxes are street level and some are at the house. The class then identified the numbers that make up their addresses. They also shared the names of the streets they live on and towns in which they live.
Once a basic understanding of the mailbox and its connection to a street address was established, the children were asked to create their own mailbox by using leftover boxes and other loose parts with their families. The individual mailboxes were utilized to collect cards from classmates. This was a tremendous interactive learning experience. It also created a great example of how to celebrate Friendship Day (Valentine’s Day).
The next step was to focus on the writing of the various items we mail daily as well as create a basic understanding of how the mail system operates. The students were introduced to the writing process in its entirety. This ranged from interactive writing, labeling, and creating their own messages via cards and postcards. The children also learned about the writing process from various texts. They were shown that written words have meaning and when those words are organized; information can be communicated to people.
Secondarily, the children wrote an interactive letter to the mail carrier asking questions about his/her job as well as mailboxes and mail trucks. This would later be used to complete the study of the mail.
The basic operation of the mail system was presented within the school environment. The dramatic play area was set up as a space to further encourage writing in a Post Office Setting. Children mailed letters and cards using a mailbox they painted in addition to taking the mail truck to the office daily. This allowed them to collect the mail as well as deliver special packages to other classrooms.
Lastly, the study of the mail system was completed by introducing the children to the community helper responsible for receiving and delivering the mail and making a connection between the helper and letters that we had the children create.
The Bloomfield Post Office was contacted and inquired if it would be possible to have a letter carrier visit the school to further talk to the children about how mail is delivered and show the children the mail truck. Mr. Melvin Walker, a carrier for over 35 years, graciously visited and engaged the children in a discussion about mail delivery and answered their questions about mail. Mr. Walker invited each child to go inside his truck and sit in the driver’s seat. Mr. Walker graciously mailed each child’s letter and now they can identify who is responsible for the collection and delivery of the mail.
The creation of the letters included reinforcement about the importance of addresses as well as the use of an envelope affixed with the proper label and stamp. They were mailed out.
By covering all aspects of our mail system from the mailbox to the writing and delivery of daily letters, the children now have an appreciation for Mr. Phillip Downing and to Mr. Melvin Walker for their contribution to our lives.
Postal Carrier Mr. Walker open up his van.
Students were able to see the inside of the van Mr. Walker uses for delivering the mail.
Student generated questions
Mrs. Pearl reads the students' questions for Mr. Walker.
Student mailed letters to their families
Students mailed letters home in a student made mailbox. Mr. Walker then took the letters to to the post office.
Parent Resource
Wintonbury Podcast
"The Peep" Podcast
The Peep: Meaningful Minutes with the Wintonbury Community
The Peep is an early childhood podcast for families that gives easy tips and activities for preschoolers. It is provided by the certified teaching staff at Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School. Click here to access these episodes:
Episode #1: Reading with Your Child
Episode #2: What to Do When Drop Off is Hard
Episode #3: Literacy at the Grocery Store
Episode #4: Math at the Grocery Store
Episode #5: CPS for Parents Part 1: Changing Your Lens
Episode #6: CPS for Parents Part 2: Identifying Unsolved Problems
Episode #7: CPS for Parents Part 3: Solving Problems with Plan B
Episode # 8: Preschool Speech and Language Development
Episode #9 Helping Your Child Meet Your Expectations
Episode #10: Choosing a Good Book
Going Beyond the Playground: Math, Science and Outdoor Fun
Resources / Publications / Teaching Young Children / Summer 2021 / Message in a Backpack™ Going Beyond the Playground: Math, Science, and Outdoor Fun
Going outside for a walk or to a local park to play are great ways to help your children learn! In addition to spending time at the playground, take time to explore: do you see trees to count, neighbors to greet, or street signs to read?
Here are some ideas for playful learning that will help you make the most of your family’s time outdoors.
Street Sign Scavenger Hunt
While walking through the neighborhood, invite your child to look at and identify signs, like Stop and No Parking. Talk about them. This helps children understand that written words and symbols have many important purposes: to keep us safe, to help us work together, and to spread essential information. Try prompting your child’s thinking with questions like, “What signs do you see? I wonder what clues help us figure out what the signs say.” Work together to identify the colors, letters, and numbers on different signs!
Science on the Hill
Hills are such fun for rolling, running, and exploring. Did you know that hills are also great for learning science concepts and vocabulary? Try this in the park with your child: collect different nature items (pinecones, pebbles, sticks) and test whether they roll down a hill. Use words like faster, slower, speed, weight, mass, and slope as you experiment. Children also love to roll their bodies down hills!
Help Your Child Be a Noticer
Practice noticing numbers, letters, and other details as you explore outdoors. Encourage your child by saying and doing things like these:
- “I see numbers on this sign! I see the number three. I wonder what it means,” and “What other numbers can we find on our walk, and what do they tell us?”
- “I see some footprints going across the ground. I wonder who made them. Where are they going?” Create a story together about the footprints!
- “I spy with my little eye . . . a cloud shaped like the letter O! What do you see?”
Identify the Parks and Other Outdoor Spaces in Your Neighborhood
Sometimes the most magical places are just around the corner. Websites like findyourpark.com/your-parks can help you identify nearby parks. Even the tiniest spaces can hold magic for you and your family!
Click on this link to access current Product Recalls:
Community Connections at Bloomfield Public Libraries
A Cake for Herbie
In honor of National Poetry Month, Miss Nicole will share a reading A Cake for Herbie by Petra Mathers. The YouTube video will be available starting on April 17, 2023.
A CAKE FOR HERBIE https://youtu.be/mF6rY3Xdw_k