Room 11 Newsletter
February 11 - March 2, 2020
Integrated Learning
For the month of February we focus on several celebrations such as Valentine's Day, 100th day of school and Chinese New Year. We read The Day It Rained Hearts, The Valentine Bears and Bringing in the New Year. A few of the centers include:
- Making a special 100th day snack
- 100th day exercises
- Pattern bead necklace
- Making valentines for our friends
- Sorting and graphing candy hearts
- Making a Chinese lantern
- Tracing Chinese numbers
In March, we will celebrate Mardi Gras by reading Mimi and Jean-Paul's Cajun Mardi Gras. March also ushers in our new study about Insects! We will begin by learning all Ants and Ladybugs.
Science
In Science, we are continuing our study of fabric. We have discussed warp and weft and will begin weaving soon! Weaving is a great fine motor activity and reinforces patterns.
Literacy
We will be learning about the letters "Mm" and Pp." We will read Monkey's Miserable Monday and The Pigs Picnic. Some of our activities will include:
- Mask copycat
- Microphone color code
- Marble maze
- Marble painting
- Counting/sorting M&M's
- M words I can write
- Playing musical instruments
- Pig addition
- P bingo
- Patterning
- Painting with pink and purple pompoms
- Pin punch
- Pick up sticks
- Graphing our favorite "P" food
Social Studies
Technology
The children are loving coding and programming using the BeeBots. They are learning that it is not the BeeBot that makes a mistake but the programmer (themselves). We will continue to have them out during centers for students to explore and practice with.
Drama
In Social Studies, we are continuing our study of "My Place in the World." We have discussed my home, my city, my state, my country and are now moving on to my world. We will study the countries of China, Brazil, Italy, France and South Africa. We will focus on various aspects of the cultures including food, homes, flags, history, schools, clothing and animals. We will reinforce the information learned with various art projects and centers such as, pin punch, color code and words I can write. Each class will be choosing a country to become an expert on and then we will present the information learned at a Pre-K International Bazaar. The children will try different foods and see photos from the countries chosen.
Music
Pre-k classes are getting introduced to some music theory by discovering form in music. We are learning how songs have different parts and how these parts in a song sometime sound differently. Through this practice, we are also discussing rhyming as it is related to music lyrics and making time to play some fun instruments along the way!
Environmental Science
Parents, please remember to send your child with a coat especially for the morning classes as we go outside starting at 8:30.
Be sure your child wears athletic shoes, as the creek can be slippery!
Our PreK students are responsible for filling their playground bird feeder. We have been travelling to our bird observation area and creek to look for evidence of birds living in our Lamplighter community.
Our PreK students will stuff nesting materials into the fences by the creek for the wild birds use in nest building. soon. We often see some of our colorful yarns used by our local birds to make their nest!
In February and March earthworm exploration is a relaxed time where the children learn about and handle these gentle and important creatures. All children participate with their earthworm in the Earthworm Olympics, which includes a racing ring, climbing and obstacle courses.
Ask your child about...
- Count to 100 by 10s.
- How do you say "hello" in Chinese?
- What are some ways to say "I love you?"
Important Dates
- February 11 - Valentine's Day Celebration - send cards today
- February 12 and 13 - Parent/Teacher conferences - No School
- February 17 - President's Day - No School