A Peek Into Our Day




Week of September 16

Our new theme is All About Me and we will learn that we are all special and have unique talents. Each day a group of children will share their All About Me Bags and share with the class what makes them special. We will continue to practice writing our names the big kid way. In Math, we began sorting last week. We sorted Bingo chips by color. This week we will sort by shape.

On Friday afternoon, we finally had the opportunity to vote on the name of our class pet. Sweetie is the name of our red Betta fish! 
                         
       
Monday, September 23rd, is Independence Day. This is the day when caregivers are no longer permitted in the building and children walk to their classrooms all by themselves. Take the opportunity this week to prepare your child. Walk them inside the building and watch them walk to the door alone. Stand outside the main doors and watch your child. Praise them for a job well done! Many children have begun this process already and they are doing amazing. I am so proud of them!

Each child will need an empty paper towel roll for an activity at the end of the month. Please send one in by Friday, September 27th.

Next week, we will learn about Apples. If you are able to donate an item for taste testing on Friday, September, 27th, please email me:
                a gallon of apple cider    (someone volunteered)
                a gallon of apple juice 
                four red apples    (someone volunteered)
                four yellow apples
                four green apples    (someone volunteered)

Monday: We began our new theme by reading a beautiful book, Designed By God So I Must Be Special. The book discussed the five senses and how wonderful it is to experience God's world and be a part of it. We used markers to color a child shape. These unique self portraits will be decorated tomorrow using buttons, stickers, yarn hair, etc.

Tuesday: Today we discussed how each of us is unique and special. Using rocks as a comparison, we investigated how each rock was different (different shapes, colors, texture). God made the rocks just like he created us. We are also different colors and sizes, like the rocks. Each child chose a rock that he or she felt was special. This rock became a Prayer Rock. We wrote the children's names on the rocks and they added paint fingerprints. These rocks will decorate our Prayer Table to remind us all year how special we are and that God loves us.

The children have been doing a great job sharing their All About Me Bags so far. Each child sits on the bench and shares the contents of their bags. The class is very excited to see what makes their classmates special.

Wednesday: Last week we introduced writing our names the big kid way. Today we practiced tracing our names on laminated cards. We are encouraging the children to use proper pencil grip. Please watch your child at home to ensure that he or she is holding the pencil correctly. Many of the children have been switching from a correct grip to a fist like grip throughout an activity. Also, please watch scissor grip as well. We always say "thumb up!" to help them remember the correct grip.

Tomorrow is our Gym day so please remember to wear a shirt with your child's name written on it for class. 

***************************************************
Week of September 9

We will continue with the theme Welcome to SJB. We will reinforce the expectations of the classroom that were introduced last week. The children have responded well to their new environment. They quickly are learning the morning routine. They are unpacking their bags and placing their folders in the basket. They sign in on the Smart Board. The children are able to slide their first name into the apple on the Smart Board. They are beginning to interact with their new friends at the tables. It is nice to see them share the toys and have little conversations with each other.  

Rest time has gone well. A few are not sleeping, but they are quiet and allow their friends to rest. The children have been sleeping with their stuffed animals in an appropriate manner. The rule is that the stuffed animals must stay in the bag until rest time. However, a few children are walking into school in the morning carrying their toys. They refuse to place their toys in their schoolbag. Please be sure the stuffed animals are inside the schoolbag before the children enter school. 

Next week, our theme will be "All About Me". The children will receive a brown bag, All About Me Bag, to prepare for next week. Please keep the bags at home until your child's assigned day. 

This Thursday is Picture Day. All children will be photographed for the yearbook, even if you are not purchasing a photo package. Children may dress down in Sunday best clothes. Our class has Gym that day so please be sure your child wears sneakers or similar style or they will not be permitted to participate in class.

Monday: Every Monday, we have two special classes. Spanish in the morning and Music in the afternoon. We travel to the Main Building to see Ms. Koval for la clase de espanol. Mrs. Wagner comes to our class for Music. Due to two specials, we do not have Shelf Work (Centers) on Mondays.

We read Mo Willems new book, The Pigeon Has to Go to School. I love his Pigeon series because it invites the children to participate. In each of the books, the reader is tasked with keeping the Pigeon out of trouble. As the Pigeon speaks, the children instinctively respond. Last week, I read a few previous books at Guest Reader time so the children would become familiar with Pigeon's personality. During Group Time, we created a Pigeon craft. I placed all the cut outs that the children required for the activity inside their pencil boxes. The children had to listen carefully to the directions and locate which piece they needed from their box and glue it in the correct spot.

I introduced our Star Student activity today. I shared a poster with information about myself. Next week, Mrs. Golebiowski will be the Star Student. Then we pass it to the children. I will choose a ping pong ball (the balls are labeled with the children's names) from the jar to see who the Star Student will be each week.

Tuesday: We continued our discussion of our class rule, "Be Kind". I introduced our Tree of Good Deeds. When Mrs. Golebiowski and I witness a random act of kindness the children earn a sticker on their shape on the tree. For example, during September our Tree of Good Deeds has tweny-three apples, one for each student. We hope the children have a few stickers on their apples by the end of the month. In October, a new shape will be on the tree.

During Shelf Work, the children are practicing cutting curves by cutting a large circle. I am assessing shape recognition and pencil grip this week.

During our afternoon Group Work, we completed our first Clifford Magazine. Together we read the magazine. Then we watch the corresponding videos on the Smart Board. With each magazine, there is also an online game that we play on the Smart Board. There is a letter in the folders today explaining how to access online activities at home.

Wednesday: During Shelf Work, we continued to practice cutting a circle and assessing shapes. I wanted to devote two days to these activities. I love how eager my friends are to work with the teachers. On Tuesday, when I announced that it was time to clean up several children were quite upset that they did not work with us at the tables yet. They are so excited about school that even a simple activity such as tracing a triangle as I assess pencil grip brings joy to them. We finished assessing all the children today.

Tomorrow is Picture Day. Please order pictures online or send in payment tomorrow. Our pictures are scheduled for 8:30 in the morning. Please remember to wear sneakers of similar shoes for Gym Class.

Thursday: Today we discussed writing our name the "Big Kid" way. It is developmentally appropriate to teach children to first write their names using uppercase letters. When the reach the four year old class, they possess the fine motor skills to attempt lowercase letters. We talked about initials. We practiced tracing our first names. I encourage the children to write their own names, even if they can only write one letter. Please teach your child proper letter formation and to always begin at the top.

School pictures ran over a bit. We went back to the classroom to have snack and missed Gym Class. Instead, we went outside to the playground. The children were so patient and quiet during picture time. They needed to move around and release some energy. During lunch recess, the weather was very hot so we went inside after 20 minutes of running in the field. We rehydrated with our water bottles and watched an episode of Paw Patrol.

Friday: We read the book, If You Take a Mouse to School, by Laura Numeroff. In the book, Mouse packs a lunch and attends school with the boy. Mouse is busy all day with different activities. We discussed items that are acceptable for school. We discussed how to respect toys in school.

We continued to identify our initials. The children decorated a large cut out of their initial with various art supplies. We used a q-tip to apply liguid glue to the paper and then added the sequin, button, etc.

Have a wonderful weekend! Don't forget to send your child's All About Me Bag on his or her assigned day next week.  

***************************************************
Week of September 3

Welcome to SJB! This will be our theme for the next two weeks. Whether your child is a returning student or new to our school, we are welcoming them to a new year at SJB. We will spend a majority of our time this week introducing classroom expectations and our class rule, "BE KIND". We will ease into our daily routine allowing the children to adjust to their new surroundings. I have a few projects planned which will provide me with the opportunity to assess the children's pencil and scissor grip, ability to glue and trace, color and shape recognition, and following directions. These assessments will aid in determining how to plan the next few weeks.

Snack: Remember to pack a morning snack each day inside the lunch box. Also, send in a water bottle that is separate from the lunch box for drinks throughout the day. If your child attends Eagles Club, please pack a snack and place the snack in the front pocket of your child's schoolbag. Please send two napkins in the lunch box everyday for snack and lunch.

Arrival: On the first day, you may walk your child into the classroom to help him or her navigate hanging the belongings in the cubby and placing the folder in the basket. On day two, parents walk children to the classroom door and allow the children to enter the classroom by themselves. We need to begin establishing our morning routine. Parents may walk their children into the building and to the classroom door until September 23rd, which is known as Independence Day in the Early Childhhod building. Doors open at 7:20. Our day begins promptly at 7:35, so please be on time.

Lunch: I will send home any food that your child brings from home and does not finish. I want you to be aware of what they are eating. Please be patient with us. Mrs. Golebiowski and I have twenty-three students and we will do our best to encourage eating. Mrs. Golebiowski will take those students who order through the hot lunch line. I stay at the tables opening lunches for those who pack lunch. In the beginning, the children are either too excited to eat or starved. Their bodies are adjusting to their new eating times. Please send two napkins in the lunchbox everyday for snack and lunch.

Rest time: I noticed that a few children brought pillows to school for rest time. In the four year old classes, we do not allow pillows. The cubbies are crowded with the blankets and change of shoes/ underwear. Your child may bring in a SMALL stuffed animal to sleep with. This will be kept in the schoolbag, not the cubby. If the stuffed animal becomes a distraction during rest, your child will have to return it to the school bag.

Outerwear: Please be sure everything is labeled with your child's first and last name. On rainy days, we ask that your child does not bring an umbrella into the classroom. Please have your child wear a raincoat or any coat with a hood.


Tuesday: Happy First Day of School! We began our day with Circle Time and introduced our "Super Star Helpers" classroom jobs. This took some time as I explained each job to the class. During Shelf Work, I introduced all the center areas. Our Special today was Library with Mrs. Oldiges and Mrs. Tobin. The children were excited to visit the Library and hear a story. Each week, the children will hear a story and complete a coloring activity that corelates to the story.

After lunch, I read Pete the Cat, Rocking in My School Shoes, by Eric Litwin. Then the children retrieved their new pencil boxes from their cubbies. I love new crayons!!! We colored a picture of Pete the Cat on a First Day of School certificate.

I am happy to report that the class earned thier first Mr. Potato Head piece! Every time I receive a good report when I pick the class up from a Special Class Teacher or the class does an amazing job as a whole, we earn a piece to assemble Mr. Potato Head. In Library, I was told that my friends did an "Excellent job!". Wow! I usually do not introduce our Mr. Potato Head reward system until week two. Earning a piece on Day One is a great accomplishment. I am so proud of my friends! Sometimes I draw a name to dress Mr. Potato Head and sometimes I choose a child who is doing an exceptional job. Many friends were on task all day, but we only could add one piece. Antonio was chosen and  he added a mouth. When Mr. Potato Head is completely assembled, we will vote on a class reward. Some examples include a dance party, special snack, stuffed animal day, extra recess, movie at lunch, etc. 

Wednesday: We continued to have fun with Pete the Cat. I read Pete the Cat and the Four Groovy Buttons. I even wore my own yellow shirt with four groovy felt buttons. As I read the book, I removed a button each time Pete lost a button. The children enjoyed helping me count down from the number four. Afterwards, the students glued a yellow shirt to a Pete the Cat cut out. Then we worked on number recognition as the students attached numbered button stickers to Pete's shirt. I provided the children with four button stickers and they had to put them on the shirt in the correct order. These will be on display outside our classroom.

We met Mrs. Newcomb, our Art teacher, today. The children walked across the hall to the Art room. They really love sitting in the big kid chairs!

During Shelf Work, we practiced proper scissor grip and cutting on a line. The children cut out strips of paper as we observed their techniques. We also decorated a special cover for our binders.

Thank you to everyone who chose a donation card at the orientation. I am overwhelmed by your generosity! Thank you so much for all of the donations. The kitchen items will be used when we do our weekly cooking. Many of the other items will be used for our STEAM activities. The chalk and bubbles will come in handy tomorrow when we have the black top for recess.

Reminder: Thursday is our Gym day! Mrs. Schock requests that your child wears a school shirt that is labeled with his or her name on the front. You may write this with a permanent marker. 

Thursday: We read one of my favorite books, The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt. This book is quite humorous and the children love it! It sparks great conversations about treating other kindly and learning that everyone has feelings. The children each chose a crayon to decorate. They had to cut out the crayon shape and then follow directions to add arms, legs, and a face to the crayon. These crayons will decorate a bulletin board inside the classroom. We cannot wait for you to see all our creations when you come to Back to School night. 

We completed our first Religion book page today. Each lesson comes with a parent letter. Since this is the first lesson in the unit, you will also receive a Unit One letter and a Lesson One letter. We complete one lesson weekly.

We attended Gym class in the Hall with Mrs. Schock. Each special teacher has a webpage on the site. They do not update as often as homeroom teachers. Please take a look at their pages.

We ate lunch in the classroom today. We had a lot of cleaning up to do after Shelf Work and were going to be late for lunch. Also, we are learning how to walk in a line which means it takes a bit longer to arrive at places. In the three year old classes, they walk in a single line. In the four year old classes, we begin having a boy line and a girl line. My friends are very curious and observing their surroundings as we walk. Somehow the girls keep veering into my boy line. The boys stop to look at everything. I decided that I wanted the children to enjoy their lunch and need have to inhale it. I turned on an episode of Paw Patrol and we had plenty of time to eat our lunches.

We added two more pieces to Mr. Potato Head! Natalie and Scarlett a chose eyes and an ear. We earned one piece for an excellent first gym class. The other I awarded for great listening during our crayon craft. We completed these as a group so the children really had to focus and follow directions.

Friday: We did not attend Mass today. We usually attend our first school Mass in November. However, this year we will honor Sr. JoAnn and wish her a happy retirement during the October Mass on the feast of St. Francis. I am hoping that the children will be ready to attend this Mass so EC4A can be part of the celebration. The school was on Mass schedule today so we had snack and Computer class a little earlier that usual. We met Mrs. Coffield, who is new to SJB this year.

During Shelf Work, I began assessing recognition of colors and shapes. In the afternoon, we completed our first page in our "Green Book". This book is part of our Handwriting Without Tears program to introduce letter writing. Today's page was to practice drawing lines and curves. 

Today we send home rest towels and sheets. Please wash them over the weekend and return on Monday. I have a added a few pictures on the Photo Tab. 

Have a great weekend! It was a fabulous first week with my new friends. Mrs. Golebiowski and I are pleased with the behavior and enthusiasm we have seen already. We cannot wait to do it again next week!