December?!

Hello CCP families~  

I can hardly believe it, but the holiday season is here.  The school year is in fast motion and moving along much quicker than I am comfortable with.  Does anyone else feel things are too moving fast?  

Regardless of the speed with which the school year is progressing, I feel the children are growing and learning with each other just right.  The classroom environment makes me happy.  The children fill my bucket daily and are learning the best way to do so for each other as well.  I am so thankful for them and their open minds.  

This is one of those fortunate years that we have three whole weeks in the month of December.  We will spend the time making gifts, learning about space, planets, and moons, and reading gingerbread stories together. 

What follows is a loose schedule of what will happen in the classroom this month.  Use it as a guide to start a conversation with your child about what happens at school.  As always, if you have a question or concern don't hesitate to ask!

Here goes...

Monday, Dec. 1-Friday, Dec. 5: This week we will introduce the planets, the solar system and rocket ships.  As a school we will make spaceships for the dramatic play room.  The play room is a space station and the ships help to complete the scene.  We will cut, paint, and decorate rocket ships.  We will also talk about gift-giving and the children will make a gift for their family. 

Monday, Dec. 8-Friday, Dec. 12: This week will be devoted to learning about our moon.  We will read a special story by Eric Carle and sing a song about a man that lives in the moon.  Gifts for the family will come home this week.  The 4s class will make a story board about the Eric Carle story and will hopefully be able to tell the story to those outside of the school.  The 3s class will make a picture of Aikendrum, the man who lives in the moon.  We will learn about the phases of the moon.  The moon is full right before this week begins so it will be a good chance for the children to see the phase changes for themselves.  Please help them extend this lesson by taking them outside to see the differences from night to night.  You might even want to make a sketch of what it looks like each night.  Or make a photo essay of it by letting your child take a picture each night.  Or both!  The moon is new again on the 22nd so they should be able to discern fairly big changes if given the opportunity.  Ask me how to make this happen at home if you need help!

Monday, Dec. 15-Friday, Dec. 19: This will be our last week together before Winter break starts and the new year begins!  The 3s class will have a make up day on Monday of this week.  3s class will meet on Monday, December 15 for a make up day from 9:00-11:40 a.m.  Please mark your calendars and make sure to look for it as a parent helper sign up on VolunteerSpot.  We will read lots of stories of the gingerbread man genre this week.  We will learn about the gingerbread man, boy, girl, cowboy, baby, cookie, friends, etc.  There are lots of renditions of this story so please extend this into your home by picking up a book or two from the library.  We will cut, paint, and decorate a gingerbread ornament and make gingerbread cookie dough.  On Friday, December 19 in the last 25 minutes of class we will have cookies and cocoa together before the break.  We will need some supplies from the families so be looking for a sign up sheet by the sign-in clipboard.  Thanks so much for your help with this.  

Thanks again to all of you for your help and support over the last few months.  It has been a delightful school year thus far because of you.  I couldn't do it without you.  Any of you!  Thanks.  ~Anne :)    

  

November is falling fast...

Hi families-

I apologize for the delay in getting this information out to you.  I can't believe it is not only November already but almost half-way through it!  I hope you are finding some time with all this beautiful weather to get outside, enjoy the colors of the leaves, and see the changes the new season brings about.  The 4s class has been talking a lot about seasons and what they are so it is a good talking point for you as parents to point out the visible and tangible changes that you are noticing.  The 3s too can see the changes.  Include them in this exciting time!  

What follows is a description of what to expect for the rest of the month.  We will have a visit from the local fire station, make pictures out of leaves, have some homework, have a friendship feast, and enjoy some time off with family.  It should be a quick and fun month.

Week of November 10-14: We will finish up some projects we have been working on lately and talk about fire safety and firefighters.  The dramatic play room is a fire station and the children are having fun pretending to be firefighters.  On Wednesday the 3s class will have a visit from the firefighters from the Canby station.  The class will get a chance to walk around the engines and look inside one of them.  Make sure to send your child with a warm coat and possibly a hat as the visit will occur outside.  Wear your red shirts today!  The 4s class will leave school around 2:40 pm to visit the fire station's physical location.  PLEASE ARRIVE AT THE SCHOOL AROUND 2:30 TO PICK UP YOUR CHILD FOR TRANSPORT TO THE STATION.  Our tour will start as close to 2:45-2:50 as possible so we need all parents to arrive at the school on time.  If you can not be available to transport your child please arrange a ride with another parent in the class or with another adult.  Wear your red shirts today!  :)  At the end of the week we will have a fire drill and finish the fire trucks,etc. that we started on Wednesday.  Talk with your children about using 911 for emergencies and about your family fire plan.  It will all make a little more sense to them after they have seen the firefighters and their equipment.  If you don't have a family fire plan, this is a good time to start the conversation.

Week of November 17-21: This week we will talk about becoming a community and helping one another.  We will celebrate at the end of the week with a Friendship Feast.  On Monday the 4s class (Friday, November 14 for the 3s class) will hear a story called Stone Soup.  It is about a community coming together to help a hungry beggar and enjoy a potluck-style feast.  The children will choose a vegetable that they would like to bring to add to the soup we will make.  On Friday we will make items to go with our soup and have a feast together at the end of the day.  The schedule for the Friendship Feast will look something like this:  The 4s class will hear the Stone Soup story on Monday and at the end of the day will choose a vegetable they would like to add to the soup.  The 3s class will have heard the story the prior week and will choose a vegetable to bring to class at that time.  On Wednesday, Nov. 19 the children in both classes will bring their vegetables to class.  If your child chooses a vegetable such as a carrot, onion, potato, or any vegetable with a tough texture please bring it to class par-boiled so it is easier for the children to cut into bite-sized pieces.  Celery, tomatoes and the like do not need to be cooked.  We will assemble our soup on Wednesday during class and I will cook it at home.  On Friday during class we will make cornbread, mini pumpkin pies, and honey butter.  At the end of class (11:00 am and 3:00 pm) we will go to the fellowship hall in the church and eat our feast together.  All families are welcome to attend.  I will need some things donated by the families so please be looking for the sign-up sheet near check-in.  All the items on the sign-up sheet need to be back to class NO LATER than Friday, November 21.  We will be using the items that day for our feast.  If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me. 

Week of November 24-28:  Monday is our only school day this week.  The 3s will have a makeup day today.  School will start at 9:00 am and end at 11:40 am as usual.  It will be a normal school day.  We will have open school, play, and enjoy each other's company.  The 4s class will have the first of three nature walks.  I like to have a nature walk in each of the three seasons that we are in school.  We will go rain or shine so please dress your child appropriately.  Rubber boots or the like are a must.  In the past we have traveled to the Canby City Park on the nature trail.  This year I would like to walk in my woods.  We will gather at my house and walk on a trail to the Mushroom Wood.  If the weather cooperates we may go to The Beaver Pond.  The children will carry their collection bags from our Leafman project and collect along the way.  They will have a nature book and pencil to document interesting finds.  We will either eat snack outside or in my house depending on the weather.  We will begin and end class at my house (the address will be on the permission slip).  Please send your child with a snack, comfortable, appropriate footwear, and layers of clothing.  I think we should expect rain.  :)  It should be tons of fun.  THERE IS NO SCHOOL WEDNESDAY OR FRIDAY OF THIS WEEK.  Enjoy the time off with your family.  Travel safely if that is part of your plan. 

Thanks again for sharing your children with me.  I am enjoying them so much.  They light up my day, no matter what is happening outside of school.  I am seeing the magic children can bring to us on a regular basis.  They are learning together, working together, and loving together.  As corny as that can sound...it is truly happening in the classroom.  They are becoming such good friends.  I am so thankful for them.  Thank you.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact me.  Have a great month!  ~Anne.               

October is here!

Happy Fall!  Autumn has come even if it doesn't feel like it.  We have been very fortunate to enjoy this Indian summer and soak in the last few days of beautiful sunny weather.  I hope your family has been able to get outside and enjoy it. 

The classroom is buzzing with all kinds of fun work and play and the children are really doing well with each other and with the routine.  I am so proud of them.  It has been such fun to make new friends and to reinvigorate old ones.  The classes are well matched and the children are starting to become very good friends.  It is a delight to watch.  Thank you so much for sharing your children with me.  I appreciate your effort, time, and commitment. 

The following schedule is the framework for what we will be learning about this month.  Please remember that it is a skeletal framework not a schedule set in stone.  I try to flow with what the children need day-to-day.  I provide this so that you may have a talking point with your children.  It allows you to ask questions that might spark a conversation. 

This is the main way that I will use to communicate with you about what is happening or any needs we might have in the classroom.  The website will be your go-to for information about what is happening at CCP.  Please check it often.

 

Monday, Oct. 6-Friday, Oct. 10: We're talking about apples this week.  The 4s class will make applesauce on Monday and enjoy tasting it on Wednesday.  The 3s class will make an apple cake on Wednesday.  The 4s class needs to bring an apple for applesauce making and tasting.  One apple per child please.  We will measure the peels and chop them up for our goodies.  We'll also make apple necklaces and continue to finish our face pictures.  NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10~STATEWIDE INSERVICE DAY

Monday, Oct. 13-Friday, Oct. 17: This week we will study farms and the animals that might be found on a farm.  The 4s will make a book about farm animals that we will start on Monday and work on throughout the week.  The 3s will work together to paint a barn and talk about the animals that might live in it.  They will play with tractors in shaving cream and mud.  Fun!  Both classes will put pictures in their scrapbooks on Wednesday. 

Monday, Oct. 20-Friday, Oct. 24: Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins!  We'll learn about pumpkins this week.   The 4s will work together with a friend to finger paint a pumpkin that will become a jack-o-lantern by Friday.  They'll learn about the life cycle of a pumpkin and make a representation of that.  The 3s will also make a jack-o-lantern out of a pumpkin shape and make pumpkin necklaces.  Both classes will go to Teacher Andy's farm on Wednesday, Oct. 22^nd. 

Pumpkin Patch Trip Details:

The 3s class will meet at the farm at 9:00 a.m. We will not meet at school on this day.  We will start and end school at Teacher Andy's farm.  School will proceed as normal while at the farm.  We will play, choose a pumpkin, look at the animals, eat a snack, and go for a short walk around the field.  Send your child in sturdy shoes and layered clothing. Please send a snack as you normally would remembering that children should have only water in their snack pack. 

The 4s class will meet at Teacher Andy's farm at 1:00 p.m.  We will start and end school at Teacher Andy's farm.  The children will go for a nature walk near the end of the school day (if the weather permits) so please send your child in sturdy shoes and layers of clothing. 

There will be apple and pumpkin treats to enjoy at the farm during snack.  All family members, etc. are welcome to join us for this event.  If the weather is particularly inclement we will postpone until Friday.  The address for Andy's farm will be available at the school as the event draws near. 

Monday, Oct. 27-Friday, 31: This week is all about monsters and spiders.  We try to talk a lot about things that make children feel scared and hopefully keep some of the fears children feel about the Halloween holiday at bay.  The 4s class will learn about spiders and their life cycle and the 3s class will talk about a green monster from the book Go Away Big, Green Monster by Ed Emberley.  They'll make a book and pretend to be monsters.  The 3s class will have a makeup class on Monday, Oct. 27.  Class will start at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:40 as usual. NO SCHOOL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31 FOR PHONE CONFERENCES.  Phone conferences give me a chance as a teacher to let you know how things are going in the classroom and gives you a chance as parents/caregivers to ask questions, voice concerns, give more information about your child, and generally check in.  I will hand out sign-up sheets the second week of October. 

                I hope all is going well with your transition back to school and that your child is enjoying school.  If you have any immediate questions or concerns don't hesitate to contact me via email or catch me after class.  I will do my best to address your ideas, concerns, and inquiries.  Thanks again for choosing CCP as your child's first school!  See you soon, Anne. J         

May Showers!

Hello!  Welcome to May~

This month is practically over before it gets started.  We have to pack lots and lots of fun stuff into it.  I have had such fun getting to know your little ones.  I am so grateful that they have become a part of my life...and my heart.  They've wormed their way in and they aren't coming out!  

The following schedule is filled with lots of activity.  Don't forget the Mother's Dessert on May 5 for the 4s and May 8 for the 3s.  The children have been working very hard on their gifts.  I hope you will love and cherish them for years to come.  I am pleased with how they turned out.  Also, the end-of-the-year potluck starts at 6:00 pm on May 21.  If the weather is nice we will eat/play outside.  If the weather is nasty we will squeeze inside and do our best to have a picnic indoors.  :)

May 5-May 9: This week we will be finishing up Mother's Day presents and talking about butterflies.  We have caterpillars in the classroom that are turning into a chrysalis.  We hope they will become butterflies before we have to say goodbye for the summer.  The children will make a caterpillar of their own and it will also wrap up in a chrysalis.  The Mother's Dessert starts at 7:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall.  Some mommies and children like to get dressed up, but some mommies and children come right from sports practice.  Come how you feel comfortable.  It is a special time with just you and your child to enjoy some time and treats.  And a gift for you.

May 12-May 16: This week will be all about dads and dinosaurs!  We will make volcanoes and presents for our daddies.  On Monday the 4s class will put pictures in their scrapbooks for the month of April.  The 3s class will do it on Friday.  On Wednesday, if the weather permits, we will have on Outdoor Classroom day.  The entire class day will be held outside.  If the weather doesn't cooperate we will switch to Friday.  We will also celebrate summer birthdays this day. If your child has a birthday after May 21 we can celebrate it together on this day.  There are many in these classes (especially in June) so you might want to coordinate with each other.  Maybe the class can have a birthday snack time instead of all the children bringing individual snacks.  We will have the celebration at snack at the usual time.  We will build a volcano over the week and watch it erupt on Friday.  This is always one of my favorites.  The children love watching it ooze and bubble over.  

May 19-May 21: This week goes by quickly.  We only have one day with the 3s class and it is hard to finish it all up.  We will open the chrysalises that the children made in the first week of May and see what they have become.  The 4s class will study pirates on Monday.  They will be given a pirate name, make a pirate hat and telescope, and they will make treasure maps.  We'll try to make small boats float on a river outside.  On Wednesday we will finish our scrapbooks for the year and make friendship necklaces.  The 3s class will gather for the last 25 minutes of class for me to read a special story, and give them all a little gift and certificate.  You are welcome to join us for the last part if you would like.  It is very low-key.  I will read the story, hand out the certificates and gifts and give them all a big hug.  Hopefully I will see all of you at the potluck in the evening.  The 4s class will have a promotion ceremony starting at 2:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall.  The children will finish scrapbooks, make necklaces, and practice our ceremony.  This is a chance for the children to shine and bask in the glory of their accomplishments.  After the ceremony we will have a short reception in the Fellowship Hall at which point I will give the children a small gift.  Please come to the potluck in the evening starting at 6:00 pm.  More information will come from our special events coordinator about what each class can bring for the potuck.

Again, I am so thankful to have gotten a chance to be a part of your child's life.  Thank you so much for your hard work and effort over the course of the school year.  It has been a pleasure getting to know all of you as well.  Please try to make it to some of the park play dates over the summer to keep in touch and keep those social skills sharp.  And don't forget to GET OUTSIDE!  :)  Have a great summer.  Stay safe, have fun, and enjoy every moment you can of your child's younger days.  It really does go by so quickly.  Ta ta for now.  ~Anne             

 

April Showers bring...

Welcome to spring!  Signs of spring are popping up all over.  What a beautiful and renewing time of year.  It makes one feel like all things are new and shiny and that we can all start over.  You could start a new exercise program?  Or start a new family tradition?  Maybe start a new book?  Learn a new sport?  It is an invigorating season filled with promise and high expectations.  Here we go!

This month will be lots of fun with all kinds of events and good times.  The following is a rough schedule of events of what will be happening in the classroom.  I am enjoying the children SO MUCH.  They have become such good friends that watch out for each other, speak up when they feel they need to, regulate each other's behavior, and just plain have fun together.  The play that happens in the classroom is surprising, sweet, imaginative, (mostly) inclusive, and a good indication of the growth they have made throughout the school year.  Thank you for sharing your children with me.  I am truly honored and blessed to have such amazing families and friends.  

Monday, March 31-Friday, April 4:  This week we will learn a story about a little girl that plants some peas and a rascally rabbit that eats them.  The children will make props to tell the story on their own.  On Friday the 4s class will have their Grandfriends visit.  The children will tell them the story of Pickin' Peas.  They will show them around the school and play duck, duck goose and do the hokey-pokey: because that's what it is all about.

Monday, April 7-Friday, April 11:  This week we will talk about trees and tree products.  We'll make tree projects, look at trees and take pictures of trees.  On Monday the 4s class will get a visit from the Tree Lady.  She will tell them how to make paper, and teach them how to climb trees. Please make sure your insurance policy is up-to-date.  On Friday both classes will have a class picture taken.  All children will be required to wear their red shirt, a mohawk, and leather pants.  If you don't have leather pants you will need to purchase some-check the Fred Meyer's ad.  If you don't know how to make a mohawk there are many instructional YouTube videos.  We will try to have the pictures taken outside.  Don't forget the auction on Saturday, April 12.  Plan on showing up.  It will be tons of fun and they'll be giving away cars!

Monday, April 14-Friday April 18: MONDAY IS A MAKE UP DAY FOR THE 3S CLASS.  FOR REAL!!  We will have class for the 3s at usual time on Monday morning as there is NO CLASS ON FRIDAY, APRIL 18 DUE TO CONFERENCES.  FOR REAL!!  This week we will learn about a friendly elephant named Elmer.  Elmer is an elephant that is a little different than all the other elephants and his story is of acceptance and inclusion.  We will make elephants out of clay, paint a large elephant and have an Elmer's day parade.  For the parade, the children will wear swimsuits and paint their body with face paint to mimic Elmer's colors.  There will be no school on Friday, April 18 for individual conferences.  There is a sign-up sheet outside the classroom.  Please find a time-slot that works best for you.  When you come to the conference it is easiest for you to talk about your child's progress if you come without them, but if that is not possible they can come and swim in the pool we will have set up in the dramatic play room.  We will have Brownie the puppy there to supervise.

Monday, April 21-Friday, April 25: This week we will be talking about nature and ponds.  We will go to Molalla River State Park for Outdoor School for the 4s on Wednesday, and a nature walk for the 3s on Friday.  Please dress your child according to the weather.  If it is wet and rainy send them with boots, hats, coats and rain gear.  If it is warm and sunny send them with sun hats, sunscreen, lots of water and layered clothing.  Send sturdy, sensible shoes either way.  We will have a picnic with bears, swim in the pond, and climb the trees to see bird nests.  

Monday, April 28-Friday, May 2: This week we will be preparing for our Mother's Dessert that is coming up on May 5 for the 4s and May 8 for the 3s.  On Friday the 4s will go on their last Nature Walk of the school year to the Canby City Park.  While there the children will jump off the rope swing into the river and float down to the boat dock where the parent helpers will scoop them out of the water.  It should be fun.  At school, we will talk about how special our mothers are and make decorations for the event.  We will also finish up the gifts we have been working on.          

This month is packed with lots of fun events and many new adventures.  If you have questions or concerns you are always welcome to email me or catch me after class.  I am having such fun with your children.  Thanks again for letting me be a part of their lives and letting them be a part of mine.  ~Anne.  

APRIL FOOL'S!!!  MANY OF THE EVENTS ABOVE ARE JUST A SILLY JOKE FOR APRIL FOOL'S.  CAN YOU TELL WHICH ONES?  Ha! Ha!  Gotcha!!  ;)

Spring is (trying to) Spring

Greetings~

It looks like the groundhog was partially right and partially not.  There is a lot of spring showing up out there, but the weather is sticking with the groundhog.  Daylight savings will make it easier for all of us to go out and take in all of those signs of spring.  Get out!  Enjoy the daffodils, Indian plum, cherry blossoms and crocuses.  It is really a lovely time to get outside.  

This month is a short one and almost always taken up with assessments and Mother's Day gifts.  We try to have lots of things the children can do outside of the assessments and so far it seems as though the children are not complaining about the fun times in the classroom.  I will be starting assessments as conferences are coming in April.  You will see me asking lots of questions and having the children show me all their skills.  It is a great way to let them show off a little.  

I had a great time at the PCPO conference earlier this month and it was fun to see some familiar faces there.  Thank you to all of you that attended.  While there, I attended a workshop that addressed screen time and media use.  It reminded me that I have a policy in the classroom of no cell phones or electronic devices, but that I have been lax in enforcing it.  I am not usually one to get on a person's case about something, especially since we are all adults and we can usually conduct ourselves in that manner, but I realize that can sometimes come across as being compliant.  I would really like our classroom to be more analog so to speak.  Less media.  So many of you are bringing in cell phones and taking pictures, texting, and even calling or taking calls to and from people.  We need to show our children that we have restraint in this area or we will lose the battle with them being beholden to these devices.  The workshop really made me think about media use and how we use it.  Is it intentional, or is it passive?  Are we just using our devices (and staring at a screen) because it is there and has a strong hold on us, or is it a valid use?  It is time for us as adults to think about it.  Either way-cell phones, etc. will no longer be allowed in the classroom in a passive capacity.  If you have some sort of emergency need you can keep your device on the file cabinet in the classroom and if you need to use it you can leave the classroom, preferably to a location that the children cannot see or hear your usage.   There may be a time when I will bring in a tablet or laptop to show the children a video of something we are researching.  I assure you it will be for an intentional use, not a casual way to show off technology that isn't really needed.  Please don't think of this message and policy as a form of reprimand.  We are going to start anew and look forward to the future...not think about the past.  Thank you for your cooperation with this policy.  I appreciate it and the children will too.

Below you will see a schedule of events for the month.  Spring break is the last full week of March.  Hopefully you will have a chance to have fun with your family in some manner that week.  Take a day to just snuggle and read.  Take a day to go for a hike somewhere you've never been.  Take a day to do something nice for someone you know and don't expect anything in return.  Have fun and relax.  It isn't call a "break" for nothing.  :)  

Monday, Mar. 10: Today we will start assessments.  This week and the next our main project will consist of me gaining knowledge of what the children know and what they can improve on.  It is kind of like playing school.  The children will have fun while getting a chance to crow a little about all the skills they have gained.  We will also be talking about rain this week and our assessments will include that.  We will make a picture that will include many of the skills that I am watching. 

Wednesday, Mar. 12: 3s~We will start our assessments today.  We will be working on them all of this week and possibly a little next week.  We will be talking about rain as well and will make a picture that coincides with assessments.  4s~We'll continue to work on assessments.  We will use scissors to continue our exploration of rain and discover skills.

Friday, Mar. 14: 3s~UMBRELLA DAY!!  Please send your child to school with an umbrella and rain boots.  We will talk about rain, puddles and sing about umbrellas.  The children will cut out shapes to make a picture about rain.  We're continuing to work on assessments.  4s~UMBRELLA DAY!!  Children should come to school with an umbrella and rain boots.  We will go out searching for puddles and read and sing about umbrellas.  We will continue our assessments.  The children will tell me a story about their umbrella.  

Monday, Mar. 17: MAKE UP DAY FOR 3S CLASS!  This is a make up day for the 3s class as we WILL NOT HAVE CLASS ON FRIDAY.  We will celebrate St. Patrick's Day and look for leprechauns.  We will make a magic leprechaun cake and have fun searching for pots of gold and leprechauns.  We'll also talk about race cars and make a "steering wheel."    4s~Happy St. Patrick's Day!  We will search for leprechauns and make traps to try and catch them.  We will make a magic cake and continue with assessments.  

Wednesday, Mar. 19: 3s~We will talk about race cars today and make cars race down a track while making a fun pattern on sheets of paper.  The children will lace the steering wheel they made on Monday and we will race around a track while outside.  Fun!  4s~Today we will try to finish up with assessments and make a race car.  We'll paint the car today and assemble it on Fri.

Friday, Mar. 21: 3s~NO CLASS TODAY FOR 3S CLASS.  4s~Today we will play and enjoy our race cars.  We will race ourselves around a track and just have fun together.  School will not be in session again until March 31.  Enjoy your breakj!

Monday, Mar 24-Friday, Mar.28: NO SCHOOL.  SPRING BREAK.  ENJOY SOME TIME OUTSIDE.  

Monday, Mar. 31: Today we will start our unit on gardening and seeds and planting.  We will read a story about a little bunny, a little girl, and some little peas.  We will make a story box to go along with this story and perform it for our grandfriends on Grandfriend's Day (April 4).  If you can, please send a shoe box for your child to use for this project.  We will need a shoe box for every child in the class so if you have extras they will be appreciated.  

Thank you for all your hard work and extra effort for our school.  I am so appreciative of all you do!  Please remember to send a snack with your child each day that is small and nutritious and contains only water for drink.  Also, please be on time for your parent help days.  3s class parent help arrival time is 8:30 a.m. and 4s class parent help arrival time is 12:45 p.m.  If you are even 5 minutes late it makes it very hard for the day to run smoothly and only the children suffer from that.  Thanks for your effort!  ~Anne.     

Love is everywhere.

Hello to February~

Well, I can hardly believe it, but February is here.  This month is full of many exciting activities.  We'll have a Valentine party that includes making a pouch or mailbox for letters and treats from friends.  We'll learn about our teeth and about shapes.  We'll make cookies and necklaces and go on walks in the woods.  Please remember to continue to send your child with warm clothing and footwear for out of door time.  Thanks for all your help in the classroom!  I am so appreciative of your time and effort.

I want to take a moment to say THANK YOU to all of you for the special Happy Birthday messages, chocolates, plants and treats.  It was so overwhelming.  Thank you.  You really made me feel special.  

  

Monday, Feb. 3: In preparation for our field trip to the post office on Wednesday we will be painting envelopes.  We'll play in the dramatic play room that has become a post office/house.  

Wednesday, Feb. 5: 3s~We'll finger paint a heart shape, play in the dramatic play room and paint hearts on the easel.  4s~School will start as normal, eat snack as normal, and we we'll gather at 2:45 to talk about the field trip. We will travel to the post office around 2:55 and start our tour at 3:00.  The school day will end at the post office.  You will need to come back to school at 2:45 to transport your child or arrange a ride for them.  We will not return to the school.  School will end at the post office at 3:40.  I'm not certain about extra family members joining us so please have a back up plan if they would like only class members.  

Friday, Feb. 7: 3s~We will put our hand prints on the heart we painted on Wednesday and glue pictures on the hand prints.  4s~Today the children will paint an envelope for the pictures we took on Wednesday.  We will decorate a heart.  If you have an empty cereal box at home please send it with your child today.  We will be using them for our Valentine party on Feb. 14.  

Monday, Feb. 10: We will do some color mixing with paints today and paint a plate to make an instrument with.  

Wednesday, Feb. 12: 3s~We will lace our Valentine pockets today and decorate them.  We'll cut out heart shapes to make a Valentine for our families. 4s~The dentist will come to visit today.  We will make tooth puppets and necklaces.  We'll paint the Valentine boxes for our party on Friday.     

Friday, Feb. 14: 3s~It's party day!  We will have a fun day today. If your child is making Valentines for the children in the class you can bring them today.  The pockets will be hung in the hallway and labeled alphabetically. We will make heart-shaped cookies and necklaces.  We will have snack as usual.  After playing outside we will come inside at 11:20, sit together at the meeting mat, and open our Valentine pockets.  If you are able to join us you are welcome to come back at that time.  School will end at 11:40.  4s~We'll have a party today!  If your child would like to make a Valentine for the children in the class you can bring them today.  The children's Valentine boxes will be outside the classroom labeled in alphabetical order.  Help your child identify the names and deposit the valentines into them.  We'll bake together, make necklaces and open Valentines in the last 20 minutes of class.  If you can come back to school at 3:20 we would love to have you.  School will end at 3:40.

Monday, Feb. 17: NO SCHOOL TODAY.  President's Day.  Have fun and get outside.  :)

Wednesday, Feb. 19: 3s~Today will be the start of our unit on shapes.  We will highlight a new shape each day for the rest of the month.  Today will be circles.  We'll make a salt dough circle and make pasta circles.  4s~Today we'll put pictures in our scrapbooks and read about a bear that likes to draw.  We'll finger paint with brown to make our own bear.

Friday, Feb. 21: 3s~We'll put pictures in our scrapbooks today and learn about squares and rectangles.  4s~We will not be in the classroom today.  We will be going on our second nature walk to the Canby City Park.  The weather is likely to be VERY COLD.  Please dress your child accordingly.  I can't express to you how much fun this walk is and how important I think it is for them to experience.  If your child is dressed appropriately for the weather they are more likely to enjoy themselves.  If your child tends to be warm, dress them with one extra layer.  If your child is sensitive to the cold dress them in two extra layers and bring/send them with a third.  Send them with a disposable snack and join us if you can.  We will meet at the church parking lot located at the corner of 13th Avenue and Elm Street.  We will be at the far back corner on the 13th Ave. side.  We'll walk to the park, play on the playground, eat a snack, walk to the river, and walk back to the church.  School will end at the church.  We will leave the parking lot at about 1:15.  PLEASE NOTE:  There are NO RESTROOM FACILITIES this time of year in the park.  Please have your child go to the bathroom right before you bring them.  It hasn't been a problem in the past, but I have had some near misses so please have your child go as late as possible.  :)

Monday, Feb. 24: We are going to read a story about a boy made into a pizza and start to talk about shapes that might be found on a pizza.  We'll cut out shapes and start to make a book about a pizza shop.

Wednesday, Feb. 26: 3s~We're going to continue our study of shapes this week.  Today we will talk about triangles.  We'll make salt dough triangles and make triangles out of button.  4s~We'll continue to work on our pizza stories and read a funny story about a funny lunch.

Friday, Feb. 28: 3s~We'll finish up our shapes exploration with a shapes party of sorts.  We will make cookies in our favorite shape and make a shape mobile.  4s~Today we'll finish up our pizza books and tell a story together about how a pizza is made.  We'll make pizza for snack.  If you would like to bring something to help us with this ask me how.  

I hope you have a great month.  Remember to encourage your preschooler to tell everyone they love just how much they love them!  Get outside, have fun, and cherish each and every moment.  :)  ~Anne.  

Happy New Year!

I hope your holidays were calm, relaxed, safe, and happy.  We have enjoyed the time off in our house-I hope you have as well.  Now it is time to get back to the normal routine.  Routines are calming to children and let them know what to expect next.  Routines are a good thing. 

This month we will learn about snow and ice, and explore our bodies and how they work.  The dramatic play room is a hospital and surgery is performed daily.  The 4s class will learn all about our bodies and how to take care of them as well as what is inside of them.  We will talk about our similarities and differences.  The 3s class will talk about how our body looks on the inside and the outside.  We'll finish the month with a Pajama Party to celebrate our amazing bodies.

The following is a structural base of what we'll be doing for the month.  With the body project the timing is loosely based as we don't know when we will finish with each step.  It will be lots of fun and the body pictures that result from all our hard work are fun and fabulous.

Monday, Jan. 6-Welcome back!  We'll read a story called Snow by Uri Shulevitz.  We'll make snow, cut snowflakes and make a snow storm picture.

Wednesday, Jan. 8-3s~Welcome back!  We will make snow, start a snowman picture and make snowflakes fall to make a snow storm picture.  4s~We will will talk about what are the colors that make winter, cut out circles for a snowman, and use shaving cream with colors.  We'll make snowflakes fall in the art center.

Friday, Jan. 10-3s~We'll decorate snowmen with buttons and hats, make melty pictures, and make a winter color collage.  4s~We'll decorate the snowmen we started on Monday and make melty pictures.

Monday, Jan. 13-We will start our body unit today.  The children will start tracing bodies and they'll make x-rays.  

Wednesday, Jan 15-3s~We will read the story The Mitten by Jan Brett.  The children will try to identify what happens in the beginning, middle and end of the story.  We will lace up a mitten of our own and trace their hands to make a paper chain.  4s~We will continue tracing bodies and start drawing what is inside of us.  We'll paint a picture of the inside of us and the outside of us.

Friday, Jan. 17-3s~The children will work on scrapbooks today as well as paint inside a box.  We will put together a story board for the story The Mitten.  4s~Scrapbooks will be our main project today.  We will continue to trace and draw the inside of us.  The children will finish the painting of the inside/outside of their bodies.

Monday, Jan. 20-NO SCHOOL TODAY.  MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

Wednesday, Jan. 22-3s~We will read the book The Hat by Jan Brett.  We will cut out a hat shape and paint a picture of our face.  4s~We will start putting clothing on bodies today!  There will be plenty of time to let the child choose what they would like to have on the outside of their body.  You might start talking to your child about what they like to wear and what kind of prints/materials are their favorite.  Do they like long pants, or short ones?  Do they like long-sleeves or short?  Do they like boots or rollerskates?  What is it that we all wear to show our independence and personality?  This is a fun project.  

Friday, Jan. 24-3s~We will read the story Caps For Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina.  We will act out the story and put the hat and face pictures (from Wednesday) together.  4s~We will continue to put clothing on bodies and play in the dramatic play room.  We will make i.d. badges for the hospital.

Monday, Jan. 27-If we aren't finished with bodies we will finish up putting clothing on bodies.  The children will cut out a small body and draw their insides.

Wednesday, Jan 29-3s~It's BAREFEET DAY!  The children will leave their shoes in a basket today and can be barefoot or wear slippers.  Please send shoes for outside.  We will paint with our feet  and cut out a circle to make a small body.  We will talk about what is inside of us and outside of us.  4s~BAREFEET DAY!  The children can wear slippers or be barefoot today.  We will read the book Mary Wore Her Red Dress  by Merle Peeke.  The children should wear their favorite clothing today as we will make a book of what they would like to wear.  A picture will be taken of them for the book.  They'll add hair and eyes to the bodies they started on Monday. 

Friday, Jan 31-3s~It's Pajama Party time!!  Wear your pajamas to school today.  (Children can leave their shoes at the door, but please send shoes for outside play.)  The children can bring one stuffed animal of their choice and/or a blanket if they would like.  The children will paint with their eyes blindfolded and play with shaving cream.  They will add bandages to the bodies they started on Wednesday.  4s~Pajama Party Day!!  The children can wear pajamas to school today, but be sure to send shoes with your child for outside.  They can bring one stuffed animal and/or a blanket with them.  We will paint while being blindfolded and place bandages on the small bodies we've been working on.  The children will put together the book about what they are wearing.  

Please remember to send your children with appropriate clothing for the weather as we will continue to try to be outside as much as possible.  The auction meeting is January 15 at 6:30 p.m.  If you missed the last meeting this one is mandatory subject to fine if not attended.  If you made the last meeting this one is set up as an open house style to answer questions and help with appropriation of gifts/donations.  Also, the auction donations are due on January 17.  Heather Zagyva and Mali Geister will have a table set up in the art center to help with pick up if you need it.  All gift cards and certificates need to go into the locked auction box in the art center near the parent cubbies.  Continue to check your parent cubby daily for important information.  Also please check the bag under your child's coat hook in the hallway for communication from me and art work for your child. 

Here's to a successful new year!  Thanks for all your help.   See you in the classroom.  ~Anne.

Important dates to remember:

1/6~School starts

1/15~Auction Meeting

1/17~Auction donation deadline

1/20~No school for Martin Luther King Jr. day

1/29~Barefeet day (barefeet or slippers-please send shoes for outside)

1/31~Pajama Party (wear your favorite PJs to school and bring ONE favorite stuffed animal and/or blanket)