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. 22nd.
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
