The Sun and My Shadow

The Sun and Shadows  Letter P and Number 18
Monday and Tuesday
Self Directed Play & Clean Up
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Spotlights on preschool children-Russton and Blake
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments-
Social- Here Comes the Sun w/ questions-musical chairs
Counting-5 little Speckled Frogs
Music Appreciation/Readiness--Pick a Card ABC’s
Small and Large Movement Skills-- Shadow Dancing or Hokey Pokey
ABC/Reading-Three Blind Mice w/ Bells
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Snack & Story Time-Pretzles
Free Time & Group Motor Activity
Creating Project (arts and crafts)-Sun Catchers-Please bring Old CD’s and DVD’s
Math/Science Skills-Telephone numbers
Goodbye Song
Wednesday and Thursday
Self Directed Play & Clean Up
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments—You are my sunshine--Instrument Jam
Counting—Hickory Dickory Dock
Music Appreciation/Readiness-Musical Bingo-learning musical Symbols and signs
Small and Large Movement Skills—I’m a little Groundhog (I'm a little groundhog, furry and round. you may see me pop out of the ground. When I see my shadow, down I stay. Six more weeks of winter is on its way)
ABC/Reading:  Alphabet Rumba
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Snack & Story Time-Popcorn
Free Time & Group Motor Activity
Creating Project (arts and crafts)-Shadow Art /Shadow Puppets-(made with cookie cutters/Popsicle sticks)
Math/Science Skills-Numbers Bingo
Goodbye Song


Calendar:  I will work to get out February Calendars by the end of this week.  Look for them in your child’s backpack.  We will be having show and tell the first week in February- Wednesday and Thursday. I would like every child to bring their favorite book from home.  We will have them summarize the book and why they like the book and I will have them available for the students to look at them during free play.

Home Challenge:  Have you tried having your child read to you some simple books yet?  Let them sound the words out and I think you will be surprised how well they can read.  I recommend the “Red Books” at the Library.  The series of books is called “Reading for All Learners”  It starts with “I see Sam” and they approach reading in a simple step by step method.  http://www.iseesam.com/  I just bought the first series and have started reading them with our 4-5 year old groups.  If you child isn’t sounding out words yet I would recommend you just continue reading to them and having them point out letters to you or you asking them to find a word that begins with the letter… P for example.

My Hands

My Hands- Letter V; Number 17
No Class Monday
Tuesday
Self Directed Play & Clean Up
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments—He’s got the Whole World in his Hands
Counting-I have 5 little fingers
Social—Listening, Sharing and Passing Song (tap the tambourine)
Music Appreciation/Readiness/ --Finger Number game
Small and Large Movement Skills—Do as I’m Doing
ABC/Reading—Alphabet Rumba
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Snack & Story Time-Pretzels
Free Time & Group Motor Activity
Creating Project (arts and crafts)-Bead Necklace
Math/Science Skills
Goodbye Song
Wed and Thursday
Self Directed Play & Clean Up
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Spotlights on preschool children-Blake
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments—Oh When the Saints-Marching Band
Counting—Ode to Joy-Counting
Music Appreciation/Readiness/Social—“My Own Two hands” Music Listening and drawing
Small and Large Movement Skills—Open and Shut Them
ABC/Reading:  BINGO
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Snack & Story Time-Fruit
Free Time & Group Motor Activity
Creating Project (arts and crafts)-Hand Artwork/Playdough
Math/Science Skills
Goodbye Song

Announcements:  No School on Monday!  We need some Old CD’s or Videos.  They can be scratched, broken.  We need two for every student so if you could ask around and see what you can find that would be great! The craft for this is next week.
I will be starting preschool registration for next year in February.  I wanted to give my preschool families first picks.  So here is the scoop.  I will only be teaching two classes next year.  I will be giving any returning students a discount of $5 a month so it would be $50 a month.  Let me know if you are interested in classes next year and I will hold a spot open for you.  Returning students registration fee is $25.  I will also continue to teach the music classes at the Smithfield Recreation Center for children ages 0-5 and their parents.  This class is at 10:00 am.

2013-2014 Class Schedule
Monday and Wednesday Classes
Fantasia Group 3-4 year olds
9:00 am - 11:00 am -- $55 a month

Tuesday and Thursday Classes
Allegro Group B 4-5 year olds
9:00 am - 11:00 am --$55 a month

Homework Challenge:  Did you know that The Museum of Anthropology has Saturday’s at the Museum.  It’s Always FREE!  It’s open from 10-4pm.  Then your child could show you the things he saw and played with this week.  Visit anthromuseum.usu.edu to get a schedule of their Saturday Events.  The next few Saturdays will be 1/19—Mermaids, Sea Serpents and Enchanted Islands.  On 1/26 Will be Ancient Egyptian Civilization.  2/2 The Culture of Chocolate.

My Earth

Self Directed Play & Clean Up-Letter K Number 16
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments—The Earth is our mother
Social-I love ______? Song writing
Counting—Who has number ___? Hold it high
Rhythm—Scat the Cat
Music Appreciation/Readiness—Listen Listen what is this?
Small and Large Movement Skills-He’s got the whole world in his hands
ABC/Reading-Alphabet Rumba
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Snack & Story Time—Rice Crispy Treats
Free Time & Group Motor Activity
Creating Project (arts and crafts) Earth puzzles/ Bottle Catchers (please bring empty water bottles or pop bottle with lids.  We need one per child
Math/Science Skills—Globe Puzzle
Goodbye Song

Wednesday and Thursday-Field Trip Day- Please wear T-shirts.  Because of the cold weather have your child wear a long sleeve underneath to keep warm.
Watch for Details on E-mail

Winter Fun

Winter Fun- Number 15 and Letter H
Self Directed Play & Clean Up
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Spotlights on preschool children-Abigail
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments—Marching UP w/ Drums
Large Movement Skills Social- Walking in the Air w/ scarves process their favorite things about winter
Counting- Ode to Joy with number cards
Music Appreciation/Readiness-- Treble Clef and Bass Clef placement
Small and Large Movement Skills-Snow is Falling all around
ABC/Reading- Alphabet Rumba w/ new letters
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Snack & Story Time-Pretzels
Free Time & Group Motor Activity
Creating Project (arts and crafts)-Shaving Cream Snowmen/Birdfeeders
Math/Science Skills-Phone Number Practice
Goodbye Song
Self Directed Play & Clean Up
Weather, Calendar, Counting, Letter and Number of the Week
Seat Work
Reading and Writing
Show and Tell- Bring 15 things
Music Circle Time
Hello Song
Instruments-“Winter Wonderland” with Instruments
Social-“It Snowed” w/ bean bag-tell one thing they can do in the snow
Counting-Hickory Dickory Dock
Music Appreciation/Readiness-Lines and Space Toss
Small and Large Movement Skills-Once there was a snowman
ABC/Reading ABC letters starting on a different letter
Singing—Child Chooses Songs
Snack & Story Time-Chex Cereal Mix
Free Time & Group Motor Activity
Creating Project (arts and crafts)Touch and Feel Winter Scene/Color Snow
Math/Science Skills-Candy Land
Goodbye Song
Announcements:  We do go outside for at least five minutes everyday for outside play.  Be sure to send your child dressed for the weather.  One of our crafts will be done outside so I would recommend sending warm shoes/boots, plus hat and gloves.  I will assist them all to make sure they are bundled for these cold temperatures.  There are great benefits to outside play even in the winter.  For more information on this please visit:   http://childrenareworthit.blogspot.com/2013/01/winter-outside-play-prevention-of.html

I totally forgot to do Show and Tell last week so please have your children bring show and tell for Wed or Thursday.  We will be sharing 15 (our number of the week) of something from home.  It could be anything, toys, books, beads, cereal.  Just having them practice counting up to 15 is our goal.

Homework: Homework:  For those of you who have students who will be starting Kindergarten this year it’s time to be getting ready for registration.  Have you considered visiting your local public elementary and finding out when registration is, what requirements there are to register.  Are you up to date on your child’s vaccinations?  These are things to think about now.  When I was going to register my first child into school, I knew there was a charter school not too far from my house and decided I would just visit it to see what it was all about and then compare it to the public school.  I had no intention of sending my son there but after visiting both schools, my husband and I agreed this was the school that would be best for our family.  I am so grateful that I took the time to do this.  In this valley there are a lot of options for elementary school so check them out. We really have an advantage when there are more then one choice.  Here is the schools that I know about.  There may be more I don’t know so start asking around and choose the school that you know will help your child succeed and you feel good about.
Public school kindergarten is usually in March. I couldn’t find any specifics online so you may want to start with the school to get more information.   http://www.ccsdut.org/index.cfm
Thomas Edison Charter School-There is one in Nibley and one in North Logan.  Kindergarten is selected by lottery and they hold their lottery January 20th.  They require you to visit the school and observe two classrooms so you have an idea of the teaching philosophy.  They also have you view a short video before you can register.  The school is public so there is no tuition fee. We have loved our experience at this school.  http://www.thomasedisoncharterschool.org/north-campus/
Edith Bowen Lab School is up on USU campus.  There are also a public charter school with no tuition.  For information on admission visit: http://edithbowen.usu.edu/htm/admissions
Bear River Charter School:  located at 75 S 400 W.  This school is small and has small class sizes.  They only take 20 students per grade.  The school teaches K-8th grade.   Enrollment is done by lottery and that takes place Feb.  11 2012 so you may want to check into this soon if you are interested.  http://www.brcs-logan.org/