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Click here for the December 2009/ January 2010 school calendar.

News from Pre-K

Spirits were high as we turned the calendar to December.  We are now eagerly counting down to the special days posted on our classroom calendar.   Hanukkah, Christmas, the Winter Solstice, Winter Break, New Year’s Eve, and even our annual Gingerbread Day with the pre-school class are days to look forward to with much anticipation.  We are beginning December with a short study on bears, culminating in a Teddy Bear Picnic.  Our next focus will be the story of The Gingerbread Man in many forms, along with many related activities (always a fan favorite).  We will learn about some traditions and customs surrounding Hanukkah mid-month.  We will also learn about some ways children around the world celebrate Christmas.  The winter solstice will take center stage just before winter break, with many star-filled activities. Yes, December is a month full of wonder and warmth.  The hustle and bustle of the holidays are so joyful; but we are mindful that children seek out structure and familiarity in the midst of excitement, and thus, we will maintain a steady classroom routine.

January will begin with an author study of Jan Brett.  We will also use mittens and penguins as a springboard for many projects. Hopefully, there will be lots of natural snow to supplement our learning!  We will also learn about ways to continue the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in our everyday lives.  Even young children can be a role model if they choose to have an open heart and an outstretched hand.  This group, so full of love for one another, will certainly embrace our activities to build community in our school.  A unit on shapes, colors, and quilting will certainly take away any winter blahs that come at the end of January. 

January also means Journal Time begins!  We will put our alphabet knowledge to good use a few times each week to express ourselves in drawings and print. We have already begun to use ‘project pencils’ for special writing activities, and with great purpose, I might add.  The children have healthy images of themselves as readers and writers, which is paramount as they begin their first steps into the reading and writing processes.

We continue to feed Alphie with great gusto! The children are tuning in to letter-sound correspondence more with each letter we focus on. 

We wish you and yours healthy, happy holidays and all the best for a bright 2010—

Warmly,
Annie and Kate