Thursday, May 10, 2012
May 2012
We are busy in Pre-k working on our STEM projects. The girls are working on two projects as we study and observe the changes that Spring brings and plant growth.
Experiment #1:Color Changing Carnations
Where does the water go when a plant is watered? With this experiment, the girls can discover for themselves how essential the functions of roots and stems are to plant growth.As the colored water is absorbed, students will be able to see how the water is absorbed into the plant and will be amazed when th
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
March & April 2012
March and April will be filled with many new and exciting activities. In the month of March we will focus on topics such as March weather (Wind, “Lion Days”, “Lamb Days”) Rainbows, Welcoming Spring ( Animal Babies & Kites), and St. Patrick’s Day. In the month of April, we will explore Life Cycles (Frog, Chicken, and Sunflower), Seeds, Plant Growth, Pond Life, Easter and an Author Study (Leo Lionni). Our class will discuss how people, animals and plants change. They will be planting by themselves in the Science Center along with doing science experiments. The children will learn that scientists have a plan, that they make predictions and that they carefully select the materials for experiments according to their desired outcome. In our Math Center, we will be continuing our work with patterns, adding challenges such as “can you make a pattern with one kind of block?” and looking for patterns in the books we read. In addition, we have extended our number combinations work with many games that we play on the Smartboard. We will also learn how to make comparisons with connecting cubes and ribbons and measure to see which one is long, longer and longest along with short, shorter and shortest. We will continue to read lots of stories such as The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins. This rhyming story follows a wild wind that blows through a village snatching whatever objects it catches in its fancy. During Shared Readings, we have used enlarged versions of rhymes to practice a variety of skills such as finding words that begin with a particular letter sound, hunting for rhyming words and tracking print from left to right and word by word. We also are continuing “picture walks” before we read books. During this activity, we go through the illustrations looking and describing what we see, asking questions and making predictions about the book before we read the words in it. Predictions are then checked against the text as we read the story. The children love this activity and the opportunity to enhance their pre-reading and comparison skills is priceless!
We are discovering new and exciting things each new day. The children have grown so much. They are kind, caring and ready to move up the educational ladder in a few short months. I am very pleased with the progress each child is making and look forward to seeing continued growth in the remaining months of pre-kindergarten. Each day is a new learning experience for my girls. They are learning to be more responsible for their behavior and are growing so independent. Thank you for entrusting your most valuable possession to my care. God bless them all!
We are discovering new and exciting things each new day. The children have grown so much. They are kind, caring and ready to move up the educational ladder in a few short months. I am very pleased with the progress each child is making and look forward to seeing continued growth in the remaining months of pre-kindergarten. Each day is a new learning experience for my girls. They are learning to be more responsible for their behavior and are growing so independent. Thank you for entrusting your most valuable possession to my care. God bless them all!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Happy New Year! Looking Ahead...
Over the next couple of months we will focus on the season of winter. Weather, clothing,penguins and polar animals are some of the exciting topics that we will explore. We will be conducting a number of scientific experiments to help us discover some fun and frosty facts about different properties of water. In February we will be celebrating a mathematical milestone- The 100Th day of school.Many activities are planned to help the children practice their basic skills such as sorting by color, counting and learning the concept of 100. As we welcome spring, we will discover the wonderful world of plants and insects.We will have a butterfly garden in our classroom and watch fuzzy caterpillars change into beautiful butterflies.
In our pre-kindergarten program we recognize the importance of transition and continuity. The transition into our kindergarten program is a seamless process. The children have a sense of wonder and excitement as they continue on their educational journey. The possibilities seem endless for making new discoveries, inventing, creating and learning. Our Pre-k environment invites children to be who they are. This is the world of early childhood education. We create this world inside of our pre-kindergarten classroom at Visitation Academy.
In our pre-kindergarten program we recognize the importance of transition and continuity. The transition into our kindergarten program is a seamless process. The children have a sense of wonder and excitement as they continue on their educational journey. The possibilities seem endless for making new discoveries, inventing, creating and learning. Our Pre-k environment invites children to be who they are. This is the world of early childhood education. We create this world inside of our pre-kindergarten classroom at Visitation Academy.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Welcome, November!
This month the children will develop awareness of the colors, sights, sounds, tastes, seasonal changes and events that characterize the month of November. November brings the excitement of the start of the holiday season to our Pre-K class. We will be counting our blessings as we focus and learn about turkeys, family traditions, Pilgrims, Native Americans and the First Thanksgiving. I will share with the girls a favorite Thanksgiving story called Thank You, Thanksgiving by David Milgrim. After reading this exuberant Thanksgiving story about a little girl who is thankful for all the familiar things she loves, there will be no doubt left about how much there is to be thankful for. Each student will create her own turkey by choosing the correct amount of feathers that corresponded with the number of letters in her first name. Students will write one letter of their name on each colorful feather and something they are thankful for, the little things that make a big difference in our lives- books, crayons, paper, pancakes and one we are all thankful for, Saturdays! The girls will travel back into time to learn about the First Thanksgiving and compare it to how we celebrate Thanksgiving today. We will discuss what the Pilgrim children’s jobs and responsibilities were such as churning butter. The girls will have their own experience doing this by turning heavy cream into butter by shaking it and watching it change right before our very eyes.
This month the children will develop awareness of the colors, sights, sounds, tastes, seasonal changes and events that characterize the month of November. November brings the excitement of the start of the holiday season to our Pre-K class. We will be counting our blessings as we focus and learn about turkeys, family traditions, Pilgrims, Native Americans and the First Thanksgiving. I will share with the girls a favorite Thanksgiving story called Thank You, Thanksgiving by David Milgrim. After reading this exuberant Thanksgiving story about a little girl who is thankful for all the familiar things she loves, there will be no doubt left about how much there is to be thankful for. Each student will create her own turkey by choosing the correct amount of feathers that corresponded with the number of letters in her first name. Students will write one letter of their name on each colorful feather and something they are thankful for, the little things that make a big difference in our lives- books, crayons, paper, pancakes and one we are all thankful for, Saturdays! The girls will travel back into time to learn about the First Thanksgiving and compare it to how we celebrate Thanksgiving today. We will discuss what the Pilgrim children’s jobs and responsibilities were such as churning butter. The girls will have their own experience doing this by turning heavy cream into butter by shaking it and watching it change right before our very eyes.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
October 12, 2011
Dear Pre-k parents,
This month the children will develop awareness of the colors, sights, sounds, seasonal changes, and events that characterize the month of October. Our main focus throughout the month will be “Exploring Fall”. It is through that focus we will explore: Leaves, Nuts and Trees, Fire Safety, Pumpkins, Spiders & Insects and Halloween.
This week in school we have been discussing fire safety. We are learning some important safety skills, such as stop, drop and roll if clothes catch on fire and how to crawl low to avoid smoke inhalation during a fire. We have also practiced for a fire drill at school. We have been reviewing home addresses. Please work with your daughter on knowing her address. Please also take the time to discuss important safety procedures that apply at home. Knowledge of fire safety can save lives.
We are continuing to focus on our first names. I am very proud of the girls. They can now recognize their name in print as well as the names of her classmates! This month we will be practicing how to properly hold a pencil, the correct order of letters in her name and how to print it.
Enjoy working with your daughter!
Thank You,
Mrs. Maneri
Dear Pre-k parents,
This month the children will develop awareness of the colors, sights, sounds, seasonal changes, and events that characterize the month of October. Our main focus throughout the month will be “Exploring Fall”. It is through that focus we will explore: Leaves, Nuts and Trees, Fire Safety, Pumpkins, Spiders & Insects and Halloween.
This week in school we have been discussing fire safety. We are learning some important safety skills, such as stop, drop and roll if clothes catch on fire and how to crawl low to avoid smoke inhalation during a fire. We have also practiced for a fire drill at school. We have been reviewing home addresses. Please work with your daughter on knowing her address. Please also take the time to discuss important safety procedures that apply at home. Knowledge of fire safety can save lives.
We are continuing to focus on our first names. I am very proud of the girls. They can now recognize their name in print as well as the names of her classmates! This month we will be practicing how to properly hold a pencil, the correct order of letters in her name and how to print it.
Enjoy working with your daughter!
Thank You,
Mrs. Maneri
Monday, October 10, 2011
October is here!
This month the children will develop awareness of the colors, sights, sounds, seasonal changes, and events that characterize the month of October. Our main focus throughout the month will be “Exploring Fall”. It is through that focus we will explore: Leaves, Nuts and Trees, Fire Safety, Pumpkins, Spiders & Insects and Halloween.
Friday, September 30, 2011
September 30, 2011
Dear Parents,
Today your daughter is bringing home a large letter that has a very special meaning to her. It is the first letter of her name. This project will be one of many that we will be completing as we continue to focus on Our Special Names. To children, there is nothing more important than their own name. Names are very meaningful to children, therefore they are eager to learn to identify letters in their own names first; it is very empowering and motivating for them. Children, who are eager, motivated and feel empowered about learning are going to learn more quickly and retain more information.
For this project, I ask that you work with your child on decorating her very own special letter. Decorations can include photos, drawings, and stickers, magazine cut-outs etc. that have special meaning to her. Please make sure to include the following:
Your daughter’s name (If she can write her own name, please let her do so)
A photo of your daughter and a recent family photo
Her favorite color, food and activity.
Please let your daughter use her creativity and imagination for completing this project. Please have this project in by October 5th. All projects will be displayed in our classroom and will be returned at the end of the year. If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with me. Enjoy working with you child!
Thank You,
Mrs. Maneri
Dear Parents,
Today your daughter is bringing home a large letter that has a very special meaning to her. It is the first letter of her name. This project will be one of many that we will be completing as we continue to focus on Our Special Names. To children, there is nothing more important than their own name. Names are very meaningful to children, therefore they are eager to learn to identify letters in their own names first; it is very empowering and motivating for them. Children, who are eager, motivated and feel empowered about learning are going to learn more quickly and retain more information.
For this project, I ask that you work with your child on decorating her very own special letter. Decorations can include photos, drawings, and stickers, magazine cut-outs etc. that have special meaning to her. Please make sure to include the following:
Your daughter’s name (If she can write her own name, please let her do so)
A photo of your daughter and a recent family photo
Her favorite color, food and activity.
Please let your daughter use her creativity and imagination for completing this project. Please have this project in by October 5th. All projects will be displayed in our classroom and will be returned at the end of the year. If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with me. Enjoy working with you child!
Thank You,
Mrs. Maneri
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