Monday December 20th- Kindness

This day was a makeup day from Friday December 10th. At table time, we finished our “Z” printing sheet from the previous week. Upstairs, we played with little legos and barbies. Since Benjamin was absent, we all helped with the circle time duties- colors, shapes, weather, letter song, wiggle song choice and helping with snack time. We counted all the way to 31 and we jingled our jingle bells on the 20th and said Merry Christmas on the 25th.
After snack time, we talked about kindness to animals- we discussed pet cats, dogs and fish. We talked about what animal we would like to have as a pet and if we do have pets what we do to take care of them. We went downstairs and talked about my dog and fish we have and what we do to take care of them. Back upstairs, we created an I love pets headband- cutting and gluing the pieces on to the headband. We went back to the floor to discuss veterinarians and what they do to help animals.
For letter time, we went back up to the table and created a zany zoo full of weird animals whose names start with the letter “Z”.

Friday December 17th- Winter party

 

At table time, we practiced the letter “S” again and stamped in red and green. Upstairs, I had Mr. Potato Head, kid friendly nativities and links for the kids to play with. Campbell finished up his week as our star. We practiced our letter of the week by doing silly faces and dances to our “S” song. After snacks, we did our “S” activity. At the table we cut out “S” words and we put them into a stocking. They were originally socks but with the Christmas spirit, the kids made them stockings with color!
When we completed that, we had our winter party. We played Christmas bingo and got a sticker afterwards. Then we took our beads from the game and we each made a candy cane ornament for our Christmas trees. Then I had made some cookies and the students decorated them by themselves. Sorry for any green frosting that got on your child’s clothing- I got wipes out but for some, I was just too slow. Some of our friends in class also brought treats to share so be sure to check your child’s bag because there are goodies in there for them. We had a fun day together!

Thursday December 16th- Winter party

 

 

 

Cookie decorating time

 

We started class by practicing our names. I also helped them write their names on your gift’s tag. Upstairs we played with food, Barbies and Lincoln logs. Audrey helped again with our circle time. We have been using jingle bells when we count- they kids have loved them! Our karate kids were using their kicks to practice the “K” sound again. We practiced Little Jack Horner since we will have a new Nursery Rhyme next month- Humpty Dumpty. After a great snack, we practiced our letter K on our letter page and we read our story about the Kangaroo Kazoo. After that, we had our winter party. We played Christmas bingo and got a sticker afterwards. Then we took our beads from the game and we each made a candy cane ornament for our Christmas trees. Then I had made some cookies and the students decorated them by themselves.

Wednesday December 15th- Holidays around the world

 

At table time, we actually practiced our names upstairs because we had all of our art supplies out for our Christmas gifts. After practice time, we played with food, barbies and Lincoln logs. Campbell helped with circle time and we found out that there was only 10 more days til Christmas!! We practiced our “S” sound and sign. We played Simon Says to help them with the “S” sound and as a way to help with listening skills.
My mom was over to help the students make their Christmas presents for you. They made your present and then stamped the wrapping paper for it. Upstairs I did shifts with the kids on our lesson.
We were learning all about different holidays around the world during this time of year. We read “I have a little dreidel” and we sang the song afterwards. We also read “My First Chanukah” and then went to the table to do a watching page with the Star of David, dreidel and menorah. From there, we read a little about Christmas, Kwanzaa, Las Posadas, Eid al-Fitr and Diwali. Because of making the gifts, we didn’t have enough time to finish the Kwanzaa page so I sent that home.
For letter practice, we finished our “S” practice sheet that we had done on Monday.

Tuesday December 14th- Construction

Sorry no pictures for this day- still having problems with my camera!

We started class with practicing our pre-printing activity and upstairs we played with wooden blocks and puzzles. Audrey was our little star and she helped me with circle time duties. We met our letter friend of the week-Katie Koala. She has a friend who is a kangaroo and she likes to fly her kite. The sound was practiced while we were karate kids and we kicked while we did our “K” sound. The sign is a harder one for my students with not a lot of finger strength because you have to keep your fingers down while making a peace sign and your thumb has to be right by them.
My mom was over to help the students make their Christmas presents for you. They made your present and then stamped the wrapping paper for it. Upstairs I did shifts with the kids on our lesson. We talked about all kinds of construction vehicles and their jobs. We found rhombuses on a construction worksheet. Because of time, we just discussed the letter of the week and didn’t have a chance to read the story.

Monday December 13th-Snow & snowmen

(sorry- no pictures! My camera wasn't happy with me)

At table time, we practiced our scissor skills and then went upstairs to play with puzzles, wooden and foam blocks and animals. I practiced the letter with each child during play time. This was more of a difficult letter for the students. Campbell was my star this week and he helped with circle time duties. We have been using jingle bells when we count and the kids have loved it! We met Sally Seal and she likes to sail in her sailboat and do silly things. For “S” practice we slithered around like snakes and made our “S” sound. We also got our sign easy too this week.
For class time, I talked about how snow is made and then we read Clifford’s Puppy days- The Smallest Snowman. Then we went over the table and did our snowman art. Our snowmen were so colorful  After that, we read the First Snow and then we made our snowmen puppets.
For “S” time, we read Seal’s silly sandwich and all the “S” things that we put into it. We got our “S” stamp and we were done for the day.

Thursday December 9th- green day

For table time, I got all their folders out so we can practice our names with washable dry erase markers. If you can practice with them at home, it will not only be a help to your child but to me as well because they will know what they are doing when we practice each day. Upstairs, we played with our green play dough.
Tyler was absent so Miss Alisha was the star and we did an individualized practice of colors and shapes as I asked different children if they know what I am pointing to. At calendar time, we used jingle bells on our day as we counted and sang our days of the week. We figured out the weather as a class. We continued to practice the letter J. Today we jiggled while making the J sound.
We practiced Little Jack Horner by listening to the song numerous times and acting it out with our puppets we made- check for them in your child’s folder. Ask them about it and see how much they know.
After snacks of cupcakes and green apples (thanks Tyler and Liesa), we talked about our theme of the day- GREEN! We discussed what things around us are green and how to make green- with yellow and blue. We also looked for green on our outfits- thanks for having your child wear green. Up at the table, we completed our green books and worked on our names. We had a bit of book time as Miss Alisha prepped for painting. Then with each of us in our paint smocks, we finger painted our trees green and added on Christmas cheer with glitter and sequins for ornaments.
For letter time, we colored our “J” sheet. I practiced the tracing with each child and then they have to do it by their selves off to the side of the worksheet. We practiced our sign and sound some more, got our stamps and we were done for the day and the week!

Wednesday December 8th- #9 day

At table time, we practiced our names. You can have your child do this at home to with the name practice on the front of their folders with a dry erase marker. Upstairs we played with lacing cards, beads and big plastic blocks. The plastic blocks became guns and they were all super heroes saving the day. While they played, I had each child come over and practice the number nine with me. “A circle and a line make the number nine” is the chant that I was telling them when we made the number. We also did some paint dots on another sheet- giving a fly nine flies. Please work with your child on counting items- having them touch each one as they count it. We are getting incorrect answers and not doing the projects correctly because we are not counting correctly. Thanks for your help in this.
Benjamin helped me with circle time and we practiced our counting on the calendar- we rang jingle bells on the date so we recognize it. We sang days of the week and months of the year songs then we had Benjamin do the weather for us. We practiced Z by buzzing around the room like the flies that we just painted.
After snack time (Zingers from Benjamin) we had book time. When we were all done with that, we read our nine poem and did some math with our links finding all the ways we could make the number nine. We sang our numeral song making our numbers in the air. After that, we went to the table to complete our nine flies and do some counting on our nine practice sheet. I sent home a #9 practice sheet so your child can get more practice.
For letter time, I had them find the matching zebras and then color Zach Zebra on the backs. After sound and sign practice again, we were done for the day and the week!

Tuesday December 7th- Rhombus

 

At table time, we practiced our scissor skills by cutting lines. We have improved greatly- it is awesome to see how much better we are doing with scissors. Thanks for your help at home with this. Upstairs, the students played with little legos, beads and animals. During this time, I took each child separately and practiced the rhombus with them. Their tracing skills are getting better too- they did a good job on this activity all by their selves. Tyler was my star and he helped with our circle time. We points to the colors and shapes and the students have to tell them what they are. After that, we have calendar time- we talk about what day it is, we repeat the date and we count up to ten. We also rang jingle bells when we got to our date! I counted up to Christmas to see how many more days it is until the big the day anyone who would like to join me can. Afterwards, we sing the days of the week song. Tyler helps with weather time and then we move over to talking about our letter friend.
Our letter this week is J! We found out that J is the tenth letter in the alphabet- we have already learned about ten letters. We met Jenny Jellyfish and she likes to drink juice and she swims in a jar. She also likes to play with her jack in the box. We did J jumps as we practiced our j sound. I also read about some words that begin with the letter J and we got a sneak peek at our letter story- Jaguar’s Jungleberry Jamboree. We also practiced the sign- all we do is have our pinkie scoop down to make a “J” in the air. It is a simple sign but some of us were having a hard time with sticking just our pinkie up.
After snack time, we talked about the rhombus or diamonds. I call it rhombus in class because that is what they call it in school and I want to get the children familiar with that name. I had made a big rhombus on the floor with tape and had the kids sit on the side. We read our diamond poem and talked about how a rhombus is made. I showed them that two triangles together make a rhombus. I had all the kids walk the rhombus so they can see how it is made-just on a larger scale. At the table, I had each child color their “Signs can be diamonds” and we talked about the street signs that are in this shape. I gave them some time to read books when I finished their signs on toilet paper rolls.
For letter time, we read about Jaguar’s Jungleberry Jamborree and practiced our sign and sound again. After our stamp, we were finished for the day.

Monday December 6th- African animals

 

At table time, we did some curvy lines to cut- some of them came home because our hands got tired  Upstairs, the students played with little legos and transformers. During this time, I practiced the letter Z with them and also measured their heights for our December All about me page for their binders.
Benjamin is our star this week- he helped me with circle time duties. We have been counting to 15 but then doing a countdown to Christmas to see how many days until the Big DAY! We met Zach Zebra who has zippers on this clothes and loves to play with his toy zebra. We looked at our clothes and so far (with jackets included) we have all worn zippers this week! We practiced our sound-ZZZZ- and we did our sign. It is simple- making a Z in the air! I discussed words that begin with Z and took a peek at our story of the day- Zach the lazy zebra.
After snack time, we finished our December All about me page. We drew a picture of ourselves, what kind of pet we would like if we could have ANY pet, what our wish was for Christmas and who our friends are.
Our theme of the day was African animals. We looked at our poster- WE like it hot, we like t cold and saw that the African animals like it hot! We learned that these animals live in the savannah and there is only two seasons there- wet and dry. Then we talked about 5 different animals- lions, zebras, elephants, rhinos, and giraffes. I sent home an elephant fun sheet because we talked about the animals for quite a while.
To finish up with letter time, we completed our Z sheet from earlier-Zebra in a zoo and we read Zach the lazy zebra. After stamps on our hands and practicing the sound and sign again, our day was complete!

Friday December 3rd- #8 day

 

At table time, we practiced the letter K again and stamped K’s on the back. Upstairs, we played with Mr. Potato Head and links. I took each student aside to work on the #8. This is a harder number to print. Zach helped with circle time and we counted up to 25 because the kids are excited about Christmas. Today for practicing “K” we bounced like kangaroos doing our “K” sounds. We practiced our poem again and four of our kids passed it off already! We will continue to work on it weekly and I will get the last two passed off in no time.
For snack time, I had 8 orange pieces and animal crackers for the students.
During class time, we learned more about the number 8. I read our eight poem, counted up to 8 in Spanish (ocho), and practiced the number 8 by walking on a tape 8 on my floor. I really try to help the kids with this number in many ways to learn it because it isn’t easy. We also sang the numeral song going up to 8. At the table, we counted spots on ladybugs to find which ones had 8 spots and those were the ones we colored. After that, we put 8 stars in the sky on a worksheet.
For letter time, we cut some pictures out and Katie Koala had to kiss the pictures that begin with the letter K. We played some more on the tape 8 with cars driving around it and after that, we were done.

Thursday December 2nd- Transportation

 

At table time, we started practicing our names on the back of our folders. This will be a weekly thing from now on. If you want to get a dry erase marker to practice at home, they work great and it will be awesome practice for your child.
Upstairs, we played with cars and trucks and puzzles. Shiann was our star & helped with circle time duties. We continued to practice the letter “I” with its sounds and sign. Because of the new month, we learned a new nursery rhyme-Little Jack Horner. We did a review of the nursery rhymes that we have learned so far and then we went on to Little Jack Horner. I show pictures of the rhyme first then each child colored their own nursery rhyme books which came home with them in their folders.
I can go is our new theme for the month and we talked about transportation. I showed them a poster of all kinds of methods of transportation-cars, trucks, airplanes and even strollers and bikes! We talked about how we travel daily- cars, vans, taxis, and buses. I also mentioned how important it is to be safe and use a booster seat/car seat with a seat belt when we drive. We sang the wheels on the bus and we pretended to drive in our SUVs up a mountain. They are going to be fun drivers!
For “I” time, we colored the letter “I” sheet and I practiced printing the letter with them and their names. They played with the cars and trucks for a bit before class was over and then it was time to go.

Wednesday December 1st- Outback animals

 

At table time, we practiced our names. We are done with our preprinting activities- we will be doing our names from now on. I will also be practicing their names on all our worksheets we do. Upstairs we played with the cars and trucks and Lincoln Logs. Zach was my helper again at circle time. We continued to practice the letter K-sign and sound. We did our karate k kicks again too. I introduced the students to the December poem about Our Peppermint Stick. These students are some smart kids- they catch on quickly!
I got a Santa countdown page for each of the students to glue on a cotton ball for each day. They colored the face of Santa and I sent it home with them. It is a great counting practice for them plus it is fun for the kids to countdown to their special day.
Our theme of the day was outback animals. I got out the globe and showed the kids where Australia and New Zealand were. I talked about the climate and where the animals are found and what they eat. We discussed kangaroos, koalas, kiwis and kookaburras. We cut out some matching cards and played memory at the table. I sent home the kookaburra color sheet for fun.
For letter practice, we finished our “K”-King flying a kite worksheet from Monday. We also finished a maze of koala to kangaroo and we colored Katie Koala. We got our lowercase K on our hands and were done!

Tuesday November 30th- #5 day

 

At table time, we worked on scissor skills and upstairs, we played with the food, foam blocks and wooden blocks. I took each child aside to work on the number 5 with them. Shiann was our star and she helped with our colors and shapes. We worked on counting. We are not as fluent with counting as I thought we were.
Homework: We need some help so please help your child at home with counting. I will be concentrating counting to 10 and then working from there. We have been counting to 15 but I think some of the students have been overwhelmed with that. If you could also help them with counting items by touching each thing as they count. When we count in class, we have been having a hard time with this too.
From calendar time, we met our new letter friend- Izzy Iguana who likes to live in an igloo and eat ice cream. We practiced the two sounds- the short and long sounds. I explained that “I” is a vowel so it is special to have two sounds. We also practiced the sign- our little pinkie finger up in the air.
Because this was the last day of the month, we practiced Little Miss Muffet one last time. I sent home a homework sheet with putting legs on the spider, Little Miss Muffet and her tuffet.
For class time, we read our 5 poem, sang our numeral song up to five as we traced the numbers in the air and counted up to 5 in Spanish. We learned that cinco is 5 in Spanish. On our practice sheet, we put 5 insects in the jar. We also parked five cars- coloring and cutting them out. Each child glued one in each parking spot on the worksheet. I was counting with each child-one on one the cars in the spots. Some of the students didn’t know up to 5 with counting. I will be doing more of a focus on this in the next month.
For letter time, we read “Iguana on ice” and we also practiced our sign and sounds again. We got our letter “I” stamp and we were gone for the day.

Monday November 29th- Polar animals

 

At table time, we practiced our scissors skills and upstairs we played with the food and animals. I practiced the letter K with each of the students during play time.
Zach helped us with circle time duties- colors and shapes. We counted to 30 on the calendar and we gobbled on number 29. We sang our days of the week and we have been working on the months of the year song. We have learned Jan-May but the song repeats four times so the kids are learning it quick! We met our new letter friend- Katie Koala who is friends with Kangaroo and loves to fly her kite. We practiced the sound of the letter “K” by being Karate Kids and doing the “K” sound to kicks! The kids love this and I pretend right along with them.
For class time, we changed our theme a little early. We will be talking about amazing animals this month. I had a poster of all the polar animals that we were talking about for class- polar bears, penguins, polar foxes and polar hares. We discussed each one and found their homes on our globe. For penguins, we looked at my March of the Penguins book to see how the daddy penguins keep their eggs on their feet. For their activity, we created diorama of the arctic with our animals in the “snow”. I sent home the penguin folding sheet for fun.
For letter practice, we read a story about Kangaroo Kazoo and how they all play for the king. We practiced our sound and sign again, got our K stamp and we were ready to go!

Wednesday November 24th- Thanksgiving

 

At table time, we practiced the letter J again and upstairs we played with beads, puzzles and big plastic blocks. Nya continued to help with circle time and practice J some more. We also worked on our Turkey poem of the month. We will be getting another one next week! At snack time, we had a feast- Turkey, fresh bread, apple slices, pumpkin pie & whipped cream and juice. They ate great!
Before we started with learning about the first Thanksgiving, we finished our Brown Turkey books and did our J coloring sheets. I also sent home some activities that we were not able to get to in class for over the weekend practice.
Through a felt story, we learned all about the first pilgrims and Native Americans. How the pilgrims came to American and why and how they got help from their new friends. We also had to help Mr. Turkey’s colorful feathers that were hidden all over the room. The kids loved this and we did it twice. We also looked at some books of what real Pilgrims and Native Americans would have looked like at the time of the first Thanksgiving- their houses, clothes and how they had to live.
At the end of class, I made each of the kids a pilgrim hat and I had to take some group pictures. I hope that you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving bread!

Tuesday November 23rd- Thanksgiving

Warning: Pictures of lots of cute dressed up kids ahead!

 

 

 

 

 

At table time, we practiced our scissor skills and I had dress up for the kids upstairs. They loved all the outfits I got for them. We had a fun time dressing up in all the different costumes- I even was dressing up with them!
Payten was our star of the week- she helped with circle time activities. We didn’t have a letter this week so we just reviewed all the letters we have learned so far. Afterwards, we learned more about Payten with her binder. We are so glad to have her in our class.
For our thanksgiving activities, we talked about the first Thanksgiving. We learned about the Pilgrims and the Native Americans and how they worked together. We finished our Brown Turkey books and made thankful turkeys for everyone. We read our Thanksgiving books- “Ready Freddy- Thanks for Giving” and “Clifford’s Puppy Days- The Thanksgiving Feast.” I made each of the kids a Thanksgiving hat and took some pictures and then we were done. Hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving bread.