We are all excited to be back at school after our
Christmas break! The children truly enjoyed reconnecting with each
other and there were lots of smiles and hugs going around! The first
week back the children took turns regaling us with stories of what they
did for Christmas and during their vacation. Our next theme was winter
weather, and God gave us the gift of a wonderfully white landscape as
a
backdrop to our conversations. We discussed the changes that take place
in winter, the extra clothing we must wear, and where to put all that
stuff when we arrive at school. We practiced the routine of putting our
hats and mittens in the sleeve of our coats so they don’t get lost,
hanging up the coat on the bottom hook and then the backpack on the top
hook, getting our slippers from the slipper cart, sitting on the mat to
take off our boots and put our slippers on, remembering to walk back and
place our boots under our coat, and finally joining our friends on the
big rug for some singing and creative movement. It’s a lot to
remember! It also provides the opportunity to practice important skills
needed for Kindergarten such as following directions and routine. Our
next discussions were about community workers. We thought about and
made lists of all the jobs we could think of, including what each child
wants to be when he or
she grows up. Our lists ran the gamut from firefighter, police officer,
doctor and computer worker, to ballerina, rescue hero, and “Teddy
Bruschi”! We will end the month of January talking about our country
and our flag, and then multi-culturalism with discussions on how we are
all alike in some ways, and different in others, just as God made us.
PRIMARY CIRCLES
It was
delightful to see all those little smiling faces return to school after
the holidays. The children eagerly told us all about what Santa brought
them, and the snow-time activities allowed by all that
white
stuff on the ground. They were absolutely delighted to wear their
pajamas at school, and very intrigued that teachers also had pajamas!
We talked about all the special clothes we need to wear to keep warm in
winter and all the changes winter brings to our weather. We practiced
what to do with all our winter gear when we arrive at school, and it is
quite a process to remember! Once that was out of the way, we talked
about the different jobs that grown-ups have. We talked about the kinds
of jobs that Mom and Dad have, and what we would like to be when we grow
up. Many of the younger children want to be mommies or daddies, but
also football players, veterinarians, superman, doctors, cheerleaders,
and police officers. This week we’ll talk about patriotism and how we
are proud of our flag and country. God Bless America!
SMALL GROUP TIME
During
small group time this month we practiced the important skills of
zipping, snapping and buttoning. Each child brought their own coat up
to group time to practice on.
WEDNESDAY EXPANDED CLASS
“Wacky Wednesdays” continues to be a lot of fun and a
little bit wacky! We have enjoyed some more “cooking” projects such as
decorating ice cream cone Christmas trees and making “Stone Soup”, and
some fun craft projects including painting our windows with
a
backdrop to our conversations. We discussed the changes that take place
in winter, the extra clothing we must wear, and where to put all that
stuff when we arrive at school. We practiced the routine of putting our
hats and mittens in the sleeve of our coats so they don’t get lost,
hanging up the coat on the bottom hook and then the backpack on the top
hook, getting our slippers from the slipper cart, sitting on the mat to
take off our boots and put our slippers on, remembering to walk back and
place our boots under our coat, and finally joining our friends on the
big rug for some singing and creative movement. It’s a lot to
remember! It also provides the opportunity to practice important skills
needed for Kindergarten such as following directions and routine. Our
next discussions were about community workers. We thought about and
made lists of all the jobs we could think of, including what each child
wants to be when he or
she grows up. Our lists ran the gamut from firefighter, police officer,
doctor and computer worker, to ballerina, rescue hero, and “Teddy
Bruschi”! We will end the month of January talking about our country
and our flag, and then multi-culturalism with discussions on how we are
all alike in some ways, and different in others, just as God made us.
white
stuff on the ground. They were absolutely delighted to wear their
pajamas at school, and very intrigued that teachers also had pajamas!
We talked about all the special clothes we need to wear to keep warm in
winter and all the changes winter brings to our weather. We practiced
what to do with all our winter gear when we arrive at school, and it is
quite a process to remember! Once that was out of the way, we talked
about the different jobs that grown-ups have. We talked about the kinds
of jobs that Mom and Dad have, and what we would like to be when we grow
up. Many of the younger children want to be mommies or daddies, but
also football players, veterinarians, superman, doctors, cheerleaders,
and police officers. This week we’ll talk about patriotism and how we
are proud of our flag and country. God Bless America! 