GOOD SHEPHERD NURSERY SCHOOL
January, 2008 Newsletter

Director Notes

Our thanks go to all who volunteered for baking the beautiful and delicious Birthday Cakes for Jesus.  They helped to make our Christmas celebrations very special. 

The Salvation Army has once again sent their sincere thanks for your overwhelming generosity in supporting the Angel Tree project.  Our Christmas tree was a wondrous sight to behold, and nearly eighty needy children were blessed by your efforts. 

You may have noticed that you have periodically received flyers from the Charles River Partnership for Children.  This wonderful organization sponsors educational workshops for both teachers and parents, and we have found them to be very informative.   

They have asked us to invite your participation should you find the topic one of interest.  

One of the themes coming up in February is rhyming and nursery rhymes.  Did you know that reciting nursery rhymes helps children to develop speech sounds, pre-reading skills, vocabulary and basic concepts?  I hope you can take the time to read the attached hand-out by Keri Brown. 

           -- Miss Cathy

CALENDAR NOTES

CIRCLE TIME

Welcome Back!  The first week back after our Christmas break is always one of the best weeks of the year as the children happily rekindle friendships and busily explore the many learning centers at school.  Our circle time discussions revolved around Christmas memories and vacation fun.  

Fun Week!  We laughed as we did some tasks backward this week, and talked about each other’s silly hats!    We also discussed what occupations require a hat such as firefighter, chef, construction worker, etc.

 Doctors/Hospital:  We are currently sharing stories about visits to the doctor or hospital.  Talking about their experiences which are sometimes humorous, sometimes frightening, and discovering that others feel the same is usually very comforting for the children.   

Senses: We will end January talking about and experimenting with our five senses.     

SMALL GROUP

At Small Group time this month we practiced putting together puzzles of varying styles and skill levels.  We also enjoyed a small group focusing on number recognition and counting.  The children love to demonstrate their skills and help each other achieve their best

CRAFT

Icicle Painting-  Icicle shapes cut from light blue construction paper were available for the children to paint using small paintbrushes and silver glitter paint.  Many of these “icicles” are hanging from the painted trees on the walls in both the learning room and the dramatic playroom.

Marshmallow Designs-  Toothpicks connected colored marshmallows to create unique 3-D designs.  Letters of the alphabet, geometric shapes and barbells were just some of the designs that our artists created! 

Band-aid Art-    To compliment our doctor theme, the children used their fine motor skills to peel the paper off of plain or sparkling band-aids and create unique works of art.   

Shaving Cream Prints-  The senses of touch and smell are being used as the children mold colored shaving cream on the table, and then place a piece of paper on top to pick up their design. 

MATH

Counting:  The children made up their own games using the materials available on the math table- large dice, paper plates with numerals and colored dots on them, and a variety of objects to count. 

Fine motor skills:  To go along with our doctors theme, the game “Operation” sure hones those fine motor skills as well as encouraging math skills as the children count the money they’ve earned for each successful operation!  

SCIENCE

Strenghthening fine motor skills, and eye- hand coordination:  Wooden screw boards with pre-drilled holes and both phillips and flathead screwdrivers are being used to screw in and take out a variety of screws over and over again! 

Sorting, and exploring our senses:  Two large cans, one covered in a smooth material, and the other in sand paper help the children sort a variety of items that are either “smooth” or “rough” such as a piece of velvet, a brillo pad, a polished stone and a rugged rock.

WRITING/LANGUAGE

Pre-writing skills:   Pictures of winter items were placed on clipboards topped with tracing paper.  The children used pencils to trace the pictures.  Some of the children also had fun coloring them in with the markers, crayons or colored pencils that are always available.

THE SENSORY TABLE

Shaving Cream:  The children had so much fun exploring their senses of touch and smell as they played with colored shaving cream.  Some children even put it on their faces and pretended to shave!   

Moon Sand:  There is waiting room only as the children love to mold this unique sand that never dries out, but flakes like beach sand when rubbed between the fingers.  This has also promoted lots of imaginary play as the children build castles, and  “go to the moon” to get the sand!  

Rice:  White rice provides a fun place for plastic winter animals such as polar bears and penguins to romp and hide!

EASELS

Creativity and fine motor skills:  Dry erase markers and chalk are out on the easels, and, for a different painting experience, we’re using textured sponges with blue and purple paint on a flat surface to create unique designs.     

THE DRAMATIC PLAYROOM

The children returned from vacation excited to see the dramatic playroom back to its normal state, the housekeeping theme, which they enjoy very much.  

The room has recently been transformed into a veterinary hospital which we’re sure you’re hearing lots about! 

MUSIC & MOVEMENT

We enjoyed singing “Knees Up Mother Brown”, “I Know a Chicken”, “Jump & Count” and “5 Little Snowmen”; had fun dancing then falling down to “The Dance Along Gong Song”, and marching with flags to “God Made Us and We Are His.”                           

The children are also enjoying the new guitar and drums we received as Christmas gifts!

QUOTES

First day back in January:

Miss Cathy:  “Good morning (to Child).”
     Child: Hey, I remember you from last year!” 

While discussing visits to the doctor’s office:
Child:  “Miss Meg, when the doctor looked in my ears he saw Sponge Bob!!” 

Playing in the Dramatic Playroom which is now a hospital/veterinary office:
Child: “I’ve seen crunches (crutches) before!” 

When Miss Brenda poured water for some  thirsty friends:           
     Child 1:  “Water from a sink?”
     Child 2: “That’s where you get water for dogs!” 

 Miss Brenda:  “I like your Patriots shirt”
      Child:  “I like the Patriots cuz of Daddy”.

We hope you’re enjoying the beauty of God’s winter wonderland! 

Miss Brenda-PK!, P2       Miss Kelly-PK2, P1

 Miss Maryann-PK1, P2    Miss Meg-PK2

 Miss Andrea-P2             Miss Nancy- P1

             Miss Julie-P1