GOOD SHEPHERD NURSERY SCHOOL

October 2004 Newsletter

APPLES AND PUMPKINS

The Pre-K children are settling happily into the school routine.  We have split the classes into three groups of 7 or 8 children for circle, story, and small group activities.  These groups will remain consistent throughout the year.  The three Pre-K teachers will rotate every two weeks, getting to know the children in all three groups.  Each day begins with circle time, which is the opportunity for the children to take turns talking and listening as they share their knowledge about our theme of the week.  Our first themes revolved around getting to know each other and the school, playing name games, and deciding on school rules.  Puppets helped demonstrate social skills such as how to approach a friend and what words to use to express ourselves in different situations that may arise at school.  October has brought discussions about Autumn, predictions and review of our trip to the apple farm, fire and personal safety, colors and counting.  We also introduced the “Job Chart”.  Every child will have a job each day, including line leader, weather person, table washer, carpet sweeper, and the coveted job of feeding the turtle or guinea pig. 

On Thursdays and Fridays we have begun featuring a letter of the week.  Each child will get several turns to bring in the “letter bag” and

show their peers the items from home which begin with the featured letter.  The teacher will demonstrate how to make the upper and lower case letter, then we will talk about the sound the letter makes and create a list of all the words we can think of that may begin with that letter.  Once a month one child will also get to bring in the “All About Me” bag, which is the opportunity for that child to tell us about him/herself and share one special item from home.  We will write their information on a chart that shows us what is the same or different about each child in the circle. 

We have also begun “small group time” which gives the teachers the opportunity to work one on one with the students to develop specific skills.  We recently practiced cutting, sorting, and following directions.

 Story time is the opportunity to listen to and discuss a story that is related to our weekly theme.  We also read a Bible story each week.  During playtime books are easily accessible in each classroom as well as in our reading corner, flanked with comfy foam couches.