The Letter "C"
We worked on learning all about the letter "c" this week. We sang songs about the "Fuzzy Caterpillar", "The Cranberry Bush (a.k.a. the Mulberry Bush transformed) and read books about the Very Hungry Caterpillar and Caps For Sale to name a few favorites. Our "C" was a cat this week with corn and clovers imprinted on. We will send these home mid--week. Be on the look out! The delicious culminating event was the corn bread with fresh honey (from clovers) on Friday (see photos below). The picture above was a show of hands for all those who LOVED the corn bread; as you can tell, it was a hit! Our challenging words this week brought about plenty of conversation: cheerful, challenge, celebrate, create. The "challenge" I gave them was to name all their friends in our class. Most students could successfully name at least 10 friends. We have been working hard on learning one another's names and this little "challenge" was proof positive! |
Outdoor Play
Please be sure to pack outdoor clothes appropriate for the changing temps. (We go out around 10 a.m. and it's still chilly at times. ) You may leave a change of shoes in the classroom- be sure to have sneakers for your child on PE days: Wednesday and Friday. Please send in hats and mittens to have here in their cubby too. We will have all children wear their warm clothes with the agreement that they may take them off if they get too warm while playing. |
CentersAnimal Hospital was our newest center. Children had great fun doctoring the sick and injured animal puppets. We also had sand table, Legos and Lincoln Logs, cars and trucks, play dough and painting, listening center and shaving cream "writing" in the afternoons.
If you have puzzles or gently used toys you would like to donate to our room/clean out of your toy rooms, please do! We can often pair them up with existing toys to create a new center! |
Afternoons with Kindergarteners
We are excited to welcome our kindergarten friends to our room from 2:00 - 2:45 every day for a play-based afternoon. We spend about half our time with them outside and then have some center time inside with them before we send them back to the first/second grade room for dismissal. It's always fun having new friends come play! (Sorry all you older kids, but we are all filled up and although we have many who would like a play-based afternoon, it's just not possible :) ) |
Research Worth Reading About:
Responsive Classroom is a research-based approach to education that is associated with greater teacher effectiveness, higher student achievement, and improved school climate. It has been recognized by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as one of the most well-designed, evidence-based social and emotional learning programs. Teachers' increased use of Responsive Classroom practices was related to classrooms that are more emotionally supportive and organized. Specifically, Morning Meeting: Teachers' use of Responsive Classroom Morning Meeting was related to improved emotional support for students and improved classroom organization.
All Jay/Westfield teachers are trained in Responsive Classroom. A very important start to our day is Morning Meeting, a time where we meet and greet one another, share and listen to one another and hear about any news and announcements that are important to our day. In preschool we also sing a song or play a game together every morning. Please stop in and join us sometime for a Morning Meeting
Responsive Classroom is a research-based approach to education that is associated with greater teacher effectiveness, higher student achievement, and improved school climate. It has been recognized by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as one of the most well-designed, evidence-based social and emotional learning programs. Teachers' increased use of Responsive Classroom practices was related to classrooms that are more emotionally supportive and organized. Specifically, Morning Meeting: Teachers' use of Responsive Classroom Morning Meeting was related to improved emotional support for students and improved classroom organization.
All Jay/Westfield teachers are trained in Responsive Classroom. A very important start to our day is Morning Meeting, a time where we meet and greet one another, share and listen to one another and hear about any news and announcements that are important to our day. In preschool we also sing a song or play a game together every morning. Please stop in and join us sometime for a Morning Meeting