Hmm.... I seem to be missing 2 weeks of blogs... My apologies- I am not sure where they have disappeared to. Let me recap.
DECEMBER 5th to 8th
On Monday we had a library day. The children and I visited the school library where we read a story about dinosaurs. Creating new experiences for children to enjoy books helps them build a love for reading which is so important in many aspects of their life. We practiced our songs for the Christmas Concert which would be held the next week. One group came up with an idea to add bells to their performance and so we did. We discussed more about the letter H- Harry Hat Man and the quiet sound he makes. Harry Hat Man does not wear shoes because he only makes a quiet sound. We will work on letters I and J in the new year. I purchased new books for the home reading program. They are simple stories for beginning to read. It is very important that you help the children follow along in the story while you read to them. Using your finger under the words will help them learn that we read left to right and top to bottom. They will soon recognize that words have meanings and that they describe what is happening in the pictures.
Stories we were reading in class were: There Once was a Christmas Tree By Jerry Smath, Ten Timid Ghosts on a Christmas Night By Jennifer O'Connell, Merry Christmas By Lisa McCourt
DECEMBER 12th to 15th
This was a very busy week for myself and for the children. On Monday and Tuesday we took the handi-van to the Personal Care Home where we played games, built towers and put puzzles together with the residents. Holly Berg was kind enough to play the piano for the children and residents to sing some Christmas Carols and ring bells. The children seemed to really enjoy themselves and were very well-behaved. Holly and I are currently discussing more frequent trips up to the Care Home for the children and residents to interact. The children were thrilled to be able to take the handi-van or "big bus" as some called it. If I knew how excited a bus trip would be I would have planned one sooner! Wednesday and Thursday were Show and Share days- as indicated on the Activity Calendar. We had some very interesting items brought in by children including a bull, a train, a toy dog, and a stuffed kitty. The children really enjoy sitting on the "big chair" and talking about their items. We are practicing raising our hands to ask questions during show and tell and remembering to thank each child for bringing their item.
We have been singing "O Canada" at the start of each class. I think an understanding of the song and words will help children transition into Kindergarten better where they will sing it every morning as well.
Books we explored this week were:
The Christmas Blizzard By Helen Ketteman, Santa's Noisy Night By Julie Sykes, Henry's Holiday By Gilliam Shields.
Of course our Christmas Concert was held on Thursday, December 15th at the Avalon Theater. For those who came out to support the Nursery School and Daycare- thank you very much! The event was well attended (standing room only) and the funds raised were donated to the Avalon Theater. The children seemed to very much enjoy themselves on stage- and behind the scenes as well. Hopefully some of you had a chance to re-watch the performances on the local channel over the weekend. The faculty at the center is currently looking into the possibility of purchasing copies of the taped performance.
DECEMBER 19th to 22nd
This week we are busy with Christmas Parties and a Christmas Movie!!!! A nice relaxing week before Christmas. On Monday and Tuesday we played "Snowman Pokie" and danced around the classroom. We also went on a parade through the school delivering candy canes to teachers, secretaries and principals- spreading Christmas cheer. The Tuesday group performed their story "The Mitten" for Mr. Penner's class at 10:00. Some of the children said they were feeling "nervous" or their stomach felt funny- but they seemed to enjoy themselves and Mr. Penner's class gave us a big round of applause. Since the Christmas Concert there has been many boxes and cardboard props cluttering up our classroom. They are driving me crazy but the children LOVE to play in them and role play with them, so we will keep them a while longer. The chimney has been a source of many great games and stories, as well as Santa's sleigh which is also a mitten.
December 16th and December 20th were scheduled parent meetings where I was able to meet with families to discuss our year so far. It was great to have a chance to sit down and talk with parents and some children about the program. I have received a lot of great feedback about the program and also some great ideas for improvement. If you haven't yet scheduled a meeting with me please do so by emailing me at [email protected] or talking to me in class.
The stories we read this week are: What Santa Can't Do By Douglas Wood and Dora's Christmas Parade by Leslie Valdes- which sparked our interest in a Christmas Parade and brought about the idea of parading through the school to deliver treats.
To each and everyone who is reading this blog- THANK YOU for being involved with our program. Thank you to the wonderful children who fill my classroom with smiles everyday and the parents who support us in what we do. Cheers to a great few months of learning- I look forward to 2012 more than you can know.
PARENT REPRESENTATIVES: I am looking for parents to be involved with the program by meeting with me every 2 months to discuss programming and fundraising possibilities. The first meeting will be on Wednesday, January 11th at 5:00 p.m. at the School Program. Please contact me by email, phone or in class to discuss this further.
Important Dates in 2012:
Monday, January 9th- FIRST NURSERY SCHOOL CLASS DAY BACK
Monday, January 9th- Library Day
Tuesday, January 10th- Library Day
Monday, January 16th- Field trip to the Souris Dental Office (at each regular class time)
Tuesday, January 17th- Field trip to the Souris Dental Office (at each regular class time)
Wednesday, January 25th- Skating at the rink (at reach regular class time) Drop off and pick up will be at the Souris Memorial Arena
Thursday, January 26th- Skating at the rink (at reach regular class time) Drop off and pick up will be at the Souris Memorial Arena
Monday, January 30th- Show and Share
Tuesday, January 31st Show and Share
DECEMBER 5th to 8th
On Monday we had a library day. The children and I visited the school library where we read a story about dinosaurs. Creating new experiences for children to enjoy books helps them build a love for reading which is so important in many aspects of their life. We practiced our songs for the Christmas Concert which would be held the next week. One group came up with an idea to add bells to their performance and so we did. We discussed more about the letter H- Harry Hat Man and the quiet sound he makes. Harry Hat Man does not wear shoes because he only makes a quiet sound. We will work on letters I and J in the new year. I purchased new books for the home reading program. They are simple stories for beginning to read. It is very important that you help the children follow along in the story while you read to them. Using your finger under the words will help them learn that we read left to right and top to bottom. They will soon recognize that words have meanings and that they describe what is happening in the pictures.
Stories we were reading in class were: There Once was a Christmas Tree By Jerry Smath, Ten Timid Ghosts on a Christmas Night By Jennifer O'Connell, Merry Christmas By Lisa McCourt
DECEMBER 12th to 15th
This was a very busy week for myself and for the children. On Monday and Tuesday we took the handi-van to the Personal Care Home where we played games, built towers and put puzzles together with the residents. Holly Berg was kind enough to play the piano for the children and residents to sing some Christmas Carols and ring bells. The children seemed to really enjoy themselves and were very well-behaved. Holly and I are currently discussing more frequent trips up to the Care Home for the children and residents to interact. The children were thrilled to be able to take the handi-van or "big bus" as some called it. If I knew how excited a bus trip would be I would have planned one sooner! Wednesday and Thursday were Show and Share days- as indicated on the Activity Calendar. We had some very interesting items brought in by children including a bull, a train, a toy dog, and a stuffed kitty. The children really enjoy sitting on the "big chair" and talking about their items. We are practicing raising our hands to ask questions during show and tell and remembering to thank each child for bringing their item.
We have been singing "O Canada" at the start of each class. I think an understanding of the song and words will help children transition into Kindergarten better where they will sing it every morning as well.
Books we explored this week were:
The Christmas Blizzard By Helen Ketteman, Santa's Noisy Night By Julie Sykes, Henry's Holiday By Gilliam Shields.
Of course our Christmas Concert was held on Thursday, December 15th at the Avalon Theater. For those who came out to support the Nursery School and Daycare- thank you very much! The event was well attended (standing room only) and the funds raised were donated to the Avalon Theater. The children seemed to very much enjoy themselves on stage- and behind the scenes as well. Hopefully some of you had a chance to re-watch the performances on the local channel over the weekend. The faculty at the center is currently looking into the possibility of purchasing copies of the taped performance.
DECEMBER 19th to 22nd
This week we are busy with Christmas Parties and a Christmas Movie!!!! A nice relaxing week before Christmas. On Monday and Tuesday we played "Snowman Pokie" and danced around the classroom. We also went on a parade through the school delivering candy canes to teachers, secretaries and principals- spreading Christmas cheer. The Tuesday group performed their story "The Mitten" for Mr. Penner's class at 10:00. Some of the children said they were feeling "nervous" or their stomach felt funny- but they seemed to enjoy themselves and Mr. Penner's class gave us a big round of applause. Since the Christmas Concert there has been many boxes and cardboard props cluttering up our classroom. They are driving me crazy but the children LOVE to play in them and role play with them, so we will keep them a while longer. The chimney has been a source of many great games and stories, as well as Santa's sleigh which is also a mitten.
December 16th and December 20th were scheduled parent meetings where I was able to meet with families to discuss our year so far. It was great to have a chance to sit down and talk with parents and some children about the program. I have received a lot of great feedback about the program and also some great ideas for improvement. If you haven't yet scheduled a meeting with me please do so by emailing me at [email protected] or talking to me in class.
The stories we read this week are: What Santa Can't Do By Douglas Wood and Dora's Christmas Parade by Leslie Valdes- which sparked our interest in a Christmas Parade and brought about the idea of parading through the school to deliver treats.
To each and everyone who is reading this blog- THANK YOU for being involved with our program. Thank you to the wonderful children who fill my classroom with smiles everyday and the parents who support us in what we do. Cheers to a great few months of learning- I look forward to 2012 more than you can know.
PARENT REPRESENTATIVES: I am looking for parents to be involved with the program by meeting with me every 2 months to discuss programming and fundraising possibilities. The first meeting will be on Wednesday, January 11th at 5:00 p.m. at the School Program. Please contact me by email, phone or in class to discuss this further.
Important Dates in 2012:
Monday, January 9th- FIRST NURSERY SCHOOL CLASS DAY BACK
Monday, January 9th- Library Day
Tuesday, January 10th- Library Day
Monday, January 16th- Field trip to the Souris Dental Office (at each regular class time)
Tuesday, January 17th- Field trip to the Souris Dental Office (at each regular class time)
Wednesday, January 25th- Skating at the rink (at reach regular class time) Drop off and pick up will be at the Souris Memorial Arena
Thursday, January 26th- Skating at the rink (at reach regular class time) Drop off and pick up will be at the Souris Memorial Arena
Monday, January 30th- Show and Share
Tuesday, January 31st Show and Share