Dear Parents and Families,
First, I would like to start by saying it has been a pleasure getting to know each of you and your children so far this semester. Sarah and I have been getting into a routine in our classroom, as we have been spending lots of time getting to know each of the children and their individual interests.
We have incorporated a Choice Board System this semester to manage the various interest centers in our room during choice time. The children have responded well as they move their picture from each designated area to another area in the classroom. Friends are also reminding other friends to move their picture as they move to another area. This is a great way to build a sense of classroom community. The choice board system helps with managing how many friends can play in an area. For example, four friends can play in block area. When the four choice board squares on block area are full that shows everyone that they must wait to play there until a friend is finished.
We have also incorporated a “Kindness Tree” as the children work together to earn apples to add to the tree when they are being kind or using “green choices”. The children have responded well as they have worked together this month to fill our tree with apples to earn our beach celebration.
The children have shown an interest during Small Group time. We have been busy exploring science experiments as well as a lot of hands on activities. Examples include making play dough, moon sand as well as slime. We have been working on what it means to be a scientist, as we have been experimenting with baking soda and vinegar. The children have been encouraged to make a hypothesis or educated guess. Some children thought that the two ingredients would bubble up and others thought that it would change colors as we added liquid watercolor to the mixture.
We have also added engaging materials to our Writing Center. Each child has received a new journal where they are able to practice their growing writing skills. We have seen several children engaged during choice time as they have brought out their writing journals and practiced writing words from our Word Wall, which is also located in the Writing Center. Also, the children have spent time using wikki Stix. Wikki stix are designed to bend and form into various shapes. We have encouraged the children to use these to create the letters within their names. This is also a great way to assess their blossoming letter knowledge.
Lastly, some final reminders. Preschool for All classrooms are closed the week of Spring Break March 9th-13th. Also, please continue to walk your child into the classroom at drop off to wash their hands. This is important because it allows us to touch base with you about your child’s night or needs and to communicate any essential information. As always, please feel free to reach out to Sarah or myself when you have any questions or concerns. Our classroom has an open-door policy and we would love to talk with you! We are here as a team working together with you to provide the best care for your child!
Jen and Sarah
