Welcome Fall!
Thank you to Alex and Carolina, Rose’s parents, for creating the Sea Mural for our classroom. The mural is in the plexi glass display in the manipulative area. They also painted larger sea animals and laminated those so the children could use them. We attached velcro to the wooden display frame and to the sea creatures. The children have been exploring the mural and the sea animals. We invite all families to join us in the classroom to read, sing, or participate in any activities.
In October we had 2 more children, Zila and Nifemi celebrated their second birthday. Henry turned 15 months and moved to a cot for nap. Both Hannah and Josie are new big sisters. Our classroom is growing up so quickly!
The children enjoy the art and sensory activities we offer each week. Here at the CDFC we emphasize process over product and our art activities are free art (not all the children create the same finished product). This means children are free to explore the art media in a way that is developmentally appropriate. We may provide tools such as paint brushes or sponges for the children to use, most of the time the tools are cast aside, and the painting becomes finger painting. Whether the children use tools or their fingers they are still using their hands and fingers and developing fine motor skills. Each day the easel is open with crayons, on some days other art materials are offered when an adult can supervise more closely.
The children are learning to use crayons on paper. We have been cleaning crayon marks off walls, shelves, and toys less frequently since the beginning of the semester. Water play in the media is offered. When we have illness in the classroom, we don’t offer it as frequently because the children are practicing pouring the water and not drinking from the water play materials. We hope to reduce the spread of germs. Every day we are outside we open the sandbox, until it freezes solid.
We hope to see you at the next Family Night on November 8! Pizza dinner will be available 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Then social/emotional activities in various classrooms 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Veronica will be hosting her Parent Conferences on Thursday, November 30 for her primary children and Kellie will be hosting Parent Conferences on Tuesday, December 5 for her primary children. Sign up for conference times will be posted on the cubbies outside the classroom by November 20.
Reminders:
• We are continuing to collect family photos for the classroom photo basket. Feel free to email photos to us at vjackson4@niu.edu or kfuss@niu.edu
• We will go outside as long as the temperature with the windchill is 15 degrees or above. Please be sure to provide weather appropriate labelled outdoor gear. (Hats, mittens, snowpants, snow boots)
