Pete the Cat

"Pete the Cat" has become a favorite book in our classroom.

I have downloaded the audio to go along with the book and some children enjoy listening and following along in the book during playtime.

You may want to see other books and videos about Pete  the Cat by following this link.

 

 http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/feature/petethecat/

Second Day of Interviews

I conducted Interviews with parents and students from 9:00 am this morning until 7:00 pm this evening.  It was a long and tiring day, but productive.  I saw many parents and talked to some parents on the phone.  Every visit helped me to get to know my students a little bit better.  I hope to talk to a couple more parents in the next few days.  Tomorrow, back to the classroom and playing with the kids!

Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews

Today I taught Pre K during the day and then conducted Interviews in the evening.  Thank you to all the parents who attended.  Your involvement in your child's education is important.  Research shows that parents who show an interest in their children's education do much better in school.

Tomorrow, there are no Pre K classes.  I will be meeting with Parents and their children all day and in the evening until 7:00 pm.  

Yesterday, I posted a Blog Post entitled "ACADEMIC CREEP".  If you subscribe to my Blog through email, I believe it was emailed to you.  But, if you viewed the Blog by going to the web, you may not have seen it.  This is because I started working on the post on Novemeber 12th.  I worked on the post for several days and finalized and posted it yesterday.  It does not show as a post for yesterday, but as November 12. 

 If you are interested in what we learn in Pre K and the difference between ACADEMIC and EDUCATIONAL you can find the post in the archive.   Look in the Blog Archive in the right hand column.  Search for the post entitled "ACADEMIC CREEP"  under November Posts.

Advent

Advent, the Season of waiting and preparing for Christmas, begins on Sunday Dec. 1st.  In class, we have put up the Christmas Tree, taken out the Advent Wreath and are beginning to talk about "Baby Jesus" and the Nativity.

 

The tree needed some decorating, so the class made some decorations and added them to the tree.  This sparked creativity, worked little muscles in hands and fingers and created lots of opportunity for language.

 

 

Doesn't the tree look beautiful?  The kids did a wonderful job!

Chocolate Pudding Fingerpainting

We fingerpainted with chocolate pudding today.  Some children decided it was not their thing and did not participate.  Others were reluctant and watched for awhile before they warmed up to the idea.  Some dove right in and enjoyed the experience wholeheartedly!

"X" decided that he wanted to help clean up the mess.  He did a good job and was having so much fun that "S" wanted to help.  Some negotiation needed to take place over using the squirt bottle, but the two managed to share.  They learned to take turns with the bottle!

In the afternoon, a parent came to help.  The afternoon class all chose to fingerpaint.  No problems with messy play there!

Tracking Words to "Bingo"

Some of the students have recently been interested in playing "Teacher".  They take the pointer that I use during carpet time and use it in a similar manner to how I use it during Carpet Time.  They track the words from left to right and "read" or sing the words.  This is an important Pre-Reading Skill.

This video clip was taken during Play Time.  There is plenty of action and talking going on, but if you listen closely, you can hear Miss "A" singing the words to Bingo.

Christmas Decorations for the Barn

Today, the girls decided to decorate the toy barn for Christmas.  They attached the bells from the musical instrument bin to the toy barn.  They spent an extended amount of time pretending....probably at least  a half hour.  In Pre K we strive for this.  During this half hour, the girls were using lots of language.  They were developing social skills when they negotiated how the story was going to play out.  Not once did I have to step in to help with the negotiations.  They worked it out by themselves.  Impressive!  A new friendship is developing! 

The Gift of Time

The Gifts that your child needs the most do not require money, but something that is much more precious.  Your child will learn more and be more successful in school, if you can find the time to give him/her some TIME.  READ to your child.  TALK to your child.  PLAY with your child.  It seems simple, but in today's busy world it can be difficult to find the time.  Yet, if you find the time to spend with your child, I promise you, your child will bloom!   Read more about this here at The "Fireflies and Mudpies" blog:

THE BEST HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR KIDS

Gifts to Improve Pencil Grasp

Children need strong muscles in their fingers and hands before they are able to hold a pencil properly and attempt printing with ease.  If you are looking for Christmas gift ideas, you might want to consider buying Play-Doh, Lite Brite, Kerplunk, pop beads, Rock  'Em Sock 'Em Robots, or an easel.  These all help strengthen  writing muscles and are FUN!  View the following website for more ideas.

Sugar Aunts: Gift Guide for Pencil Grasp

Snowman Weather

We had a beautiful sunny afternoon.  Perfect for making snowmen!  It was hard work!  Great for building strong muscles!  Great activity for building cooperation and team work!

The boys decided to go out into the field and make another snowman.  It took some negotiation and some teamwork.  Good work boys!

So glad that the weather decided to be nice and we could enjoy working together!

Milking a Cow Day 2

More fun milking a cow, today!

The children wanted me to help them hold the latex glove so,they could squeeze the cow's udders.  After awhile, I encouraged them to ask each other for help.  This was great for language and helped the kids to bond.  Friendships are beginning to develop.  I just love the smiles on their faces!