As a reminder to center helpers, centers run from about 1:30 to the end of the day (basically). When you arrive, please go to the office to sign in & get a visitor's sticker. Then just come straight to the classroom-- enter on the playground side (it's propped open partially) & you will catch my explanation of the center to the children so that you know what the expectation is. If there is clean-up involved at the end of centers, if you could stay for a bit afterwards to help with that so that, I'd appreciate it. Thank you so much-- the schedule for centers each week will always be posted below, in addition to the link on the right, "Helper Schedule."
MATH
We will continue with our math topic on numbers to 10. I am especially reinforcing the formation of numbers in handwriting. Some of these numbers are quite tricky to make, so watch that your child is starting at the top and going in the correct direction.LANGUAGE ARTS
We will introduce letters Gg & Hh. We will read both fiction and non-fiction books about apples. We will introduce two more sight words, my and see. You should have received your child's sentence sheet for the word I in last week's Wednesday envelope. Please have your child read those to you at home. No need to send them back-- those are for you to keep. We will also continue working on name writing. We really want to ensure that children are forming the letters in their names correctly, and using only one capital letter. The sooner they break any bad habits, the better. Any reinforcement you can provide at home with this is appreciated.
"Fun Pages:" Often on Friday, we start, but do not finish, a "fun page" of alphabet review. These have the letters of the week on each side. There is a letter maze and some coloring to do. We send these home with the kids to complete if they'd like. They are just a fun way to review the letters, but it is not necessary to send those back to us. If your child is not yet recognizing letters Aa-Ff (those that we've introduced), I would suggest that you have your child complete the page or at least review it with them.
SCIENCE
We will look at how the change in seasons affect how an apple tree looks throughout the year. We will begin reading and learning about apples and apple trees.
STEAM/Dot Day (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math)
We will have our first STEAM centers on Friday. Coincidentally, Friday is also "Dot Day." Dot Day is named in honor of the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. It is a day "celebrating all that creativity inspires and invites." In one of our STEAM centers Friday, children will be designing their own dot and then viewing it using the augmented reality app Quiver. I will post their images from that project on SeeSaw, which you should've received a message about today.
In addition to that, children will also be programming a Bee-Bot. We will be using a number grid to build our familiarity with numbers while we program the Bee-Bot to go to different numbers on the grid.
We are incorporating STEAM centers into our program once a week, and we look forward to much collaboration, innovation, trial & error, and excitement in the process! For more information on STEM/STEAM (used interchangeably) in the primary classroom, read this article.
Helpers & Activities This Week
Monday: Daily 5, Centers (Nisha & Jenny)
Tuesday: Daily 5, Centers (Hiromi & Kassie)
Wednesday: Recess 101, Blue Bags go home
Thursday: Daily 5, Centers (Brandie & Ellen)
Friday: International Dot Day, Daily 5, STEAM Centers (Pablo & Claire)
Week of 9/10: Classroom Centers Begin
Wednesday 9/12: First Blue Book Bag goes home
Tuesday 10/2: Alta Vista STEAM Night
Tuesday 10/9: PM Class attends "Elephant & Piggie" Play
Saturday 10/13: Alta Vista Walkathon
Wednesday 10/31: Halloween Parade & Party
