Cooking and the Library

Today we went to the library and Mrs. Powell, the media specialist, read us a book. (Mrs. Powell is the new Teacher of the Year)  She read Ten Little Puppies by Marian Harris.  The kids enjoyed watching the eyes roll around while she read to us.  In addition they thought it was a lot of fun to point and gigle as Mrs. Powell put her own eyes in the eye holes.  Then Mrs. Powell let each student choose a book to take down to the classroom with us.  The children flipped through the books in the library.  We worked on holding the book correctly and flipping the pages gently.  Then we all waited in line to check our book out.  Afterwards, we came down to our classroom and made waffles.  While we mixed the ingredients together we talked about how the ingredients changed from dry to wet.  After we were done cooking, we discussed how when the waffle was whole it was a circle, but when we cut it into parts it was a triangle.  Most of the students agreed that the waffles tasted better with syrup.
In the afternoon we started working on our workbuckets.  Workbuckets are independent work for the students to work on.  Each student has four buckets with his/her picture on it.  Each bucket is filled with a different task for the student to complete.  Some buckets have pictures to color, others have beads to string, others have scissors for cutting, etc.  After the students complete their bucket they are allowed to choose an activity they would like to do (jump on the trampoline, build with blocks, etc.)

From Ms. Brooke

Encouraging Vocalizations Here are some highly reinforcing and encouraging items/activities that may increase your child’s vocalizations. Sometimes a child is only using a few words or seldom repeats the words they hear. Materials like a paper towel roll, dollar store microphone, and simple audio devices like a tape recorder can be helpful and fun to increase those skills. These items can encourage your child to speak if they like them. They can also help them pay attention to what they are saying. This can also help them understand that sounds and words have meaning. Here are some things to try to help your child vocalize:

-          Use any voice recording device (tape recorder, video camera, karaoke machine, etc.) and show your child how to talk into the machine. Using some of their favorite toys or stuffed animals, ask them what sound they make. Let them listen to their voice from the machine. Then encourage them to tell you what they like about the item. Repeat what they say and tell them something you like about the item. Then play the voice back to watch and/or listen. Stop when they get tired of the game.

-          Make up silly songs with sounds. Sing them with your child(ren) through the cardboard tubes from rolls of paper towels or a microphone. You start by making a funny sound in the tube (dum-da-dee). Give your child the tube/mic and ask them to make a sound in the tube/mic. Be sure to give them plenty of time to make a sound, then you repeat it.

-          From your library, get a recorded book of rhymes. Listen to it with your child, and say the rhyme while the recording plays. Using one of the rhymes they like best, encourage them to say it with you as the tape plays again. You can also try to encourage them to say the rhyme with the tape while doing a little dance with you. The more fun it is the more they are likely to try and copy what you are saying. The tape helps keep your speaking rate slow and the repetition of the same voice and inflection aids the child’s auditory bombardment of the sounds.

Fun Friday

Today was a great day.  The kids joined the other preschool classes and got to meet Police Officer Crawford.  He came to answer their questions and to show them the police car!  The kids were allowed to climb through the back seat.  They loved touching, looking, and asking questions.  Following that we got to make ants on a snowy log (celery, cream cheese, and raisins) and trail mix (dried cranberries, popcorn, pretzels, fruit loops, and marshmallows).  Both snacks were greatly enjoyed.  Recess was a great time to run and jump in the warmer weather.

Also congratulations go out to Laura McCallion (the assistant in the classroom next door).  She has been received the honor of being the Professional of the Year at RNE.  Yeah Laura!

Preschool Centers and the Media Center

Parents, you have probably seen me mark down on our notes home that we sometimes go into the pre-k classes for centers.  This is a great opportunity to play and work on social skills with some of our peers.  Your students look forward to being able to go in a see their friends.  Mrs. Lerma and Mrs. Crawford welcome the students will open arms.  Students are given the opportunities to build blocks, read books, string beads, paint, draw, sort, and crash cars with some really neat friends.
This message was given to me from Marth our Media Specialist

Media Center Open Late Thursdays! We will stay open from 4 -6:00 pm each Thursday for students and families. This is a great time to use the computer databases for homework, find a book for a project, or just snuggle together and read.

All welcome… however students please remember to bring an adult with you!

Happy Tuesday!!!!!!

Box Tops

THANK YOU PARENTS!  I have received lots of Bot Tops which makes me really excited.  This money will allow us to buy some extras for the classroom.  The competition is still going on.  Please continue to collect and send in Box Tops until February 11.  At that time they will start tallying the Box Tops and give us a total on the amount of extra money we have to spend.  Remember each one is $0.10 so it adds up quickly.  Thanks for your continued support!

Firemen and Firetruck

On Wednesday, January 19 we had a great surprise!  We had firemen and a fire truck visit us at school today.  Fireman Andrew came and talked to us fire saftey.  We learned never to play with matches and that firemen are our friends.  The fire truck was red really BIG!  The kids were in awe.  They talked all morning about how they were going to get to see a fire truck and couldn't believe it when it finally happened.  It was a really neat thing to be able to experience.

Why blog?

Communication is essential for a successful classroom.  Communication among teachers, students, therapists, and parents.  I am hoping to increase communication my parents.  I imagine you sometimes wonder what book we read or crafts we created or skills we worked on.  I am hoping to use this blog to help keep you informed of things going on with your student.  I am hoping you will then turn around and talk to your child about these things to see how they felts about the books, crafts, and skills.  Let's get started!