Class Party

Hi Parents,

Just a reminder class parties are Wednesday, December 19 at 9:30am and 12:00pm as usual I would love for you to join us.  Please be aware due to recent events it may take longer to check in and out as usual.  Please refrain from bringing siblings if at all possible.  I know this is late notice and understand if you are unable to make arrangements; however Mrs. Smith has respectfully asked that siblings stay at home.  Additionally if you are planning on checking your child out after the party you will be required to go to the front office and have them check your id.  Then the front office will call down to let me know I can bring your child up.  Please understand that your child's safety and well being is my concern as well as the rest of the staff at Roswell North.  Things may move slower than usual with lots of people having class parties so please be patient with the front office staff and myself as we follow the procedures set before us.

If I do not see you Wednesday....Happy Holiday!

Mrs. Massey

Gingerbread Week

Dear Parents,

The past couple of days have been filled with their usual business.  On Monday we talked about size and order gingerbread men based on their size.  Tuesday was the fantastic cookie decorating day.  Students enjoyed getting to do fine motor activities with their favorite treats.  THANK YOU to everyone who sent in a treat to help decorate.  This helped make it very worthwhile for the kids.  Wednesday we talked about Kwanzaa and made Kwanzaa coloring sheet. Today (Thursday) we discussed Hanukkah.  Students cut, glued, and drew paper menorahs. Tomorrow (Friday) we will be discussing Christmas.

Recess
Parents we go outside for recess everyday as long as it is 40 degrees and above.  Please make sure your child is dress appropriately to play outside for 20 minutes.  If you do not have a heavy coat for your child please contact me so I can put you in touch with the social worker.  Some children have difficulty transitioning to new clothes from season to season.  If your child is that way please let me know so I can work with you to make sure your child is wearing the appropriate clothes for each season.  I want to make sure each child is comfortable when they play outside.

Important Dates:
Wednesday, Dec. 19- Polar Express Day! Have your student wear their pajamas to school!
Wednesday, Dec. 19 - 9:30am & 12:00pm are the class party! Please come if you are able.
Thursday, Dec. 20- Sunday, January 6- Winter Break- no school
Monday, January 7- Students come back
Monday, January 21- No School- MLK day

Gingerbread Days

Dear Parents,

We have started our unit on The Gingerbread Man.    Along with reading the traditional version of the Gingerbread Man we also today read Gingerbread Cowboy to have a new and interesting twist.  Yesterday we made Gingerbread Man out of paper plates and worked on identifying body parts and following directions.  Today with Ms. Still we finished making our beautiful elves.  Once they are all dry we will hang them around the classroom and enjoy the silliness of them.

Please look online to see your child's pictures.  The information to access the pictures can be found in the e-mail sent.

Scholastic Book Fair sales begin Monday, December 3! Students and families my shop the book fair anytime between 8:00 – 3:00, Monday – Thursday. We are also open until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 4. All family members are welcome!

Payment for items may be made with cash, credit card or checks written to Scholastic Book Fairs.

Class Party will be Wednesday December 19 at 9:30am and 12:00pm. Please let me know if you would like to contribute a food or a game.

 

Ms. Brooke's Thoughts and Ideas

Time for family get together, traveling, and lots of cooking. Please continue encouraging your child to socialize and greet new friends, neighbors or family. This time of year lends itself to natural sequencing activities in the kitchen, answering those “WHO, WHAT, and WHERE” questions about new decorations in the community and upcoming events.

If your child is a soft talker or seems to lose volume when speaking try the following:

·         Choose a machine (microphone, karaoke machine, tape recorder or video recorder) that your child will enjoy using. Some children like talking into a tape recorder and playing their words back in higher volumes or watching themselves talk on the television. A great new way to see themselves is using skype to talk to friends or relatives with the built in camera on computers.

·         Pick a quiet place so they will not be distracted while talking. Show them how to use the machine of their choice to make words that can be heard. Have them say words they know into the machine. Children enjoy songs and rhymes. Practice singing together into the machine, alternating lines, or have them fill in words as you sing. You can read stories into the machine together and have them label common words they may have seen from the story.

·         Find recorded nursery rhymes or stories that you child likes to encourage them to “talk” along with the recording. If it has words they already says, they may try to say some new ones too. Computer games or “sing along” DVD’s that show favorite characters as they play may get your child to say words.

·         Use toys or activities that play your child’s favorite music. When your child likes the music or videos, they are likely to repeat the words. Songs like “wheels on the bus” encourage children to say words and make sound effects. Singing is a fun way to help children be confident in saying words out loud!

·         Play with sounds using empty paper towel rolls, buckets, cheap dollar store microphones or homemade megaphones to amplify your voices.

 

December Vocabulary:

Coats

Cookies

Lights

Tree

Candle

Gift

Dreidel

Star

Singing

Baking

Updated PSE Calendar
Thursday, December 6- Please send in your items to decorate the cookie

Friday, December 7- Please return your gingerbread man homework
Tuesday, Dec. 11- Cookie decorating day
Wednesday, Dec. 19- Polar Express Day! Have your student wear their pajamas to school!
Wednesday, Dec. 19 - 9:30am & 12:00pm are the class party!  Please come if you are able.
Thursday, Dec. 20- Sunday, January 6- Winter Break- no school
Monday, January 7- Students come back
Monday, January 21- No School- MLK day

Last Day of November

Dear Parents,

It is hard to believe today is the last day of November!  Starting Monday we will begin our unit on the Gingerbread Man and Little Jack Horner.  Also you will be receiving a gingerbread man homework assignment.  Please work on that and return it as quickly as possible.

Thursday we talked about size and colored pictures of ice cream cones and then ordered them from biggest to smallest.  Today we talked about our names and work on name and letter recognition.  Students glued glitter or beans on the letters of their names.

Scholastic Book Fair sales begin Monday, December  3! Students and families my shop the book fair anytime between 8:00  – 3:00, Monday – Thursday. We are also open until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, December 4.   All family members are welcome!

Payment for items may be made with cash, credit card or checks written to Scholastic Book Fairs.

 

Class Party will be Wednesday December 19 at 9:30am and 12:00pm.  Please let me know if you would like to contribute a food or a game.

 

Updated PSE Calendar
Thursday, December 6- Please send in your items to decorate the cookie

Friday, December 7- Please return your gingerbread man homework
Tuesday, Dec. 11- Cookie decorating day
Wednesday, Dec. 19- Polar Express Day! Have your student wear their pajamas to school!
Thursday, Dec. 20- Sunday, January 6- Winter Break- no school
Monday, January 7- Students come back
Monday, January 21- No School- MLK day

Busy Tuesday

Dear Parents,

I think it has taken most of the students two days to get used to being back to school.  Everyone was back to their normal energetic self today.  We are finishing up our unit on Letters are Lost.  Ms. Still came in today and worked with us on yoga.  We also started our elf project, but since it is a 2 week project we will be finishing it up next week.

We will be starting the Gingerbread Man and Little Jack Horner on Monday, December 3.  Please be on the look out for a letter explaining the things we need for our gingerbread decorating.

Book Fair Browsing-  The class will be going to browse books on Thursday, November 29 9:55-10:15am and 11:10-11:30am.  If you would like to come during your student's time and help them browse and buy books please feel free to come to help your student.  If you want your child to buy books, but are unable to come please wait until the book list comes home.  Let me know which books you want your child to buy and send money the following week.

Winter Show- due to unforeseen circumstances we are canceling our winter show; however, do not fret because we will be showing you some of the dances at the winter party.

Winter Party- the winter party will be December 19.  The morning group will be at 9:30am and the afternoon group will be at 12:00pm.  If you want to help with planning the party please let me know.  This is also Polar Express Day so make sure your kiddo wear their pajamas (no slippers!) to school.

Updated PSE Calendar
Thursday, November 29- Book Fair Browsing 9:55am-10:15am, 11:10am-11:30am
Tuesday, Dec. 11- Cookie decorating day
Wednesday, Dec. 19- Polar Express Day! Have your student wear their pajamas to school!
Thursday, Dec. 20- Sunday, January 6- Winter Break- no school
Monday, January 7- Students come back
Monday, January 21- No School- MLK day

Thankful Thursday

Dear Parents,

With the upcoming holidays we have been spending a lot of time talking about being thankful.  We read The Littlest Pilgrim by Brandi Dougherty and talked about the importance of being nice to people who are different from us.  Today we talked about pilgrims.  We made shape pilgrims using various construction paper.  The students did a wonderful job naming shapes and working on orientation.  Also we spent some time coloring and colored in green hats.

Grandparents Tea is Tuesday.  I will not be here that day so it is very important you let me know ahead of time if your grandparent is coming so I can write it into my sub notes.

Updated PSE Calendar
Tuesday, November 20- Grandparents Tea- please let me know if someone is coming to be with your child.
Wednesday, Nov. 21- Friday, Nov. 23- No school Thanksgiving break
Tuesday, Dec. 18- Cookie decorating day
Wednesday, Dec. 19- Polar Express Day! Have your student wear their pajamas to school!
Thursday, Dec. 20- Sunday, January 6- Winter Break- no school
Monday, January 7- Students come back
Monday, January 21- No School- MLK day

Wet Monday

Dear Parents, 

I am so glad that we managed to get some outside time in before the rain came in.  Today we worked on counting.  Students took turns with different pictures of pumpkin pie.  each pumpkin pie had the number 1-10 on it.  Students then put that many scoops of "cool whip" (also known as cotton balls) on top.  This was a fun way to practice counting and talk about Thanksgiving traditions.

Ms. Wendy came in for art today.  Students ripped, tore, glued, and cut to make the cutest owls ever.

Parents please turn in your disguised turkey pictures!  This is a great way to work on language at home and also at school.  Students love showing off their work.  

Stay Drive!

Mrs. Massey

A Fabulous Friday

Dear Parents,

It was another fabulous Friday.  Today we talked about positional words and created a book by putting a turkey in different spots in the book based on the positional word.  Take time to read these little books with your kiddos.  Repeated reading is great and they were all so proud they had made their own books.

In music class today we started practicing for the winter show.  The winter show will be on Friday, December 14 at 9:00am for the morning kids and Friday, December 14 at 1:40pm for the afternoon kids.  Please dress your child in a white shirt and light colored pants.  Also please send in a scarf for them to wear as well.  Don't forget to bring your camera because you will be so proud of all their hard work.

Don't forget to send in your disguised turkeys!  The students love to stand in front of the room and share all about their turkey.

Updated PSE Calendar
Tuesday, November 20- Grandparents Tea- please let me know if someone is coming to take your child.
Wednesday, Nov. 21- Friday, Nov. 23- No school Thanksgiving break
Friday, Dec. 14- Winter Show 9am & 1:40pm
Tuesday, Dec. 18- Cookie decorating day
Wednesday, Dec. 19- Polar Express Day! Have your student wear their pajamas to school!
Thursday, Dec. 20- Sunday, January 6- Winter Break- no school
Monday, January 21- No School- MLK day

Wet Wednesday

Dear Parents,

Today was a great day to talk about the weather.  Unfortunately due to the weather we did not get much recess time though.  Today was a busy day.  We focused on healthy food vs. not healthy food.  We talked about how it was ok to eat not healthy food sometimes, but we need to eat more healthy food than unhealthy food because we do not want to get a tummy ache.  Students colored in pictures of cornucopia.  Then students chose different healthy food they wanted to put in their cornucopia.

Also today was picture day!  The students were darling as they smiled at the camera.  I am sending home a website link for you to look up your child's photo and order them if you wish.  I will be sending you a password to access these photos.

If you have not turned in your family information sheet please do so ASAP!!!

Calendar
Friday, November 9- Disguised Turkey is due
Tuesday, November 20- Grandparents Tea- please let me know if someone is coming to take your child.
Wednesday, Nov. 21- Friday, Nov. 23- No school Thanksgiving break
Friday, Dec. 14- Winter Show 9am & 1:40pm
Tuesday, Dec. 18- Cookie decorating day
Wednesday, Dec. 19- Polar Express Day!  Have your student wear their pajammas to school!
Thursday, Dec. 20- Sunday, January 6- Winter Break- no school
Monday, January 21- No School- MLK day

Happy Wednesday

Hi Parents,

Today was an exciting day because we took a nature walk to the park.  Students picked up leaves, sticks, acorns, pine cones, etc to use for an art project tomorrow.  Students loved being able to walk and talk about the changes of nature and the brisk feel of the wind.  Starting tomorrow we begin discussing Thanksgiving and start our new book The Letters are Lost.

Thoughts from Ms. Brooke

Here are some tips to help your child understand what pictures and symbols mean. The following suggestions help young children learn that pictures and symbols stand for real objects or people.

-          For a young child to understand that a picture has meaning, show him a real object along with its image. If your child has a vision problem be sure to use clear, uncluttered pictures with high contrast (can be color or texture)

-          Take pictures of your child doing things (e.g. playing raked piles of leaves, picking up fallen pine cones, making pumpkin pie) that are fun. Use the pictures to have him/her “ask” to do these things again. Encourage them to show you the picture to get what they want. Also encourage them to use their words to ask for the activity in conjunction with showing you the picture. As they make the link between pictures and activities you can make the activity more challenging.  Change the photographs and use drawings of the objects or clip art images from the Internet.

-          Make a homemade book with four or five pictures of familiar people, toys, or other favorite objects. Have several of the real objects with you when you are looking at the book with your child. Ask your child to point to the real person or pick up the real object and then find its picture.

-          The increase the difficulty once your child understands that a picture has meaning you can show the picture of his/her favorite item (e.g. goldfish crackers) on the box and label it- you would say “goldfish”. Then give him/her a cracker. Repeat this each time you give them a goldfish. When they begin to become proficient with understanding this picture is linked with the item, give them some new information. Show them the box and point to the word “goldfish” on the box. Point and tell them the first letter in the word “goldfish” is “G”.   

Calendar:
Friday, November 2- Movie Night at RNE
Monday, November 5- Family Survey Due
Tuesday, November 6- No school - election day
Wednesday, November 7- Picture Day
Friday, November 9- Disguised Turkey is due
Tuesday, November 20- Grandparents Tea- please let me know if someone is coming to take your child.
Wednesday, Nov. 21- Friday, Nov. 23- No school Thanksgiving break

What a week

Dear Parents,

   Last week was certainly a week of fun!
   On Tuesday we carved a pumpkin this time to take out the seeds and guts.  First we weighed the pumpkin to see how heavy it was with the seeds and the goop.  Then each student had to take a turn to pull out goop and separate the seeds.  We scooped the goop into measuring cups to see how much the pumpkin had inside.  Then we weighed the pumpkin after everything was scraped out and we discovered that the pumpkin had lost some weight.
   On Wednesday we made shape monsters.  First we read the story Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley.  After reading the story we discussed how each part of the monster's face was actually a shape.  Then students were given various sized and colored shapes to create their own shape monster.  It was great to see how creative each student was.  
   On Thursday we came back to the pumpkin seeds we had so carefully sorted.  Students were given pieces of paper with numbers at the bottom of each column.  The children then placed that number of pumpkin seeds in each column.  I think most were just relieved that the pumpkin seeds had been cooked and were no longer slimy.
   On Friday the afternoon group made monster pudding cups and Monday the morning group will make the same monster cups, but will use jello.  Here is a link to show you what the end result looks like:Monster Treats


Calendar:
Wednesday, October 31- we are taking a nature walk at Roswell area park.  Dress your child in good walking clothes and sneakers
Friday, November 2- Movie Night at RNE
Tuesday, November 6- No school - election day
Wednesday, November 7- Picture Day
Wednesday, Nov. 21- Friday, Nov. 23- No school Thanksgiving break

Fun Mondays

Dear Parents,

As always Mondays are very fun and very busy.  Ms. Wendy came in today and helped us make black cats.  Also we are continuing our work with growing the pumpkins and talking about the concept of size.

We are continuing to read Silly Sally.  Also I have introduced the story the Little Old Lady who was not Afraid of Anything by Linda D. Williams.  Students are given props to the various parts of the scarecrow and help act out the story.  This is a fun activity that can be done with any story.

Also this week is bus driver appreciation week!  The kids have made the bus drivers cards, but you can also make cards or a special treat for the bus driver.


Calendar:
Wednesday, October 31- we are taking a nature walk at Roswell area park.  Dress your child in good walking clothes
Friday, November 2- Movie Night at RNE
Tuesday, November 6- No school - election day
Wednesday, November 7- Picture Day

Busy Times

Dear Parents,

We manage to keep ourselves very busy in preschool.  On Thursday we continued to talk about the life cycle of the pumpkin.  We took the top off a pumpkin and covered the inside with soil and water.  We are hoping to see little plants sprout from the inside of the pumpkin.  Also each child took some seeds and put them on a paper towel.  We hung the paper towels in the window.  We are hoping to see little plants from there as well.

Friday was also a super fabulous day for making snacks.  The morning group made dirt sundaes.  Sundaes made out of chocolate pudding, oreos, and gummy worms.  The kids thought they were very yummy.

The afternoon group went over to Ms. Emily's class and made spiders.  Students twisted apart oreos, then layed across them pull and peel twizzlers, and then put the top back on the oreo.  These were equally as yummy.

I hope everyone is having a great day!



Calendar:
Wednesday, October 31- we are taking a nature walk at Roswell area park.  Dress your child in good walking clothes
Friday, November 2- Movie Night at RNE
Tuesday, November 6- No school - election day
Wednesday, November 7- Picture Day

What an exciting day!

Today was one of those days that was extra special and packed with activities.  This morning Mr. Jones from the Dad's Club came in and read to us.  He read Dora's Pumpkin Patch and Go Away Big Green Monster.    The kids were so excited to have someone new read to them.

Also today Sampson the reading dog came in.  Most of the kids loved him; however, some were very nervous around him.   The kids got the opportunity to pet him, hug him, and ask questions.  It was a very enjoyable experience.

We are still working on Silly Sally and talking about how silly the book is.  Also we are having lots of talks about pumpkins.  Describing the size, shape, and color of the pumpkins is a great way to incorporate language throughout the day.

Don't forget the Box Top competition for this month ends this Monday!  If you forget to send them in it is OK we will start collecting again in February!

Calendar:
Saturday, October 13- Youth Day Parade- Meet Mrs. Massey and Mrs. Emily at 9:15am to walk in the parade
Monday, October 15- Turn in Box Tops
Monday, October 15- Conference Day- no school for the students, but parents please schedule a conference!
Tuesday, November 5- No school - election day
Thursday, November 7- Picture Day

Alane Massey

Happy Friday!

Silly Sally
We have started our unit on Silly Sally.  The students and I have decided it is a very silly book.  We are enjoying it and enjoying acting out all the parts.

Ms. Meyers visited us
Ms. Meyers, the school counselor, came to reading a book all about sharing.  Then she stayed and did some songs with us.  We had some much fun.

Youth Day Parade
The annual Youth Day Parade is coming up on Saturday, October 13. Parents, students and teachers, come show your school spirit and walk with Roswell North's float. Everyone is welcome to participate in the parade, and we especially want to see our dads walking with our students. It will be lots of fun!

This year’s theme is “Youth – Roswell’s Gold Medal”. Please have the children dress in their after school activity wear (baseball uniform, ballet, dance, karate, etc).
Please meet at 9:15 a.m. at the First Baptist Church on Mimosa Blvd by our float. Bring a bag of candy to throw to parade watchers. Also you must accompany your child!  Mrs. Emily and Mrs. Massey will be there.

Important Dates
Friday, October 5 at 5:30- Flag Football Game Teachers vs. Parents to raise money for Koala Cares
Saturday, October 13- Youth Day Parade- Meet Mrs. Massey and Mrs. Emily at 9:15am to walk in the parade
Monday, October 15- Conference Day- no school for the students, but parents please schedule a conference!
Tuesday, November 5- No school - election day
Thursday, November 7- Picture Day

Thoughts from Mrs. Brooke

Vocab for the month of October:

Pumpkin

Leaves

Pig

Dog

Sheep

Haystack

Spider

Roll

Tickle

All Done

Communication tip to foster vocalizations and conversational participation:

Sing simple songs with your child, especially ones with actions, like “Row Row Row your Boat”, and build in opportunities for him to participate. This is a fun way for him to learn to take his turn in an interaction, as well as to learn new words.

-       Sing a new song the same way a few times so your child learns the song and its “high point”. High points are the most interesting parts of a song. In “Row, Row, Row your Boat”, the high points are the rocking back and forth while you and your child sit on the floor, holding outstretched hands, and saying the last word after a long pause – i.e., “dream”.

-       Once your child is familiar with the song, pause before a high point and wait for him to respond.

For example, when singing “Row Row Row your Boat”, sing the song through once or twice and then, still holding his hands, WAIT for him to ask you to sing it again (he will probably make a sound or rock back and forth to ask you to do it again).

-       Or, you can start to sing the song while rocking back and forth, pausing mid-song so he can ask you to continue.

-       Or, you can slow down and pause before the last word (“dream”), so he can make a sound - any sound - to end the song.

-       To take his turn during songs, your child may wriggle, make a sound, look at you, point to something or perform an action. Accept anything as his turn and then continue immediately. The most important thing is that he takes a turn and has fun while doing it.

http://www.hanen.org/Home.aspx

So much to talk about

Dear Parents,

First off I want to remind you that our Chick-Fil-A night is Wednesday!  Woo Hoo!  Mrs. Clausen and I will be there from 6pm-7pm.  Come have dinner and meet the other great families in this program.

Also I have some very exciting news!  We have built a sensory garden upstairs in the garden area.  You are probably thinking what is a sensory garden.  A sensory garden allows kids to experience things using their five senses.  We have a plot for seeing that is filled with flowers, a plot for smelling that is filled with herbs, a plot for tasting that has collard greens and kale, a plot for touching that has bumpy and soft plants, and a wind chime for our ears to hear.  The students loved digging in the dirt and watering the plants.  They are very protective of "their garden."

Friday was a wonderful time with Mr. David, the music therapist.  We played different instruments including some bells.

Monday was equally as fun with Mrs. Wendy, the adaptive art teacher.  In the morning students finished the color wheels they were working very hard on.  In the afternoon students worked on apples and talked about how apples could be different colors.

This morning Ms. Still came in and students created colored salt.  They rubbed chalk up and down on the salt to change its color.  The salt then can be spread out on a table or a tray and students can practice their pre writing strokes in it.

Important Dates:
Wednesday, September 26 6-7pm Chick- Fil- A night for Preschool
Sunday, September 30 Fall Festival
Wednesday, Oct 3- We are NOT having picture day for us this day.  It will be scheduled a different day
Friday, October 5 at 5:30- Flag Football Game Teachers vs. Parents to raise money for Koala Cares
Saturday, October 13- Youth Day Parade
Monday, October 15- Conference Day- no school for the students, but parents please schedule a conference!

Looking Ahead

Parents-

This blog post is mostly reminders and FYIs.  =)

Thursday, Sept. 20 (This Thursday!)  we will start planting our garden.  Please make sure your child is wearing old clothes and shoes!  There is a good possiblity we will be getting dirty.

Friday, Sept. 21- please consider bringing in a donation of $3 or an art supply for the raffle basket

Wednesday, Sept. 26- Chick-Fil-A night at the Chick-Fil-A where Hwy 9 and Holcomb Bridge intersect.  Mrs. Clausen and Mrs. Massey will be there from 6pm-7pm

Sunday, Sept. 30- Fall Festival- come support the school and have fun!

Friday, October 5- Flag Football game teachers vs. parents!  Come see Mrs. Linda, Mrs. Brooke, and Mrs. Emily come play for a great cause!  A canned good is the price of admission.

Saturday, Oct. 13- Youth Day Parade!  Mrs. Massey and Mrs. Clausen will be walking in the Youth Day Parade and we would love for you and your child to join us and walk with us.  The route is a little less than a mile, but sometimes little legs need strollers and wagons to help them the rest of the way.

Monday, Oct. 15- Conference day- thank you for sending back your time requests.  Finalized times will be coming out at the end of this week

A Wonderful Day

Dear Parents,

I blinked my eyes and before I knew it our day had flown by.  Today Ms. Wendy came in for art and helped us make crocodiles that wiggle hips to go along with our book From Head to Toe.  Ms. Brooke came into today and helped work with us on requesting and using personal pronouns.

For the fall festival every class is asked to make a themed basket people can bid on.  This year our class is teaming up with Mrs. Clausen's class to make an art basket.  Please consider sending in a $3 donation or any art supplies to be put in the basket.  The baskets then are raffled off.  Each year it is a huge part of the fall festival to walk around and see each basket.

Important Dates
Friday, September 21- bring in a $3 donation or markers, crayons, paints, papers, or any art supplies for our basket
Wednesday, September 26 6-7pm Chick- Fil- A night for Preschool
Sunday, September 30 Fall Festival
Friday, October 5 at 5:30- Flag Football Game Teachers vs. Parents to raise money for Koala Cares
Saturday, October 13- Youth Day Parade
Monday, October 15- Conference Day- no school for the students, but parents please schedule a conference!

Today

Dear Parents,

This week is sailing by very quickly.  On Monday we started a two session art project with Ms. Wendy.  Students practiced cutting out shapes and matching marker colors to paper colors.  She also had some really neat textures to put under our paper.  The students thought it was fun to feel the bumpy surfaces and see the difference it made on their paper. 

We are continuing our talk with our body parts.  Tuesday morning Ms. Susan came in a led a fine motor group.  Students first identified parts of their body by putting stickers on.  Then they created a giraffe to go along with our book.

Talking about our bodies is a great time to also work on making patterns with our bodies.  Students are practicing AB patterns by first clapping and then stomping then clapping then stomping.  This is also something you can your student do at home.

As the weather cools off make sure to put your student's name in their jacket.  Between the time they take their jacket off when they come in and put it on to go home Mr. Mike and I forget who is wearing what.


Important Dates
Wednesday, September 26 6-7pm Chick- Fil- A night for Preschool
Sunday, September 30 Fall Festival
Friday, October 5 at 5:30- Flag Football Game Teachers vs. Parents to raise money for Koala Cares
Saturday, October 13- Youth Day Parade

Happy Friday!

Dear Parents,

Once again we are wrapping up a great week.  Learning about our families and bodies are important concepts to know.  Mr. David reinforces that with us playing instruments in different ways.  To talk more about our face Ms. Emily's class invited us to make pancakes during the afternoon session.  Students used pancakes as the face, blueberries as the eyes, bananas for the ears, and strawberries for the noise.  Students later decided if their pancake was happy or sad and they gave their pancake a smile or a frown with the whipped cream.

On Monday we will be adding two new students to our morning class.  Please be sure to give these kiddos a warm welcome.

Foster- Schmidt Academy offers dances to kids with down syndrome.  If you are interested in finding out more check out the website:

http://www.atlantadancecentral.com/Atlanta_Dance_Central-_Youth_and_Adult_Dance_Classes_in_Roswell,_GA/Foster_Schmidt_Dance_Classes.html

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, September 26 6-7pm Chick- Fil- A night
Sunday, September 30 Fall Festival
Friday, October 5 at 5:30- Flag Football Game Teachers vs. Parents to raise money for Koala Cares

Can you believe it is Thursday?

Hi Parents,

Short weeks always throw my schedule off.  I finally realized today was Thursday and the blog needed to be updated.  September has kicked off to be a great month!  We have started reading From Head to Toe by Eric Carle.  As we get more familiar with the book we will start acting out the actions that go along with it. This is a great way to practice identifying body parts and naming actions to go along with them.  This is also a great way to practice following directions.  If you want them to follow one step directions ask your child to point to a particular body part (for examples touch your head) and if you want them to practice multi step directions add the word then (for example touch your head then touch your elbow).  Also see if your student is able to point out body parts on other people.

Also we have started practicing our nursery rhyme What are Little Boys Made of? What are Little Girls Made of?  This is a great time to open the discussion about real vs. pretend.  The students love to be silly with new concepts.

Important Dates:
Wednesday, September 26 6-7pm Chick- Fil- A night
Sunday, September 30 Fall Festival
Friday, October 5 at 5:30- Flag Football Game Teachers vs. Parents to raise money for Koala Cares

Looking for Volunteers for PTA

Hi Parents,

PTA is looking for a room parent in the classroom.  If someone is interested in the job please let me know.  If you would like to volunteer in a smaller way way as well please let me know.  I will need volunteers for the Winter Party, End-of-Year Party, Fall Festival Basket Project, and Spring Soiree Art Project.  I will let you know as these things happen!

Also just an FYI, but I will not be at school on Friday.  Please call the school directly if you have any concerns.

Happy Day!

Dear Parents,

Time is already flying by as we are in our third week of school.  Today in art we created collages called Tearing and Sharing.  Students were given different colored pieces of construction paper.  They would tear various sizes off the paper and then hand the paper to their friends to tear.  Students then glued the construction paper onto a piece of black paper.  Ms. Brooke (SLP) helped lead the discussion in big, little, and medium sized pieces as well as color and texture.  This was a great activity to start out our week.  Additionally students participated in a language circle that involved requesting objects and using descriptions with those objects.  It may only be Monday, but we are already hitting the ground running.

Important Dates:
Sept. 4- Labor Day (No School)
Sept. 4- Homework due
Sept. 26- Chick-Fil-A Night

Another great day

Dear Parents,

Today was another great day.  Today we finished making our Humpty Dumptys.  Each child worked on cutting, gluing, and identifying body parts.  Tomorrow we will hopefully be making a brick wall out of red construction paper bricks.  We continue to act out our nursery rhyme everyday.  To enhance the experience we have also been watching this youtube.  Humpty Dumpty

If possible please try to come to curriculum night on Wednesday, August 22 from 6:30-7:30 in my classroom.  You will learn about policy and procedure as well as what we will be learning this year.

Also mark your calendar for our annual Chick-Fil-A night.  Wednesday, Sept. 26 from 6pm- 7pm Mrs. Massey's and Mrs. Clausen's classes will be meeting at Chick-Fil-A to hang out and meet people.  This is a great way to meet the kids your student is talking about and a perfect time to set up play dates.

Let me know any concerns or worries!

Alane Massey

Important Dates:
August 22- Curriculum Night
Sept. 4- Labor Day (No School)
Sept. 26- Chick-Fil-A Night

We finished our first week!

Dear Parents,

It seems we have survived our first week of school.  I hope you and your student are practicing Humpty Dumpty and using the flash cards to help you retell the story.

Our curriculum night will be next Wednesday, August 22 from 6:30pm-7:30pm.  Please come and learn about what exciting things will be happening during your child's school year.  Curriculum night is held in my classroom and I would love to see you all.

Absences:  If your child is going to be absent please send an e-mail as soon as you know so I do not worry.  =)  Also please send a note or an e-mail upon your child returning to school. 

Coming in late:  Parents if you are coming in late or if you have missed the bus please bring your child to the front office.  I do not have anyone stationed to help out at carpool.  So for the safety of your child please bring them to the front office and have the front office call down to my room for me to get them.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Learning, Growing, Playing Together!

Dear Parents,

The school year has started off busy and I expect it will stay busy.  The theme for the month of August is back to school.  As part of our learning we are reading Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anne Dewdney.  We read this book daily to help with our pre-reading skills.

Our nursery rhyme this month is Humpty Dumpty.  I have sent home a copy of the rhyme along with the pictures that we are using in class.  Practicing nursery rhymes is a great way to practice language.

Our vocabulary words this month:
playground
snack
teacher
walk
clean up
book
school
bus
friends
sit

Pre-K curriculum night is Wednesday, August 22!  Please plan on attending to learn more about what we will be learning this school year.

Please make sure to LABEL EVERYTHING that is your students!  Things easily get confused in the packing and unpacking of backpacks.

Important Dates:
Pre-K Curriculum Night- August 22
Labor Day- No School- Sept. 3
Conferences- Oct. 15

It is that time again!

Welcome back to another wonderful and great year at Roswell North Elementary. Open House is Thursday, August 9 from 9am - 10:30 am in my classroom.

Supply List
2 boxes of baby wipes
soap
a box of tissues
paper plates
plastic cups (3 oz or 5 oz)
glue sticks
Gallon Sized Ziplock Bags
Quart Sized Ziplock Bags
stickers or bubbles
Glue Sticks (2)

Additional Supply List for Children in diapers:
3-4 diapers a day or send in a box and I will contact you when they run out
1diaper genie ii refill
2 boxes of wipes (this is in addition to the wipes asked for above)
2 roles of wax paper

Daily Items:
Tote bag/Backpack (with your child's name on it)
Return your child's folder with the communication log
Complete Change of Clothes with your child's name on it- this will stay at school until needed
Snack
Breakfast food/Lunch food or money (even if your child eats at home send in something for them here)

Homework:
Return completed packet of paper from the open house
Send back bag with items your child loves
the label or box of something you recognize
1 or 2 photos of your family that will be used in an art project
Start saving Box Tops!  Every Box Top earns our classroom $0.10!

Alane Massey- masseya@fultonschools.org

It's Friday!

Dear Parents,

It has once again been a great day at school.  Today was another day of rotations: Mrs. Massey worked on goals and objectives, Mrs. Sarah played Candy Land Castle, and Mrs. Susan made paper chains to practice cutting.  Also this afternoon we practiced positional words by putting bean bags in different places.  Then students took pictures and glued fruit to different locations on the paper according to the directions.  Since the weather was so nice outside we decided to read our story Giraffes Can't Dance outside on the benches.  It made for a very nice day.  Have a wonderful weekend and I will hopefully see everyone on Monday.

Mrs. Massey

First Post of the Summer

Hello all the parents participating in my summer class at Lake Windward Elementary,

We have started out with a great week!  I think the kiddos (and I!) have adjusted to our new surroundings and new schedule.  Each and every day is very active and busy.  Today was our first day of doing rotations: with Ms. Sarah students played the Candyland Castle game, with Ms. Susan students played with the IPAD, and with Mrs. Massey students worked on various goals and objectives.  Later in the morning students used shaving cream to practice their pre-writing strokes.  Of course a lot of the shaving cream landed on students' arms, hands, clothes, but it was a great way to practice those strokes.  This afternoon we took a walk in the Lee Garden at Lake Windward.  This garden has a small fish pond along with various blooming plants.  Our days are always very buys, but very fun!

If you have any questions please call or e-mail: masseya@fultonschools.org

Water Day in a New Way!

Dear Parents,

You probably noticed this morning that it seemed a bit cool for water day.  The therapists, assistants and I agreed with you so we did water day in a different way.  All the students still had the opportunity to show off his/her bathing suit and water was involved...just not as much as originally planned.  There were 5 stations students could choose to go to (there was not a formal rotation, but rather a choosing).  Station #1 was the sensory table filled with water and squirt toys.  Station #2 was shaving cream at the table.  Station #3 was an inflatable filled with fish that had magnets in their mouths and fishing rods that had magnets on the end so kids could go fishing.  Station #4 was the animal washing station.  Students used sponges and spray bottles to clean off the plastic names we play with.  Station #5 was an inflatable pool filled with balls from the ball pit.  Station #6 was a bubble station.  Each student go wet to various degrees, but they all had a blast.  In fact I had several tired students we were trying to keep from falling asleep in their lunch.

Next week is our last week of school.  Please come to the class party if at all possible on Thursday.  Please meet in my room at 9:30am because we will be having a short graduation ceremony for those going to kindergarten.

Also thank you everyone who sent in little gifts during Teacher Appreciation Week and everyone who supported the PTA that also provided different gifts to us throughout teacher appreciation week.  It certainly made this a very special week.

Don't forget to wear pajamas on Monday!

Mrs. Massey

Field Day is coming!

Field Day is Monday, May 7!
- We will be outside approximately from 9-10:30 if you want to come and cheer us on.  If you bring siblings please make sure to keep an eye on them at all times! 
- Your child must have one sneakers!  I also recommend you put sunscreen on them and a hat.  I will not be applying sunscreen on them.  Your child will be wearing their tie dyed t-shirt so we should be easy to spot!

Mother's Day Snack is Wednesday, May 9!
Join your student for a special performance and snack.  We will be starting promptly at 10am

Return Ms. Alex's book page on Thursday, May 10!

Friday, May 11 is Water Day!
Put your child in their bathing suit with clothes over it!  Please send in a swim diaper and they must wear shoes with backs (no flip flops, but a sandal with a back is fine).  They will need a change of clothes.  They will be getting wet. 

The end of school is coming!
If there is anything you feel like you need before summer gets here please let me know now!  If your child is going to a different school next year please make sure to go register your child for the appropriate program.  Most schools have started registration.  If your child is returning to RNE you do not need to register them again.  All medication must be picked up by the parent on/before the last day of school.

Upcoming Events:May 7- Field Day- 9-10:30am, come join us for a day of fun outdoor events, consider volunteering for an event, make sure your child is wearing sneakers, sunscreen, and a hat, I will not be applying sunscreen to the children
May 9- Mother's Day Snack at 10am in Mrs. Massey's class- come join us for a special performance and snack to help celebrate Mother's Day
May 10- Return Ms. Alex's page for book
May 11- Water Day- send your student in a bathing suit with a swim diaper and shoes that can get wet that have a back strap (no flip flops) and a change of clothes, we will be getting wet
May 14- Pajamas Day- send your child to school in their pajamas
May 15- Favorite Color Day- wear your favorite color outfit
May 16- Picnic for lunch at Roswell Park for afternoon students
May 17- Class Party- 10am- contact Claire's mom or Tucker's mom for more details
May 18- Last Day of School- no backpacks!  Send lunch/snack in a brown paper bag!

Happy Artist Day!

Dear Parents,

I can honestly say that Artist Day is one of my favorite days of the year.  This is a wonderful opportunity for the kids to see various artists perform/create.  Each activity is 15 minutes with 5 minutes built in for time to transition.  This schedule works beautifully because the periods are short so the kids do not have enough time to get antsy, but rather stay enthralled with the whole process.  The kids loved traveling to seeing the different artists.  In the morning we saw a painter, violin and piano duet, outside play time, a potter creating a clay jug, reggae band (steel drum, drum set, and electric guitar), and a story teller.  After a lunch break  and a little bit of down time we then saw a woman make orgami, a guitarist, more outside time, dancers from North Springs High School, and Chinese instruments.  Ask them which was their favorite!

Also look in the next couple of days for a manilla envelope in your student's backpack.  Our Teacher in training Ms. Alex is heading to college (University of Alabama) this fall to start her degree in special education.  She has been a wonderful asset to the classroom and your kids truly love her.  Please decorate this piece of construction paper (do not fold and keep horizontal) for us to make a special book for her.  Please include a picture of your child somewhere in it, but please do not put anything 3D on it because we will be laminating it for her to keep safe.  Please return by Thursday, May 10.  We will be presenting it to her as a class and have a small ice cream celebration.

Also please remind your child there are 3 weeks left in school so I still expect wonderful behavior.  I know we are getting close to the end, but there is still learning to be done.

Upcoming Events:
May 7- Field Day- 9-10:30am, come join us for a day of fun outdoor events, consider volunteering for an event, make sure your child is wearing sneakers, sunscreen, and a hat, I will not be applying sunscreen to the children
May 9- Mother's Day Snack at 10am in Mrs. Massey's class- come join us for a special performance and snack to help celebrate Mother's Day
May 10- Return Ms. Alex's page for book
May 11- Water Day- send your student in a bathing suit with a swim diaper and shoes that can get wet that have a back strap (no flip flops) and a change of clothes, we will be getting wet
May 14- Pajamas Day- send your child to school in their pajamas
May 15- Favorite Color Day- wear your favorite color outfit
May 16- Picnic for lunch at Roswell Park for afternoon students
May 17- Class Party- 10am- contact Claire's mom or Tucker's mom for more details
May 18- Last Day of School- no backpacks!  Send lunch/snack in a brown paper bag!

Happy Friday!

Thank you for contributing to the Hungry Caterpillar snack today.  The kids loved trying/eating all the food.  Thank you so much!

USED BOOK SALE! READ AND RECYCLE!  Too many books on your child’s book shelf? Need new summer reading? Please donate books already read to the RNE Used Book Sale! We especially need chapter books for older readers! Bring them by the school library media center anytime. It’s a great sale with great bargains! Our goal is a book for every student. Bring ‘em on in!

Our art project is online.  Go to the foundations website and bid online if you are unable to attend the main event.  The min. bid for the set of these starts at $25, and goes up by $5 increments.  Also look at the other amazing projects the  classes have created.

Upcoming Events:
April 27- Artist Day- Students are able to walk around and see different artists/musicians/creative people
May 4- send in a empty spray bottle for water day
May 7- Field Day- 9-10:30am, come join us for a day of fun outdoor events, consider volunteering for an event, make sure your child is wearing sneakers, sunscreen, and a hat, I will not be applying sunscreen to the children
May 9- Mother's Day Snack at 10am in Mrs. Massey's class- come join us for a special snack to help celebrate Mother's Day
May 11- Water Day- send your student in a bathing suit with a swim diaper and shoes that can get wet that have a back strap (no flip flops) and a change of clothes, we will be getting wet
May 14- Pajamas Day- send your child to school in their pajamas
May 15- Favorite Color Day- wear your favorite color outfit
May 16- Picnic for lunch at Roswell Park
May 17- Class Party- 10am- contact Claire's mom or Tucker's mom for more details
May 18- Last Day of School

Updates

Parents-

We are having a great week and enjoying our time together.  On Monday we planted seeds in milk cartons.  We are eagerly anticipating them to turn into flowers.  Wednesday we performed "magic".  We put vinegar in a bottle and then tipped baking soda in with a balloon on top while saying the magic words.  Then the balloon blew up and the vinegar bubbled to our amazement the balloon blew up.

Please return all picture packets or picture money ASAP!  I need to turn those in.

Field Day is Monday, May 7, 2012 from 9-10:30am.  Please put sunscreen on your child and a hat on.  Your child must wear tennis shoes to participate.  They are not allowed to wear tennis shoes  I will be changing them into their tie dyed t-shirt.  You are more than welcome to come watch and support.

We will be having Mother's Day snack on Wednesday, May 11 at 10am.  Please come join us for our mini performance and snack.  Please make sure you are on time we will be starting right at 10am.

Please send your child in their bathing suit with a swim diaper and shoes that can get wet (for example water shoes, sandals with back straps; not flip flops).  Also if anyone could send in some empty spray bottles for water day please send them by Friday, May 4.  We will be using them to spray water.

Upcoming Events:
April 20- Hungry Caterpillar Snack- you will be receiving a note asking you to send in one of the food items from the very hungry caterpillar for the kids to share with the class
April 27- Artist Day- students are able to walk around and see different artists/musicians/creative people
May 7- Field Day- come join us for a day of fun outdoor events
May 9- Mother's Day Snack at 10am in Mrs. Massey's class- come join us for a special snack to help celebrate Mother's Day
May 11- Water Day- send your student in a bathing suit with an extra pair of clothes- we are getting wet
May 14- Pajamas Day- send your child to school in their pajamas
May 15- Favorite Color Day- wear your favorite color outfit
May 16- Picnic for lunch at Roswell Park
May 17- Class Party- 10am- contact Claire's mom or Tucker's mom for more details
May 18- Last Day of School

Reminders

Today was another fun music day.  We love our time with Mr. David. We got to play rhythm sticks, hit bells, sing, and dance.  Afterwards we worked on our colors and patterning on our caterpillar worksheet.

In the afternoon we collected the recycling from around the school.  This is a great time to talk about saving the planet.  In the afternoon we drew pictures of rabbits and talked about circles and ovals.

Reminders:

Don't forget to send back in pictures you do not want.  If you pay for yours online please send a note or an e-mail so I know and don't continue to bother you.

Watch your child's balance on their lunch account.  It is very important that they have money so they can buy breakfast and/or lunch.  If your child does not have money I will have to call you and ask you to bring money and/or food up to the school.

Don't forget to come to the soiree or at least bid on our precious note cards online!

Please continue to send in boxtops as you collect them!  They will go towards our total for next year.

Upcoming Events:
April 20- Hungry Caterpillar Snack- you will be receiving a note asking you to send in one of the food items from the very hungry caterpillar for the kids to share with the class
April 27- Artist Day- students are able to walk around and see different artists/musicians/creative people
May 7- Field Day- come join us for a day of fun outdoor events
May 9- Mother's Day Snack at 10am in Mrs. Massey's class- come join us for a special snack to help celebrate Mother's Day
May 11- Water Day- send your student in a bathing suit with an extra pair of clothes- we are getting wet
May 17- Class Party- 10am- contact Claire's mom or Tucker's mom for more details
May 18- Last Day of School

Spring time

Dear Parents,

I strongly encourage you to attend the art soiree and silent auction if possible it is lots of fun.  You can download the invitation off the the foundations website.  If you are unable to go and want to bid on the class note cards then go to http://www.rnefoundation.com/ , and click the Soiree Art button on the home page.  The note cards are absolutely adorable.  They should be posted on the website in the next day or two.

Also you should receive in your take home folder a request for you to send in an item for our hungry caterpillar snack next Friday.  Each child has been asked to bring in a specific item from the book to share with his/her friends.

Also if you have any old books at home you would like to donate to the used book sale feel free to send them in.  The used book sale will take place in May and used books are sold in the media center.  These are books families are no longer using.  Some books sell for 50 cents and some for a dollar.

As the school year comes to a close please watch the calendar closely.  Some dates will be changing and updated so continue to check our calendar.

Upcoming Events:
April 20- Hungry Caterpillar Snack- you will be receiving a note asking you to send in one of the food items from the very hungry caterpillar for the kids to share with the class
April 27- Artist Day- students are able to walk around and see different artists/musicians/creative people
May 7- Field Day- come join us for a day of fun outdoor events
May 9- Mother's Day Snack at 10am in Mrs. Massey's class- come join us for a special snack to help celebrate Mother's Day
May 11- Water Day- send your student in a bathing suit with an extra pair of clothes- we are getting wet
May 17- Class Party- 10am- contact Claire's mom or Tucker's mom for more details
May 18- Last Day of School

Spring Day

Parents-

We continued our spring discussion by making birds today.  Students colored and glued to piece together birds.  They are becoming beautiful projects.

School pictures have been sent home.  Please either return your package or send in money to pay for your package.  Also if you have changed your mind and want a class picture please send in $12.

Please keep track of how much lunch money your child has left.  Breakfast is $1.05 and Lunch is $2.10.  Starting next Monday if your child eats breakfast and lunch they need $78.25.  If your child eats only breakfast they need $26.25.  If your child needs and eat and does not have any money I will be calling you to come bring food or money.  If you want to make sure your child has enough money in their lunch account you may put a couple dollars in their folder each day marked as emergency lunch money.  This money will not be used unless your child needs it for food.
Check the calendar below for some dates that have been changed!
April 20- Hungry Caterpillar Snack- you will be receiving a note asking you to send in one of the food items from the very hungry caterpillar for the kids to share with the class
April 27- Artist Day- students are able to walk around and see different artists/musicians/creative people
May 9- Mother's Day Snack- 10am- Moms please plan to come in and eat snack with your child that day
May 11- Field Day- put sunscreen on your child and join us for a morning of fun
May 16- Water Day- send your student in a bathing suit with an extra pair of clothes- we are getting wet
May 17- Class Party- 10am- contact Claire's mom or Tucker's mom for more details
May 18- Last Day of School!

Spring Time

Dear Parents,

We started with our spring unit today.  The students worked together to create a bird's nest in a basket with paper grass and stuffed birds.  Then the students went and hunted for eggs.  After they collected all the eggs we went inside to make edible bird's nests out of chow mein noodles.  Students had to be willing to get very sticky and messy while doing this project.  Some were very excited to eat their project while others were content to take theirs home.

For the month of April we will be reading the Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and learning about spring.  I encourage you to read this book at home with your students.  It is an enjoyable book with lots of math concepts included.

Parents please keep track of your child's balance in the cafeteria.  As we get towards the end of the year they will not allow us to charge for lunches/breakfasts so if your child has a negative balance I will have to call you and ask you bring up food or bring up money.

April 20- Hungry Caterpillar Snack- you will be receiving a note asking you to send in one of the food items from the very hungry caterpillar for the kids to share with the class
April 27- Artist Day- students are able to walk around and see different artists/musicians/creative people
May 11- Water Day- send your student in a bathing suit with an extra pair of clothes- we are getting wet
May 16- Field Day- come join us for a day of fun outdoor events
May 17- Class Party- 10am- contact Claire's mom or Tucker's mom for more details
May 18- Last Day of School

Almost time for Spring Break!

Ms. Still wanted to leave you with plenty to do over spring break so here are some fine motor/sensory suggestions.

· Play-doh Caterpillar: Have your child pinch off small pieces of play-doh and roll it into balls to make a caterpillar. This works on pinch strength and bilateral coordination.

· Pre-writing Skills: Have your child practice drawing circles to make a caterpillar body.  Draw vertical lines to make the caterpillars legs. If your child is not yet drawing circles, you can have he/she stamp circles using paint and the open end of a plastic cup.  

· Caterpillar Puppet:   Cut a slit in an old tennis ball to make a mouth. Glue on eyes and antennae to make it look like a caterpillar. Have your child squeeze the tennis ball to open the mouth and feed the caterpillar with their other hand. Use small pom poms, cotton balls, or coins as “food”.

· Caterpillar Roll-Up: Have your child roll up into a blanket to be the caterpillar in a cocoon, keeping his/her head out. This activity provides deep pressure/proprioceptive sensory input which can have a calming/organizing effect. 

· Caterpillar Crawl: Have your child commando crawl (not on hands and knees) as if to wiggle like a caterpillar. Set up obstacles for your child to move under, around, or over (ie. over pillows, under a table, etc.). This is another great heavy work/proprioceptive activity that facilitates body awareness and motor planning skills.

· Caterpillar Taste Test: Have your child taste the different foods that the hungry caterpillar eats in the story. Talk about the textures (soft, hard, mushy) and the tastes (sweet, sour).

End of Year Calendar:
April 2-6 Spring Break
April 9- Bird Egg Hunt- students will be looking for bird's eggs and creating a yummy snack
April 27- Artist Day- students are able to walk around and see different artists/musicians/creative people
May 11- Water Day- send your student in a bathing suit with an extra pair of clothes- we are getting wet
May 16- Field Day- come join us for a day of fun outdoor events
May 17- Class Party- 10am- contact Claire's mom or Tucker's mom for more details
May 18- Last Day of School

We had FUN at the FUN RUN!

Hi Parents,

Boosterthon was an absolute success.  The kids loved running, dancing, riding in wagons, and walking their way around the track.  Each child gets to keep the t-shirt they wore.  Also you can still make a donation if you wish.

The art soiree is around the corner on April 21.  Our class is contributing a set of note cards that the kids made.  Each child put prints on the note card with the thumb or fingers.  Then our very own talented Mrs. Brooke took those prints and create animals and figures out them.  Each child got to pick what their print became.  These will be available at the auction.  Please consider coming to this great event.  Special thanks to Kathleen (Claire's mom) for helping organize this.

The end of year party is right around the corner.  If you would like to help with planning please contact Claire's mom Kathleen or Tucker's Mom Beth for more information.

Also very important parents: please do not pass information through the bus driver!  It is important I receive a note or e-mail instead!

End of Year Calendar:
April 2-6 Spring Break
April 9- Bird Egg Hunt
April 27- Artist Day
May 11- Water Day
May 16- Field Day
May 17- Class Party
May 18- Last Day of School

Fun Run

Hi Parents,

Tomorrow is our Boosterthon.  Remember part of the funds raised will go towards redoing the cafeteria and some of it comes directly back to our classroom.  We will be running at 8:30am.  Please make sure your child is wearing sneakers because we will be running, walking, skipping, riding our way around the track.  Please come support your child.  If you want to check your child out after the race you must check them out from the front office.

Today we had a police officer come visit us.  We learned more about stranger safety.  We even got to sit in the back of the police car!

Also remember spring break is April 2-6.  There will be no school that week.

Parents, please do not try to pass messages to me through the bus drivers.  Sometimes they do not arrive to me.  Please make sure to send a note or e-mail to let me know important information. 

What a fabulous day!

Thank you parents for coming to our very wonderful spring show!  I was so proud of all the kiddos as they performed their songs and dances.  They all looked darling wearing their tie-dyed t-shirts.  It was such a special day.

Boosterthon Information:
We will be running Wednesday, March 28 at 8:30am on the field.  If it rains we will be running in the gym!  We will be running with the pre-k through 1st grade students.  Our kiddos will run, walk, skip, and ride in wagons around the track.  Please come out to support your student.  You may want to wear sneakers because many parents end up walking/running with student.

Also Spring Break is April 2-6!  Take time to relax and enjoy your student.

Boosterthon!

Hi Parents,

We had our Boosterthon Pep Rally Kick Off this afternoon.  Students enjoyed dancing and hearing about Boosterthon.  You should have a pledge book in your child's backpack to help explain on the pledge system works.  This is a wonderful opportunity for our kiddos to participate in!  The fun run will be Wednesday, March 28 in the morning.

Also don't forget our fabulous show this Friday at 9am.  Be prepared to be amazed!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Dear Parents,

We spent today talking about and celebrating St. Patrick's Day.  Special Thanks to Ollie's Mom Leah for sending in a special rainbow cake and playing the role of the leprechaun.  We have been discussing the "tricky" leprechaun this week and how we were going to try to catch him with leprechaun food (Lucky Charms).

Also today a dentist came and talked to us about how it is important to brush our teeth.  The kiddos were awesome listeners and made her a thank you card for coming.

We have started practicing on stage for the show next Friday.  The show is Friday, March 23 at 9am in the cafeteria.  Please dress your child in jeans.  I will have their tie dye t-shirt here at school to change them.  After the performance we will have a special treat to celebrate our hard work.  Please come join us.

Next week is the Boosterthon Kick Off.  You will be receiving more information about that soon.  The Fun Run will be the morning of March 28 and we would love for you to join us!

Happy Weekend!

Moving into March

Dear Parents,

We have started talking more and more about how March is moving us into spring time.  We also are talking about St. Patrick's Day and Community Helpers.

Yesterday, Nurse Susan from Kennestone came in to talk to us.  She talked about how helpers (police officers, fire fighters, nurses, etc.) help keep us safe.  She also talked to us about how sometimes going to see the doctor or a nurse is scary, but they want to help keep us well.

Today we played math games and also made special hats to wear in our performance. 

Thank you to everyone who sent in a white t-shirt for the show!  The kids are going to look great!

Also thank you, thank you, thank you for making such spectacular Yes I Can posters.  People are constantly commenting about how cool the posters are and how special our students are.  Your kiddos were so proud when they showed their friends.

Don't forget tomorrow is Chick-Fil-A night!  I hope to see everyone there!

Thoughts from Ms. Brooke

Our Pre-school theme this month is Community Helpers. There also happens to be a little holiday this month, St. Patricks Day! The children will be learning a lot about different kinds of people and that tricky leprechaun. My challenge this month is to really practice appropriate usage of pronouns. If your child is doing well with pronouns then improving their syntax and grammar structure while speaking.           

            As always these units will be chalked full of vocabulary. You can print off copies of images you find online for our monthly vocabulary listed below or just have these words/actions in mind when talking with your child this month.

            The formation of language begins at birth. As a child’s language develops, you can help your child understand how to use their language more effectively through your own use of appropriate grammar (classes of words, their forms, and functions) and syntax (the arrangement of words and how we put them together for a specific meaning). Some children with speech and language difficulties have problems understanding, pronouncing, and using even the simplest and smallest units of a word (-ed, - ing, -s). Children begin to realize that the more words they hear and repeat, the more their world is expanding. Even though children put together crazy sentences (that may make sense to a parent) or questions that are cute and comical, you should always respond to your child’s communication attempts with correct grammar and syntax. Responding to your children with baby talk when they are trying to communicate with you teaches them that this type of talk is correct and appropriate.

Here are some strategies to use with children at home to help improve their use of grammar and syntax.

·         Use correct grammar and syntax when speaking or responding to your child. Don’t focus on correcting your child. For example, if your child says, “Her hitted me!” you should respond, “Did she hit you?” Always respond as an adult. Don’t use baby talk.

·         Cut out cartoon frames from newspaper comics and glue them to cards. Add a cartoon speech bubble to the cards and have the child tell you verbally what the cartoon is saying. Ask questions about the cartoon that prompts the child to use different forms of the verb. “What do you think he is saying? What was he saying? What do you think he will say? Where are they going? Where have they been? Where are they?”

·         Print pictures of boys and girls off the Internet or make a point of discussing gender in your story books at home. Plainly state to your child, “This is a boy- HE is walking. This is a girl, SHE is swinging”. I often use the phrases, “When I see a boy doing something- I say HE. When I see a girl doing something- I say SHE

·         Make placemats for the kitchen table with pictures cut out of old magazines or newspaper of categories for the child to talk about before or after eating. Use a single piece of construction paper and place cut outs of letters on one mat, animals, machines, sports, and body parts on different mats. (Your wonderful teachers have these in their classrooms to use during all meals)

·         Use everyday objects around the house to teach plurals. “I have a spoon. You have two spoons.”

Even before children learn to read and write, they can learn to use correct grammar and syntax. Having a grasp of grammar and syntax will help your child with reading comprehension and writing in the future.

Adapted from: http://www.superduperinc.com/handouts/pdf/233_TeachingFundamentals.pdf

Monthly Vocabulary:

-       Teacher

-       Farmer

-       Police officer

-       Fire fighter

-       Mail carrier

-       Doctor

-       Dentist

-       Librarian

-       wave

-       hide

Now back to Mrs. Massey........

A couple of other side notes:

- Please make a Yes I can! poster with your child showing all the things they can do.  Posters will be displayed around the school for Exceptional Children's Week to show how fabulous your child is
- Please, please, please send in a white t-shirt for the show
- Chick-Fil- A night is Wednesday, March 7 from 6-7

Upcoming Calendar Dates!
March 1- Send in your plain white t-shirt for Mrs. Massey to tie dyeMarch 5- Have your child bring their Yes I can poster to school.
March 7- Chick- Fil- A at 6pm
March 9- Teacher Workday
March 15- Picture Day (this will be for spring individual pictures and a class picture)
March 23- Spring Show
March 28- Boosterthon
April 2-9 Spring Break