Little Pig, Little Pig, Let Me Come In!

This past week we took our farm theme to the story of The Three Little Pigs.  To begin the week we worked as teams to build a house made of straw:

A house made of sticks:

And a house made of bricks:

We then used our dramatic skills to retell the story.  The students strengthened their language skills and demonstrated self confidence as they took turns acting out the different characters from the story:

You can click here to see more pictures of our pig project.

We even took all of that huffing and puffing from the big bad wolf into our art by creating some beautiful blow art.

I challenged the students to build some three little pig walls using a variety of materials from our classroom.  Some of the walls were simple, some were much more complex!  You can click here to see more pictures of our wall building challenge.

Motor Development

Mrs. Mosher, our classroom occupational therapist was with us on Thursday.  She worked on developing fine motor, gross motor, and literacy skills by playing letter bowling with us!  Click here to see more pictures of the bowling.  

Zones of Regulation

We also spent time talking about the four zones of regulation.  I challenged groups of children to pose for pictures of what they might look like when they are in the different zones.  The plan is to print these pictures off and use them with the students to help them further understand what each zone feels like.  

Coming Up - Show and Tell!

This next week we will put the farm away and begin the theme of camping! 

On Wednesday and Thursday we will be having show and tell.  Each student is welcome to bring ONE item from home to show to the class.  Please do not send electronics or anything breakable.  The students will each have a chance to show their item to their classmates as well as tell them what they have brought as we sit around our pretend "campfire."

• May 24th and 25th - show and tell
• each student can bring one item from home to show their peers
• June 7th and 8th - early dismissal days
• the morning class will dismiss at 10:25 am
• the afternoon class will dismiss at 2:15 pm
• June 22nd - last day of PreK classes 

Happy Mother's Day!

We hope all of our very special Mom's have a Happy Mother's Day and enjoy their gifts!  The students were so proud of their projects that some of them did not want to give them away!

Very Muddy Pigs!

We spent the week strengthening our fine motor skills by working on a muddy pig project.  Over a three day span we painted, cut, and glued our pigs.  Then we used paint, glue, and coffee grounds to concoct some fantastic mud that we used to finger paint our pigs!  You can click here to see more pictures of our pig project.

Zones of Regulation

This week we reviewed the zones of regulation.  We talked about different scenarios and what zone you would be in if that situation was happening to you.  Each student had a turn to "jump" into the correct coloured hula hoop to identify how a situation would make them feel.  For example, we talked about how you might feel if you were fighting with your sister - red zone (angry).  Click here to see more pictures of our zones lesson.

The following chart is an excellent resource that you can use to help your child understand how they are feeling and which zone they are in.  As the children in our class experience different emotions we are helping them to recognize what zone they are in.  For example, we might say, "you are feeling tired, you are in the blue zone."

We are Loving the Weather!

We took full advantage of the nice weather this week and had gym class outside!  The kids had fun rotating through different stations trying out badminton, Velcro-glove catch, crawling through tunnels, bowling, playing hopscotch, blowing bubbles, and playing tug of war!

Building Independence

Thank you to all of the families who came out to Friday's FOP on Building Independence.  I think the students enjoyed having some quality time with their Moms.  I hope you found the afternoon useful and took home some strategies that you can apply in your day to day life to help promote independence with your preschooler!  Click here to see more pictures from our FOP.

Coming Up

Next week we will finish up our farm unit.  We will spend the majority of our week talking about the three little pigs!  

On Thursday May 18th, Riverview School is having a tropical day - all students are encouraged to wear their favourite beach gear (shorts, tank tops, sunglasses, etc.) on this day.  

• May 22nd - no school - Victoria Day 
• June 7th and 8th - Early Dismissal Days
• The morning class will dismiss at 10:25 am
• The afternoon class will dismiss at 2:15 pm

Down on the Farm!

We have been having fun with the farm theme this past week.  We have been singing The Farmer in the Dell as well as Old McDonald Had a Farm.  

We talked about different things farmers do, such as take care of animals and grow crops.  More specifically, we talked about corn - how corn is grown on farms, and some of the ways people use corn.  We discussed corn on the cob, kernel corn, and popcorn!  We had fun exploring with corn this week.  

On Monday we used popcorn kernels to do some popcorn science.  The students were wowed to see the kernels 'dancing' around the mason jar after we mixed together water, baking soda, and vinegar.   

On Tuesday, we used corn on the cob to create some beautiful corn paintings!  Click here to see more pictures of our corn fun. 

Our Visit to Robina Baker

Thank you to all of the families that attended the Robina Baker field trip.  The field trip was a great success and a fun opportunity to begin the transition to our new school!  You can click here to see more pictures from our field trip.

In the Gym

We strengthen our hand eye coordination by playing an animal rescue game.  In this game, all of the farm animals had escaped the farm!  I challenged the students to balance the farm animals on a badminton racket and carefully transport them back to the safety of the farm.  

I Can Do It By Myself!

A FOPS on Building Independence

Myself, along with our classroom occupational therapist, Natasha Mosher, and one of our speech and language pathologists, Dallyce McGowan are excited to be hosting a Building Independence FOPS here at Riverview School.

The FOPS will take place on Friday, May 12th from 1:00 - 2:30 pm.

We will share ideas and strategies for promoting independence with your pre-kindergarten aged child.  

Plan bring your child with you.  This FOPS will be an information session, followed by the opportunity to try some of these strategies with your child first hand as you rotate through some “independence building” centers together.

Please let me know if you plan on attending so that we can prepare the materials accordingly.

Coming Up

Next week we will continue with our farm theme.

• May 12th - 1:00 - 2:30 pm - Building Independence FOP
• Riverview School, all PreK families are welcome to attend 

• May 22nd - no school - Victoria Day

Spring

Spring has sprung in PreK!  We had fun last week with our Spring Theme. 

Earth Day

We talked about Earth Day and brainstormed ways we can help take care of our planet.  We planted grass in our sensory bin.  Then we strengthened our fine motor skills by using coffee filters, markers, and water to create Earth's of our own!  Click here to see more pictures of our PreK Earth Day.  

Zones of Regulation

This week we talked about how our behaviors and actions make other people feel.  I began to introduce the concept that when you behave in an unexpected way, it can make the people around you feel scared, sad, or uncomfortable.  We talked about different scenarios and behaviors, and then shared using colored popsicle sticks how each scenario would make us feel.  (Green sticks for good feelings and red sticks for sad or negative feelings).

A Unique Musical Experience

On Wednesday we had a special visit from Mr. Paul Bromley.  Mr. Paul is an occupational therapist who does music with preschool aged children.  We had so much fun with Mr. Paul.  He began his session by doing yoga with the class.  The students were very intrigued by his musical bowl.  After the yoga he did several songs with the students, and even let each student take a turn playing his mandolin!  Click here to see more pictures of our musical experience.  

Worms, Caterpillars, and Bugs!

We enjoyed playing some fun bug games in the gym this week.  The students really loved to play a running game called "Spiders and Flies."  We also read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and "We're Going on a Nature Hunt."  It was all giggles in the room when we used noodles to experience "worm painting."  Click here for more pictures of our worm fun. 

We made our own special bumblebee fidgets using balloons filled with sand.  The students loved their little bumblebee's dearly.  We used our bees to sing "I'm Bringing Home My Baby Bumblebee."  Maybe if you are lucky your child will sing it for you at home as well!

Coming Up

This week we will begin our farm unit.

• May 3rd and 4th - Early Dismissal days
• The morning class will dismiss at 10:25 am 
• The afternoon class will dismiss at 2:15 pm
• May 5th - Field Trip to Robina Baker FOP
• 10:00 - 11:30 am
• Please let me know if you plan on attending
• May 12th - Building Independence FOP - Riverview School
• 1:00 - 2:30 pm
• Please let me know if you plan on attending
• May 22nd - No School - PD Day

Another Short Week!

We managed to squeeze a whole lot of fun into our two days of school last week.  We painted flowers to begin our unit of spring.  Maybe our artwork will motivate spring to arrive for real!

Bubbly Bubbly Bubbly  

It was a messy one, but we certainly had fun strengthening our oral motor muscles by bubble painting to make new placemats this past week.  You can click here to see more pictures of our bubbly adventure.  

Jump Around!

In the gym we set up several stations for the students to rotate through that focused on JUMPING!  We practiced jumping down, hopping on one foot, two feet jumping, as well as jumping on the mini trampolines.  We also sang Five Green and Speckled Frogs to practice jumping down from the log (bench) when it was our turn.

Spring FOPS

Thank you to all of the families who attended the Spring Themed FOPS on Friday.  The students had a blast rotating through different spring stations with their family members while they worked on developing a wide variety of skills.

You can click here to see more pictures from the FOPS.

Rubber Boots!

Please send your child to school with rubber boots and splash pants this week.  All of this spring snow is making our playground and field very wet.  Please also make sure that your child has an extra change of clothes hanging on their hook (or in their backpack) incase they happen to get wet when we are outside.  Thank you!

A Field Trip to Robina Baker!

It is official - we are thrilled to announce that PreK will be moving back to Robina Baker for the upcoming school year.  

This means, that whether your child is moving on to kindergarten, or staying in PreK, we are ALL going to be going to Robina Baker School in September.

In order to help with this transition, I have planned a “Field Trip to Robina Baker FOPS (Family Orientated Programming Session).”

This FOPS is open to ALL of the students from our PreK program.  

It will be held on Friday, May 5th from 10:00 - 11:30 am

• We will meet at the front doors of the school

This FOPS is a chance for you and your child to come to Robina Baker and get to know our future school!  There will be a scavenger hunt set up for you and your child to do together, as well as the opportunity for some exploration in one of the kindergarten rooms.

Please let me know if you plan on attending.  

We will also be hosting a Kindergarten Information Night 

Wednesday, April 26 at 7 pm! 

This event is a great opportunity for families and children to tour the school, meet the teachers, and learn more about the program! If you have a child registered in Pre-Kindergarten or Kindergarten next year, please join us.  If you know of a family with children ready to come to school and have not registered yet, please let them know we still have room and they are welcome to come to the parent night too. All parents will receive class preference and payment information. If you are unable to attend: please contact the office for missed information.

You are more than welcome to attend the Field Trip to Robina Baker FOPS, the Pre-K and Kinder Night, or both if you wish!

Coming Up

This upcoming week we will talk about Earth Day and continue with our theme of Spring.

• April 26th, 7:00 pm - Kindergarten and PreK Parent Information Night
• Robina Baker School
• May 3rd and 4th - Early Dismissal Days
• the morning class will dismiss at 10:25 am
• the afternoon class will dismiss at 2:15 pm
• May 5th, 10:00 - 11:30 am - Field trip to Robina Baker FOPS
• Please let me know if you plan on attending
• May 22nd - Victoria Day, no school

Happy Easter!

Well, this week has been busy, messy, and very exciting!  We enjoyed different Easter themed activities everyday.  On Wednesday, we dyed Easter eggs.

Easter Art!

We certainly strengthened our fine motor skills this week through several different art activities.  On Tuesday, we filled plastic eggs with a variety of materials, and then had fun rolling them around in paint.  You can click here to see more pictures of our egg rolling paint.

We didn't let the weather hold us back on Thursday.  We modified our messy outdoor art project and brought the fun inside!  The students were thrilled with this project.  We let their creativity shine as they threw paint filled eggs onto canvases.  They also had access to paint filled squeeze bottles, as well as bumpy rollers to finish off their masterpieces.  We used a LOT of paint.  Good thing those canvases have the long weekend to dry!  You can click here to see more pictures of our artistic creations.  

We made push pin egg art with Mrs. Mosher, our classroom occupational therapist this week.  The students enjoyed this activity which helped to strengthen their fine motor skills and pincer grasp. 

Egg Science

It was all giggles and screams while we did egg experiments.  We used water, eggs, and Alka Seltzer tablets to make egg rockets.  The students were shocked when the eggs popped open.  You can click here to see more pictures of our egg rocket adventures.  

Bunnies in the Gym

We played bunny tag, had egg relay races, and also balanced eggs on spoons in the gym this week.  The students were full of energy and very excited about the Easter games.  You can click here to see more pictures from the gym.

Egg Hunt

After working hard to make Easter baskets, the students were thrilled on Thursday when we surprised them with an Easter egg hunt.

  

You can click here to see more pictures of our egg hunting fun.

Coming Up

• April 14th - no school - Good Friday
• April 17th - no school - Easter Monday and semester break
• April 18th - no school - PD Day
• April 21st - Spring Themed FOP, 9:30 - 11:00 am 
• all PreK families are welcome to attend 

Enjoy your Easter weekend.  Next week we will begin our unit on Spring!

Easter Fun!

Last week was all about Easter.  We had fun painting with plastic Easter eggs, making egg maracas, as well as playing egg toss in the gym!  We also strengthened our fine motor skills by painting eggs with Q-tips.  Click here to see more pictures of our 'egg-citing' times.   

Our new classroom occupational therapist, Natasha Mosher was here on Thursday and played an Easter egg game with us that worked on fine motor, visual perception, and bilateral skills.  

Sports, Sports, Sports!

We worked on our hand-eye coordination skills while enjoying a little bit of friendly competition and playing some hockey in the gym.  We used pool noodle hockey sticks and plastic balls for our game.  














We also had fun "racing" through our school field one day.  The weather has been so beautiful, and the kids were delighted to be outside.  

You can click here to see more pictures of our hockey and outside fun.  

Coming Up

We will be having our Easter parties this Thursday, April 13th.  I will be asking some parents to send snacks for the party - please watch for a note if it is your turn!  The Monday/Wednesday students are invited to join either the morning or afternoon party during their normally scheduled time slot.  

I have a MESSY outdoor art project planned for this day.  This project will involve a lot of PAINT.  Please send your child to school in old clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting covered in paint.  You might also want to send an extra change of clothes in their backpack in case anyone needs to change when we are done. 

• April 13th - Easter Parties 
• April 14th - Good Friday, no school
• April 17th - Easter Monday/Mid term break - no school
• April 18th - PD Day - no school
• April 21st - Spring FOP 9:30 - 11:00 am - all PreK families are welcome to attend