Snowmen Snowmen

Last week we began our theme of snowmen.  The students enjoyed a little song we were singing called “I’m a little snowman.”

Art Corner

     

Last week in art we finished up our fluffy bears, as well as started new placemats.  These placemats were made using "scrape" painting and were a rather messy process involving squirting and then scraping paint on our paper!  Unfortunately due to the messy nature of this project we were only able to snap a couple of pictures of art this week.  

You can see more pictures of art and pictures from the rest of our week by clicking here.

Calming Tools

We have spent a lot of time learning different ways to calm down when we feel frustrated.  Self regulation is an important life skill that prekindergarten children need to be taught.  They need to understand that it’s okay to have big feelings like anger and frustration, but it’s not okay to hit, push, or take our anger out on others.  

I have begun introducing the students to the zones of regulation.  See the chart below for a quick run down on the different zones.  We have mostly been discussing the red, yellow, and green zones.

I used the book “Mouse Was Mad” to talk about feelings and different tools that we can use to bring ourselves out of the red zone.  Our classroom occupational therapist Kayla has also made us a book called “Hands Are Not For Hitting.”  The students love this little book that talks about all the fun things you can do with your hands and how hitting makes other people feel.

The calming tools we have discussed so far include: belly breathing, jumping on the trampoline, asking to take a break, standing still breathing, going for a walk, taking a drink, umbrella breathing, squeezing a stress ball, pushing your hands together, pulling your hands apart, and taking a break in the egg chair.  

Our team will be coaching and helping the students to pick one of these calming tools if they feel frustrated or red zone feelings when they are at school.  Some of these calming tools are also excellent to use when we are over excited in the yellow zone.  

Mr. Paul

We were lucky to have another visit from Mr. Paul on Tuesday morning.  Mr. Paul is the musical occupational therapist who will be visiting our classroom from time to time throughout the year.  This time he brought yoga cards, a singing bowl, and a dulcimer.  We loved learning about the dulcimer, and the students were all excited to try playing it.  It is always fun learning when Mr. Paul comes!  

You can click here to see more pictures from his visit.

Snow Pants Galore!

We all know the joy of trying to get prekindergarten aged children dressed for playing outside in the winter.  We spent this past week practicing these important dressing skills.  We had a lesson on how to get dressed to go outside, then we hung up the steps by our coat hooks.  The students have enjoyed having a visual reference to follow while they are getting ready.  

Let's Bake!

Our visit from Let's Bake is happening this Thursday, November 30th.  The Monday/Wednesday students are invited to join us during their regular classroom times.  Thank you to all of the parents who have already volunteered.  

I am still looking for one more parent volunteer from the MORNING CLASS. If you can help out please let me know!

Upcoming Robina Baker Events:

Coming Up in Prekindergarten

Next week we will continue our unit on snowmen.  

• November 30th - Let's Bake presentation
• the M/W students are welcome to join us during their regular time slot
• December 6th and 7th - Early Dismissal days
• the morning class will dismiss at 10:30 am
• the afternoon class will dismiss at 2:15 pm
• December 20th - Christmas Concert 6:30 pm
• December 22nd - January 7th - Christmas Break
• January 8th - classes resume 

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear

Last week our classroom was all about bears!  Our song for the week was "Teddy Bear Teddy Bear."  We had bears in our sensory bin, bears in the gym, as well as a bear cave in our classroom!

In The Gym

We went on a "bear hunt" in the gym this week.  While singing the song "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" the students worked their way through an obstacle course of pylons, balance beams, hula hoops, and mats to strengthen their core and locomotor skills.  

Sensory Bear Art

We read the book "Big Smelly Bear" by Britta Teckentrup this week.  The students loved the silly storyline in this book about a bear who refuses to take a bath.  

We then made our own big fluffy bear paint by mixing shave cream, white glue, and brown paint so that we could paint our own bears.  The students loved squirting the shaving cream into the bowl and mixing up the fluffy paint.  

Click here to see more pictures of our bear art.

A Special Thank You!

Thank you to the Fouquette family for donating your home made marble run to our class.  The marble run has been a huge hit amongst all the students.  It has been great opportunity to learn about scientific concepts as well as practice our turn taking skills!  Thanks also to the Fouquette family for generously sending in play dough for us to enjoy!

Click here to see more pictures of the marble run and other fun we had this week.

Volunteers Needed!

I still need two more volunteers from the morning class for our Let's Bake Presentation that will be happening on Thursday, November 30th.  Thank you to the parents who have already offered to help out.  If you are interested in helping out please let me know.

Mark Your Calendars!

It's hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner.  The PreK and kindergarten Christmas concert will be Wednesday, December 20th at 6:30 pm. 

 

Coming Up

This week we will begin our theme of snowmen.  Important dates:

• November 30th - Let's Bake Presentation
• All students are welcome to attend 
• The M/W students can join in during their regular time slots 
• December 6th and 7th - Early Dismissal Days
• The morning class will dismiss at 10:30 am
• The afternoon class will dismiss at 2:15 pm

We Remember

We talked about Remembrance Day this week.  Students also had the opportunity to make poppies in our craft centre.

Pyjama Day

We had a great time wearing our pyjamas to school for Hibernation Day!  This day was all about bears.  We had fun taking our bears through an obstacle course in the gym.  

The students enjoyed a teddy bear picnic during snack time. 

 We also played a little bear game that worked on our speech and language skills as each student had the opportunity to tell us about their bear or stuffed animal before throwing it onto a big blanket that we then used to shake our bears around.  

Click here to see more pictures from pyjama day.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears 

This week we read Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  The students then enjoyed the sensory experience of the porridge exploration centre.  In this centre students could measure, dump, mix, and pour with a fabulous mixture of oats and water.

We also had fun retelling and playing the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  

We strengthened our fine motor skills and enjoyed a sensory experience when we made a sandy bear craft.  

Click here to see more pictures of our bear adventures

Our poem this week was Teddy Bear Teddy Bear.  This is a simple little poem that the students enjoyed doing the actions to.  Reciting the same poem again and again helps students to develop language and literacy skills.  I have included the words so you can do it at home as well!

Teddy bear, teddy bear,

Turn around!

Teddy bear, teddy bear,

Touch the ground!

Teddy bear, teddy bear,

Jump up high!

Teddy bear, teddy bear,

Touch the sky!

Teddy bear, teddy bear,

Bend down low!

Teddy bear, teddy bear,

Touch you toes!

Teddy bear, teddy bear,

Turn out the light!

Teddy bear, teddy bear,

Say good night!

Games, Games, Games

We had our second round of "Games Time" this week.  Games are full of wonderful learning opportunities.  Board games help to practice and reinforce language concepts, social skills and turn taking, early numeracy skills, literacy skills, and the all important life lesson that you might not win every time!

You can click here to see more pictures of our games day.

Coming Up

Next week we will continue with our Bear theme.  Important dates coming up:

• Monday, November 13th - no school, midterm break
• Thursday, November 30th - Let's Bake presentation
• M/W students are welcome to attend for this day during their regular time slot
• Parent volunteers are still needed - please let me know if you can help out!

Happy Halloween

With Halloween, a PD Day, and Pajama Day, last week was stocked full of fun.

Halloween 

On Halloween both of our classes enjoyed participating in a Halloween parade.  We then rotated the students through stations of pumpkin carving, a Halloween scavenger hunt, and a witches brew story on the light table.  The students had fun comparing costumes, eating party food, and enjoying some Halloween center time to end their day.  

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

Please note, I am not allowed to post pictures of your child if you have not filled out your FOIP form, or if you did not give consent on your form.  If you are wondering about the status of your child's FOIP form please feel free to contact myself or else Maureen and Cheryl in the office.  If you recently filled out your child's FOIP form I still have to wait for the green light from the office to start posting.  Please bear with me while I wait for an updated list!

Thank You

A huge thank you goes out to Erin Spurgeon, Katryn Mawson-Dalmer, Laura Culham, and Melanie Clark for helping to carve pumpkins with us on Halloween.  We could not have done it without you!  Thanks also to the other parents who offered to help out, there will be more opportunities to volunteer coming up.  I would also like to thank the families who sent snacks for our parties - the children enjoyed their party food!

Little Ghost 

This week we strengthened our oral language skills by reciting this fun little Halloween poem.  The students loved this poem and continuously asked to do it again and again!  I would encourage you to do it at home as well, the students especially love being "scared" at the end of the poem!

Little Ghost 

I saw a little ghost (make ghost eyes)

He saw me too (point at self)

I waved at hime (wave to each other)

But he said "BOO!" (scare each other)

Pajama Day

We had fun on Pajama Day.  The students enjoyed wearing their pajamas to school and bringing their favourite stuffed animal.  We will be having ANOTHER pajama day on Monday, November 6th.  Students are invited to wear their pajamas to school and bring a stuffed bear or animal of their choice.  Stay tuned for pajama day pictures coming next week!

Christmas Cards

The Christmas Card orders are due November 10th.  

To see a preview of your child's card you can click here.  

(If your child's card is not yet posted, it is because they are still finishing the final details.  They will all be posted by early next week).  Don't mind the toys I had to use to hold the cards shut for the pictures!

A Special Visitor

We were lucky enough to have a special visitor on October 23rd.  Thank you to Aliyah's Grandma for coming to read a pumpkin story to our afternoon class.  I am more than happy to welcome special guests into our room who are interested in reading to our classes.  If you or someone you know would like to come read with your child's class please contact me so we can arrange a time!

Coming Up

This week we will continue our theme of Bears.  Important Dates:

• November 8th and 9th - Early Dismissal Days
• The morning class will dismiss at 10:30 am
• The afternoon class will dismiss at 2:15 pm
• November 13th - No School - Midterm Break
• November 30th - Let's Bake Presentation
• all students are invited for this day
• the M/W students are welcome to join during their regular time slot
• parent volunteers needed

Take Me Outside!

Last week was national "Take Me Outside" Week.  We decided to have some outside fun.  On Monday and Tuesday we enjoyed taking nature walks around the school yard.  We found some really cool things right in our own school yard!  Wednesday and Thursday we worked on some of our fine and gross motor skills by spending some time outside drawing with sidewalk chalk.  

You can click here to see more pictures of our outdoor adventures.  

Halloween Fine Motor Tasks

This week we worked on  strengthening that all important pincer grasp by gluing Halloween candies onto the first letter of our name.  On Thursday the children also enjoyed a friendly vocabulary developing game of Halloween Bingo.  

You can click here to see more pictures of our Halloween activities.

Picture Palooza!

I finally have the green light to post pictures from our classroom.  I have went back through my blog and posted pictures throughout.  I hope you enjoy seeing first hand some of the fun we have in this room!

Please note - if you have not signed your child's FOIP form, or if you did not give consent on your child's FOIP form, then I am unable to post pictures of your child on my blog.  Feel free to contact myself or Cheryl and Maureen in the office if you are unsure or require further clarification.  

Christmas Card Fundraiser 

Robina Baker School does a really cool fundraiser.  Each child makes a unique piece of art work that you can order to be printed on Christmas cards.  I will be sending the fundraiser information home next week.  We are almost done making our cards - they are so cute!  I will email pictures of the art work, as well as post pictures on my blog as soon as we are done so that you can have a preview of what your child's cards will look like.  

Please let me know if you have any questions or require further clarification about this fundraiser.  You have no obligation to order cards if you are not interested.  

Halloween Party

We will be having our Halloween Parties on Tuesday, October 31st.  Our Monday/Wednesday students are welcome to join us for the parties (during their regular scheduled time slot).  

The children are welcome to dress up for the day.  I have asked certain parents to send snacks for the party, so you do not need to send snacks with your child for this day unless you think your child will not eat our party food.

Our morning class will participate in the Halloween Parade at 9:00 am.  Our afternoon class will be having their own Halloween Parade at 12:45 pm.  All parents and families are welcome to come watch the parades!  

Pajama Day

We will kick off our Bears unit on Thursday, November 2nd as well as Monday, November 6th by having a bring a bear and wear your pajamas to school day.  

Your child is welcome to wear their pajamas and bring their favorite bear to school on these days!

Coming Up

Next week will begin with Halloween and end with Bears!

• October 31st - Halloween Party - all students are invited to attend
• Halloween parades at 9:00 am and 12:45 pm - all parents are welcome to come watch 
• November 1st - PD Day - no school
• November 2nd - PJ Day - wear your pajamas and bring your favorite bear
• November 6th - PJ Day - wear your pajamas and bring your favorite bear 
• November 7th and 8th - Early Dismissal Days
• the morning class will dismiss at 10:30 am
• the afternoon class will dismiss at 2:15 pm
• November 13th - no school - Midterm break  

Pumpkin Palooza!

We had a fun week exploring with pumpkins.  During center time, students had fun cleaning pumpkins in the "pumpkin wash."  Later in the week, we worked on those important hand-eye coordination skills by hammering golf tees and pushing tacks into pumpkins.  I was impressed by how well some of the students could manipulate the hammers!

Click here to see more pictures from this week!

This week during circle time we practiced our language skills by reciting the "Five Little Pumpkins" Poem.  This is a finger play the students enjoyed acting out together.  

Copy Cat

In the gym this week we played copy cat.  The students each had a turn to be the "cat" while everyone copied his/her actions.  It was all giggles (and a whole lot of running!)  This is a fun game you could play at home with your child as well.  The students loved having their turn to lead the activity.

Shoes

We are working with your children on developing independence everyday.  One big step is putting on and taking off their own shoes and coats.  Some of our students have shoes that are extremely difficult to get on and off.  Please consider sending your child to school in footwear that they can easily put on and take off so that they can feel successful with independent dressing.

Water Bottles

I am looking for empty disposable water bottles that we can use for crafts.  If you have any to spare please let me know!

Pumpkin Volunteers 

I will be looking for parents that are interested in volunteering to carve pumpkins with us on Halloween!  I will need two volunteers to help the morning class and two volunteers to help the afternoon class.  Please let me know if you are interested in helping out.  

Party Snacks

Throughout the year I will be asking parents to send snacks for our different parties.  This prevents us from getting too much party food, and also allows every family to have a turn to send a snack.  You are never required to send party snacks.  If I ask you to send a snack and you are not able to at this time, please let me know and I will be happy to ask another family instead.  

Watch for snack notes to be coming home early next week - if you see a note that means it is your turn to send a snack!

Parent Meetings

I have had parents asking if prekindergarten has parent meetings.  We do not have parent meetings on the same night as the rest of the school.  

Our PUF funded and mild/moderate funded students will be having their meetings soon to go through their Individualized Program Plans (IPPs).  These meetings will be taking place over the next three-four weeks.  I will be contacting you soon to set up a day and time.  The majority of these meetings will be taking place on Fridays.  

Parents of students who are not funded, you will have a chance to meet with me too!  I will set up a day near the end of November, and you will be able to sign up for a time to sit down with me if you would like to hear about how things are going at school.  

Coming Up

This week we will continue with our Halloween theme.  

Important Upcoming Dates:

• October 31st - Halloween Day
• all students are invited for this fun day
• the morning students will still come in the morning
• the afternoon students will still come in the afternoon
• students are welcome to come to school in their costumes on this day
• we will be having party snacks, so your child does not need to bring a snack to school unless you think they will not want to eat our party food
• November 1st - PD Day - No School
• November 2nd and 6th - Pajama Days
• wear your pajamas and bring a bear to school!

It is Fall!

Our theme this week was fall.  The students had fun making leaf soup, sweeping up the leaves in our classroom, and painting fall trees using tinfoil as a paintbrush.

Click here to see more pictures of our fall fun!

Our song this week was "All the Leaves are Falling Down."  This is a little action song that the kids really enjoyed.  I will attach the words in case you want to sing it at home as well.  Singing familiar songs with your children helps to practice and reinforce those developing language and early literacy skills.  

Fall Walk

We spent some time outside this week collecting leaves and enjoying nature.  We sorted the leaves by color (red, yellow, brown, and green).  The students discovered that red leaves were the hardest to find.  And the color we found the most of??? Brown!

Story Time!

Over the past two weeks we have been reading "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey" by Lucille Colandro.  This is a fun song book that is full of rhyming words.  The students had fun retelling the story this past week as we took turns "feeding" the old lady the different items that she eats in the book.  

In the Gym

This week we enjoyed exploring basketballs, rackets, hula hoops, and bean bags.  The students were eager to try bouncing, passing, catching, and hitting balls.  

Coming Up

Next week we will begin the exciting unit of Halloween!

Important Dates:

• October 31st - Halloween Parties
• all students are invited to attend this day.  Watch for more information to come home soon.  
• am students will come in the morning
• pm students will come in the afternoon
• November 1st - PD Day - no School
• November 8th and 9th - early dismissal days
• the morning class will dismiss at 10:30 am
• the afternoon class will dismiss at 2:30 pm