Saturday, November 29, 2008

Goals for December

The themes for this month are:
Fasten Up - learning about different fasteners & about dressing ourselves
Gingerbread days - Holiday baking
Tis the Season

The values I will focus on:
-giving to others, service
- taking care of our belongings (treating our toys nicely, cleanin up after ourselves, etc.)

Academic Goals:
-Learn sign language for J, K, L, gift & cookie
-Learn to count to 30, learn to count by 10's
-Learn to count to 10 in Spanish
-Learn the Spanish words for Star & White

Thursday 12/18/08

Theme: ‘Tis the Season
Snack Helper: Andrew
Weather: Isaiah
Teacher’s Asst. Kaylie
Show & Tell: Everyone

9:00-9:25 Circle Time
“Welcome” Song
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs all throughout preschool this month.
Pledge of Allegiance
Calendar – sing “Days of the Week” song
Weather
Daily Basics
· Review J, K,L, Star, white in sign language & Spanish
· Review “gift” & “cookie” in sign language
· Count to 10 in Spanish
Rules – Take time to explain each picture and have the children repeat back to you. (if needed)

9:25-9:35 Movers & Shakers
Goin’ On a Bear Hunt

9:35-9:40 Mini Lesson
Gift Giving
Talk about giving and receiving gifts. Is it fun doing both? What presents would you like to receive? Review the sign for gift and introduce the Spanish word for gift, regalos. Also talk about taking care of our things that we receive.

9:40-9:50 Language
Fishing Game
To review the things they’ve learned so far this year.

9:50-10:00 Math
Button Up Learning

10:00-10:15 Snack & Story Time
Enjoy the treat the children brought today.

10:15 - 10:30 Play
Color Galore
Using shaving cream & food coloring – experiment with blending colors.

10:30-10:40 Music Time
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs this month.

10:40 – 11:30 Parent Gift
Make & Wrap the parent gift.

Homework Assignment
- Reindeer Food
- Evergreen Art
- #10 worksheet

Tuesday 12/16/08

Theme: ‘Tis the Season
Snack Helper: Isaiah
Weather: Kaylie
Teacher’s Asst. Fiel
Show & Tell: Andrew

9:00-9:25 Circle Time
“Welcome” Song
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs all throughout preschool this month.
Pledge of Allegiance
Calendar – sing “Days of the Week” song
Weather
Daily Basics
· Introduce this week’s theme
· Introduce L in sign language
· Review J, K, Star, white in sign language & Spanish
· Review “gift” & “cookie” in sign language
· Count to 10 in Spanish
Rules – Take time to explain each picture and have the children repeat back to you. (if needed)

9:25-9:35 Movers & Shakers
Place the button on the Snowman

9:35-9:40 Mini Lesson
Winter Topic Card
Talk about winter (Dec. 21st). What are winters like? Compare your winters with the weather in other areas of the country/world. Consider listening or looking for signs of winter. Introduce the Spanish word for winter, invierno.

9:40-9:50 Language
Stocking Sense
Wrap several different shaped items and place them in a large stocking. Draw of glue pictures o the items on a large sheet of paper, along with several items that are not inside the stocking. Place the picture near the stocking. Invite the children to use their senses of sight, touch, hearing, and smell to determine what the wrapped objects are. Point out the pictures of possible items. Unwrap the packages for each child to see.

9:50-10:00 Math
Bow Sorting
Sorting activity to reinforce colors & numbers
Ask them to sort the bows by color. Count how many bows are in each pile. Make a graph.

10:00-10:25 Snack & Story Time
Candle Salad
Pineapple, apple slices, lettuce leaves, bananas, carrots

10:25 - 10:50 Play
Santa’s Sleigh
Build a sleigh using a large box. Invite the children to pretend they are Santa delivering toys on Christmas Eve.

10:50 – 11:05 Science
Make bird feeders using stale donuts, cream cheese, birdseed, hang them on the trees outside.

11:05-11:10 Music Time
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs this month.

11:10 – 11:30 Art
Holiday Candle

Homework Assignment
- L, Enrich. #4
- Globe Ornament

Show & Tell
: Everyone brings their favorite Christmas treat for snack time

Thursday 12/11/08

Theme: Gingerbread Days
Snack Helper: Kaylie
Weather: Fiel
Teacher’s Asst. Andrew
Show & Tell: Isaiah

9:00-9:25 Circle Time
“Welcome” Song
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs all throughout preschool this month.
Pledge of Allegiance
Calendar – sing “Days of the Week” song
Weather
Daily Basics
· Review J, K, Star, white in sign language & Spanish
· Review “gift” & “cookie” in sign language
· Count to 10 in Spanish
Rules – Take time to explain each picture and have the children repeat back to you. (if needed)

9:25-9:35 Movers & Shakers
Jingle bags
Place several jingle bells in a thin sock and tie the end closed. Invite the children to toss the “jingle bags” onto a large holiday cutout or outline made from masking tape on the floor.

9:35-9:40 Mini Lesson
Reindeer Topic Card
What is a reindeer? Ask the children to tell you what they notice about the reindeer in the picture. Where do they live? What do they eat? Explain to the children that reindeer live in northern and cold climates and that they eat grasses & lichens. Reindeer are similar in size to a deer but have learned how to live in very cold, snowy parts of the world.

9:40 – 9:50 Make Baked Bananas
-recipe calls for bananas, butter, brown sugar & cinnamon

9:50-10:05 Language
Holiday words
With the HOP letter cards, help children spell simple holiday words like “tree, bell, gift, star, santa, bake, etc.”

10:05-10:15 Math
Pattern & Sequence
Using cupcake liners of different varieties, make a pattern and have the children try to copy the pattern. They may also create their own pattern.

10:15 - 10:40 Play
Holiday Bake Shop
Create a holiday bake shop. Use baking utensils, cookie sheets, cookie cutters, playdough (with glitter & oatmeal) and have them do some imaginary baking. Have them wash all of the utensils afterward.

10:40 – 10:55 Wash Hands/Snack & Story Time
Eat the baked bananas

Read Kaylie’s fave Christmas book

10:40 – 10:50 Science
Play with Corn starch, water, & food coloring – so fun!

10:50-11:00 Music Time
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs this month.

11:00 – 11:30 Art
Sponge Art (using paints & sponges in the shape of Christmas objects)
- make reindeer food if time allows

Homework Assignment
- K, Enrich. #2 worksheets
- Cookie necklace (doesn’t need to be returned

Show & Tell: Andrew

Tuesday 12/9/08

Theme: Gingerbread Days
Snack Helper: Fiel
Weather: Andrew
Teacher’s Asst. Isaiah
Show & Tell: Kaylie

9:00-9:25 Circle Time
“Welcome” Song
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs all throughout preschool this month.
Pledge of Allegiance
Calendar – sing “Days of the Week” song
Weather
Daily Basics
· Introduce this week’s theme
· Introduce the letter K in sign language
· Review J, Star, white in sign language & Spanish
· Review “gift” in sign language
· Count to 10 in Spanish
Rules – Take time to explain each picture and have the children repeat back to you. (if needed)

9:25-9:35 Movers & Shakers
Baker says
Like “Simon says” but with cooking actions…

9:35-9:40 Mini Lesson
Gingerbread Topic Card
Talk about how holidays are a time for baking. Talk about favorite cookies and candies that are special treats at this time of the year. Introduce sign for “cookie.”

9:40 – 9:50 Make Gingerbread Cookies
Bake for 10 minutes, let cool

9:50-10:15 Language
Gingerbread Journal
Read the story about the Gingerbread man. Have the children make a Gingerbread Journal & then have them tell a story about a gingerbread man…

10:15-10:35 Snack/Story Time
Decorate Gingerbread cookies, eat them

Read Kaylies favorite Christmas book

10:35 - 10:50 Play
Decorate our Preschool Tree
- using our star alphabet & fruit loop garland

10:50-11:00 Math
December Math Game – count by 10’s when moving the pieces

11:00-11:10 Music Time
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs this month.

11:10 – 11:30 Art
Reindeer treat bags

Homework Assignment
- #9 worksheet
- Seasonal placemat & Gingerbread puppet (doesn’t need to be returned)

Show & Tell: Isaiah (please have Isaiah bring his favorite Christmas book to share)

Thursday 12/4/08

Theme: Fasten Up
Snack Helper: Andrew
Weather: Isaiah
Teacher’s Asst. Kaylie
Show & Tell: Fiel

9:00-9:25 Circle Time
“Welcome” Song
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs all throughout preschool this month.
Pledge of Allegiance
Calendar – sing “Days of the Week” song
Weather
Daily Basics
· Review J, Star, white in sign language & Spanish
· Review “gift” in sign language
· Count to 10 in Spanish
Rules – Take time to explain each picture and have the children repeat back to you. (if needed)

9:25-9:35 Movers & Shakers
Drop the Clothespin
Drop clothespins into a can, taking one step back each time you make it until you miss. Practice counting.

9:35-9:45 Mini Lesson
Primary Children’s
Show a short video from Primary Children’s about a child that is sick and has to stay in the hospital. Talk about how we are going to make Christmas cards for the children who are staying at the hospital over Christmas.

9:45-10:00 Language
Santa’s helpers
Provide a pillowcase for the children to use as “Santa’s Helpers.” Each helper finds one item in the room to place in Santa’s bag. Helpers return to the circle with their selected items. Each helper describes their item and then, places it in the bag. After all the items are in the bag, invite the children to recall what is in Santa’s bag. Remove the items as they are named. Items that are not mentioned can be described by you. Ask the children to guess the item you are describing.

10:00-10:15 Wash Hands/Snack & Story Time
Food Fasteners:
Cream cheese, crackers & dried fruit.

Read Fiel’s favorite Christmas story & another story about getting dressed.

10:15-10:25 Math
Winter Clothes Memory Game

10:25 - 10:40 Play
Santa’s Toy Bag
Lay a large blanket on the floor. Have several children sit in the center of the blanket. Gather up the edges of the blanket and say, “Ho, Ho, Ho!” Open the blanket. Each child inside the blanket become a toy. Have them act out a favorite toy that they might be.

10:40 – 10:50 Fine Motor
Fruit Loop Necklaces
Practice fine motor skills by making “Fruit Loop” garland for the Christmas tree we’ll be decorating next week.

10:50-11:00 Music Time
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs this month.

11:00 – 11:30 Art
Santa’s Coat

Homework Assignment
- Letter to Santa (doesn’t need to be returned)
- Enrichment Act. #3

Show & Tell: Kaylie (please have Kaylie bring her favorite Christmas book to share)

Tuesday 12/2/08

Theme: Fasten Up
Snack Helper: Isaiah
Weather: Kaylie
Teacher’s Asst. Fiel
Show & Tell: None today

9:00-9:25 Circle Time
“Welcome” Song
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs all throughout preschool this month.
Pledge of Allegiance
Calendar – sing “Days of the Week” song
Weather
Daily Basics
· Introduce Letter J – sign language
· Introduce month – Diciembre
· Introduce “Star” – Estrella
· Introduce “White” – blanco
· Count to 10 in Spanish
Rules – Take time to explain each picture and have the children repeat back to you. (if needed)

9:25-9:35 Movers & Shakers
Buckle My Shoe
Ask each child to give you one of his shoes. While the children close their eyes, hide the shoes all around the room. When you say, “One, tow, buckle my shoe!” the children search for their shoes. When they find their shoes, have them practice putting them on. Encourage them to cooperate and help each other.

9:35-9:45 Mini Lesson
Ways to Fasten
We’re going to focus on fasteners this week. Use topic card to discuss different fasteners. Provide a sample of each type of clothing fastener such as a zipper, buttons, snaps, ties, Velcro. Invite children to stand in front of the group and ask the remaining children to point out fasteners that the child is wearing. Encourage the children to discuss their latest successes in dressing themselves. Read the book of the month – challenge them to find and point out the clothing fasteners on each page.

9:45-10:00 Language
Have the children make alphabet stars – encourage them to write the letter (review the sound) – these will be used to decorate our tree next week.

10:00-10:15 Wash Hands/Snack & Story Time
Dried Fruit & water – dried fruits are a holiday treat in many countries. We will have a sample for the children to taste.

Read stories about getting dressed – point out different types of fasteners.

10:15-10:25 Math
Encourage children to count to 30. Practice counting by 10’s.

10:25 - 10:40 Play
Laundry Day
Fill a tub with warm, soapy water and have the children wash doll clothing. Have them rinse them and hang them up with clothespins.

10:40 – 10:50 Science
Dressing Skills
Teach basic dressing skills by providing dressing boards with pants, shirt, and lace.

10:50-11:00 Music Time
We will be practicing the Christmas caroling songs this month.

11:00 – 11:20 Art
Lacing Sneaker
We will use watercolors to make a lacing sneaker. The children can then practice lacing and tying the shoe they made.

11:20 – 11:30 Secret Santa
Introduce the sign for “gift” and have them draw names.

Homework Assignment
-Each child has picked a name for the “Secret Santa” exchange. Please keep the gift to $10 or less. We will exchange the gifts on 12/18/08.
- Letter J & Enrich. Act. #1 worksheets

Show & Tell: Fiel (please have Fiel bring her favorite Christmas book to share)

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Thursday: November 25th

Theme: Giving Thanks
Weather: Isaiah
Helper: Andrew
Snacks: Fiel
Show & Tell: Kaylie

Circle Time (9:00 - 9:15)
“If You’re Thankful” Song
Pledge of Allegiance
Calendar
Weather
Daily Basics (review)


Lesson (9:15 - 9:25)
Read The Most Thankful Thing Lisa McCourt
Discuss gratitude

Creative Arts (9:25 - 9:50)
Framed Thanks

Movers & Shakers (9:50 - 10:00)
Thankful for our bodies

Dramatic Play (10:00 - 10:15)
Thanksgiving Housekeeping/
Turkey Farm

Snack (10:15 - 10:30) (pumpkin muffins)
Read the book of the month again &

Math (10:30 - 10:40)
Review math games from the month

Language (10:40 - 11:00)
HOP & Read their Book Bag Books to the class
(if they want to)

Creative Arts (11:00 - 11:20)
Christmas Countdown

Closing (11:20 - 11:30)
Show & Tell
Review the Day & The Month

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Thursday: November 20

*We are meeting at the Halverson's apartment today*

Science (9:00 - 9:20)
Learn about wheat and make bread with Mandy

Circle Time (9:20 - 9:30)
Theme: Giving Thanks
Weather: Fiel
Helper: Kaylie
Snacks: Isaiah
Show & Tell: Andrew

“Turkey Sounds” Song
Pledge of Allegiance
Calendar
Weather
Daily Basics (review)

Movers & Shakers (9:30 - 9:35)
Goose, Goose Turkey (Duck, Duck, Goose)

Lesson (9:35 - 9:45)
Discuss Turkeys
Read Thanksgiving Turkeys Patrick Merrick

Movers & Shakers (9:45 - 9:50)
Turkey Trot

Math (9:50 - 10:00)
Turkey Tail Feather Sort

Science & sensory (10:00 - 10:20)
Go back to Mandy’s to shape our bread

Movers & Shakers (10:20 - 10:30)
Fun with feathers & Straws

Snack & Stories (10:30 - 10:45)
10 Fat Turkeys

Dramatic Play (10:45 - 11:00)
Turkey Farm

Creative Arts (11:00 - 11:20)
Turkey Toes


Closing (11:20 - 11:30)
Show & Tell
Review the Day
Homework Enrichment WS #3

Monday, November 17, 2008

Tuesday November 18th

Theme: Giving Thanks
Weather: Isaiah
Helper: Kaylie
Snacks: Andrew
Show & Tell: Fiel

Circle Time (9:00 - 9:15)
“New Friends” Rhyme
Pledge of Allegiance
Calendar
Weather
Daily Basics
(Letter I)

Into to Lesson (9:15 - 9:25)
Read book on the 1st Thanksgiving
The Story of Thanksgiving Robert Merrill Bartlett

Dramatic Play / Movers & Shakers (9:25 - 9:55)
Read book on Indians and powwow
Have our own mini Indian Village

Read book about pilgrims & Discuss

Dramatic Play (9:55 - 10:10)
Thanksgiving House Keeping

Snack & Story Time (10:10 - 10:30)
Discuss blessings and reasons to be grateful
Read The Berenstain Bears Count their blessings
Stan & Jan Berenstain

Movers & Shakers (10:30 - 10:35)
Thankful for our bodies

Creative Arts (10:35 - 10:45)
Seed pouches

Science / Math / Sensory/ Fine motor (10:45-10:55)
Observe variety of nuts and other harvest foods
Observe many kinds of corn
Counting and sorting kernals
White & black beans sorting with tweezers & cups
(Each child will work independently at the same table and then rotate - modified centers)

Creative Arts (10:55 - 11:10)
Harvest pumkins

Language (11:10 - 11:20)
Bob Books

Closing (11:20 - 11:30)
Show & Tell
Review the day and assign homework. WS letter I

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Thursday: November 13th

Theme: Manners Matter
Weather: Isaiah
Helper: Andrew
Snacks: Fiel
Show & Tell: Kaylie

Circle Time (9:00 - 9:15)
“Manners Matter” Song
Pledge of Allegiance
Calendar
Weather
Daily Basics
(Number 8, review Por favor, Gracias, De nada)

Lesson Intro (9:15 - 9:25)
Read Book on manners. Practice being polite. Invite the children to sit in a circle. Give a ball to a child. That child turns to the child sitting next to him. The next child asks for the ball using “please” and “thank you”. The first child gives the ball to the second child and says “you’re welcome”.

Social Lesson (9:25 - 9:35)
Telephone manners

Dramatic Play (9:35 - 9:50)
Play store Having a store keeper, a shopper, and someone calling on the phone. Take turns in the different roles.

Science/ Sensory (9:50 - 10:10)
Observe the outdoors and seasonal changes. If weather permits observe sand going through funnels.

Movers & Shakers (10:10 - 10:25)

Snack & Story Time (10:25 - 10:35)

Language (10:35 - 10:50)
Thank You Cards

Creative Arts (10:50 - 11:05)
Make “What we know about manners” book

Language (11:05 - 11: 20)
Listen to Books on tape

Closing (11:20 - 11:30)
Review the day
Homework Number 8 WS

Friday, November 7, 2008

Tuesday: November 11th

Theme: Manners Matter
Weather: Andrew
Helper: Fiel
Snacks: Kaylie
Show & Tell: Isaiah

Circle Time (9:00 - 9:15)
“Mind your Manners” Song
Pledge of Allegiance
Calendar
Weather
Daily Basics (Letter H, Por favor, Gracias, De nada)

Lesson intro (9:15 - 9:25)
Mother May I?

Lesson (9:25 - 9:55)
Talk about manners. Read The Book of the Month (May I please have a cookie)
Good Manners Bear
Good/Bad Manners Bears

Creative Arts (9:55 - 10:05)
“We Share” Collage

Movers & Shakers (10:05 - 10:20)
Shadow Play

Creative Arts (10:20 - 10:30)
Manners Menu

Snack Prep (10:30 - 10:40)

Math/ Fine Motor (10:40 - 10:45)
Set the Table activity

Dramatic Play (10:45 - 11:05)
Tea Party: The children will have the opportunity to dress up in “dress-up clothes”. Eat our snack at the table we set we will be emphasizing our manners at the table.

Story Time (11:05 - 11:20)
Read to the children

Closing (11:20 - 11: 30)
Show & Tell
Review what we learned.
Homework Letter H WS & Enrichment WS #2

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Thursday: November 6th

Theme: Sleep Tight!
Weather: Fiel
Helper: Kaylie
Snacks: Isaiah
Show & Tell: Andrew

Circle Time (9:00 - 9:15)
“Twinkle Little Star” Song
Pledge of Allegiance
Calendar
Weather
Daily Basics (Number 7, Review Spanish)

Lesson intro (9:15 - 9:20)
Lullaby Melodies (scarves)
Talk about how we feel listening to lullaby music

Lesson (9:20 - 9:35)
Talk about bedtime.
Pillowcase filled with bedtime items.
Talk about each one.
Show & Tell: Each child can share their bedtime “friend” “item”
Share songs that they sing at bedtime

Math (9:35 - 9:50)
“Ten in the Bed”
Skills used: counting/ addition/ subtraction/ sorting
Counting Sheep

Language (9:50 - 10:05)
Lighting up my name

Movers & Shakers (10:05 - 10:20)
Wee Willy Winky Walk

Creative Arts (10:20 - 10:35)
Wishing Star Craft

Snack Time / Story Time (10: 35 - 11:00)

Dramatic Play (11:00 - 11:20)
Get ready for BED!

Closing (11:20 - 11:30)
Show & Tell
Review what we talked about.
Homework Number 7 WS & Enrichment Sheet