A new element of morning meeting has been added this week.  Students now are able to post coins on the bulletin board totaling the date.  Today, three options were discussed; ten pennies, two nickels, or one dime to go with May 10th.  

I encourage you to enroll your child in Summer @ The Summit Junior Camp, designed for students entering Pre-K through first grade from 8:30-11:30 am.  This is a fun way for students to grow academically, spend time with friends, and explore new topics.  If you have questions about Summer @ The Summit, please let me know.

http://www.thesummitprep.org/summer-2/

Recess is an important component of the school day for Pre-K children.  Not only does this time provide an avenue for exercise and strengthening gross motor skills, it also provides opportunities to practice communication and social skills.  To read more about the benefits of recess, go to http://www.movingandlearning.com/Resources/Articles30.htm

During our Spanish time, Mrs. Tsolakis brings her 5th grade class to partner with Pre-K students.  Spanish vocabulary, questions and answers, and aspects of culture are all part of daily Spanish.

Pre-K students created cards to help welcome baby James to the world!  We are excited to meet him soon!

Wonders of Wildlife provided an exciting program today!  Students were able to see a Madagascar cockroach, a centipede, a turtle, and a snake!

Our room is out of Clorox Wipes.  If you would like to donate a container, please send them in with your child.  Thank you!

The Scholastic Book Fair begins today!  See your child’s backpack for information.

As children continue to grow and learn, adjustments are made to meet the needs of students. Each afternoon, Pre-K extended day students are now working with the kindergarten class during center time.  Four groups of students rotate through four centers involving students in word work, individualized reading, literacy work on the computer, and math.  Having Mrs. Bagby, Mr. Wilcox and Mrs. Alexander all in the room enables students to work in small groups, with partners, or one-on-one with a teacher.

How many nocturnal animals can your child name?  What senses are stronger in these animals? We have read several pieces of literature to learn about this group of animals.  A few favorites include: Whoo Goes There? by Jennifer A. Ericsson, While The World Is Sleeping by Pamela Edwards, Forest Bright/Forest Night, by Jennifer Ward, and Oliver’s Wood, by Sue Hendra.

Reading Buddies provide a format for Pre-K students to read to a first grader and to hear a first grader read aloud.  To read further on the benefits of reading aloud to your child, go to  http://www.littleonesreadingresource.com/childrens-stories.html

We welcomed Mrs. Krenn during center time today.  During this center, students focused on developing letter sounds in relation to speech.  We are so glad to be able to draw on Mrs. Krenn’s expertise in speech and language weekly to better support students’ learning and growth in the classroom.