DECEMBER
December was very busy for the Big Bricks, making holiday surprises and having our Kris Kringle gift exchange. Everyone did a great job keeping their "secret," as well as drawing pictures, bringing little treats, or doing kind things for their Kris Kringle friend. Thank you for helping to make this both successful and great fun!
The Little Bricks were busy making ornaments and playing “Santa Down the Chimney.” We hope you liked your special gift and had a peaceful holiday. Make sure you check out the holiday photos!
Big Brick Notes
JANUARY/FEBRUARY
During January and February, we will explore "Drama in Literature." We will read stories and act them out as mini plays, often using animal props to help us. We will also play memory, math, and language games to go along with each book and even some of our art projects will be related to the stories we read. Some of the books we will include are:
January 11-15
The Mitten by Jan Brett
Ask Mr. Bear by Marjorie Flack
January 19-22
Not Now! Said the Cow by Joanne Oppenheim
Mushroom in the Rain by Mirra Ginsburg
January 25-29
Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Play With Me by Marie Halletts
February 1-5
Mortimer by Robert Munsch
February 8-12
Valentine’s Day games and art
We will celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 12th. Your child may bring in Valentine’s Day cards for their class. Please have your child sign the cards but do not put individual names on the envelopes. This way your child will be able to hand out their cards independently!
February 15-19
Winter Break School Closed
February 20-26
Creative writing and making books
At this time, each class will be creating their own story, which the teachers will write for them. Then the children will draw pictures to go with the stories. The teachers will make these into simple books. The children will take turns bringing the books home to share with their families.
Little Brick Notes
The Little Bricks are having a busy January. We are playing number games with snowmen, counting the dots and matching the number of dots with the same number of snowmen. We have also been playing some memory games to help us learn focus and concentration. Next, we’ll be exploring the concept of opposites. We will read many books about them and manipulate many opposites directly (a wet sponge and a dry one, for example). During creative movement, the children will actually become opposites with their bodies: up/down, front/back, raising arms, legs or all of themselves as the music will direct. What fun!
January also begins our visits from prospective parents for next fall in our classroom. This continues a bit into February. It makes the classroom a little chaotic at times, but the children are coping well and it is so important for incoming students and their parents to view the classroom in action. Many have commented on how self-directed the children are, finding appropriate activities to engage in during freeplay time and what a nice job they do playing together.
In February, we'll begin our unit on the Senses, always a favorite with the children. Units that directly relate to the children themselves work very well at this level. The threes will also celebrate Valentine's Day. The Monday, Wednesday, Friday group will exchange their valentines on Friday, February 12th. The Tuesday, Thursday group will celebrate on the 11th. If you could have your child sign the cards - but not address the envelopes - then they will be able to pass out their cards all by themselves. Thanks!
Again this year, we are participating in the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days. You may sign up to purchase bouquets of 10 daffodils for $10 each, a Bear and a Bunch (featuring a 10”special edition Boyds bear and 10 daffodils) for $25 each, potted daffodil bulbs (three multi-stem bulbs in each pot) for $15.00 each, and Gifts of Hope (Gifts to fund American Cancer Society program, while making daffodil bouquets available to cancer patients). There will be a sign-up sheet in the entranceway. You may pay in cash or check (payable to Little Brick School) and we will send one check to the ACS. Last day to order will be Wednesday, March 3rd . Flowers will be delivered the week of March 22nd. Thank you in advance for helping this worthy cause.
REMINDER
School will be closed Monday January 18th for Martin Luther King Day and from February15-19 for winter recess. Please see the Schedule page for other scheduled holidays.
We are currently enrolling Little Bricks for the fall 2010-2011 school year. If you have a child you would like to enroll, please ask a teacher for an enrollment form. Thanks.
Keep warm,
Mary, Dana, Jen and Sue
