Ms. Katalin's Class : January
Dear Parents,
Hello again and Happy New Year! We hope that all is well with you at home and that you are enjoying this winter season. Here is a little update about what will be happening in our class as the New Year begins and some details about what lies ahead.
As we are returning to school in January from a long holiday vacation the children are more than ready to get back into their school routine. We were all well rested and ready to get back to work. Here are some of the things that they will be doing:
· The rice cakes with cream cheese activity will replace clementine peeling at the food preparation table.
· There are several new works such as: a vegetable basket for naming, tower stacking, castle building, geometrical shapes, socket wrench board, and musical marble run.
· We will introduce shapes: square, circle, triangle, and semicircle.
· We will make a discovery through observing how the cold slippery ice cube turns into water in the classroom.
· Another wonderful discovery is using the freezing colored water to make water paint and use it for art work.
· At the end of January we will discuss ground hogs and shadows; big words like hibernation.
· We are learning and singing winter songs about snowmen.
· We are reading winter books Polar Bear, Polar Bear by Eric Carle and The Mitten by Jan Brett.
What lies ahead?
· We continue to use respectful words like “please” and “thank you” in the classroom. The children are learning that all people, adults and young children, are responsible for what we say. We can choose words that are helpful and not hurtful. We will read a book "Words Are Not For Hurting" by Elizabeth Verdick. This is in keeping about our PBIS curriculum.
· As a reminder, we will continue to play outside all year round. Please send your child to school wearing warm winter clothes: coats, hats, and mittens. Snow pants and snow boots are a good idea as weather permits. Remember to label all items.
As January has crept up on us it is hard to believe that the fifth month of the school year has begun. Looking back it is amazing to see how much each child has grown. And just think their growth will be even more unbelievable to us before the school year is over.
Dates to remember:
January 6th- Coat Drive Begins
January 8th- Visit from Dental Hygienist
January 15th- Picture Day
January 17th- Coat Drive ends
January 20th-School Closed, Marin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 27th-31st- Spirit Week:
Monday- Pajama Day
Tuesday- Crazy Hat Day
Wednesday – Crazy Sock Day
Thursday- Animal Day
Friday- Red Day
Thank you, as always for your help, support and cooperation. It means so much to us! The following selections are a few songs that we have been singing recently during circle time.
Warm Regards,
Katalin, Janet, and Siobhan
SONGS
Snowflakes, Snowflakes
Sing to: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”
Snowflakes, snowflakes, dance around, Snowflakes, snowflakes, touch the ground Snowflakes, snowflakes, in the air Snowflakes, snowflakes, everywhere Snowflakes, snowflakes, dance around
Snowflakes, snowflakes, in the air Snowflakes, snowflakes, touch the ground
Five Little Snowman 5 little snowman standing in a row, Each had a hat and a big red bow. Out came the sun and it shined all day, 1 Little snowman melted away. 4 Little Snowman standing in a row, Each had a hat and a big red bow. Out came the sun and it shined all day,
1 Little snowman melted away. Etc….
5 Snowman Fingerplay Five little snowmen On a winter’s day– The first one said Wake up so we can play The second one said Let’s stomp on the ground The third one said Let’s roll all around The fourth one said Let’s run and run and run The fifth one said I’m afraid I feel the sun Oh Dear, cried the snowmen As they looked toward the sky And the five melting snowmen Waved a fond good-bye
Wake Up Song
Sing to: “Twinkle Little Star”
Wake up, groundhog. Time to see. What the weather’s going to be. Time to stretch, Time to think, Time to eat, And time to drink. Wake up groundhog. Time to see. What the weather’s going to be!