Trees We Know

Dear Parents,

On Monday we brainstormed trees we know. Someone pointed to the tree in our yard that we use to document the seasons. It is a star magnolia. The other children added apple, maple, oak, banana, and lemon trees. One person said a pumpkin tree but other children said, “No, pumpkins grow on the ground.” We confirmed that in two books we read last week. 

On Wednesday we voted on which tree to make for our Family Tree. Most trees got one vote each, with banana tree getting two votes. Apple tree won by a landslide. The next day we used recycled paper, brown paint, and rollers to create our tree trunk. 

We read The Great Kapok Tree about a man who was sent to chop down a tree in the rainforest. All the animals who lived in and around the tree pleaded with him to not cut down the tree and he changed his mind. The class listened intently.

On Friday we asked the children to complete the sentence, “I like when my friend…” A few answers were: plays with me, swings, plays magnet tiles, and listens. We will use these positive statements as our classroom rules for the rest of the year. 

Next week we continue working on our family tree. Reminder: Family pictures!!! 3x5 or 4x6 please. We need ten more. 

Have a mighty weekend,

Therese

Duck, Duck, Goose

Dear Parents,

On Monday morning we drew a picture of us playing Duck, Duck, Goose before we went into the big room to play. We talked about all running in the same direction and waiting our turn. It was a slow-getting-up-to-run, but-running-fast game. Fun as usual. 

Afterwards we played in the big room in the jungle gym and rode on wheels. 

We asked the children what they knew about yoga before our first class. Some answers were stretching, exercising, I don’t know, you can do it with bands, and walking. One person said, "My mama does yoga." After yoga they told us they had walked in a small circle and pretended there was water in the middle. The first class was quiet and focused. 

Everyone chose a color of paper to use for their Me book cover. We used markers to decorate them. We used our fine motor skills to practice putting the marker caps in the valet parking spot while drawing, and snapping the caps back on when finished. 

In the yard we have been making piles of sand, swinging up a storm, driving the jungle gym, and discovering lots of red and yellow leaves that have fallen.

On Thursday we assembled our All About Me books. We will spend some time reading them in the classroom next week before sending them home. 

On Friday we carved our pumpkin into a Jack-o-lantern. We lit a candle in his belly and read books about Halloween and a pumpkin patch. We’ve been singing Five Little Pumpkins and Stirring Our Brew. We roasted the seeds and ate them for snacks. 

Please bring a printed *family photo* for our family tree. 3x5 is good!

Have a wicked weekend and a Happy Halloween!

Therese