8/30 Classroom Update

This week, we continued to learn more about our classroom and each other! We practiced classroom routines, explored new classroom centers, and focused on learning about our new friends. We read stories with an emphasis on loving ourselves and identifying what makes us special, as well as appreciating differences in others. In 3's, we focused on learning each other's names and are working on recognizing our own names. In 5's, we explored our interests, unique fingerprints, and measured/compared our feet with different manipulatives. Both classes also had their first music class with Ms. Janet! Ms. Janet will visit our classes bi-weekly, and we look forward to showing off what we've learned with her during a performance in May! Here are some picture highlights from the week:

Working together to build a really tall tower at table time!

Music with Ms. Janet! 

Working on her self-portrait!

Decorating our self-portraits!

Our 3's class "Me Collage". We're all different!

Enjoying our new sandbox in our revamped playground!

Important Dates/Reminders:

Parent Surveys & Blog Permission Slips: Thank you to those who have already returned your parent survey and blog permission slip. I sent home extra copies to those I still need them from. Please return the completed forms at your earliest convenience!

3's Class Book: We made a book in class called Children, Children, Who do you see? to help us learn each other's names. Each child will have a turn to bring it home to read it with someone at home. When it is your child's turn, please read it with your child and return it back to class the following class day. 

5's Class "All About Me" Book: Thank you for helping out with our "All About Me" Class Book! It was so fun to learn more about all the friends in our class. Each child will have a turn to bring it home to read it with someone at home. When it is your child's turn, please read it with your child and return it back to class the following class day. 

No School: There are no preschool classes on Monday September 2nd in observance of Labor Day. See you Tuesday!

Picture Day: Picture Day for both the 3's and 5's classes is Tuesday, October 8th. 

*This blog features information for both the T/Th 3's class and the PM 5's class. Information pertaining only to the 3's class will be in blue, and information pertaining only to the 5's class will be in red. General information for both classes will be in black/grey.

Enjoy the long weekend!

8/23 Classroom Update

We had a great first week in both the T/Th 3's and PM 5's class! This week, we spent the majority of our time together making new friends and learning about our classroom. We explored many of the new toys in our room, as well as learned how to use many of our classroom supplies.

This blog features information for both the T/Th 3's class and the PM 5's class. Information pertaining only to the 3's class will be in blue, and information pertaining only to the 5's class will be in red. General information for both classes will be in black/grey.

Each day, we follow the same basic schedule and routine. Here is a little more information about each component of our day:

T/Th 3's Class Schedule:

8:30 - 9:00 – Opening Activity, Table Toys, Music and Movement: During this time, students are free to socialize with their peers and play freely with the table toys. Once we settle into our routine, Ms. Katie will be calling students to work one-on-one and in small groups on name and other writing skills during this time. At the end of table time, we will clean up and engage in music and dancing!

9:00-9:20 – Large Group Literacy: During our first circle time, we meet on the rug to explore our weekly theme and review our classroom calendar to work on various math skills. Circle time also includes mini-lessons and breaks for movements and music.

9:20-10:20 – Free Choice/Center Time: During free choice, students are free to play at the centers of their choice in the classroom. Free choice allows for students to use their decision making skills, explore personal interests, and practice social skills playing with their peers. The playdough, kitchen, and transportation centers have been big hits so far! Students will also be pulled to work in small groups with teachers to build critical literacy, math, and social skills.

10:20-10:30 - Read Aloud - After centers, we will revisit our weekly theme and read a related story together. 

10:30-10:45 - Snack/Book Look - During snack time, students will also get a choice of white milk or water. 

10:45-11:15 – Outside Play: Playground time is always a favorite! We will always go outside weather permitting. In the winter, we go outside as long as the windchill is above zero. If the weather does not permit outside play, we have the opportunity to visit the gym for gross motor time! We dismiss from the playground at 11:15 am. 

PM 5's Class Schedule:

12:15-12:30 – Opening Activity & Table Toys: During this time, students are free to socialize with their peers and play freely with the table toys. Once we settle into our routine, Ms. Katie will be calling students to work one-on-one and in small groups on name and other writing skills during this time.

12:30-1:00 – Large Group Literacy & Read Aloud: During our first circle time, we meet on the rug to explore our weekly theme and read a related story. Circle time also includes mini-lessons and breaks for movements and music.

1:00-1:45 – Small Group Centers: During center time, students rotate in small groups between three different learning and play-based centers. Center time allows students to build critical literacy, math, and social skills, as well as fosters independence and creativity.

1:45-2:05 – Outside Play: Playground time is always a favorite! We will always go outside weather permitting. In the winter, we go outside as long as the windchill is above zero. If the weather does not permit outside play, we have the opportunity to visit the gym for gross motor time!

2:05-2:15 – Calendar/Math Literacy: During our second circle time, we will review our classroom calendar and work on various math skills.

2:15-2:55 – Snack & Free Choice: During snack time, students will also get a choice of white milk or water. During free choice, students are free to play at the centers of their choice in the classroom. Free choice allows for students to use their decision making skills, explore personal interests, and practice social skills playing with their peers. The playdough, kitchen, and transportation centers have been big hits so far!

2:55-3:00 – Closing Circle: During closing circle, we will review what we learned that day and sing our goodbye song.

Important Dates/Reminders:

Parent Surveys & Blog Permission Slips: This week (or at Open House last week), I sent home two forms in your child's folder: a parent survey and a blog permission slip. Please return both forms at your earliest convenience. If you are in need of another copy, please let me know!

5's Class "All About Me" Book Pages: Thank you for helping out with our "All About Me" Class Book! Please return your child's page by Wednesday 8/28 so that we can read our class book together next Thursday. Once we are done with our book in class, I will start sending it home so families can get to know our class!

No School: There is no preschool classes  on Friday August 30th and Monday September 2nd in observance of Labor Day.

Have a great weekend!

Welcome to the 2019-20 School Year!

Welcome!

Welcome to Woodcliff 3's and 5's half day programs! It was such a pleasure meeting many of you Wednesday night at Open House. Now I am even more excited for the great year we have ahead!

Our classroom blog serves many purposes throughout the school year. I usually update the blog every Friday and send out an email link to parents each time it is updated. I use the blog as a tool to share what we are working on in class, as well as to share pictures of some of our wonderful learning experiences. It's so fun to be able to see all our preschoolers hard at work and play! At the end of each blog post, I will also post important upcoming dates and reminders. Next week, I will be sending home a permission slip to post your child's picture participating in classroom activities on our classroom blog. I will never post names or any other personal information. Please return this form to me at your earliest convenience.

On Tuesday, I will open the classroom doors at 8:25 am for the 3's session (ECSE will meet Ms. Rebecca at 8:40 at your usual drop off/pick up location) and 12:15 pm for the 5's session. Upon arrival, please find your child's hook to the left of our classroom in the hallway and hang their belongings there. After your child has put away his/her belongings, they will enter the classroom to answer our question of the day and begin playing with table toys with their new friends. It is very normal for separation from a parent/caregiver on the first day (and sometimes even first few days/weeks) of school to be difficult for our preschoolers. Here a few tips to help drop off go a little smoother:

• Discuss fun things that your child is looking forward to doing at school ahead of time and what to expect while at school. 
• Come up with a consistent goodbye routine (i.e. special handshake, a hug and a kiss on the forehead, drawing a heart on their hand etc.). 
• When dropping off, give your preschooler a hug and let them know when you will be back and/or make a plan for something fun after class. (i.e. "I will pick you up after Outside Time/Free Choice. Tonight, we are going to the playground and play!")
• Try not to linger. Even if a child is having a meltdown, they are usually fine within minutes after a parent leaves. We will get in touch with you if a child has difficulty adjusting over a longer period of time.

I am looking forward to working with you and your child throughout the upcoming school year. I will see you on Tuesday!