9/7 Classroom Update

This week, we read the classic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and focused on our names! We practiced recognizing our names, identifying letters in our names, building our names, and writing our names. We also had our first music class with Ms. Janet on Wednesday afternoon. Here are some picture highlights from the week:

Playing the "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" letter game!

Our names crawled up the coconut tree!

Building our names with playdough!

We learned the song "Pick Up a Crayon" which helps teach proper crayon grip. Then we practiced while doing an aim and scribble exercise!

Searching for our names and building names in the sand table!

Music and movement with Ms. Janet!

Magic name painting!

We sorted letters that are in or not in our names, built our names with magnetic letters, and tried with our friends' names too!

Magic name painting!

Important Dates/Reminders:

All About Us Class Book: In the coming weeks, your child will be bringing home the All About Us book to read and share with your family. Please return the class book the following day so that a new friend can have a turn to share our book with his or her family!

Country Basket Field Trip: On Thursday, October 4th, we will be visiting Schwallier's Country Basket for a fun afternoon learning about the farm, pollination, and growing apples and pumpkins. At Schwallier's, students will get to pick a pumpkin and apple, pet and feed baby goats, and explore different outdoor play stations. 

• Plan to get to class a few minutes early on 10/4. We will be leaving promptly at 12:00 pm.for our tour at 12:30 at Schwallier's. 
• If you are interested in driving on the field trip, please sign up on the bulletin board outside our classroom indicating the number of children you can drive or send me an email at kbillmei@egrps.org.
• There is a fee of $5 per child that will be charged to your monthly preschool account. Adults attending will pay $5 at Schwallier's.
• All children will need to be transported in a car seat. Please bring booster seats pre-labeled with your child's name on the day of our trip. 

Field Trip Drivers: Any adult transporting a child other than their own will need to fill out a self-reporting form and provide proof of insurance, driver's license and registration in the WECC office. All parent volunteers for the field trip must fill out a volunteer form. This form can be found at www.egrps.org under Quick Links. 

Parent Information Forms/Blog Permission Slip: Thank you to all the parents who have returned your forms to us so quickly! If you have yet to turn in your forms, please do so at your earliest convenience. If you need another copy of either form, I am happy to send another one home!

Have a great weekend!

8/31 Classroom Update

This week, we focused on learning more about ourselves and each other! Thank you very much for all working so hard on your "All About Me" pages for our class book. They were all adorable, and we really enjoyed reading our new class book together and learning more about each other! In the coming weeks, your child will be bringing home the All About Us book to read and share with your family. Please return the class book the following day so that a new friend can have a turn to share our book with his or her family!

Our "All About Us" Class Book

Here are some picture highlights from our week in preschool:

During circle time, we learned the song "Mat Man" and worked together to build Mat Man! 

During center time, we practiced building and drawing Mat Man!

During center time, we also measured our feet using bears, cubes, and chains. 

On Monday, we made salt dough hand prints, and then painted them on Wednesday!

Our self-portraits in the hall!

Exploring our unique fingerprints with magnifying glasses!

Free painting in the art center!

Next week, we will be reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and focusing on our names! 

Reminders:

• If you have not already done so, please return your child's student information sheet and blog permission slip at your earliest convenience. Thank you!

• There is no preschool class on Monday September 3rd in observance of Labor Day.

Have a wonderful and relaxing Labor Day weekend!

8/24 Classroom Update!

We had a great first week in our half day 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.

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

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.

Reminders:

• This week (or at Open House last week), I sent home two forms in your child's folder: a student information sheet and blog permission slip. Please return both forms at your earliest convenience. 

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

• There is no preschool class on Monday September 3rd in observance of Labor Day.

Have a great weekend!

Welcome!

Welcome!

Welcome to Woodcliff 5's half day program! It was such a pleasure meeting many of you last 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 12:15 pm. 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 weeks) of school to be difficult for kids. 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 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!

6/14 Classroom Update

Thank you for the most incredible year! I have absolutely loved being your child's teacher and getting to know all of your sweet families! I feel so blessed to have been able to share in your child's learning and growth each day, and I am going to miss them dearly! Stay in touch - I would love to know about all about their successes in the future!

This week, we continued to share in end of the year and summer fun! We had so much fun on Water Day and at the end of the year picnic! Here are some picture highlights from all of the fun on Water Day:

Fun in the sun!

Running on the slip 'n slide!

All smiles! :) 

Warming up in the sun!

Bouncing around!

Enjoying popsicles in the shade!

I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing summer full of adventures! I hope to see you all around town! 

6/8 Classroom Update!

This week, we enjoyed talking about summer and some of our favorite things to do in summer. We learned a little bit about the Fourth of July and also prepared for Father's Day on 6/17! Thursday was the highlight of our week with a visit to Frederick Meijer Gardens! Here are some pictures from our field trip:

Singing to the "Lying Man" sculpture!

 Guessing what the sculpture might be!

Riding on the tram!

Viewing the Spider sculpture and singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider"

Our class underneath the American Horse!

 Playing with the boats in the Children's Garden!

Important Dates/Reminders:

Water Day: On Monday June 11th, we will have a water day here at Woodcliff! We will spend the afternoon outside on the field playing lots of fun water games! Please send your child to school in their swimsuit with sunscreen already applied. They will also need a towel and shoes that can get wet. Hats and sunglasses are optional! In the event of rain, we will participate in fun activities instead. If your child stays after class for Child Care, please pack a set of dry clothes. 

Progress Reports/Folders: Spring progress reports will come home this Tuesday June 12th in your child's folder along with all of their work. There is also Kick Start Kindergarten booklet from the Handwriting Without Tears program that you may use to practice writing throughout the summer!

Preschool Picnic for Families: Please join our class for a year end picnic to reminisce, create summer plans and say goodbye to friends on Wednesday, June 13th from 12:30-1:15. Bring a picnic lunch, and we will provide drinks and cake! 

Last Day of PM Preschool: The last day of PM preschool will be Wednesday, June 13th. This differs from the EGRPS last day of school due to childcare being open for ages Preschool-5 in the afternoon on Thursday, June 14th. 

Have a great weekend!

6/1 Classroom Update

This short week flew by as we learned about the ocean! We learned about different animals that live in the ocean, as well as the difference between fish and mammals that live in the ocean. We are also continuing to work on sequencing stories and identifying the main idea. Here are some picture highlights from the week:

Making seahorses after reading Mr. Seahorse by Eric Carle!

Sand tray writing!

 Playing with ocean animals in the water table!

Sorting ocean animals by syllable!

Making playdough teeth for the shark!

Creating playdough bubbles for the clownfish!

Important Dates/Reminders:

Spring Field Trip: Our field trip to Frederick Meijer Gardens is this coming Thursday June 7th. We will be leaving school promptly at 2:45. Our "Singing with the Sculptures" tram ride is scheduled from 1:15-2:00. From 2:00-2:45, we will explore the Children's Garden. At 2:45, we will head back to Woodcliff to make it back in time for our 3:15 dismissal.  Here are a few reminders for the day:

• Please bring your child's car/booster seat the day of the field trip. 
• The forecast for Thursday is partly sunny with a high of 80. Please apply sunscreen prior to coming to school that day. We will have sunscreen to provide touch ups as needed.
• We will be visiting the Children's Garden after the tram portion of the field trip. Students may want to wear lightweight clothing/shoes that can get wet or swimsuits under their clothing.
• Hats and sunglasses are optional.
• We will not be having a snack at FMG so eat a hearty lunch ahead of time!

Field Trip Drivers: Thank you to all of you who have gotten your paperwork into Ms. Ashlee in the office! If you still need to turn in paperwork, you can also email awhite@egrps.org a picture of your license, registration and proof of insurance.We will be leaving for the field trip promptly at 12:45 pm on Thursday and returning by 3:15 pm. Upon arrival at Meijer Gardens, we will meet under the awning right by the front entrance while we wait for everyone to arrive to enter as a group. Field trip drivers who have no yet paid will be charged to their preschool accounts. If you have already paid me then you are all set! Thank you again for volunteering to join us!

Water Day: On Monday June 11th, we will have a water day here at Woodcliff! We will spend the afternoon outside on the field playing lots of fun water games! Please send your child to school in their swimsuit with sunscreen already applied. They will also need a towel and shoes that can get wet. Hats and sunglasses are optional! In the event of rain, we will participate in fun activities instead. If your child stays after class for Child Care, please pack a set of dry clothes. 

Preschool Picnic for Families: Please join our class for a year end picnic to reminisce, create summer plans and say goodbye to friends on Wednesday, June 13th from 12:30-1:15. Bring a picnic lunch, and we will provide drinks and cake! 

Last Day of PM Preschool: The last day of PM preschool will be Wednesday, June 13th. This differs from the EGRPS last day of school due to childcare being open for ages Preschool-5 in the afternoon on Thursday, June 14th. 

Have a great weekend!