9/20 Classroom Update

This week, we learned all about feelings! We discussed how our faces look, our bodies feel, and things that cause certain feelings. We also talked about how it is normal to have all sorts of feelings and learned some strategies to calm our bodies down and problem solve when we are feeling mad or sad. We are also working on being able to identify how other people are feeling by looking for clues with their faces and bodies. Here are some picture highlights from our week in preschool:

We read the book "Glad Monster, Sad Monster" and made our own monsters!

We learned about different feelings and how to tell how someone is feeling based on their face/body. We sorted pictures of people based on how they were feeling. 

Decorating our monsters and deciding how they were feeling! 

Our finished monsters are on display in the hallway! 

After reading "Glad Monster, Sad Monster," we painted our own monsters and 

We played Feelings Memory and had to decide how the animals were feeling and if they were the same/different. 

Finishing up our monsters!

At the playdough center, we built different feelings on faces!

 

We enjoyed a birthday treat outside on Thursday!

Next week, we will begin learning about seasons with a focus on fall and learn all about the letter L!

Important Dates/Reminders:

Spirit Week: Next week is Spirit Week here at Woodcliff in anticipation of EGR Homecoming on Friday! Students may dress up each day if they wish. Here are the themes for each day:

• Monday 9/23 - Pajama Day
• Tuesday 9/24 - Favorite Character
• Wednesday 9/25 - Favorite Sports Team
• Thursday 9/26 - Crazy Hair/Hat Day
• Friday 9/27 - East Spirit/Blue & Gold Day

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. 

Picture Day: Picture Day for both the 3's and 5's classes is Tuesday, October 8th. Pictures will be taken at the beginning of class. 

Preschool Fall Field Trip:  Our fall field trip is to Schwallier's Country Basket on Tuesday, October 29th. The morning class should plan on arriving at Schwallier's at 9:15 am for a 9:30 am tour, and the afternoon class should plan on arriving at 12:15 pm for a 12:30 pm tour. Permission slips are due by Tuesday, October 1st.

*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.

Have a great weekend!

9/12 Classroom Update

This week, we focused on friendship and how to be a good friend. We read lots of friendship stories, came up with ideas about how we can be good friends to others, and discussed potential solutions for when problems with friends arise. We also introduced all the letters in the alphabet, met the ZooPhonics letter animals, and learned the sounds/motions each letter makes. Here are some picture highlights from the week:

Working in our classroom "Flower Shop." Our florists took orders, wrote cards for friends, built bouquets, and even planned for a wedding! 

We read the story "Have you filled a bucket today?" and made our own buckets. We practiced giving each other compliments to fill each other's buckets!

We learned how to use a tripod grasp when holding a crayon and practiced it by coloring a night sky and fireworks!

We practiced using scissors to cut card stock scraps! 

Admiring our beautiful bouquets in the flower shop! 

We practiced writing our names in title case and measured our names using fun classroom materials!

We engaged in "buddy building" to practice working together with a partner!

Both classes enjoyed making music with Ms. Janet!

Preschool Fall Field Trip: Tuesday 10/29 to Schwallier's Country Basket!

Our fall field trip is to Schwallier's Country Basket on Tuesday, October 29th. The morning class should plan on arriving at Schwallier's at 9:15 am for a 9:30 am tour, and the afternoon class should plan on arriving at 12:15 pm for a 12:30 pm tour. Due to state licensing changes our field trips must now be done differently. We can no longer arrange transportation to and from our trips or assist in carpooling arrangements. All adults who transport children to the field trip must also attend. There will be NO preschool classes held on 10/29 - the field trip will be our preschool class for the day. If your child is in Childcare, it is your responsibility to transport them to and from Schwallier's and childcare. This week, I sent home an information sheet about the field trip with a permission slip at the bottom. Please sign and return the permission slip by October 1st indicating whether or not your child will be attending the field trip. You may also email me your response if you prefer. You can find more information about Schwallier's Country Basket here.

Important Dates/Reminders:

Scholastic Book Orders: Last week, I sent home Scholastic book orders in your child's folder. September book orders are due by this Friday, September 13th. You can order books online by completing the steps below. You may also turn in your paper order and payment to me and I will input and mail in your order for you.

1. Go to the Scholastic Reading Club Website here.
2. Click Connect to your Teacher and enter our class activation code: PJFBX.
3. Then click to order from this month's flyer. Our default flyer is the "Early Childhood" flyer; however, you may order from any of the flyers. You can view more details about each book and add them to your cart by clicking on them in the flyer. 
4. After selecting your items, click on the cart to create an account or sign-in to your existing account in order to check-out.  
5. September orders need to be placed by tomorrow Friday, September 13th.

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. 

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

Preschool Fall Field Trip: Tuesday 10/29 to Schwallier's Country Basket! Our fall field trip is to Schwallier's Country Basket on Tuesday, October 29th. The morning class should plan on arriving at Schwallier's at 9:15 am for a 9:30 am tour, and the afternoon class should plan on arriving at 12:15 pm for a 12:30 pm tour. Permission slips are due by Tuesday, October 1st.

*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.

Have a great weekend!

9/6 Classroom Update

This week, we read the classic story Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and focused on our names! In 3's, we worked on recognizing our names and naming the first letter of our names. In 5's, we are working on writing and building our names, as well as letter recognition in our own and friends' names.  Here are some picture highlights from the week:             

Playing a "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" letter recognition game!

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, will there be enough? Our names climbed the coconut tree.

Finding and building our names in the same table!

Building our names with playdough!

Exploring a coconut with our 5 senses!

Adding our names to our coconut tree!

Watercolor hidden name paintings!

Important Dates/Reminders:

Scholastic Book Orders: This week, I sent home Scholastic book orders in your child's folder. September book orders are due by Friday, September 13th. You can order books online by completing the steps below. You may also turn in your paper order and payment to me and I will input and mail in your order for you.

1. Go to the Scholastic Reading Club Website here.
2. Click Connect to your Teacher and enter our class activation code: PJFBX.
3. Then click to order from this month's flyer. Our default flyer is the "Early Childhood" flyer; however, you may order from any of the flyers. You can view more details about each book and add them to your cart by clicking on them in the flyer. 
4. After selecting your items, click on the cart to create an account or sign-in to your existing account in order to check-out.  
5. September orders need to be placed by Friday, September 13th.

Parent Surveys & Blog Permission Slips: Thank you to everyone who has 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. 

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.

Have a great weekend!

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!

6/6 Classroom Blog Post

It's so hard to believe it is already the end of the school year! We had such an amazing year in preschool, and I'm going to miss this sweet group of kiddos so much. I hope to get updates on all the wonderful things our preschoolers (now some kindergartners!) continue to accomplish! This week, we had so much fun reminiscing about our great year together and engaging in some of our favorite activities. Here are some picture highlights from our last week together in Young 5's:

Making ice cream cones by matching beginning sounds and lowercase letters!

Playing summer bingo! 

Recapping our favorite activities of the year!

Enjoying popsicles on water day!

Running through the sprinkler on water day!

Playing in one of the water pools!

Playing bags!

Last day fun!

Have a wonderful summer!