February 2013

We started 2013 off learning about the solar system.  The children have amazed me with their knowledge and retention of the material.  All four classes helped create our solar system and rocket.

We also had an enjoyable visit from "Yoga in My School".  The children enjoyed escaping from our cold snap for a brief time to find ourselves on a beach or meeting animals from the story "The Mitten".

This month, we will celebrate Valentine's Day and remind ourselves what it means to be a kind and responsible person.  Children will be making a Valentine's Day card for the Capital Care residents at home (due February 8th).  The children are encouraged to bring in Valentine cards for all their friends on their party day.  We will be working on our Random Acts of Kindness bookmarks as well, they will be sent home with the kids to give to someone.  We will also continue with our Solar System unit.

Reminder that February 25/26th is our field trip to the West Edmonton Mall Sea Life Caverns.  Permission slips will be going home the first week of February.  We will be meeting at the mall.  We will only require one to two parent volunteers per class depending on how many students we have.  Siblings will not be allowed on this one as space is limited.  We will be drawing the names of parents who will be helping on the field trip February 12th.  If your name was not drawn for parent helper and you would still like to come, you are welcome to but will have to pay the entrance fee.
Heads up for March - we will have a field trip to Sobeys.  Spring Break is March 23-April 1.

Thanks.
~Meghan

Yoga at the end of the month

Hi

I would like to apologize for the change of plans regarding the field trip to Family Fitness World.  Unfortunately, the original agreement has changed and the Board and I decided to cancel our bookings with them.

I have booked a yoga instructor to come in for 30 minutes on the last class of the month.    I took a professional development session with the instructor and really enjoyed the class and took a lot away from it.  She focuses on making yoga fun for children by incorporating stories and songs.  The sessions will take place at the preschool, so classes will go on as usual (regular start time and pick up time).

The yoga instructor will be in:

Wednesday,  January 30th

AM class will be at 10:30-11

PM class will be at 1-1:30

Thursday, January 31st

AM class will be at 10:30-11

PM class will be at 1-1:30

Please ensure children are wearing clothes that they can easily move around in.

*Afternoon classes:  We will be doing our first circle time at 12:45.  Please ensure you are in the class at that time so that the children can get a heads up as to the plan for the day since our day will look a little different.

Thank you for your understanding.  I really appreciate it and look forward to this in-class field trip.

~Meghan

January 2013

Happy New Year!


I trust everyone had a lovely break. Welcome back! Thank you for being such great team players in everything we did last month. The Bake-Walk, Sock Drive, gift exchange and parties were successful and we thank you for everything!

We will spend the first week of class getting reacquainted with our daily routine. Two weeks doesn’t seem like a lot of time for us over 4, but for the children it is. We are also welcoming some new friends in some of our classes, so a little refresher will benefit all.

My letter in the January newsletter will be more detailed about what is happening in the classroom, so please stay tuned.

This month in the classroom:

We will be learning the letters S, A and K. We will also be starting our unit on the Solar System towards the middle of the month.

I have decided to learn about the Solar System after listening and watching the children during their play. I have some activities planned but am waiting to see what the children want to learn about.  An element of the Reggio teaching philosophy is that children direct their learning.  I am excited to see where our learning goes with this theme.


Fieldtrips:

We will be going to the West Edmonton Mall Sea Caverns at the end of February. Information will be sent out about this next month. Please note that we will be letting you know how many parent volunteers we need. Extra supervisors over this number are welcome but at a cost of ten dollars to you. Also, unfortunately due to the size of venue, we are not allowed siblings and/or strollers on this fieldtrip.

Feb 25th @ 9:30-11.00 am Mon/Wed AM

Feb 25th @ 1–2.30 pm Mon/Wed PM

Feb 26th @ 9.30-11.00 am Tue/Thur AM

Feb 26th @ 1-2.30 pm Tue/Thur PM

Reminders:

We are NUT-FREE. We have a little guy with a severe nut allergy.

Ensure you are still reading the easel outside of the class and signing children in and out for the day.

Please take a look at your children’s shoes to ensure they still fit and they have a change of clothes in their bag. Also, take a look at the “Lost and Found” box located just under the easel.
We are still in the wet winter months; please ensure boots are taken off outside the class to ensure safety for the children and longevity of the floor.

I have updated our materials "Wish List", please take a quick look on the website to see if you have any of these things at home.  I appreciate it!

Thanks! Here is to a great 2013!


~Meghan