Two Famous Presidents

Since President's birthdays are celebrated in the month of February, we decided to take the class on a trip way back in history.  The idea turned out to be a terrific one.  The group became extremely interested in facts about Washington and Lincoln, and how the two men were both similar and different.

First we learned about George Washington through pictures, stories and discussions.  The most coveted facts about this man and appealing to youngsters were his white horse, his wig, his refusal to smile as his wooden teeth would be seen and that he was a General in the army.  It was interesting to learn that he did not live in the White House, but instead was in charge of its construction.  The teachers told the class the story about George Washington and the cherry tree.  He told his father the truth when asked if he had cut down the cherry tree with his new hatchet.  Although we explained that the story may or may not be true, as teachers we cannot pass up a chance to encourage truthfulness.  The creation of our adorable George Washington hats with lots of cutting (triple papers) and gluing is featured on this week's blog.

The same method of presentation led to finding out about our sixteenth President, Abraham Lincoln.  Again most excitement centered about learning how he walked barefoot for miles to borrow books because his family was too poor to buy shoes, how he wrote on a shovel with charcoal, how he became a lawyer and earned the name Honest Abe.  The Whole Notes were impressed to find that there is an eight foot long bed in the Lincoln Room in the White House.  The teachers of course emphasized his belief that everyone should be treated equally, no matter what the color of his/her skin.  The enthusiasm carried over to our creating Lincoln masks and the favorite log cabins.  Perhaps it was the use of pretzels that made this project so popular.  Pennies and quarters were out with magnifying glasses.  The library was filled with books about these and other Presidents.  

Margot is holding a picture she drew on her own of Abe Lincoln and the White House.  She is also at the easel where she is joined by Riya to create log cabins.  We love when any child takes our lesson a step further.  Zayden is the creator of the log cabin in our last photo.  He worked very hard to achieve the correct size and placement of his "logs".

Also on our blog is a picture of Lucas next to the calendar and White Board at circle.  The leader of the day tells us the day of the week, the month, date and year.  He/she looks for hidden words such as on and day in Monday or an and Jan in January.  Finally the correct number of the date is put on our calendar.  Prereading skills and beginning math skills are the focus here.

As you can see here, Takuma presented the letter box for "S".  He is shown with a can of soup, his drawing of a stop sign and a star that he told us had been on his Christmas tree.  Because it was "S" day, a few friends cooperated and used construction straws to build a special structure.  This idea came solely from the children involved in the project.

We welcomed Mira back on Friday.  She had been out all week due to her travels.  The entire class was thrilled to have her return.  However she was out on the days that we used our camera.  This is the news of the week, not necessarily in the order of the pictures on the blog.  Please enjoy.

Rolene and Jackie
 

Happy Valentine's Day

 

Our focus all week long was on Valentine's Day.  We discussed how the day is all about love for family and friends and how we can show it by exchanging cards, perhaps candy and flowers and other gifts.  Heart shapes for some reason appeal to all children.  Over the week the class used their fine motor skills to create a mail holder bag decorated with beautiful water color hearts.  This project is seen on our blog.  It also went home on Friday.

Family valentines were being created in our pictures with lots of designing, gluing and placing of various heart shapes.  All the children were able to write a message in their cards which shows how much progress in the area of writing has taken place since September.

The art/writing center was a place for much conversation and fun.  Different valentine coloring sheets some with dot to dots to connect and others with coloring directions to follow, were out all week.  Valentine stencils could be traced and made beautiful with various types of crayons.  Many friends worked here for long periods of time while strengthening their fine motor skills.  Sometimes parents think that coloring is not important.  But it really has a place in a child's development.  It encourages children to learn spatial relationships and how to color inside the lines.  These activities also allow for chances to coordinate colors and make designs of your own.  Most of the books read this week were Valentine's Day ones such as "The Valentine Bears"  and The Biggest Heart Ever".   In the first one a hibernating bear wife wakes her husband from sleep to give him a Valentine gift of chocolate covered bugs.  In the second, two mice join forces to make a wonderful heart for their teacher.

Martina was our letter box person for "R".  She is holding the box and also showing us her Mom's real rose and her own  wonderful drawing of a rainbow.  The class read "Rotten Ralph" for an "R" book.  It is an "oldie but goodie" about a very misbehaved cat.  Ask your preschooler about our stories.

Finally are views of our Valentine Party which brought many smiles and much laughter.  The refreshments were delicious and enjoyed on beautiful tablecloths with appropriate themed cups, napkins and plates.  Thanks for all of your contributions.  The last picture is with the mandarin teacher who kindly brought in dumplings for Chinese New Year.  She helped the Whole Notes to review the songs and vocabulary taught for this holiday.  It made our party double the fun.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day with your wonderful families and a great vacation.  We remind you that there will be no blog next weekend.  Watch for an email from the mandarin teacher which is being forwarded to you.

Rolene and Jackie

A Groundhog and An Ox

 Our week began with the legend of the groundhog.  There were stuffed and plush and ceramic groundhog figures, along with pictures of burrows to help us learn the characteristics and living habits of these animals.  Books about groundhogs were in our library to tie in literacy.  The book "Go To Sleep Groundhog" which was read was a big hit.  Of course a little science was brought in to the lesson as we learned about shadows.  On the blog you will find photos of friends tracing (eye-hand coordination)  and cutting (fine motor development) groundhogs.  Other children are coloring the ground (dirt and grass) on a paper plate to make a burrow.  The class was able to make the groundhog puppet come in and out of its home.  Would the animal see its shadow and go back to sleep?  Or would the shadow not be seen, therefore influencing the groundhog to remain outdoors bringing an early spring?  It is, as noted, just a legend but we discussed the results featured in the news (a little current events).  Some friends are here showing their finished creations.  Ada actually drew her own groundhog and is displaying her picture.  The puppets are in your homes and can be used for dramatic play.

The other big topic this week was the upcoming celebration of the Chinese New Year.  We try to instill respect for the ways of different cultures.  Again with the aid of books, charts and pictures, the group was presented with some interesting facts such as how each year a different animal is the holiday focus.  This time it is the year of the ox.  They loved learning that the Chinese people invented fireworks and noodles, that red is a good luck color, dragons are generally part of parades and other information exciting to our age children.  You can view us creating fireworks art on the blog.  First with the use of wax paint sticks, fireworks were drawn.  A red wash was painted over these drawings.  The bulletin board featuring our efforts is beautiful.  Each child was given a red envelope with a coin in it for good luck.  If you have not seen it, check your child's bag or backpack.

Margot presented the letter box for "Q".  She is holding the beautiful question mark she colored so carefully and a copy of a quail.  This letter was not easy.  We thank her parents for their successful work.  Ruby is shown here writing the weekly letter in her new alphabet book and doing a nice job!  Brigitte is drawing a quail at the easel, a bird we learned about at our circle presentation by Margot.

Finally, but most important, are the snapshots of Mira's fifth birthday.  Mira was dressed like a princess in a sparkly long dress that she said her Grandma from Russia had sent her as a birthday gift.  Once again the Whole Notes gobbled up the cupcakes while having a lot of social interaction.  Happy Birthday to Mira.

Please remember to send in your thirteen valentines any day this week.  We will celebrate our love for family and friends on Friday, the twelfth.  If your child will not be here, please let us know.

Rolene and Jackie