December 2009

Skills to work on this month (work it into the lessons): Recognizing and writing the #5, recognizing and drawing stars (simplistically), cutting strips of paper (not on lines)

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Tara (Group A) Kylee (Group B)

T-December 1st: Exploring animal habitats--exploring where animals live, why they live in certain places, (Animal Habitats is a book filled with beautiful photography of animals and where they live--more for looking than reading, All Kinds of Habitats looks like a fun preschool aged book about habitats)

Th-3rd: People's homes around the world--see different kinds of houses, locate on globe, emphasize gratitude for our own houses (Children Just Like Me is a great book that shows children around the world and their different lifestyles, including their homes {I own this book}), build with Lincoln Logs, make house snacks with pretzels

Heather (Group A) Karen (Group B)

F-4th: Make shoebox dioramas of a house (or a big one out of an appliance box)

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Jana P. (Group A) Andrea (Group B)

T-8th: Beautiful sky--have fun learning about our beautiful sky, including the sun, moon, stars (tie in the Christmas star too since it's that time of year)

Th-10th: Sharing/Service--Read Stone Soup and then make your own soup (with everyone bringing their own ingredient), have kids bring items to share (like show and tell or to actually share for real), talk about serving others (especially our families) and give them ideas of things they can do

Alex--all preschool groups

F-11th: Christmas program at James Madison HS (subject to scheduling, tickets must be bought at least one month in advance)

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Katherine (Group A) Mina (Group B)

T-15th: Winter/animals hibernating--learn all about the changes of winter, have them get dressed up in winter clothes (make a game out of it), what do animals do in the winter?, what people do in the winter

Th-17th: Christmas around the world--Either touch on several countries' traditions or focus in on one country and have the kids try some food, sing a song, or play a game that is traditional to that area, learn about Santa Claus' different names around the world, whatever is fun for you.

Tara (Group A) Kylee (Group B)

F-18th: Fun with Penguins -- be penguins, make penguins, have fun!

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December 21st - January 3rd--No Preschool for Christmas Break