Since announcing a new schedule makes for a boring blog post I thought I'd throw in my pictures from the Christmas concert too.
How cool was that to see an entire 6 rows dedicated to Our Cool Preschool?
Showing posts with label schedule. Show all posts
Showing posts with label schedule. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
New Schedule and Some Concert Pics
I just wanted to let everyone know that I've just added the second half of the year for both groups to the online schedule.
Since announcing a new schedule makes for a boring blog post I thought I'd throw in my pictures from the Christmas concert too.
How cool was that to see an entire 6 rows dedicated to Our Cool Preschool?
Since announcing a new schedule makes for a boring blog post I thought I'd throw in my pictures from the Christmas concert too.
How cool was that to see an entire 6 rows dedicated to Our Cool Preschool?
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
May 2010
Skills to work on this month (work it into the lessons): Recognizing and writing the #11, Fiction or Non-fiction (what's the difference), continue cutting out shapes, hop on one foot, practice songs for assisted living center performance
T-May 4th: Butterflies--their life cycle, (here are some ideas, more ideas)
Jana P (Group A) Karen (Group B)
Th-6th: Honoring your parents (Mother's Day is May 9th)--talk about obeying parents, and a parents' love, make a special present for mom
All Preschool Groups---Deanne
F-7th: Muffins with Mom--all the moms come and enjoy muffins with their preschool children and the kids present their special gifts to her
Heather (Group A) Andrea (Group B)
T-11th: Outer Space/Astronauts-- (books, ideas) do something fun with glow in the dark paint, make space helmets, make a planet mobile that they can hang up, shoot off into outer space (your backyard)
Katherine (Group A) Andrea (Group B)
Th-13th: Hickory Dickory Dock (learning the basics of telling time)--learn which is the hour hand, which is the minute hand, at this age just basically being able to tell what hour it is, looking at digital clocks and mechanical clocks, use the rhyme to have fun
All Preschool Groups--Heather
F-14th: Field trip to Eakin Park--look for tadpoles and frogs in pond, explore the brook, play on the play ground, bring a picnic lunch
T-18th: Jungles--where are they in the world (find on map), what kinds of animals, (books, craft ideas)go on a safari (with binoculars) and look for wild animals (stuffed animals hidden around the house) and take pretend pictures of them, have them each pretend to be a jungle animal
Alex (Group A) Jana F (Group B)
Th-20th: Volcanoes--where some are in world (on map---emphasize that they are very far away from Virginia), watch some exploding volcano videos online, talk about the parts of a volcano, make your own volcanoes (using baking soda {make sure the baking soda is fresh} and vinegar)
All Preschool Groups--Adelia
F-21st: Preschool Pancakes in Pajamas (combined): come in your pajamas to preschool and eat pancakes and other P words with your friends (pineapple, pickles, punch, plums, peaches)
T-25th: My Country/My Flag--talk about the blessings of living in the USA, showing respect for the flag, find on a map/globe, what language we speak
Katherine (Group A) Kylee (Group B)
Th-27th: Showing Respect for our Elders--talk about grandmas and grandpas, make a special present, practice your songs (2-3 they know well), talk about respect
All Preschool Groups---Karen
F-28th: Visit an assisted living center--bring them presents and sing songs (??)
**********************************************************************
Adelia (Group A) Karen (Group B)T-May 4th: Butterflies--their life cycle, (here are some ideas, more ideas)
Jana P (Group A) Karen (Group B)
Th-6th: Honoring your parents (Mother's Day is May 9th)--talk about obeying parents, and a parents' love, make a special present for mom
All Preschool Groups---Deanne
F-7th: Muffins with Mom--all the moms come and enjoy muffins with their preschool children and the kids present their special gifts to her
**********************************************************************
Heather (Group A) Andrea (Group B)
T-11th: Outer Space/Astronauts-- (books, ideas) do something fun with glow in the dark paint, make space helmets, make a planet mobile that they can hang up, shoot off into outer space (your backyard)
Katherine (Group A) Andrea (Group B)
Th-13th: Hickory Dickory Dock (learning the basics of telling time)--learn which is the hour hand, which is the minute hand, at this age just basically being able to tell what hour it is, looking at digital clocks and mechanical clocks, use the rhyme to have fun
All Preschool Groups--Heather
F-14th: Field trip to Eakin Park--look for tadpoles and frogs in pond, explore the brook, play on the play ground, bring a picnic lunch
**********************************************************************
Jana P (Group A) Jana F (Group B)T-18th: Jungles--where are they in the world (find on map), what kinds of animals, (books, craft ideas)go on a safari (with binoculars) and look for wild animals (stuffed animals hidden around the house) and take pretend pictures of them, have them each pretend to be a jungle animal
Alex (Group A) Jana F (Group B)
Th-20th: Volcanoes--where some are in world (on map---emphasize that they are very far away from Virginia), watch some exploding volcano videos online, talk about the parts of a volcano, make your own volcanoes (using baking soda {make sure the baking soda is fresh} and vinegar)
All Preschool Groups--Adelia
F-21st: Preschool Pancakes in Pajamas (combined): come in your pajamas to preschool and eat pancakes and other P words with your friends (pineapple, pickles, punch, plums, peaches)
**********************************************************************
Lara (Group A) Kylee (Group B)T-25th: My Country/My Flag--talk about the blessings of living in the USA, showing respect for the flag, find on a map/globe, what language we speak
Katherine (Group A) Kylee (Group B)
Th-27th: Showing Respect for our Elders--talk about grandmas and grandpas, make a special present, practice your songs (2-3 they know well), talk about respect
All Preschool Groups---Karen
F-28th: Visit an assisted living center--bring them presents and sing songs (??)
**********************************************************************
Alex, Adelia, Andrea
T-June 1st: Preschool graduation
T-June 1st: Preschool graduation
April 2010
Skills to work on this month (work it into the lessons): Recognizing and writing the #10, days of the week, continue cutting out shapes
March 29-April 4: Spring Break (No Preschool)
T-April 6th: Rain/Clouds/Weather-- basics of the water cycle (try a demonstration), make a chart, (some ideas, more ideas)
Th-8th: Rainbows--(one of my favorite lessons of the year)make fruit loop rainbows, make rainbows with prisms/mirrors/water, whatever many different ways you can (I got cheap plastic prisms at Michaels so that I could just send them home with their own , tie dye shirts, talk about the colors in the rainbow (see last year's recap for lots of ideas)
Tara (Group A) ??. (Group B)
F-9th: Rainy Day Fun (even if it's nice): Watch a movie (or play games), eat popcorn, and just pretend it's raining (maybe have everyone bring an umbrella or rain coat to go for a walk in the "rain")
T-13th: Farms/Farmers--where does our food come from? , what do farmers do?, what kinds of things come from a farm, some more ideas, great puppet templates (color or black & white--at the end of the web page), fun ideas,
Th-15th: Little Red Hen (working hard)--have everyone help grind wheat (with hand wheat grinder), make bread, talk about working hard and doing their part, masks, more visuals, make your own butter, lesson with visuals
All Preschool Groups---Karen
F-16th: Frying Pan Park
T-20th: Tadpoles/Frogs--"Growing Frogs", talk about the changes they go through, play leap frog, (here are some ideas)
Th-22nd: Flowers and other plants: What do plants need to grow? what are the parts of a plant (show a real plant if possible), have them plant their own seed
Jana P (Group A) Kylee (Group B)
F-23rd: Plain old fashioned playdate!
T-27th: Transportation/Traffic Lights--how do we get around, compare it to the olden days, what do the colors of the traffic light stand for, maybe have car races
Th-29th: Auto/Street Safety--using seatbelts, sitting in car seats, not bothering parent while driving, crossing street safely, play red light/green light, make traffic light treats (with colored candy)
All Preschool Groups--Lara
F-30th: Field Trip to Pizzeria Uno--9:30 at the Uno in Merrifield. (small pizzas for each of the children are part of the trip, we need to decide if we want to get a pizza or two for the adults and whether to order the kids' drinks). I talked with Kelly (a manager) 703-645-9590
**********************************************************************
March 29-April 4: Spring Break (No Preschool)
**********************************************************************
Jana P (Group A) Deanne (Group B)T-April 6th: Rain/Clouds/Weather-- basics of the water cycle (try a demonstration), make a chart, (some ideas, more ideas)
Th-8th: Rainbows--(one of my favorite lessons of the year)make fruit loop rainbows, make rainbows with prisms/mirrors/water, whatever many different ways you can (I got cheap plastic prisms at Michaels so that I could just send them home with their own , tie dye shirts, talk about the colors in the rainbow (see last year's recap for lots of ideas)
Tara (Group A) ??. (Group B)
F-9th: Rainy Day Fun (even if it's nice): Watch a movie (or play games), eat popcorn, and just pretend it's raining (maybe have everyone bring an umbrella or rain coat to go for a walk in the "rain")
**********************************************************************
Lara (Group A) Andrea (Group B)T-13th: Farms/Farmers--where does our food come from? , what do farmers do?, what kinds of things come from a farm, some more ideas, great puppet templates (color or black & white--at the end of the web page), fun ideas,
Th-15th: Little Red Hen (working hard)--have everyone help grind wheat (with hand wheat grinder), make bread, talk about working hard and doing their part, masks, more visuals, make your own butter, lesson with visuals
All Preschool Groups---Karen
F-16th: Frying Pan Park
**********************************************************************
Adelia (Group A) Mina (Group B)T-20th: Tadpoles/Frogs--"Growing Frogs", talk about the changes they go through, play leap frog, (here are some ideas)
Th-22nd: Flowers and other plants: What do plants need to grow? what are the parts of a plant (show a real plant if possible), have them plant their own seed
Jana P (Group A) Kylee (Group B)
F-23rd: Plain old fashioned playdate!
**********************************************************************
Tara (Group A) Kylee (Group B)T-27th: Transportation/Traffic Lights--how do we get around, compare it to the olden days, what do the colors of the traffic light stand for, maybe have car races
Th-29th: Auto/Street Safety--using seatbelts, sitting in car seats, not bothering parent while driving, crossing street safely, play red light/green light, make traffic light treats (with colored candy)
All Preschool Groups--Lara
F-30th: Field Trip to Pizzeria Uno--9:30 at the Uno in Merrifield. (small pizzas for each of the children are part of the trip, we need to decide if we want to get a pizza or two for the adults and whether to order the kids' drinks). I talked with Kelly (a manager) 703-645-9590
**********************************************************************
March 2010
Skills to work on this month (work it into the lessons): Recognizing and writing the #9, opposites, continue cutting out shapes
Katherine (Group A) Karen (Group B)
T-March 2nd: Peter and the Wolf--recognizing different instrument sounds (show pictures or actual instruments), watch on Youtube (preview first and be sensitive to those who might be scared), match musical instruments to animals, make stick figures so they can tell the story at home (***NOTE: be very sensitive not to scare the children with the wolf eating the animals, I completely glossed over this and they didn't even catch it, the kids LOVED this lesson) --(read last year's recap)
Th-4th: Music and musical instruments--different types (woodwinds, strings, percussion), have someone come and play a real instrument, musical chairs, freeze dance, experiment with water/glasses and the sound it makes, let them try a real instrument (like a recorder or harmonica) (some craft ideas, book ideas, activity ideas, scientific ideas)
All Preschool Groups---Deanne & Heather
F-5th: Preschool Marching Band--Either make instruments (out of spoons/pans/lids and march around the neighborhood or house or coordinate with Thursday to have teacher have the kids make instruments that day, end up back at the house for some healthy snacks
T-9th: Dinosaurs--Learn about different kinds, read fun stories about them, talk about truth/fiction (in general and in reference to dinosaurs), emphasize that they lived a very long time ago, use opposites to talk about them
Th-11th: Fossils--discover what fossils are, go digging for "fossils", create your own "fossil", prepare them for field trip to Natural History Museum (the kinds of fossils to look out for, etc)
All Preschool Groups-Jana F.
F-12th: Field Trip to Natural History Museum
T-16th: Saint Patrick's Day (a day early)--wear green, eat green treats, have "leprechaun" play tricks, go on treasure hunt for pot of gold (treats), this is a great day to emphasize opposites (tall/short, fast/slow, sweet/sour, etc)
Th-18th: Honey Bees--learn about how busy they are, how they help flowers to grow (and give us honey), try some honey treats, teach them what to do around wasps and bees (to hold still), make them little antennas so they can pretend to be bees, read "The Bee Tree" Too scary. Don't repeat.
All Preschool Groups--Lara.
F-19th: Jammin JavaVisit from Lazlo Bee Farm (combined)--call Mr. Lazlo (703-725-3818) 6-8 weeks in advance to schedule honey presentation visit. Bee farm will come to visit next week at the end of the Easter party. Alternate activities are being considered for this day. Bee Farm visit was cool, but a bit too over their heads.
T-23rd: Spring--go through the seasonal changes of Spring, review the four seasons, talk about flowers growing, (great ideas, an article with lots of ideas)
Th-25th: Ducks--Read "Make Way for Ducklings" (one of our favorite kids' books), (here are some great ideas, more ideas), "5 Little Ducks" song,
All Preschool Groups-Kylee/Lara
F-26th: Easter Celebration/Bee Farm Visit (combined)--with honey snacks
**********************************************************************
Katherine (Group A) Karen (Group B)
T-March 2nd: Peter and the Wolf--recognizing different instrument sounds (show pictures or actual instruments), watch on Youtube (preview first and be sensitive to those who might be scared), match musical instruments to animals, make stick figures so they can tell the story at home (***NOTE: be very sensitive not to scare the children with the wolf eating the animals, I completely glossed over this and they didn't even catch it, the kids LOVED this lesson) --(read last year's recap)
Th-4th: Music and musical instruments--different types (woodwinds, strings, percussion), have someone come and play a real instrument, musical chairs, freeze dance, experiment with water/glasses and the sound it makes, let them try a real instrument (like a recorder or harmonica) (some craft ideas, book ideas, activity ideas, scientific ideas)
All Preschool Groups---Deanne & Heather
F-5th: Preschool Marching Band--Either make instruments (out of spoons/pans/lids and march around the neighborhood or house or coordinate with Thursday to have teacher have the kids make instruments that day, end up back at the house for some healthy snacks
**********************************************************************
Alex (Group A) Deanne (Group B)T-9th: Dinosaurs--Learn about different kinds, read fun stories about them, talk about truth/fiction (in general and in reference to dinosaurs), emphasize that they lived a very long time ago, use opposites to talk about them
Th-11th: Fossils--discover what fossils are, go digging for "fossils", create your own "fossil", prepare them for field trip to Natural History Museum (the kinds of fossils to look out for, etc)
All Preschool Groups-Jana F.
F-12th: Field Trip to Natural History Museum
**********************************************************************
Heather (Group A) Mina (Group B)T-16th: Saint Patrick's Day (a day early)--wear green, eat green treats, have "leprechaun" play tricks, go on treasure hunt for pot of gold (treats), this is a great day to emphasize opposites (tall/short, fast/slow, sweet/sour, etc)
Th-18th:
All Preschool Groups--Lara.
F-19th: Jammin Java
**********************************************************************
Tara (Group A) Jana F. (Group B)T-23rd: Spring--go through the seasonal changes of Spring, review the four seasons, talk about flowers growing, (great ideas, an article with lots of ideas)
Th-25th: Ducks--Read "Make Way for Ducklings" (one of our favorite kids' books), (here are some great ideas, more ideas), "5 Little Ducks" song,
All Preschool Groups-Kylee/Lara
F-26th: Easter Celebration/Bee Farm Visit (combined)--with honey snacks
**********************************************************************
March 29-April 4: Spring Break (No Preschool)
February 2010
Skills to work on this month (work it into the lessons): Recognizing and writing the #7, recognizing and drawing ovals, cutting out shapes, five senses (have them recognize which senses they're using through the day)
T-February 2nd: Groundhog's Day--have fun learning about shadows, fun tradition, make cute groundhog treats, groundhog craft (last year's ideas)
Th-4th: Introduce the five senses, focus on sense of touch--Make a five senses book that they will add to through the month as they learn about each sense (ask Lara), this page of the book will have samples of different textures for them to feel and a tracing of their hand, explore your sense of touch, recognizing objects only by touching, finger painting
Katherine (Group A) Jen (Group B)--going to Chuck E Cheese
F-5th: Plain old fashioned play group
T-9th: Sense of smell--talk about noses, have them smell things with distinctive odors (vinegar, lemon, chocolate, vanilla, etc), make page for 5 senses book (scratch and sniff stickers or pictures of things they could smell, picture of child pointing to nose)
Th-11th: Sense of taste--talk about tongues and mouths, taste test the four different flavors (bitter {unsweetened chocolate}, sweet {sugar}, salty {salt}, sour {lemon}), then combine the sweet and sour and make lemonade! make a page for five senses book (picture of one of the children sticking out their tongues, pictures of foods (have them practice cutting them out of grocery ads) )
All Preschool Groups--Jana P.
F-12th: Field trip to Krispy Kreme (to use their senses of smell and taste)
T-16th: George Washington (President's Day is 2/15)--learn about his bravery, what life was like in colonial days, make corn cakes (a traditional colonial food), teach that he could have been a king, but he wanted America to be free
Th-18th: Sense of sight--play I spy, play hot/cold with blindfold, look at colors, learn about the marvelous eye, light/dark, make page for 5 senses book (picture of child with finger glasses around eyes, pictures of items you can mainly just see (rainbows, clouds, colors, etc).
All Preschool Groups--Mina
F-19th: Belated combined Valentine's Party--take advantage of post-Valentine's sales and enjoy Valentine's snacks, exchange Valentines, etc.
T-23rd: Sense of hearing--talk about ears, play freeze dance (to use their sense of hearing), play loud/soft singing game, make page for 5 senses book ( a picture of child touching his ears, pictures of things you mainly hear (music note, alarm clock, someone whispering, etc)
Th-25th: Helen Keller--teach about all the amazing things she accomplished (all without 2 of her senses), try things that she did (finding your way around a room blindfolded, touching neck softly to feel vibrations of speech, sign language into hands, show them a Braille book), make the last 2 pages of the 5 senses books (their names in Braille (you make the dots with pencil onto cardstock page, then with thumb tacks have them punch through) and a page with the sign language alphabet)
All Preschool Groups--Alex
F-26th: Concert at Jammin Java (or somewhere)???
**********************************************************************
Lara (Group A) Karen (Group B)T-February 2nd: Groundhog's Day--have fun learning about shadows, fun tradition, make cute groundhog treats, groundhog craft (last year's ideas)
Th-4th: Introduce the five senses, focus on sense of touch--Make a five senses book that they will add to through the month as they learn about each sense (ask Lara), this page of the book will have samples of different textures for them to feel and a tracing of their hand, explore your sense of touch, recognizing objects only by touching, finger painting
Katherine (Group A) Jen (Group B)--going to Chuck E Cheese
F-5th: Plain old fashioned play group
**********************************************************************
Alex (Group A) Deanne (Group B)T-9th: Sense of smell--talk about noses, have them smell things with distinctive odors (vinegar, lemon, chocolate, vanilla, etc), make page for 5 senses book (scratch and sniff stickers or pictures of things they could smell, picture of child pointing to nose)
Th-11th: Sense of taste--talk about tongues and mouths, taste test the four different flavors (bitter {unsweetened chocolate}, sweet {sugar}, salty {salt}, sour {lemon}), then combine the sweet and sour and make lemonade! make a page for five senses book (picture of one of the children sticking out their tongues, pictures of foods (have them practice cutting them out of grocery ads) )
All Preschool Groups--Jana P.
F-12th: Field trip to Krispy Kreme (to use their senses of smell and taste)
**********************************************************************
Heather (Group A) Jana F (Group B)T-16th: George Washington (President's Day is 2/15)--learn about his bravery, what life was like in colonial days, make corn cakes (a traditional colonial food), teach that he could have been a king, but he wanted America to be free
Th-18th: Sense of sight--play I spy, play hot/cold with blindfold, look at colors, learn about the marvelous eye, light/dark, make page for 5 senses book (picture of child with finger glasses around eyes, pictures of items you can mainly just see (rainbows, clouds, colors, etc).
All Preschool Groups--Mina
F-19th: Belated combined Valentine's Party--take advantage of post-Valentine's sales and enjoy Valentine's snacks, exchange Valentines, etc.
**********************************************************************
Adelia (Group A) Kylee (Group B)T-23rd: Sense of hearing--talk about ears, play freeze dance (to use their sense of hearing), play loud/soft singing game, make page for 5 senses book ( a picture of child touching his ears, pictures of things you mainly hear (music note, alarm clock, someone whispering, etc)
Th-25th: Helen Keller--teach about all the amazing things she accomplished (all without 2 of her senses), try things that she did (finding your way around a room blindfolded, touching neck softly to feel vibrations of speech, sign language into hands, show them a Braille book), make the last 2 pages of the 5 senses books (their names in Braille (you make the dots with pencil onto cardstock page, then with thumb tacks have them punch through) and a page with the sign language alphabet)
All Preschool Groups--Alex
F-26th: Concert at Jammin Java (or somewhere)???
January 2010
Skills to work on this month (work it into the lessons): Recognizing and writing the #6, recognizing and drawing rectangles, cutting on lines, working on their goals
Adelia (Group A) Jen (Group B)
T-January 5th: Goals--Heber J Grant, help them set their own goal (writing last name, learning address, etc) or a group goal (like learning a song), make a chart so they can see progress, (read about last year's ideas)
Th-7th: Trains--(Little Engine that Could---ties into the Goals theme), make a train with a letter on each car, then string together to form their name (or other word), have fun with toy trains
Jana F combined activity
F-8th: Preschool Indoor Camping Activity (Combined)--set up a tent indoors, "roast" marshmallows, kids bring pillows, flashlights, and sleeping bags, tell stories, sing campfire songs, if you have a fireplace then have a real fire
T-12th: Horses--how important they were in olden days, taking care of them, have them pretend to ride them, learning "giddyup and gee", notice their teeth (and in preparation for the next lesson mention how farmers take care of their teeth)
Th-14th: Taking care of our teeth--talk about proper way to brush teeth, why we brush teeth, make teeth on yellow paper then have the kids paint them with white paint with a toothbrush for a paintbrush,
Adelia (both preschool groups)
F-15th: Field Trip to Dentist Office (Dr. Girish Banaji does tours on Fridays, but dates need to be reserved at least a month or two in advance)
T-19th:Martin Luther King (MLK day is 1/18)--what did he do?, learn about discrimination, his dream, white egg/brown egg demonstration, treating people with respect (keep working on goal)
Th-21st: Africa--find on globe/map, make mudcloth, African traditions, food, etc. (keep working on goal)
Lara (Group A) Mina (Group B)
F-22nd: Color mixing--using colored water or paint have fun mixing colors, let them experiment, have them make a color wheel?
T-26th: I am a Child of God--everyone is unique/special, explore our talents, what makes us special (keep working on goals) (idea, idea, plus I have a cute FHE packet on this theme)
Th-28th: Babies--the special care they need, how they are made (hehe--just kidding), being gentle, teaching them, let them meet a real baby, role play with dolls (keep working on goal)
Andrea (all preschool groups)
F-29th: No Preschool (Fairfax County teacher workday) --Field Trip to Air & Space Museum
**********************************************************************
Adelia (Group A) Jen (Group B)
T-January 5th: Goals--Heber J Grant, help them set their own goal (writing last name, learning address, etc) or a group goal (like learning a song), make a chart so they can see progress, (read about last year's ideas)
Th-7th: Trains--(Little Engine that Could---ties into the Goals theme), make a train with a letter on each car, then string together to form their name (or other word), have fun with toy trains
Jana F combined activity
F-8th: Preschool Indoor Camping Activity (Combined)--set up a tent indoors, "roast" marshmallows, kids bring pillows, flashlights, and sleeping bags, tell stories, sing campfire songs, if you have a fireplace then have a real fire
**********************************************************************
Heather (Group A) Andrea (Group B)T-12th: Horses--how important they were in olden days, taking care of them, have them pretend to ride them, learning "giddyup and gee", notice their teeth (and in preparation for the next lesson mention how farmers take care of their teeth)
Th-14th: Taking care of our teeth--talk about proper way to brush teeth, why we brush teeth, make teeth on yellow paper then have the kids paint them with white paint with a toothbrush for a paintbrush,
Adelia (both preschool groups)
F-15th: Field Trip to Dentist Office (Dr. Girish Banaji does tours on Fridays, but dates need to be reserved at least a month or two in advance)
**********************************************************************
Jana P. (Group A) Mina (Group B)T-19th:Martin Luther King (MLK day is 1/18)--what did he do?, learn about discrimination, his dream, white egg/brown egg demonstration, treating people with respect (keep working on goal)
Th-21st: Africa--find on globe/map, make mudcloth, African traditions, food, etc. (keep working on goal)
Lara (Group A) Mina (Group B)
F-22nd: Color mixing--using colored water or paint have fun mixing colors, let them experiment, have them make a color wheel?
**********************************************************************
Katherine (Group A) Jana F (Group B)T-26th: I am a Child of God--everyone is unique/special, explore our talents, what makes us special (keep working on goals) (idea, idea, plus I have a cute FHE packet on this theme)
Th-28th: Babies--the special care they need, how they are made (hehe--just kidding), being gentle, teaching them, let them meet a real baby, role play with dolls (keep working on goal)
Andrea (all preschool groups)
F-29th: No Preschool (Fairfax County teacher workday) --Field Trip to Air & Space Museum
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)
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)
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)
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!
December 21st - January 3rd--No Preschool for Christmas Break
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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
Monday, September 7, 2009
November 2009
Skills to work on this month (work it into the lessons): Recognizing and writing the #4, recognizing and drawing triangles, practicing "fringing" with scissors and paper
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Alex--all preschool groups
T-November 3rd: National Zoo Field Trip (No school due to teacher work day)-
Alex (Group A) Karen (Group B)
Th-5th: Mammals: what makes an animal a mammal, examples of mammals, mammal matching game, (craft ideas) etc.
F-6th: Reptiles--(ideas) characteristics of reptiles, where they live,
Tara (Group A) Jen (Group B)
T-10th: My family tree--who is on it ?(watch slideshow), write letters to grandparent, have parents send in pictures and grandparent addresses, make your own family tree
Th-12th: Native Americans--(here are last year's ideas)--traditions, try some food (like popcorn), make teepees and head bands, make paper bag vests (this is a perfect activity to have them practice their "fringing" skills), bows and arrows
Lara (Group A) Deanne (Group B)
F-13th: Rhythm and Drums--make drums or maracas and have fun dancing around like Indians
Lara (Group A) Deanne (Group B)
T-17th: Pilgrims--why they came, how they got to America, their struggles (have them eat hard biscuits or something else they may have eaten), learning to grow food, Native Americans helping them, make hats?
Th-19th: Gratitude/Thanksgiving--(last year's ideas)--what do we have to be grateful for, how should we show gratitude, why we celebrate Thanksgiving, do something special for someone to show gratitude
Jana F. --all preschool groups
F-20th: Combined preschool Thanksgiving feast--everyone dress up as Pilgrims or Indians and bring a snack to share with everyone else
T-24th: Play Group (if desired)
Th-26th: No School (Thanksgiving Break)
F-27th: No School (Thanksgiving Break)
Alex (Group A) Karen (Group B)
Th-5th: Mammals: what makes an animal a mammal, examples of mammals, mammal matching game, (craft ideas) etc.
F-6th: Reptiles--(ideas) characteristics of reptiles, where they live,
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Tara (Group A) Jen (Group B)
T-10th: My family tree--who is on it ?(watch slideshow), write letters to grandparent, have parents send in pictures and grandparent addresses, make your own family tree
Th-12th: Native Americans--(here are last year's ideas)--traditions, try some food (like popcorn), make teepees and head bands, make paper bag vests (this is a perfect activity to have them practice their "fringing" skills), bows and arrows
Lara (Group A) Deanne (Group B)
F-13th: Rhythm and Drums--make drums or maracas and have fun dancing around like Indians
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Lara (Group A) Deanne (Group B)
T-17th: Pilgrims--why they came, how they got to America, their struggles (have them eat hard biscuits or something else they may have eaten), learning to grow food, Native Americans helping them, make hats?
Th-19th: Gratitude/Thanksgiving--(last year's ideas)--what do we have to be grateful for, how should we show gratitude, why we celebrate Thanksgiving, do something special for someone to show gratitude
Jana F. --all preschool groups
F-20th: Combined preschool Thanksgiving feast--everyone dress up as Pilgrims or Indians and bring a snack to share with everyone else
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T-24th: Play Group (if desired)
Th-26th: No School (Thanksgiving Break)
F-27th: No School (Thanksgiving Break)
October 2009
Skills to work on this month (work it into the lessons): Recognizing and writing the #3, recognizing and drawing squares, tearing paper on lines (continue having them write their own names too)
T-September 29th: Bodies, how they work, taking care of them (exercise, good food, sleeping, etc.) Click here for a very cute craft idea that we did last year and here for some other fun ideas.
Th-October 1st: Germs/healthy habits/hygiene, teach them about washing their hands properly, sneezing properly, etc. Here is a fun craft idea (the pictures) that is similar to one we did a couple of years ago (the kids loved it)
Mina's house (Group A & B)
F-2nd: Exercise & healthy foods "party"--come together to run, jump, and play (preferably outside) and share healthy foods (everyone bring their own to share)
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Alex (Group A) Kylee (Group B)T-September 29th: Bodies, how they work, taking care of them (exercise, good food, sleeping, etc.) Click here for a very cute craft idea that we did last year and here for some other fun ideas.
Th-October 1st: Germs/healthy habits/hygiene, teach them about washing their hands properly, sneezing properly, etc. Here is a fun craft idea (the pictures) that is similar to one we did a couple of years ago (the kids loved it)
Mina's house (Group A & B)
F-2nd: Exercise & healthy foods "party"--come together to run, jump, and play (preferably outside) and share healthy foods (everyone bring their own to share)
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Katherine (Group A) Karen (Group B)
T-6th: Community Helpers--learn about and show appreciation for the people in our community that help us (fire fighters, police man, teachers, farmers, doctors, etc.)
Th-8th: Fire Safety, (click for ideas or here) dialing 911, stop/drop/roll, what to do in fire, have a fire drill, etc.
Tara O (all preschool groups)
F-9th: Field trip to fire station
Th-15th: Basic world geography--(click for last year's ideas) show globe (earth round), teach them about recognizing the difference between land and water on maps and globes, give each child a earth shaped beach ball (??)
Katherine (Group A) Andrea (Group B)
F-16th: Make simple boats (even out of folded newspaper click for pattern ) and float them in bathtub or wading pool, do float/sink experiments with different objects
Heather (Group A) Jen H (Group B)
T-20th: Oceans--(last year's ideas, other ideas) show on globe/maps, salty vs fresh water, sea life, recreate beach scene with blue jello with swedish fish and graham cracker crumbs for sand
Th-21st: Fish--go fishing (with letters/numbers on each fish), show a real fish if possible, what do they eat? (ideas)
Jen H (all preschool groups)
F-22nd: Field trip to National Aquarium (in Washington DC) (Adults $7, kids 3-11 $3, under 2 are free)
Tara (Group A) Jana F. (Group B)
T-27th: Autumn--changes of autumn, go on leaf collection walk, (Clifford's First Autumn--cute book), make leaf people, make autumn tree (kids sponge paint leaves in autumn colors)
Th-29th: Pumpkins--make pumpkin treats, roasted pumpkin seeds, crafts and stories
Heather (all preschool groups)
F-30th: Combined Halloween party--wear costumes, play games, and eat healthy treats (maybe at the church or a park)
Th-8th: Fire Safety, (click for ideas or here) dialing 911, stop/drop/roll, what to do in fire, have a fire drill, etc.
Tara O (all preschool groups)
F-9th: Field trip to fire station
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T-13th: Christopher Columbus (Columbus Day is the 12th), (Click for ideas) read books, make telescopes and take a "boat ride" in large box or laundry basket pushed around the house, make boat snacks out of half apples and fruit roll ups, earth flat vs. roundLara (Group A) Andrea (Group B)
Th-15th: Basic world geography--(click for last year's ideas) show globe (earth round), teach them about recognizing the difference between land and water on maps and globes, give each child a earth shaped beach ball (??)
Katherine (Group A) Andrea (Group B)
F-16th: Make simple boats (even out of folded newspaper click for pattern ) and float them in bathtub or wading pool, do float/sink experiments with different objects
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Heather (Group A) Jen H (Group B)
T-20th: Oceans--(last year's ideas, other ideas) show on globe/maps, salty vs fresh water, sea life, recreate beach scene with blue jello with swedish fish and graham cracker crumbs for sand
Th-21st: Fish--go fishing (with letters/numbers on each fish), show a real fish if possible, what do they eat? (ideas)
Jen H (all preschool groups)
F-22nd: Field trip to National Aquarium (in Washington DC) (Adults $7, kids 3-11 $3, under 2 are free)
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Tara (Group A) Jana F. (Group B)
T-27th: Autumn--changes of autumn, go on leaf collection walk, (Clifford's First Autumn--cute book), make leaf people, make autumn tree (kids sponge paint leaves in autumn colors)
Th-29th: Pumpkins--make pumpkin treats, roasted pumpkin seeds, crafts and stories
Heather (all preschool groups)
F-30th: Combined Halloween party--wear costumes, play games, and eat healthy treats (maybe at the church or a park)
Sunday, September 6, 2009
September 2009
Skills to work on this month (work it into the lessons): Recognizing and writing the #1 and 2, recognizing and drawing circles, writing their own names on their projects
T-15th: Welcome to preschool, explanation of rules, expectations, routine, friends, getting to know you, make preschool bags (we use canvas bags from Michaels, then let the kids decorate them with fabric markers, their handprints, or paint. One year I ironed designs on with iron on paper which turned out nice too--whatever you do make sure you get their names on there so you can tell them apart)
Th-17th: Manners (click here and here and here and here for some fun ideas about teaching manners), role play, relate it to preschool (Book recommendations: Dinosaur Days
by Linda Manning or Manners
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Adelia (Group A) Mina (Group B)T-15th: Welcome to preschool, explanation of rules, expectations, routine, friends, getting to know you, make preschool bags (we use canvas bags from Michaels, then let the kids decorate them with fabric markers, their handprints, or paint. One year I ironed designs on with iron on paper which turned out nice too--whatever you do make sure you get their names on there so you can tell them apart)
Th-17th: Manners (click here and here and here and here for some fun ideas about teaching manners), role play, relate it to preschool (Book recommendations: Dinosaur Days
by Aliki)Adelia (Group A & B)F-18th: Combined group Manners Party at Adelia's house. Drop off your child and have them get lots of practice on using their manners while having fun with their friends.
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Jana P. (Group A) Deanne (Group B)T-22nd: Seasons (overview), learn about the changes of the seasons, (Book recommendations: The Turning of the Year
by Bill Martin and Four Stories for Four Seasons
by Tomie De Paola ) Click here for fun idea for a craft (half way down the page)Th-24th: Apples, Johnny Appleseed, (click here (crafts), here (science), here (games), or here (books) for lots of fun apple ideas)
Jana P (for all preschool groups)
F-25th: 10:00-1:00 Cox Farms field trip (click here for your free hot dog coupon or here to join their email list and you'll get coupons for $3 off per person or here for directions)
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T-29th: Bodies, how they work, taking care of them (exercise, good food, sleeping, etc.) Click here for a very cute craft idea that we did last year and here for some other fun ideas.
Alex (Group A) Kylee (Group B)
Th-October 1st: Germs/healthy habits/hygiene, teach them about washing their hands properly, sneezing properly, etc. Here is a fun craft idea (the pictures) that is similar to one we did a couple of years ago (the kids loved it)
Mina's House (Group A & B)
F-2nd: Exercise & healthy foods "party"--come together to run, jump, and play (preferably outside) and share healthy foods (everyone bring their own to share)
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Preschool Schedule for October 2008
October
Field Trip Ideas: Fire Station
Lara:
Tues. 7th : Safety: Basic safety rules (fire safety, stranger danger, 911, streets, etc.)—be careful to keep it positive, so the kids don’t end up scared
Jana:
Thurs. 9th : Community Helpers (heroes): fire men, doctors, teachers, etc., role play
Rebecca R.:
Tues. 14th: Christopher Columbus: What did he do? Take a boat ride (in a box or blanket across the floor)…look for land with telescopes, sing songs (Columbus sailed the ocean blue, ocean blue, ocean blue, Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 14-92—to Mary had a little lamb tune), world flat? etc
Thurs. 16th: Basic World Geography: introduce globe, continents, oceans
Fri: 17th: FIELD TRIP: Fire Station (Becca T.)
Andrea:
Tues. 21st : Oceans: basic geography (show on globe), salty vs. fresh water, how big they are, float/sink experiments, ocean life
Thurs. 23rd : Dolphins: have fun learning all about these intelligent creatures
Jana:
Tues. 28th : Autumn: seasonal changes, trees, pumpkins, etc.
Preschool Schedule for September 2008
September
Tues. 9th: Welcome to preschool, explanation of rules, expectations, routine, how to treat our friends, teachers, getting to know you, make new preschool bags
Thurs. 11th: Seasons overview: each year there are 4 seasons, changes in the earth/trees
Becca:
Tues. 16th: Flags: different countries’ flags, showing respect for flag, Betsy Ross (Lara has flag stickers from around the world)
Thurs. 18th: Fun with Magnets: experiment with magnets
Tues. 23rd: Trains: historical importance, play with toy train, identify different cars, human train
Thurs. 25th: Apples: Johnny Appleseed, apple treat, craft
Tues. 30th: Fossils: dig for fossils, make your own fossils, see some real ones (Lara has some)
Preschool Schedule for November 2008
November
Field Trip Ideas: National Zoo
Alex:
Tues. 4th : NO SCHOOL (Election Day): ZOO FIELD TRIP (Alex)
Thurs. 6th : Animals: fur vs. no fur, differences and similarities between different kinds, animal charades?
Tues. 11th: Rhythm and drums: try different activities using rhythm, make your own drums? , marching
Lara:***(two separate houses in the same week)***
Thurs. 13th: Native Americans: traditions, try some food (like popcorn), make teepee, etc.
Rebecca R.:
Tues. 18th: My Family Tree: who is on it? Showing respect for ancestors, have students bring pictures, importance of families
Thurs. 20th: Thanksgiving/Gratitude: why we celebrate, pilgrims/Indians (tie in what they learned from Native American day), etc.
Preschool Schedule for December 2008
December
Field Trip Ideas: Christmas Program at Madison HS (Andrea)
Becca T.:
Tues. 2nd : Animal Habitats: exploring where animals live, why they live in certain places, etc
Thurs. 4th : People’s homes around the world: explore the different kinds of houses people live in throughout the world, show on a globe, emphasize gratitude for our homes (Lara has a cool book)
Jana:
Tues. 9th : Sharing, unselfishness, serving others (Stone Soup)
Thurs. 11th: Winter: changes of winter, snow
Tues. 16th: Penguins: have fun learning about these cute little cold weather creatures
Thurs. 18th: Christmas around the World: why we celebrate, fun traditions, look on globe to find out where they are…maybe focus in on one country, mentioning some different ideas around the world, make special gift for parents
Preschool Schedule for January 2009
January
Field Trip Ideas: Cub Run Pool
Field Trip Ideas: Cub Run Pool
Andrea:
Tues. 6th : Rhyming: have fun rhyming words, listening to poems, etc.
Thurs. 8th : Setting goals, Heber J Grant (how he set goals), have them set a goal, make a goal chart (learning to write names?, learning address or phone number?)
Rebecca R.:
Tues. 13th : Africa: find on globe/map, make mudcloth, traditions, languages (keep working on goal)
Thurs. 15th: Martin Luther King, (MLK day is 1/19) who is he?, his dream, treating people with respect (brown/white egg activity) (keep working on goal)
Fri. 16th: FIELD TRIP: Cub Run Pool (Rebecca R.)
Becca T. :
Tues. 20th: NO SCHOOL (Inauguration Day)
Thurs. 22nd : I am a Child of God: Everyone is unique/special, explore our talents and what makes us each so special
Becca T:
Tues. 27th : NO SCHOOL (Teacher Work Day)
Thurs. 29th : Groundhog’s Day--have fun learning all about groundhogs and the traditions with Groundhog’s Day, shadows
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