VOLCANO!

During Free Choice today, we used clay and playdough to build a "volcano".  Later on in the morning we read a story about volcanoes.  We learned that volcanoes erupt due to too much pressure inside of them.  When volcanoes don't erupt for awhile, we say they are dormant.  Using baking soda, vinegar, and red food coloring, we did a volcano eruption simulation. 

 

MR. VORENBERG VISITS PRE-K "A"

We had a special VISITOR today in Pre-K "A"--Mr. VORENBERG!!  Be sure to ask your child why Mr. Vorenberg came to visit.  He read to us our sound story--the silly way!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GENEVIEVE!

Today we celebrated Genevieve's birthday.  Genevieve's sister, Isabel,  read the story to the class....Edwina--The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct.  We then enjoyed yummy chocolate chip cookies for snack.  Happy Birthday, Genevieve!

 

WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY!

Ask me what we did in Spanish!

 Thank you for all the candle donations!  The children are enjoying sorting them!

 Today we read a story about Kwanzaa--another celebration that uses lights and candles.

 Today we discussed the ways that Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are similar. 

HAPPY HALF-BIRTHDAY, ELSA!

Today we helped Elsa celebrate her half-birthday.  Elsa's real birthday is in June.  Elsa's dad shared a great story with us called, Frog Goes To Dinner.  This is a wordless book and one of Elsa's favorite stories because her dad makes up a new story each time he "reads" it to Elsa.  We enjoyed eating fruit kabobs for Elsa's birthday snack.  They were a BIG hit!!  Happy Half-Birthday, Elsa!

"JACK BE NIMBLE"

Today we recited and acted out the nursery rhyme, "Jack Be Nimble".  In addition, we discussed what the word "nimble" means; why Jack jumped over the candle quickly; why there could be a candle lit at Jack's house; what would happen if Jack jumped over the candle slowly.  We then read a silly version of this nursery rhyme where Jack's pants get burned when he jumps over the candlestick.  Be sure to ask your child what the pants smelled like!!

 

STAR OF THE WEEK--ROBBIE!

Today we learned more about our friend, Robbie!  He shared many wonderful photos with us and also told us about some of his favorite things.  Robbie's favorite color is blue; favorite place to visit is the beach; and favorite animal is the butterfly.  Thanks for sharing with us, Robbie!

THE PEACE ROSE

Today we read a story called, The Peace Rose.  Next, we introduced the peace rose in our classroom and explained how to use it.  If a child is upset by something a classmate has done to him/her, the child can get the peace rose in our classroom and take it to the classmate.  Using the peace rose, the two children take turns holding the peace rose and explaining their feelings about what has happened.  Once they have "resolved" their conflict, the two children hold the rose together and say, "Friends!".  Together, the children carry the peace rose and place it back in the vase.  

  

We have introduced the peace rose to provide the children with a method of resolving conflict with others on their own.  Mrs. "B" and Mrs. Spolter modeled how to use the peace rose.  We are eager to observe the children using the peace rose and will support them in their efforts to resolve conflict with others on their own.

RAINBOW CUPCAKES

Using white cake batter, small groups of children mixed food coloring that had been added to the 

 cake batter.  We ended up with 6 different colors of cake batter and made them into rainbow cupcakes.  These were a yummy, colorful snack!!

THANKING THE DINING HALL STAFF!

Today, we made a special banner to thank the dining hall staff for the work they do in preparing our snacks and lunches.  We signed a "thank you" banner and decorated it with stickers.  We presented it to them by hanging it on a wall in the dining hall.

HAPPY ZERO THE HERO DAY!

Today we celebrated our 70th day of school!  Michael's mom and Shaia's mom came into school and did a fun project--making ornaments with our photos--to help us celebrate.  Happy Zero the Hero Day, Pre-K "A"!

HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

Yesterday, Julius' parents came in to talk about the ways their family celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas.  They were very generous and gave each child a dreidel and taught the children how to play the dreidel game.