October 22-26, 2018

Many times in Pre-K, we introduce "how-to" lessons to the students. These lessons provide step-by-step directions to teach children how to complete daily tasks. This week, we worked on how to put on coats. Nursery and Pre-K students came together and learned and practiced how to put their coats on independently. We taught the students two different methods to try:

Tag to Toes Method

With the tag to toes method, students are instructed to place their coats on the floor, lining up the tag on the inside of the coat to their toes. Students then put their arms in the sleeves and flip the coat over their heads until it is on properly.

Superhero Method

With the superhero method, students are instructed to place the hood of their coat on their heads first (like a cape). Then, the children can easily put their arms into the sleeves properly.

Please work with your child to put his/her coat on at home independently as well. It may take some extra time, but it is worth it!  All of the children are able to do it in school. We are beginning to work on zippering, buttoning, and snapping as well.

We took a nature walk during the Montessori work period yesterday. Nursery and Pre-K friends partnered up and we took a walk around the neighborhood together. We talked about the fall weather and looked for signs of fall.

The boys and girls found leaves on our walk. When we came back inside, we had a joint science lesson and talked about the parts of the leaf. Then, the students made leaf rubbings from the leaves they found. 

The Pre-K students are doing so well presenting their show and tell items each week!

Can you guess what Mira chose to share?

It's a turtle!

Please help your child prepare 3 clues to help his/her classmates guess what he/she chose to share for show and tell. Our next show and tell won't be for awhile - Monday, November 5. The topic will be something that starts with /r/.

Congratulations to Marcus and Jordyn! Both students completed the Hundred Board this week. The Hundred Board involves making piles of numbers by tens and then putting them in order from 1 to 100. It takes a lot of hard work and patience for students to complete the work. It is a great accomplishment when the board is complete. The other boys and girls are so motivated now to complete the Hundred Board, too!

The Halloween Mission Party is next Wednesday, October 31. Please remember:

• Each child is asked to bring in $5.00 to cover the cost of the day and a donation to the Holy Child school and medical clinic in the Dominican Republic.
• Students should arrive to school by 7:55 am in costume (over play clothes and with sneakers)
• The parade will begin at 8:15 in the cafeteria for the parents.
• Games and activities will be held from 9:00-10:10 followed by snack at 10:15 for the entire school.
• EC students will return to their classrooms for a Halloween movie at 10:30. You may take your child home at this time if you wish (please let me know if you plan to do so), or he/she can stay until regular dismissal. The Parents' Association has some activities planned for parents until dismissal if you wish to stay.
• Dismissal will be at 12:00 noon. No lunch will be served and there will be no HCA+ that day.

 Reminders:

• There is no school on Tuesday, November 6 (Election Day/Faculty In-Service).
• Save the date - Wednesday, May 15, 2019, will be our Early Childhood Celebration. More information will follow in the spring, but mark your calendars now! 

Have a great weekend!

October 15-19, 2018

The Pre-K students are completing "challenging works" during our Montessori work period and are able to select various works on their own in the classroom to practice their skills. Each day, they are able to stay engaged for longer periods of time.

Foster is using the Knobbed Cylinders to distinguish
between diameter and height.

Braela is building a pattern with the
Knobless Cylnders.

Blaine is using Color Box 4 to match colors
and grade from darkest to lightest.

Cory is practicing spooning to work on his fine motor skills.

Nora used the Movable Alphabet to fill
in missing initial sounds.

Vincent is using the Metal Insets to practice tracing
and writing left to right lines.

Lily is solving some pattern cards.

Austin is working on his Continent Map
and tracing Asia.

Mira used the Small Bead Frame to touch and count the beads
and recognize the correct bead set for each number. 

Marcus is using the Cards and Counters to
order numbers and show quantities for each.

Scarlett is using the Movable Alphabet to fill in
missing ending sounds.

Jordyn is working on the Ten Board to show quantities
as combinations of tens and units from 11-99.

Kellan is using Letter Box 6 to sort picture cards
by their initial sounds.

  

Charity is using the Number Rods and Cards to
order numbers from 1-10.

In science class this week, we learned about primary colors (red, yellow, blue) and secondary colors (orange, green, and purple). 

The students learned that you could mix two primary colors together to get a secondary color. 

They watched in amazement how the colors changed when mixed together!

The boys and girls were great scientists! They observed and discussed what they learned and then completed a worksheet to show their knowledge.

Wednesday was "Make a New Friend Day" in Pre-K.  At this age, boys and girls often gravitate towards the same friends every day and we wanted to encourage everyone to branch out a bit!  Boys and girls were asked to choose a friend that they do not play with often. We went on a walk and they ate snack and lunch together. They learned a lot about one another - favorite colors, favorite snacks, favorite things to do in school, what they are going to be for Halloween, and so much more! It was great to see new friendships forming and watching the students step out of their comfort zone.

Some reminders:

• The Mission Party is scheduled for Wednesday, October 31. We are asking each family to make a donation of $5.00 per child. Please refer to the email that was sent for the schedule for the day. Students may wear their Halloween costumes over play clothes with sneakers. We will be taking the costumes off after the parade so the children will be comfortable for the games. Dismissal is at 12:00 and there will be no lunch on that day.
• Show and Tell on Thursday, October 25, will be something that starts with /t/.
• The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to HCA! Pre-K students will be shopping on Thursday, November 1, from 11:00-11:30. If you are available to help the students shop at this time, please sign up via Mrs. Clay's link here or contact her a jclay@holychildacademy.com.

A huge thank you to all the parents who sent in delicious treats for the faculty and staff this week! We were all overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness and generosity!


Have a great weekend!

October 8-15, 2018

Last Friday, the Pre-K students continued learning about apples in their Weekly Reader. After reading along with the story, the students colored the apples red, green, or yellow depending on the letter on each apple.

Cory and Foster followed directions so well!

Then, the students used scissors for the first time to cut their papers in half and make a book, "At the Apple Orchard," to take home to share with their families.

Austin and Charity are focused on cutting on the line.

Finally, the students worked on a "big kid" worksheet. They had to follow directions and color the picture as the key indicated. They were so proud of themselves for completing this "challenging" work!

Great job, Scarlett and Mira!

Show and Tell /s/ was super on Monday! We reviewed the /s/ sound as a group before we began and reminded the Pre-K students that all the items brought in for show and tell would start with the /s/ sound. The boys and girls gave their clues so well in front of their classmates. They shared a soccer ball, a star, Simba, slime, socks, and so much more. We even had strawberries that were shared at snack time! Our next Show and Tell will be on Wednesday, October 17. The topic will be something that starts with /m/.

Nora looks great in her sunglasses!

This week is fire prevention week. 

We reviewed our fire drill procedures. We talked about fire fighters and what they wear to stay safe. We learned about fire stations and what the fire fighters do there. The fire department came and we had a fire drill - the boys and girls did such a great job!

We learned about fire safety from "The Friendly Fireman."

We even sang a song, "Stop, Drop, and Roll."

Some reminders:

• Please remember to send spoons/forks (if needed) and napkins to school everyday. 
• The Mission Party is scheduled for Wednesday, October 31. We are asking each family to make a donation of $5.00 per child. Please refer to the email that was sent for the schedule for the day. Students may wear their Halloween costumes over play clothes with sneakers. We will be taking the costumes off after the parade so the children will be comfortable for the games. Dismissal is at 12:00 and there will be no lunch on that day.

We love being a part of our HCA
"families!" Kellan loved seeing his "best
friend," Max, in the hallway.

Playing "Teach Your Monster to Read" 
on the iPads is so much fun. The children 
are ready to play at home now, too!

October 1-5, 2018

This week in Pre-K, we talked about left and right. The students learned about their left and right hands and then took turns tracing each other's hands. They worked so well together! They were so patient and did a great job following directions.

Yesterday, we celebrated the Blessing of the Animals with Rev. Art Tung. Thank you to all the families who were able to join us!  The boys and girls loved seeing all the animals!

During the prayer service

Meeting Mrs. Zwilling's bunny, Lily

Lily, her mom, and their dog, Leia

Marcus, his mom, and their dogs

Blaine and Kellan petting the Lewis'
turtle, Tank

Reminders:

• There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, October 8.
• We will have Show and Tell on Tuesday, October 9. The topic will be "something that starts with S."
• Individual pictures will be taken on Wednesday, October 10. The students may wear an outfit of your choice, but please make sure they still wear sneakers (they will not be seen in the picture). Please return your picture day envelope to school by Wednesday if your child is getting his/her picture taken.
• Class pictures will be taken on Thursday, October 11.

Some EC community time is a great way to end a day!

Sometimes, at the end of work period, you just need some time to sing and dance with your friends!

This year, our Halloween Mission Party will be on Wednesday, October 31. Not only we will celebrate Halloween as a community, but we will also be supporting a very special mission. This year, we will be sending funds raised from the Mission Party to the Holy Child school and medical clinic in the Dominican Republic. This is an impoverished area where Holy Child sisters and volunteers are truly doing God's work. Here is a short video demonstrating the services they provide there.