October 27-31, 2025

Pumpkin Unit

To culminate our unit on pumpkins, we carved our pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern! Then we gathered with our kindergarten friends to make elephant toothpaste inside the pumpkin. The students learned that by mixing together hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, water, and instant dry yeast, a chemical reaction would occur. They were so excited to watch it all happen!

Happy 5th birthday to Lexie!

Not only did we celebrate Lexie's birthday, but also continued our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month as well! Lexie's mom is from Mexico and shared with the Pre-K students about her heritage.  Using a clip from the movie "Coco," she taught the children about alebrijes, brightly colored, fantastical Mexican folk art creatures, often blending features from different animals. Lexie's dad presented each child with their own alebrije, each one unique, and they told the class that they would serve as a reminder to always use their imagination and creativity.  

The students also received globes and Lexie's mom taught them where Mexico is in relation to where we live in the United States.

Then, Lexie's mom taught the Pre-K students about a ronda, a traditional children’s game/dance often played in a circle. Rondas are a beloved part of early childhood in many Spanish-speaking countries and often used by teachers to help children develop language through rhymes, coordination, balance, and imagination, all while having fun together.

The students watched a video of children participating in a ronda and then Lexie's parents had the boys and girls join in their very own ronda to a song called “El patio de mi casa” (“The Patio of My House”), which is often sung during this type of activity. They LOVED it!

We are so grateful to Lexie's mom and dad, Yatzin and Khoa, for sharing Yatzin's Mexican heritage with all of us! It was a great birthday surprise for Lexie and an amazing learning opportunity for the whole class! GRACIAS! 

Please place all show and tell items in your child's backpack or a separate bag. Please help your child prepare three clues to give their classmates to help them guess which object they chose to share. The schedule for November will be as follows:

• Wednesday, November 5: something that begins with /c/
• Wednesday, November 12: something that begins with /r/
• Wednesday, November 19: something that begins with /p/
• Wednesday, November 26: NO SCHOOL

• Pre-K students will be visiting the Book Fair on Wednesday, November 5! 
• There is no school on Friday, November 7.

 

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!

Stay tuned next week for pictures from the Mission Party!