Upcoming Dates and Announcements:
Click the link to find out what’s happening at WCDS https://here.wcdsedu.com/events/
- Monday, November 24th is PAJAMA DAY!!!!!
- Tuesday, November 25 – Alumni Kickball, Thanksgiving Lunch, and Early Dismissal at 12:30 (No Aftercare)
- Wednesday – Friday, November 26th-28th – No School
- Reminder, as the weather changes, there is no bad weather, just bad clothing choices!
- SAVE THE DATE: EC Winter Family Night: Thursday, December 11th 5:30 – Early Childhood Winter Family Night
- Children should come dressed in festive attire they feel best wearing. Please drop them off in their classroom by 5:15. Families can then head to the gym and find a seat for a special story time thatwill then be brought to life in each of the early childhood classrooms. Families will be invited to enjoy refreshments and travel freely around campus while participating in a variety of heartwarming activities sure to bring joy this holiday season!
Hello SK Families!
This week, our classroom was filled with color, conversation, and so much heart as we read The Gratitude Jar. The children were instantly captivated by the story’s gentle reminder that even the smallest moments, like spotting a rainbow or receiving a warm hug, are treasures worth holding on to. As we turned each page, we paused to wonder together. What fills our own hearts with gratitude?
With thoughtful pauses, the children shared the people, places, and tiny wonders that make their days feel bright! Here is what they had to say:
Rory – “ I m thankful for my Mom”
Bria- “ I am Family”
Emma – “My dad”
Scarlett- “ I am thankful for my mom because she helps me”
Noah – “I am thankful for my brother because he helps me get my toothbrush down”
Evelyn – “I am grateful for this school”
Stylee – “I am thankful for my electric great dad”
Ollie – “I am thankful for the whole school”
Mylah – “ I am thankful for my dog Bingo”
Kipton – “I am thankful for my cat Pickles”
Lola – “I am thankful for my mom”
Bradford – “I am thankful for everyone in this classroom”
Wendell – “I am thankful for my mom because she lets me help cook so she can finish faster”
Alyx – “I am thankful for my mom and dad”
Addison – “ I am thankful for my brother because he helps me learn new things”
Lucas – “I am thankful for my sister because she always hugs me”
Bodhi – “I am thankful for my brothers”
Izaak – “ I am thankful for my mommy”
Moxley – “I am thankful for my brother because he helps me get my Pokemon cards out and sort them”
Henry – “I am thankful for my fish Dragon”
Daxton – “I am thankful for my cat Leroy that chases after toys and makes me laugh”
Leonardo – “I am thankful for my tadpoles – they will turn into Frogs!”
Parker – “I am thankful for my cat”
Sophia- “I am thankful for my fish Valentine and Miss Arden”
Hailey – “ I am thankful for love”
Inspired by the book, we then invited the children to participate in a hands-on art provocation, creating their own gratitude jars. Each child received a plain glass jar, empty and full of possibility. Using a magical mixture of clear glue and paint in beautiful neon hues, they transformed those jars into shimmering vessels of thankfulness. To add extra flair, glitter was sprinkled, colorful transparency was layered, and tissue paper was used. We can’t wait to add the finishing touches next week, so the children can bring them home and continue practicing gratitude throughout the year, celebrating moments that matter most!
On Wednesday, we read the story Apple Cake, a book that follows a little girl as she wanders through her day, naming all the things she is grateful for, from birds in the sky to warm sunshine to the simple joy of sharing food. The children loved following along with her kindness, her curiosity, and the way she noticed the small wonders around her.
Inspired by the little girl’s journey, we gathered together to make our very own “gratitude cake.” In true Kindergarten fashion, it became a time of collaboration, shared responsibility, and joyful mess-making. Each child took turns cutting apples with care, measuring and pouring ingredients, and mixing everything together with excited determination. There was laughter, teamwork, and plenty of proud smiles as the scent of warm apples began to fill our space.
As we baked, we talked about the people and moments we are thankful for, building community just as much as we were building a cake. It was a delicious reminder that gratitude grows when and with whom we share it!
In Math this week, our classroom was buzzing with hands-on learning and lots of Thanksgiving flair! We continued to strengthen our understanding of ten frames and number formation up to 30 using various tactile materials, loose parts, popsicle sticks, and plenty of playdough. The children are really beginning to internalize what numbers look and feel like as they build, shape, and explore them in different ways.
Then came our favorite math provocation of the week, Turkey Addition! Each child was given a ball of playdough to use as the turkey’s body, a pair of dice, and a collection of feathers. After rolling the dice, they added the two numbers together and placed that many feathers onto their turkeys. The results? Hilarious, fabulous little turkeys that looked like Taylor Swift as a showgirl, full of flair and LOTS of feathers!
In Phonics, we spent time reviewing familiar concepts and gently stretching into new ones. We revisited letter sounds, blending, and segmenting, giving the children time to practice skills they’re growing more confident in each day. We also introduced a few new challenges, nonsense-word play, sound-switching games, and finding Thanksgiving rhyming pairs, which kept everyone engaged and giggling!
This week, we dove into the magic and creativity behind Balloons Over Broadway, the story of how the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade first began. The children were fascinated by the idea that one person’s imagination and a whole lot of persistence helped create such an iconic celebration. We discussed how the parade began with simple puppets and evolved into the giant, floating balloons that soar through New York City today.
Inspired by Broadway’s puppeteer himself, we decided to create our very own Thanksgiving Day Parade. But of course… a parade needs BALLOONS! The children began by sketching their blueprints, careful drawings of the characters, creatures, and ideas they hope to float down our “parade route.”
Bodhi – “Peely Banana Balloon”
Wendell – “Axilotl”
Rory- “Turkey”
Leonardo – “Chamelion”
Parker – “A Zombie”
Lola – “Mini Mouse”
Lucas- “A robot”
Henry- “A Dog”
Scarlett – “A Rainbow”
Noah – “A Rainbow”
Bria -”A Heart with a Turkey inside”
Evelyn – “A Heart”
Moxley – “Myself”
Addison -”A Doggie”
Daxton -”Soccer Ball”
Hailey – “A Star”
Mylah – “Spongebob”
Emma – “A real heart from your body”
Kipton – “Patrick”
Ollie – “Diary of a Wimpy Kid”
Alyx – “Pickachu”
Bradford- “A balloon of shapes”
Stylee – “A Honey Bear”
Sophia – “A Vampire”
Izaak – “A Wild Krat”
Then, on Friday, after reading Holly’s Thanksgiving Wish, the sweet story of a little hedgehog and her balloon-filled adventure, we took our designs from paper to reality. Each child received a clear latex balloon and a set of acrylic paint markers and brought their sketched ideas to life! Stay tuned… next week, we will bring our entire parade to life! The children cannot wait to march, celebrate, and showcase their imaginative Thanksgiving balloons.
We hope you take time to find something simple to feel grateful for!
Miss Arden and Miss Hanna
The Gratitude Jar:
GRATITUDE CAKE:
BALLOON PLANS:
MATH:
DAILY DISCOVERY & EXPLORATIONS:
