Upcoming Dates and Announcements:
Save the Date: Thursday, December 11th- Early Childhood Winter Night at 5:30
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 that will 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!
- CLICK HERE FOR UPCOMING WCDS EVENTS
- Monday is pajama day!! Come dressed in your favorite pair and get ready to dance!
- 12:30 dismissal on Tuesday, November 25th, for Thanksgiving Break.
- School resumes Monday, December 1st.
Hello JK families,
It doesn’t get much better than bringing your favorite stuffed animal to school to show your friends. Except maybe enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate (with marshmallows of course) and a Thanksgiving cookie while you get to hold them! This week’s Friendsgiving was everything we hoped it would be. We loved meeting the children’s most loved cuddly companions. Here was the guest list for the big event:
Ripley & Evie and Lumi
Clara & Eloise
Nala & Puff Puff
Audrey & Mr. Sloth
Donato & Arlo
Ben & Sonic
Brody & Lamby
Ilsa & Cutie
Destry & Piggy Moo Moo
Maverick & Penguin
Levi & Dynasty
Archie & Number Nine
Lennon & Lamby
Gemma & Moose
Avery & Fayta
Abigail & Bunny
Leland & Polly
Atticus & Rapunzel
Kemper & Cat
Lincoln & Tiggy
Sebastian & Cap
Zuri & Rosie
Miss Liz & Ginger
Miss Gina & Moo Moo
Before we sat down to eat the children enjoyed listening to the story Bear Gives Thanks by Karma WIlson. In the story Bear says thanks for every friend that comes to his cave with food to share. It was the perfect segway to sharing sweet treats with our stuffed animal friends.
Earlier in the week we took some time to create community within our class and to show gratitude for each other. We told the children- “we don’t all have to be friends but we do have to take care of each other because we are Junior Kindergarten.” Nala added: “my Mom always says we are the Syrianos-Robertsons!” She made the right connection! We are a school family and no matter what, we look out for each other. After this talk about our school family, each kiddo got to pick a classmate’s name and create a thankful card for them. These cards became part of the centerpieces that decorated the tables at our Friendsgiving. They were constructed out of ribbon wrapped sticks. The children’s fine motor muscles got a nice work out twisting and turning the ribbon around the sticks, and the results were beautiful!
Friendsgiving!
Thankful Sticks for Friendsgiving Centerpieces
Gratitude Cards for Friends
Dive Down Deep Art
We also took some time to continue our under the sea studies. We read A Dive into the Deep by Tessa Pfeifer. In the story, a little girl goes inside her ocean library book. We were inspired to let the kiddos imagine what it would be like to dive down deep into the ocean. They began creating a multi-layered artwork that will feature them exploring the sea creatures of the deep.
Ff, 10, and Lines!
In language and literacy we focused on the letter Ff and even had a “/f/, /f/, fire drill” in the middle of the lesson! Once we returned to the warm classroom the kiddos practiced the letter’s formation, it’s sound and built a word web.
In math we finally reached number 10!! We made the number with our fingers using both hands and practiced writing it as well. The children continue to work with our number card pack and counting together to 30! We read the story, Line Up! Animals in Remarkable Rows, by Susan Stockdale which showcase how many animals move together in a line. Turtles, birds, penguins, and even humans line up to organize movement toward a destination! We then had the children line up counting bears in their own little line. Then they were given the challenge to line up all their individual little lines into one big line! They did this successfully, but when asked to line up together as a group it was a bit more challenging! We had to giggle at the reality of the independence of our four year old students as many of them wandered about with their own plan instead of joining the group!
Lastly, with flu season approaching, we decided it was time to talk to the children about germs. After reading What are Germs? by Katie Daynes we did a demonstration using Sally the sneezer! Miss Gina nestled a spray bottle inside a paper plate that looked like Sally and showed the children what happens when you sneeze and don’t cover your mouth and nose. After the children felt the spritz of the water they erupted in giggles!! Next we demonstrated what happens when Sally covers her sneeze. Then worked on proper hand washing skills. They were so proud to immediately put into action what they learned.
Don’t forget to wear your pajamas Monday for our dance party!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Miss Liz & Miss Gina