Thursday, October 29, 2015

Bats, Monsters and Ghosts

This week we had fun exploring Halloween related themes.  We learned about bats from a great book by Gail Gibbons, acted out The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, Five Little Pumpkins, and Two Little Witches.  
Speaking of Halloween -- if you are trick or treating on Saturday evening please stop by my house.  I live exactly one mile from school -- 835 Dodge Road.  I don't want to eat all that candy myself!


acting our The Little Old Lady Who was not Afraid of Anything

the little old lady 

I

check out our scarecrows from the little old lady story





feeding monsters 


hanging upside down like bats in a cage

dressing up and acting out a story of our own


making a bat--- 


sharing what we are wearing on Halloween 


acting out Five LIttle Pumpkins


playing with the parachute and trying to keep those ping pong eye balls from falling down





reading wherever we can






Thursday, October 22, 2015

Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere!

We started off the week by having a grand time at the Peck Farm.  Abigail's family hosted a lovely evening at their pumpkin farm and orchard.  We had a hayride,  enjoyed hot apple cider and  saw a flying pumpkin!  Jayden's mom and dad treated everyone to their own pumpkin to take home.  We thank them for their generosity.  A great big thank you go to the Bair's for offering us this now traditional event!  Each year there have been some new fun activities added to make this event even more memorable.

You might have noticed a Mother Goose Book making its way home to you.  Please ask your child to "read" it to you and see how many parts are remembered.  
Parent conference times have been sent home - please mark your calendar.  Kellogg Hubbard Library came to us on Thursday.  The morning group and those students in community connections were treated to some fun monster stories and got to go home with a book to keep.

Check out the school newsletter for the fun family nights coming up this weekend. The Bingo Night is to help raise money for our outdoor education program for students in the primary grades.

Next Thursday we will have a little Halloween celebration in class.  We will have some fun stories, and art projects.  If you are interested in contributing a healthy snack to share that would be appreciated.  Please let me know.

fun slide at the Peck Farm!















sharing a picture of our  butterfly who emerged before it got too cold

a fall scavenger hunt


sharing a quiet moment in the reading area



we got a chance to hear some monster stories read by the librarian from Kellogg Hubbard Library

having fun with rubbings

monster math-- reading numbers and feeding monsters some yummy playdough

looking at our class rules

helping each other - one of the rules of the room

Jack be Nimble 

pumpkin patch





making some great pumpkin decorations


Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Save the dates!

On Monday `October 19th at 6PM we are invited to the Peck Farm at 760 Sibley Road.  Abigail's family will provide hayrides and cider and welcome the whole family to visit their beautiful farm.  We look forward to seeing you there.

I also wanted to give you a head's up about our Parent-Teacher Conferences which will be held on November 5th and November 6th.  I will be sending home confirmation of your time preferences early next week.  Please note there will be no Pre-K on that Thursday, November 5th but there will be Community Connections available.  

As many of you know, I was out sick for a few days last week.  I am all better now but will be leaving on Wednesday evening for a 3 day conference.  I will miss being in school! Kathe Stone and Laurie Mekkelsen will be  in the classroom and doing lots of fun projects.

Speaking of projects--- we are in need of toilet paper rolls.  Please send them in this week and next week.  Thanks!

Jamie

Check out some of the highlights from last week.



On Monday afternoons, Kathy Christy our Literacy Professional Development teacher, will be coming to our class to help us do story telling activities.  We are creating folders with our great stories and will share them.

In Spanish we are learning the color words and doing a great job!

Enjoying a Nursery Rhyme Greeting -- Jack be Nimble


sharing something from the garden



cooperative games using our parachute

having a ball in P.E. class

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Butterflies, Symmetry, and more



This week we continued our study of the amazing caterpillar to butterfly cycle by acting it out, painting, and drawing.

I just wanted to talk a bit about sharing which is part of our daily meeting every day.  Students are welcome to bring something in from nature they have found, or something they have made or a photo of something special they want to talk about.  Toys are best kept at home where they will be safe.

Please remember to check your child's folder daily for artwork or notes that make their way home.

Mark your calendars!
We are planning a family fun Night at the Peck Farm in East Montpelier (Abilgail's family).  Right now we are looking at the dates of October 19  - with October 20th (as a raindate) at  6PM for hayrides and apple cider.  I will keep you posted with directions and confirmation as we get closer.

Next week we will be exploring Nursery Rhymes and welcome any of your favorite collections.  Please send them in with your name on it so we can make sure to get it back to you.
Thanks!
Jamie O'Hare




checking out our new tricycles and scooters 




having a grand time in PE with scarves






acting out the story of the Very Hungry Caterpillar

checking on the growth of our caterpillar


creating butterflies and their symmetry







acting out the caterpillar--- to butterfly cycle -- check out the J' shapes


learning a new greeting  using rhyming cards


look at this construction crew!

taping out a beat with wooden sticks in music