January 28, 2019 3:58 pmReview: Letters A- OReviewNumbers 1-10ReviewBasic shapes and colorsTheme:Penguins, Pigs, PancakesDear Parents,Sadly, this is Ms. Jenn’s last week with us and we wish her well. Three teachers will be on board all week to make this a smooth transition.We are going to delve deep into the letter “P” this week. There is so many activities and books that dovetail nicely with this letter. We immerse the children in seeing this letter so they learn it and remember the sound associated with this letter.Our art/craft projects will include covering a letter P with small self-stick pom-poms. We will crunch up pink tissue paper to cover a pig, and finally, we will paint petunias and pansies with purple and pink paint. You can see how these crafts not only create lovely end products, but also fine motor skills are developed as well. We will red Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh and Penguins Love Colors by Sarah Aspinall on the day we paint.On the day that we cover our pigs pink, we will read Pigs by Gail Gibbons to learn some facts about pigs like they are the smartest of all farm animals. A pig day would not be complete without the reading/telling of the “Three Little Pigs.” Of course, the children will join in on the “Little Little Pig, let me come in.” “Not by the hair of my chinny chin chin.” And we will huff and puff to blow the house in.We will explore the lives of penguins by reading Plenty of Penguins by Sonia W. Black and Penguins by Melvin and Gilda Berger. (On February 13th at 10:00 am we will have a live penguin waddling around the school.) We will use large colorful pictures of penguins to explore penguins and describe them. (Are they only black and white?) Furthermore, these pictures will be used as a math lesson as well. We will count the penguins, be able to identify which picture has more penguins and be able to compare/contrast size relationship.In addition, math readiness concepts will be developed through exploring and completing patterns and finding pairs of pencils from a group of pencils.The importance of manners will be discussed especially the word please. Throughout the week, we will read books that focus on the importance of saying please: Please Say Please, The Penguin’s Guide to Manners by Scholastic and Pass the Fritters, Critters by Cheryl Chapman. We will happily reward with copious praise those children remembering to say please. Please reinforce this at home. Finally, on Friday, we will celebrate Ms. Jenn’s last day with a Pancake Party. You do not have to send in a morning snack that day. On Friday, we will read If You Give a Pig a Pancake by Laura Numeroff and Pancakes, Pancakes! By Eric Carle.We are required to take the children outdoors, weather permitting, but even if they are indoors, we will use the parachute for our gross motor activity this week. Also, we may play Pin the Tail on the Donkey and, with a little creativity, turn it in to a hopping, skipping activity (without the blindfold!)If there is time left over, we may read these stories to augment our “P” week:A Porcupine Names Fluffy by Helen LesterPigs Can’t Fly by Ben CortDon’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! By Mo WillemsYou can see, we have a busy week! Enjoy your week with great patience, peace and persistence!Regards,Ms. Jenn, Ms. Priya and Ms. Kristin
