Theme: Rainforests
In April, we celebrate the Month of the Young Child and Earth Day. Last week, we immersed our students in the study of plants. We will continue the exploration of plants but will add to their knowledge of the rainforests and the importance of protecting our tress and animals that live in these fragile and ecologically important areas.
For your information, and to further discuss this with your child, here are some facts about rainforests that may add to your conversation at home.
Destruction of our environment is the biggest contribution that we make to the extinction of many species in the forest. It is estimated that approximately half the number of the world’s animals live in the rainforests. Due to the rapid disappearance of rainforests, many animals living in them are now endangered. Every plant and animal need an ideal environment where they can survive. No life can exist can without proper and sufficient source of food, water, and shelter. There should be a balance between the prey and the predator, without which the population might either vanish or explode. It is estimated that every hour 240 acres of natural habitat disappear.
We will be exploring the rainforest and discover some of the unique animals and plants that make it their home. We will also learn that the rainforest is made up of layers: forest floor, understory, canopy, and the emergent layer. We will delve into each layer to understand the animals that live there.
Please ask your child about all the interesting things they are learning about the rainforest.
Art:
We will use art to make the rainforest come alive in our classroom. We will paint and create a jaguar, sloth, macaw, and poison dart frog. We may add other animals that are in danger of becoming extinct.
We will also create jungle slime. Who doesn’t like slime?
Phonics:
We will turn our attention to the letter Jj this week using the shape of the letter to create a jaguar. We will create a Jj word wall and learn the sound associated with this letter. We’ll also review other letter/sound relationships. Students will learn and practice the correct formation of this letter – both upper and lower case.
Math:
We will continue to review numerals, numbers, number bonds, addition, and the value of coins.
Literature: – Our literature will dovetail with our theme
“Slowly, Slowly, Slowly said the Sloth” by: Eric Carle
Over in the Jungle by: Marianne Berkes
The Very Sleepy Sloth by: Andrew Murray
If I Ran the Rain Forest by: Bonnie Worth
Rainforest by: Helen Cowcher
The Rainforest Grew All Around by: Susan K. Mitchell
The Water Hole by: Graeme Base
The Great Kapok Tree by: Lynn Cherry
REMINDERS:
Please send in a change of appropriate weather clothes now that it if finally getting warmer.
As the months grow warmer, you can send in an extra bottle of water to keep your child well hydrated throughout the day.
FINALLY, Our Spring Fling/Open House is Thursday, April 7th at 5:00-6:30. You can view our students’ art work which will be on display all around the exterior of the school. There will be crafts and an ice cream truck. This is our only Open House for the year. Please bring a friend who may be interested in a quality preschool. A raindate is the following Tuesday, April 12th. We are hoping for a large crowd of happy and engaged parents. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Categorised in: Mrs. Giountikos, Ms. Krachie