Newsletter for 4's and 5's
“Leaves are falling,
leaves are falling,
Red, yellow, orange and brown
Leaves are falling to the ground.”
Above is an action play the children will be learning this month. If you just watch you’ll soon see it is very appropriate. It is hard to believe it’s fall already and also time for the first newsletter.
The four and five year old classes follow the same themes and do many of the same activities. Therefore it will be easier to write one newsletter for both classes and add any extra activities or points of interest for the fives. This will save the typist lots of work.
During the first couple of weeks of school the children played get acquainted games, became familiar with their new surroundings and learned rules and routine. They are learning other children have rights and feelings and that they need to share and take turns.
Our opening theme this year featured the “Cat in the Hat” and good old Dr. Seuss. The children have enjoy reading and learning about the Cat and his friends.
We will be talking about the family and make family puppets to represent each person in each child’s family. The children love to talk about and make mom, dad, brother, sister, and themselves.
This week’s theme was “I am Special!” We try to help the children understand how very special each one is — how they are alike in many ways, but different and special in many other ways. We will reinforce this idea by seeing the film “People are like Rainbows” and making hand and footprints. Some of you parents might be a bit shocked when you see those painted feet come out of the children’s stockings one night.
We really enjoyed picking apples at Miss LeaAnn’s house. The children cut up apples and after the apples were cooked, they used a victorio strainer to make yummy, delicious tasting applesauce. YUM! The children also learned about Johnny Appleseed.
During October we’ll be learning about Fall, Fall Beauty, Colors, Halloween and lots more.
Our Halloween Party will be Friday, October 28th. The children should come dressed in costumes. Just as soon as we can, we’ll parade downtown for all the townspeople to see. Oh yes, we do get a few treats along the way but that’s not the real purpose for our parade. As soon as we return the children may remove their costume (which may be a bit uncomfortable).
We’ve discussed shapes, played shape or name bingo, snipped paper strips, made collages, used several activityrecords, enjoyed lots of new songs, fingerplays, stories and used paint in a number of creative ways. Large motor activities have included stretching, jumping, running, galloping, hopping, warm up exercises, walking on the balance beam, parachute play, and activities using beanbags, hoops and yarnballs. The climbing house is a favorite for everyone.
Billy Bookworm, a cute little green puppet, visited the children one day and told the children how important it was to take good care of books. They are to be kept safely away from little brothers and sisters and are not to be colored in or tossed about. Just a reminder to you parents, each week we will have library. Books can be brought back to school any day. The children will be allowed to pick 2 new books each week provided they bring the ones they checked out back each week. We will send a reminder to return books if they are checked out for longer than 2 weeks.
Remember please, drive into church parking lot (opposed to alley or drive). Park in 2 rows. Teachers will send children in front row first. As you are ready to leave, drive cautiously forward and exit via the alley or drive. Then cars in back row may drive forward. Please don’t enter parking lot by alley or drive and please don’t park there. Also, when sending a relative or friend to deliver or pick up your child, do make them aware of this rule. This plan seems to work out smoothly and safely. Also, we will be teaching the children to stop and look both ways before crossing the drive to your car. Sometimes we’ll need your reinforcement on this.
Our first Bible story told the children about the Bible and what a special book it is. It tells of Jesus’ love for all of us. We ended the lesson with the song “The B-I-B-L-E.” Last week’s story was “The Beginning of God’s Beautiful World.” Our special song was “He’s Got the Whole World.”
The five year old class has been working on counting apples from our felt apple trees and beginning sounds. Those who don’t print their names or do it incorrectly, are being encouraged to learn. Only the first letter in a name should be a capital letter.
We had one September birthday. Happy B-day to Michael who turned 5!
October 11th we will begin our color days. This is a really fun activity to help the children learn their colors. Many already recognize colors but it’s a great way to reinforce this and so much fun. Attached to this newsletter is a color chart. Please post it where your child can see it and let him or her see which color day it is. Every day the child should wear something or bring something of the special color. To make it really fun, think of some silly or unique way to use the color — maybe one blue sock, a red feather in the hair, a purple wig or bring a green preying mantis. Anything Goes! Each day we have a color coordinated activity. For instance, on Brown day we’ll fingerpaint with chocolate pudding. On orange day we’ll be carving our pumpkin!
Like you...
There are little eyes upon you,
and they’re watching night and day;
There are little ears that quickly take in every word you say;
There are little hands all eager to do
everything you do,
And a little child that’s dreaming of the day he’ll be like you.
You’re the little child’s idol,
You’re the wisest of the wise;
In his little mind about you no suspicions ever rise.
He believes in you devoutly,
holds that all you say and do
He will say and do in your way when he’s grown up just like you.
Oh, it sometimes makes me shudder when I hear a child repeat
Some careless phase I’ve uttered in the language of the street;
And it sets my heart to grieving when some little fault I see,
And I know beyond all doubting that he picked it up from me.
There’s a wide-eyed little child who believes you’re always right,
And his ears are always open and he watches day and night;
You are setting an example every day in all you do
For the little child who’s waiting to grow up to be like you.
- Author Unknown -
Important Dates
Thurs., Oct 6 EACS 2 -Hour Late Release (class times 10:30-12:00, 1:00-2:30)
Friday, Oct 14 No school. EACS closed for Staff Development
Friday., Oct 28 Halloween Party Day! Come in costume
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