Week of December 17!!

WEEKLY REMINDERS:

• Our Holiday Party will be on Wednesday, December 19th!  Pizza will be provided for the children for lunch.
• Our Holiday Presentation will be on Thursday, December 20th at 9:00 a.m.
• There is No after-school on Thursday, December 20th. 
• Christmas break begins on Thursday, December 20th at Dismissal.  School resumes on January 3rd.

Unit Topic:

Where We Live

Essential Question for the Unit:

Where do the people and animals around me live?

Focus Question for this Week:

What types of homes do the people in my city (NYC) live in?

Focused Learning Activity for this Week:

• Pictures of animals and their habitats will be added to the science center.  Students will be encouraged to talk about the arrangement of animals as well as the arrangement of habitats.  They will then be asked to match the pictures, placing the animal in the appropriate habitat.  Students will be asked why or how they made the matches. The teacher will ask students higher order thinking questions, such as, "why do you think an animal would need thick fur to live in the arctic?

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.CKW.5 (Science): Observes and describes characteristics of living things.

Foundational Text for the Week: 

The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf

by Mark Teague

Note: This version of the classic tale, The Three Little Pigs does not glorify violence or show violence in a graphic or frightening way.

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed: 

PK.CKW.1 (Technology): Describes types of materials and how they’re used.

QUESTIONS THAT WILL BE ASKED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK:

Level 1: Recall

• When the farmer and his wife moved to Florida, what did the pigs want to do with the money the farmer and his wife paid them?
• What did the first pig use to build his house? What did the second pig use to build his house?

Level 2: Skill/Concept

• How do you think the first and second pigs felt when the wolf blew their houses down?
• How do you think the first and second pigs felt when they got to the third pig’s house?
• How do you think the third pig felt about sharing her house with the other pigs?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking

• Why couldn’t the wolf knock down the brick house?
• The wolf was very hungry so at the end of the story the pigs shared their food with him.
• What else could he have done to get food instead of trying to blow down the pigs’ houses?

Level 4: Extended Thinking

• The pigs used straw, sticks and bricks to build their homes; if you could build your own home what materials would you use? Why?
• When all of the pigs lived together in the brick house the third little pig asked all of them to clean their rooms. What are some things you can do at home to be helpful?

Learning Centers Available for the Unit:

Blocks-Pictures of different types of homes and buildings will be posted in block center and students are invited to build the homes in the pictures or similar homes.

Pretend Play- Students will continue to decorate a building facade that will be used in the pretend play area.  

Art- Students will be supplied with popsicle sticks in order for them to create a home by gluing sticks onto paper.

Science- Multiple pictures of animals and their homes will be provided in science center for students to match.

Math- People figures, number cards, and pictures of homes will be placed in the math center.  Students will be encouraged to pick a number card, and place the corresponding number of people into a home.

Library- Students are encouraged to look at two non-fiction books about homes and compare and contrast what they see.

Writing-  Students will discover blueprints and create their own blueprint with write and wipe blueprints mat. 

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

For more information about the lesson plan, click HERE!

If there are any questions regarding the Pre-K for All program that can not be answered by the office or classroom teacher, please feel free to contact the Help Line at 888-227-8175.

Week of December 10th!

WEEKLY REMINDERS:

•Our Holiday Presentation will be on Thursday, December 20th at 9:00 a.m.

•There is No after-school on Thursday, December 20th. 

•Christmas break begins on Thursday, December 20th at Dismissal. School resumes on    

   January 3rd.

Unit Topic:

Where We Live

Essential Question for the Unit:

Where do the people and animals around me live?

Focus Question for this Week:

Where do people and animals live?

Focused Learning Activity for this Week:

•Pictures of animals and their habitats will be added to the science center.  Students will be encouraged to talk about the arrangement of animals as well as the arrangement of habitats.  They will then be asked to match the pictures, placing the animal in the appropriate habitat.  Students will be asked why or how they made the matches. The teacher will ask students higher order thinking questions, such as, "why do you think an animal would need thick fur to live in the arctic?

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.CKW.5 (Science): Observes and describes characteristics of living things.

Foundational Text for the Week: A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed: 

PK.CKW.11 (Reading Standards for Literature): With prompting and support, make connections between self, text and the world around them (text, media, social interaction).

Questions that will be asked throughout the week: 

Level 1: Recall

•Why did Hermit Crab need a new house?

•Hermit Crab liked the way his new house felt, but did not like the way it looked. Why 

          didn’t Hermit Crab like the way the house looked?

•What are some of the things Hermit Crab used to decorate his house?

Level 2: Skill/Concept

•What are some things you like about where you live?

•Hermit Crab invited many friends to live with him; who lives with you?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking

•Hermit crab added many things to his home, which one do you like best? Why?

•When the Smaller Crab moved into Hermit Crab’s house she promised to be good to 

          his friends. 

         How do you take good care of your friends?

Level 4: Extended Thinking

•Hermit Crab was very polite and used his manners when he asked the sea creature to 
decorate his house; when do you use your manners?

•What do you think Hermit Crab would have done if the sea creatures he asked to 

          decorate his house said no?

•Hermit Crab moved two times in this story; have you ever moved to a new home? How 

         did you feel about moving?

Learning Centers Available for the Unit:

Blocks-Pictures of different types of homes and buildings will be posted in block center and students are invited to build the homes in the pictures or similar homes.

Pretend Play- Students will continue to decorate a building facade that will be used in the pretend play area.  

Art- Students will be supplied with popsicle sticks in order for them to create a home by gluing sticks onto paper.

Science- Multiple pictures of animals and their homes will be provided in science center for students to match.

Math- People figures, number cards, and pictures of homes will be placed in the math center.  Students will be encouraged to pick a number card, and place the corresponding number of people into a home.

Library- Students are encouraged to look at two non-fiction books about homes and compare and contrast what they see.

Writing-  Students will discover blueprints and create their own blueprint with write and wipe blueprints mat. 

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

For more information about the lesson plan, click HERE!

If there are any questions regarding the Pre-K for All program that can not be answered by the office or classroom teacher, please feel free to contact the Help Line at 888-227-8175.

Week of December 3rd!!

WEEKLY REMINDERS:

• Our Holiday Presentation will be on Thursday, December 20th at 9:00 a.m.

• Christmas break begins on Thursday, December 20th at Dismissal.  School resumes on January 3rd.

Unit Topic:

Where We Live

Essential Question for the Unit:

Where do the people and animals around me live?

Focus Question for this Week:

Where do I live? Where do my family members live?

Focused Learning Activities for this Week:

• Students will be encouraged to discover blueprints in the writing center and create their own building blueprint with blue paper and chalk.

• Students will then be able to use what they created in the writing center to guide them in making their building come to life in the block center.

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.CKW.3 (Social Studies): Demonstrates knowledge of the relationship between people, places, and regions. 

Foundational Text for the Week: 

The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed: 

PK.CKW.6 (Speaking and Listening Standards): Demonstrate an emergent ability to express thoughts, feelings and ideas.

Questions that will be asked throughout the week: 

Level 1: Recall

How did the big orange splot get on Mr. Plumbean’s house?

What did the neighbors want Mr. Plumbean to do about the splot?

What did Mr. Plumbean do when he painted his house?

Level 2: Skill/Concept

Why were the neighbors upset that Mr. Plumbean changed his house?

Why do you think Mr. Plumbean changed his house at night?

What happened when the neighbors talked to Mr. Plumbean at night?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Do you like the changes Mr. Plumbean made to his house? Why or why not?

Which house on Mr. Plumbean’s street do you like best? Why?

Level 4: Extended Thinking

Why do you think Mr. Plumbean changed his house?

If you lived on Mr. Plumbean’s street, how would you paint your house? Why?

Learning Centers Available for the Unit:

Blocks- Children will be provided with pictures of different types of homes and buildings in block center. Children will be encouraged to discuss what shapes they can use to recreate the structures. 

Pretend Play- Children will be encouraged to decorate a building facade that will be used in the pretend play area.

Art-Children will be supplied with popsicle sticks in order for them to create a home by gluing sticks onto paper.

Science- Children will be able to identify the different habitats that animals live in. Children will be encouraged to use pictures to match the animals to the habitats. 

Math- Children will be provided with people figures, number cards, and pictures of homes which will  be placed in the math center.  Students will be encouraged to pick a number card, and place the corresponding number of people into a home.

Library- Students are encouraged to look at two non-fiction books about homes and compare and contrast what they see.

Writing-  Students will discover blueprints and create their own blueprint with write and wipe blueprint mats. 

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

For more information about the lesson plan, click HERE !

If there are any questions regarding the Pre-K for All program that can not be answered by the office or classroom teacher, please feel free to contact the Help Line at 888-227-8175.

Week of November 26th!!

All About Us!

Enduring understandings that the student should have by the end of the unit: 

•  I am unique; there is no one who looks, feels, thinks and acts exactly like I do.
•  I feel different ways at different times for different reasons. 
•  I am part of a family and a classroom community.
• My family is important and unique.
• My classroom is a community. All of the people in my class are important and unique.
• I can help make my classroom a fun, safe and exciting place. 

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- The student’s name cards will be available in block center.  Students are invited to write their names using blocks, discussing the lines in each letter of their name (straight, curved, etc.).

Pretend Play- Pretend play will be transformed into a mini classroom. Students can take turns being the teacher.

Art- Various size shapes from construction paper will be cut out and students are invited to use the shapes to create their bodies. After gluing the shapes together, or to a piece of paper, children can use writing utensils to add additional details (hair, patterns on clothes, etc.). 

Science- Students are invited to use magnifying glasses to explore fingerprints, skin, hair, etc. 

Math- Students will be encouraged to refer to their name cards and count how many letters are in their name, then place the appropriate number card next to the name card.  Children can count the letters in their own names, as well as their peer's names.

Library- Students are encouraged to read a book with a friend. One child could read to the other or they could look at a book together. 

Writing-  Students will be able to play a matching game where they match pictures of the students in the class with that students name.  

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

Some of the books we will read this week are:

•  Friendshape by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
•  It's Okay to be Different by Todd Parr

Lesson Plan Link

Reminders / Notices: 

• Christmas break begins on Thursday, December 20th at Dismissal.  School resumes on January 3rd.  

If there are any questions regarding the Pre-K for All program that can not be answered by the office or classroom teacher, please feel free to contact the Help Line at 888-227-8175.

Week November 19th!!

All About Us!

Enduring understandings that the student should have by the end of the unit: 

•  I am unique; there is no one who looks, feels, thinks and acts exactly like I do.
•  I feel different ways at different times for different reasons. 
•  I am part of a family and a classroom community.
• My family is important and unique.
• My classroom is a community. All of the people in my class are important and unique.
• I can help make my classroom a fun, safe and exciting place. 

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- The student’s name cards will be available in block center.  Students are invited to write their names using blocks, discussing the lines in each letter of their name (straight, curved, etc.).

Pretend Play- Pretend play will be transformed into a mini classroom. Students can take turns being the teacher.

Art- Various size shapes from construction paper will be cut out and students are invited to use the shapes to create their bodies. After gluing the shapes together, or to a piece of paper, children can use writing utensils to add additional details (hair, patterns on clothes, etc.). 

Science- Students are invited to use magnifying glasses to explore fingerprints, skin, hair, etc. 

Math- Students will be encouraged to refer to their name cards and count how many letters are in their name, then place the appropriate number card next to the name card.  Children can count the letters in their own names, as well as their peer's names.

Library- Students are encouraged to read a book with a friend. One child could read to the other or they could look at a book together. 

Writing-  Students will be able to play a matching game where they match pictures of the students in the class with that students name.  

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

Some of the books we will read this week are:

• The Feelings Book by Todd Parr
•  It's Okay to be Different by Todd Parr

Lesson Plan Link

Reminders / Notices:

• Mickey and Minnie Dress up Day will be on Monday, November 19^th.
• Dismissal will be at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, November 20th.
• Parent – Teacher Conferences will be on Tuesday,November  20th, from 3pm – 8pm.  
• School will be closed on Thursday, November 22nd and Friday, November 23rd for Thanksgiving.