Week of April 1st!

Reminders / Notices

• Dismissal is at 12:00 noon on Monday, April 8th.
• Parents are invited to join their children on Thursday, April 11th at 8:30 a.m. to celebrate The Week of the Young Child.  Parents and children may participate in science experiments that will be set  up in the gymnasium. 
• Parent-Teacher Conferences are on Friday, April 12th.
• Easter Recess begins Friday, April 12th, after dismissal.  School resumes on Monday, April 29th.

Unit Topic:

Plants 

Essential Question for the Unit:

 How do plants grow and why are they important?         

Focus Questions for this Week:

 What are plants?     

Focused Learning activity for the week:

Mrs. Gonzalez and Mrs. Tavares will work with students in the dramatic play center.  Teachers and students will transform the center into a flower shop.  Teachers will discuss the roles available to students in the flower shop and what each job requires.  Students will be able to choose the job, "customer", "cashier", or "florist" and assume the roles they have selected.  

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.CKW.7 (Social Studies): Develops a basic understanding of economic concepts within a community.

Foundational Text for the Week:

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.CLL.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

• Where did the garden start growing? Where did the garden spread?
• What did Liam do in the winter?

Level 2: Skill/Concept

• How does the city look at the beginning of the book? How does the city look at the end of the book? Do you prefer the way it looks at the beginning or the end? Why?
• The book says that Liam didn’t feel like a gardener at first but after a while he did. Why do you think that happened?
• Other people in the city decided to be gardeners too. Why do you think they wanted to be gardeners?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking

• Do you think the people in the city felt different after there were many gardens and plants growing in the city? Why or why not?
• How do plants and gardens make you feel?

Level 4: Extended Thinking

• Can you be a gardener? Why or why not?
• If you were going to grow a garden, what would you need? What would you do?

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- Students will be invited to build a garden using blocks and materials added to the block center.

Pretend Play- The teacher will turn Dramatic Play into a flower shop by adding pretend flowers, containers, pictures of flower arrangements, cash register, notepad, writing utensils etc. Children can pretend to make, buy, and sell floral arrangements. Vocabulary words such as bouquet, floral arrangement, florist, and flower will be highlighted.

Art- The teacher will supply pipe cleaners as well as tissue paper circles. Children can pierce the middle of the tissue paper circles with the pipe cleaner, adding as many as they would like, then fold the circles up to create a flower. After creating these flowers children can use them in the Dramatic Play flower shop.

Science- The teacher will provide individual pictures of the plant life cycle. Students will be asked to sequence the pictures. The teacher will provide pictures / diagrams for children to refer to as they discuss each stage in the life cycle. 

Math- The teacher will cut out several paper watermelons, add a number to each one, and ask children to put the appropriate number of seeds on each watermelon. Students are encouraged to write the corresponding number.

Library- Students are invited to read books about our theme, plants.

Writing- Students will write letters on a sheet of construction paper.  They can glue seeds onto the letter.  Teacher will talk with students about words that start with the letter.

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

For more information on 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 March 25th!

Reminders / Notices:

• Dismissal is at 11:45 am on Monday, March 25th!

 Unit Topic:

     Water

 Essential Question for the Unit:

     What does water do?

  Focus Questions for this Week:

     How does water help us?

 Focused Learning activity for the week:

   Mrs. Gonzalez and Mrs.Tavares will work with students in the math center.  Students will be given a card with a number written on it.  They will be asked to produce the corresponding number of seashells to match the written numeral.  Students will then be asked to write the numeral.

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.CKW.2 (Counting and Cardinality): Represent a number of objects with a written numeral.

Foundational Text for the Week:

Water Can Be... by Laura Purdie Salas

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.CKW.4 (Science): Observes and describes characteristics of earth and space.

QUESTIONS THAT WILL BE ASKED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK:

Level 1: Recall

What are three things water can do?

What did the boy put on his bruised knees?

Level 2: Skill/Concept

People drink water. Who else does?

How does water help gardens?

How does water help animals?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking

The book says water can be a “drink cooler.” How can water cool drinks?

The book says water can be a “home maker.” How can water be a home?

How can water be a “snowman former?”

Level 4: Extended Thinking

What are some things people do with water other than drink it?

How does water help you?

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- Pictures of bridges will be added to the center. Students are encouraged to try to build bridges. 

Pretend Play- Large cardboard boxes will be added to Pretend Play for students to pretend they are in a boat. 

Art- Students are invited to draw a picture with crayons. They may choose to draw an underwater or rainy day scene. After their drawings are complete, watercolor paints will be used to lightly paint over their crayon drawings. 

Science-The teacher will provide an assortment of materials (e.g., cotton ball,sponge,  paper towel, penny, spoon,piece of wood etc.), some absorbent and some that will not absorb water, as well as a dish of water and droppers. The students will be invited to place a few drops of water onto each item and note whether the item absorbs water. 

Math- Seashells will be added to math center. Students will be able to match the correct number of shells to a number card. 

Library- Students are invited to read books about our theme, water.

Writing- Students will be asked the question, "Where can we find water?" and be asked to write or draw their answers.

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

For more information on 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. 

Reminders / Notices:

Dismissal is at 12:00 NOON on Monday, March 25th!

Unit Topic:

Water

Essential Question for the Unit:

What does water do?

Focus Questions for this Week:

What happens when we put things in water?

Focused Learning activity for the week:

    Mrs. Gonzalez and Mrs. Tavares will work with students in the science center.  Students will be shown an arrangement of objects and asked to predict if the object will sink or float.  Students will then test their predictions by putting each item into a bin of water.  They will be asked why they think some items floated and some sank.   

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.CKW.2 (Science): Tests predictions through exploration and experiment.

Foundational Text for the Week:

Float by Daniel Miyares

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.CLL.3 (Reading Standards for Literature): With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about characters and major events in a story.

QUESTIONS THAT WILL BE ASKED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK:

Level 1: Recall

What did the boy make out of newspaper?

What did the boy play with outside in the rain?

How did the boy’s boat get into the river?

Level 2: Skill/Concept

The boy put his boat in puddles outside. Where did the puddles come from?

Why did the boy have to chase his boat?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking

How did the boy feel when his boat got wrecked in the river? How do you know?

How can you find out if something floats in water? What are some things that float?

Level 4: Extended Thinking

Why do you think this book is called Float?

The boy’s boat floated in the puddles but when itwent in the river it fell apart. Why?

Why do some things float and some things sink?

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- Pictures of bridges will be added to the center. Students are encouraged to try to build bridges. 

Pretend Play- Large cardboard boxes will be added to Pretend Play for students to pretend they are in a boat. 

Art- Students are invited to draw a picture with crayons. They may choose to draw an underwater or rainy day scene. After their drawings are complete, watercolor paints will be used to lightly paint over their crayon drawings. 

Science-The students will be invited to test how well different substances (e.g., sugar, salt flour, oil, rice, etc.) dissolve in water by placing them in testing tubes. 

Math- Seashells will be added to math center. Students will be able to match the correct number of shells to a number card. 

Library- Students are invited to read books about our theme, water.

Writing- Students will be asked the question, "Where can we find water?" and be asked to write or draw their answers.

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

For more information on the Lesson Plan, 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 March 11th!

Reminders / Notices:

School is CLOSED on Friday, March 15th!

Follow us on social media!

Facebook: @olqmnyc

Twitter:@olqmnyc

Instagram: @olqmnyc

Unit Topic:

Water

Essential Question for the Unit:

 What does water do?

Focus Questions for this Week:

What happens to water when it changes temperature?

Focused Learning activity for the week:   

  Mrs. Gonzalez and Mrs. Tavares will work with students in the Art Center.  Students will be invited to use markers to create a picture.  They will then be provided with spray bottles of water to lightly spray their papers.  Students will be able to watch and describe how the water has changed their work.

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.CKW.6 (Science): Acquires knowledge about the physical properties of the world.

Foundational Text for the Week:

Rain by Linda Ashman

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.SED.2: Regulates his/her responses to needs, feelings, and events.

QUESTIONS THAT WILL BE ASKED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK:

Level 1: Recall

What does the boy wear outside in the rain?

What does the boy order at the Rain or Shine Café?

What does the man order at the Rain or Shine Café?

What does the man forget at the café?

Level 2: Skill/Concept

How does the boy feel about the rain? How do you know?

How does the man feel about the rain at the beginning of the story? How do you know?

How does the man feel about the rain at the end of the story? How do you know?

How did the boy help the man change his mind about the rain?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking

How do you feel about going outside in the rain? Why?

At the beginning of the story the man is very upset. What are some things that make you upset?

The boy in the story is very happy. What are some things that make you happy?

Level 4: Extended Thinking

If you don’t have a rain coat, hat or umbrella to wear outside in the rain, what can you do if you want to stay dry?

The boy made the man feel better. When someone is upset what can you do to make him/her feel better?

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- Pictures of bridges will be added to the center. Students are encouraged to try to build bridges. 

Pretend Play- Large cardboard boxes will be added to Pretend Play for students to pretend they are in a boat. 

Art- Students are invited to draw a picture with crayons. They may choose to draw an underwater or rainy day scene. After their drawings are complete, watercolor paints will be used to lightly paint over their crayon drawings. 

Science-The students will be invited to test how well different substances (e.g., sugar, salt flour, oil, rice, etc.) dissolve in water by placing them in testing tubes. 

Math- Seashells will be added to math center. Students will be able to match the correct number of shells to a number card. 

Library- Students are invited to read books about our theme, water.

Writing- Students will be asked the question, "Where can we find water?" and be asked to write or draw their answers.

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

For more information on 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 March 3rd!

Reminders / Notices:

If you would like your child to attend Mass on Ash Wednesday, please make sure the permission form is filled out.  Mass starts at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 6th. Parents are welcome to attend. 

Follow us on social media!

Facebook: @olqmnyc

Twitter: @olqmnyc

Instagram: @olqmnyc

Unit Topic:

     Water

Essential Question for the Unit:

          What does water do?

Focus Questions for this Week:

     Where can we find water?

Focused Learning activity for the week:

      Mrs. Gonzalez and Mrs. Tavares will work with students in the Dramatic Play Center.  Students will be asked to brainstorm and come up with a list of things we need in order to transform our center into a lake with boats.  Students will be assisted as we paint and build cardboard boats for our center.  

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.CKW.5 (The Arts): Participates in a variety of dramatic play activities to represent fantasy and real life experiences.

Foundational Text for the Week:

Water Dance by Thomas Locker

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.CKW.4 (Science): Observes and describes characteristics of earth and space.

QUESTIONS THAT WILL BE ASKED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK:

Level 1: Recall

• Where does the rain fall from?
• What is high above the earth in the blue sky?
• What is still and deep and overflows?
• What is a waterfall?

Level 2: Skill/Concept

• What are all of the things described in this book (rain, stream, waterfall, etc.) made of?
• This book says that clouds can look like many different shapes in the sky. Are there clouds in the sky today? What shapes do you see in the clouds?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking

• The storm in this book made the sky dark. How do storms and clouds make the sky dark?
• This book shows many different places in the environment where we can find water. Where are some places in our classroom where we can find water?

Level 4: Extended Thinking

• At the beginning of the book it says, “Some people say that I am one thing. Others say that I am many.”How can something be one thing and many things at the same time?
• Compare the pictures to what we see when we go outside. What is the same? What is different?
• How do you think water gets to our classroom?

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- Pictures of bridges will be added to the center. Students are encouraged to try to build bridges. 

Pretend Play- Large cardboard boxes will be added to Pretend Play for students to pretend they are in a boat. 

Art- Students are invited to draw a picture with crayons. They may choose to draw an underwater or rainy day scene. After their drawings are complete, watercolor paints will be used to lightly paint over their crayon drawings. 

Science- Students are invited to sort animals into two categories: those that live in water and those that live on land. 

Math- Seashells will be added to math center. Students will be able to match the correct number of shells to a number card. 

Library- Students are invited to read books about our theme, water.

Writing- Students will be asked the question, "Where can we find water?" and be asked to write or draw their answers.

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

For more information on 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