Week of November 12th!!

Theme for the Month : 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 "circle time".  Students can take turns being the teacher and leading their friends in circle time activities.

Art- Various size foam shapes will be available for students in the art center. Students will be 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:

•      I Love My Hair by Natasha Tarpley

•      Little Elliot, Big City by Mike Curato

Lesson Plan Link

Reminders / Notices:

• School will be closed on Monday, November 12th , for Veteran’s Day. 
• OLQM is having our annual canned food drive.  Please consider donating any canned food for those in need.  
• Our Thanksgiving music Performance will be on Wednesday, November 14th, at 9:00 a.m. 
• Mickey and Minnie Dress up Day and costume contest 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.

Week of November 5th!!

Unit Theme:

My Five Senses!

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

• There are five senses. They are smell, taste, touch, sight and hearing.
• We use our senses to understand our bodies, learn what they need, and keep us safe. 
• We use our senses to learn about the people, places, objects, and environment around us.
•  We experience and interact with the world differently when our senses, such as vision or hearing, are impaired. 

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- Children are encouraged to use tree shaped blocks. Students will be able to explore how they feel and look compared to the other blocks in the block area.

Pretend Play- The dramatic play center will be transformed into an apple orchard.  Students will be able to explore apples with their senses.

Art- Play-doh will be added to the art center as children discuss how the play-doh feels, looks, and smells.

Science- A "Feely Box" will be added to the science center.  Students are invited to put their hands in the holes of the box and identify the object using only their sense of touch. 

Math- Students will be able to sort objects by color, size, shape, and texture.

Library- Students are invited to look at our classroom books and discuss what they see with their peers.

Writing- Students will be able to write letters in shaving cream and discuss how it feels.

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

Lesson Plan Link

Some of the books we will read this week are:

Press Here by Herve Tullet

Building Shapes by Tracy Moncure

Reminders / Notices:

• OLQM is having our annual canned food drive.  Please consider donating any canned food for those in need.  
• Please fill out and return all parent questionnaires as soon as possible.
• Picture Money is due by November 5th the latest!
• Picture Day is November 6th!
• School is closed on Monday, November 12th for Veteran's Day.

Dear Parents, 

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 October 29th!

Theme for the month:

My Five Senses!

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

•      There are five senses. They are smell, taste, touch, sight and hearing.

•      We use our senses to understand our bodies, learn what they need, and keep us safe. 

•      We use our senses to learn about the people, places, objects, and environment around us.

•      We experience and interact with the world differently when our senses, such as vision or hearing, are impaired. 

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- Children are encouraged to use tree shaped blocks.  Students will be able to explore how the blocks feel and look compared to the other blocks in the block area.

Pretend Play- The Dramatic Play center will be transformed into an apple orchard. Students will be able to explore apples with their senses.    

Art- Play-doh will be added to the art center as children discuss how the play-doh feels, looks, and smells.

Science- A "Feely Box" will be added to the science center.  Students are invited to put their hands in the holes of the box and identify the object using only their sense of touch. 

Math- Students will be able to sort animal manipulatives by color, size, type, and texture.

Library- Students are invited to look at our classroom books and discuss what they see with their peers.

Writing- Students will be encouraged to write letters in shaving cream and discuss how it feels.

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

Some of the books we will read this week are:

My Five Senses by Aliki

I see myself by Vicki Cobb

Lesson Plan Link

Home-School Connection

Ask the children to find things they can use their five senses with at home. Have your child use the Five Senses Recording Sheet send home in their folders.

Reminders / Notices:

• Parent Questionnaires will be sent out this week.  Please fill out and return the questionnaire as soon as possible.
• Children are invited to wear their Halloween costume to school on Wednesday, October 31^st!
• Parents are invited to our Halloween Parade beginning at 8:30am on October 31st!
• Picture Money is due by November 5th the latest!
• School is closed on Monday, November 12th for Veteran's Day.

Dear parents, 

If you have any questions about the UPK for All program that the teacher or school is unable to answer please feel free to contact: 

The Archdioceses Help Line at 888-227-8175 from 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 

or by Email at catholicschool.upk.arch.ny.org.

Week of October 22nd!

Theme for the month:

My Five Senses!

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

•      There are five senses. They are smell, taste, touch, sight and hearing.

•      We use our senses to understand our bodies, learn what they need, and keep us safe. 

•      We use our senses to learn about the people, places, objects, and environment around us.

•      We experience and interact with the world differently when our senses, such as vision or hearing, are impaired. 

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- Children are encouraged to use tree shaped blocks.  Students will be able to explore how the blocks feel and look compared to the other blocks in the block area.

Pretend Play- The Dramatic Play center will be transformed into an apple orchard. Students will be able to explore apples with their senses.    

Art- Play-doh will be added to the art center as children discuss how the play-doh feels, looks, and smells.

Science- A "Feely Box" will be added to the science center.  Students are invited to put their hands in the holes of the box and identify the object using only their sense of touch. 

Math- Students will be able to sort animal manipulatives by color, size, type, and texture.

Library- Students are invited to look at our classroom books and discuss what they see with their peers.

Writing- Students will be encouraged to write letters in shaving cream and discuss how it feels.

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

Lesson Plan Link

Some of the books we will read this week are:

My Five Senses by Aliki

Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley 

Reminders / Notices:

Children are invited to wear their Halloween costume to school on Wednesday, October 31^st!

Parents are invited. 

Home-School Connection 

Below you will find a few  helpful activities to foster math skills. 

Activity 1

 Invite your child to sort socks that are the same.Encourage your child to look at your socks and their socks to compare size, ask “How are the socks different? How do you know? .

Activity 2

While visiting the park encourage your child to collect leaves. Invite your child to sort the leaves by size, shape and color. Encourage your child to count the leaves after sorting. 

**Together, sort the leaves onto paper plates or into separate piles. First, set up a category. For example, ask children to sort all the big leaves on one plate and small leaves on another.

Activity 3 

Go on a rock scavenger hunt at your local park . Use an egg carton to sort rocks. 

Dear parents, 

If you have any questions about the UPK for All program that the teacher or school is unable to answer please feel free to contact: 

The Archdioceses Help Line at 888-227-8175 from 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 

or by Email at catholicschool.upk.arch.ny.org.

Week of October 15th!

Theme for the month:

My Five Senses!

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

•      There are five senses. They are smell, taste, touch, sight and hearing.

•      We use our senses to understand our bodies, learn what they need, and keep us safe. 

•      We use our senses to learn about the people, places, objects, and environment around us.

•      We experience and interact with the world differently when our senses, such as vision or hearing, are impaired. 

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- Children are encouraged to use tree shaped blocks.  Students will be able to explore how the blocks feel and look compared to the other blocks in the block area.

Pretend Play- The Dramatic Play center will be transformed into an apple orchard. Students will be able to explore apples with their senses.    

Art- Play-doh will be added to the art center as children discuss how the play-doh feels, looks, and smells.

Science- A "Feely Box" will be added to the science center.  Students are invited to put their hands in the holes of the box and identify the object using only their sense of touch. 

Math- Students will be able to sort animal manipulatives by color, size, type, and texture.

Library- Students are invited to look at our classroom books and discuss what they see with their peers.

Writing- Students are invited to use black and white crayons/pencils and write on black/white paper. Before writing or drawing students are encouraged to predict what happens when you use black on black. What about white? Why? Students will be able to write letters in shaving cream and discuss how it feels.

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

Some of the books we will read this week are:

Tap Tap Boom Boom by Elizabeth Bluemle  

The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything by Linda D. Williams

Polar Bear, Polar Bear What Do You Hear? Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle

Lesson Plan Link

Reminders / Notices:

• School is open on Monday, October 15th.  
• There is NO AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM on Monday, October 15th.
• School is CLOSED on Wednesday, October 17th.
• Children are invited to wear their Halloween costume to school on Wednesday, October 31^st!

Dear parents, 

If you have any questions about the UPK for All program that the teacher or school is unable to answer please feel free to contact: 

The Archdioceses Help Line at 888-227-8175 from 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 

or by Email at catholicschool.upk.arch.ny.org.

Week of October 8th!!

Theme for the month:

My Five Senses!

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

•      There are five senses. They are smell, taste, touch, sight and hearing.

•      We use our senses to understand our bodies, learn what they need, and keep us safe. 

•      We use our senses to learn about the people, places, objects, and environment around us.

•      We experience and interact with the world differently when our senses, such as vision or hearing, are impaired. 

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- Children are encouraged to use tree shaped blocks.  Students will be able to explore how the blocks feel and look compared to the other blocks in the block area.

Pretend Play- The Dramatic Play center will be transformed into an apple orchard. Students will be able to explore apples with their senses.    

Art- Play-doh will be added to the art center as children discuss how the play-doh feels, looks, and smells.

Science- A "Feely Box" will be added to the science center.  Students are invited to put their hands in the holes of the box and identify the object using only their sense of touch. 

Math- Students will be able to sort animal manipulatives by color, size, type, and texture.

Library- Students are invited to look at our classroom books and discuss what they see with their peers.

Writing- Students are invited to use black and white crayons/pencils and write on black/white paper. Before writing or drawing students are encouraged to predict what happens when you use black on black. What about white? Why?

Students will be able to write letters in shaving cream and discuss how it feels.

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

Lesson Plan Link

Some of the books we will read this week are:

Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? by Eric Carle 

Seeing by Rebecca Rissman

Reminders / Notices:

• Parents are invited to school on Tuesday, October 9^th for our Spanish Heritage Performance at 9:30 a.m.! Please dress your child in yellow if possible.
• School is CLOSED on Wednesday, October 17th.

Dear parents, 

If you have any questions about the UPK for All program that the teacher or school is unable to answer please feel free to contact: 

The Archdioceses Help Line at 888-227-8175 from 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 

or by Email at catholicschool.upk.arch.ny.org.

Week of October 1st!!

Theme for the month:

Welcome to Pre-K!

Goals for student understanding by the end of the unit: 

• My classroom and program are safe places where I learn, play and have fun. 

• I am an important member of my classroom community; my thoughts, needs, ideas and abilities matter. 

• The teachers and other adults at my program keep me safe, care about me and support my learning. 

• In my classroom I use materials carefully and make choices about where I work and play. 

• Classroom rules and routines help me learn and stay safe.

Lessons and activities for the week: 

Blocks- Children are encouraged to use blocks to build buildings they are familiar with such as those they live in or visit often. 

Pretend Play- Children are invited to explore the dramatic play area and use the props and clothing provided. 

Art- Children will be invited to draw self-portraits. 

Science- Mirrors will be added to the science center for children to explore and discuss what they see. 

Math- A picture of each child will be cut apart, thus creating a puzzle. Students are invited to assemble their own puzzles and their peers’ puzzles as well. 

Library- Students are able to read books from the classroom library to the puppets that are provided.

Writing- Students are invited to explore the materials provided in the writing center.  They are encouraged to write the letters in their name. 

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

Some of the books we will read this week are:

I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont

It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles Shaw.

Lesson Plan Link

Home -School Connection

Dear Parents, 

Invite your child to think and talk about,  “who are the people who help us at home?”

You can discuss who is important and why (i.e. friends, relatives, mail carrier, building super, neighbors). Encourage your child to draw pictures of these people.

Reminders:

• Please return Parent Survey.
• School will be closed on Monday, October 8th, for Columbus Day.
• Our Hispanic Heritage show is on Tuesday, October 9th at 9:30am. Please have your child wear yellow. Parents are welcomed to attend!
• Please bring in a picture of your family for us to hang in our classroom!
• Please remember to return sleeping bags every Monday.
• Please read to your child for 15 minutes every day. 

Dear parents, 

If you have any questions about the UPK for All program that the teacher or school is unable to answer please feel free to contact: 

The Archdioceses Help Line at 888-227-8175 from 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 

or by Email at catholicschool.upk.arch.ny.org.