Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Swimming Starts!


Swimming start this month on Thursday, October 10 and the 24th.  We'll be swimming on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.  We will swim at the YMCA from 12:30-1:30 and we'll return to school in time for a snack.  We will also have an early lunch that day so we can board the bus at 12:00.

Monday, September 30, 2013

School Pictures

School Pictures will be next Tuesday, October 8th!  I will send home the packages available as well as the individual pictures that you can purchase.

Circle S Farms


Our field trip to Circle S Farms in Grove City, Ohio is this Thursday, October, 3, 2013.  Please have your permissions slips in as soon as possible!  Remember to pack a lunch, including a drink for you and your child.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

No Daily Note Today

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

I wanted to let you know that we didn't send home a daily note due to our copy machine isn't working properly.

Today we played in the gym after breakfast.  Tumbling seemed to be the favorite activity for most of the children and my, how they can do somersaults!  Then we read in our small reading groups and gathered together to sing our ABC songs for each letter of the alphabet with each child taking turns pointing to the words as we sang.  We were able to sing our way to letter P today!  We had center time, where the children could choose what to play with while we worked with the children on writing their names and gluing their name collages.

Right before lunch we broke into a Skip-to-my-Lou dance with finding partners to dance with and following the directions of tiptoeing, swinging your partner, and galloping.  We found out today that we have a group that likes to dance!  I will be looking for more music to dance to with our friends this year!  Then we used our rhythm sticks to play follow the leader by just watching me with no added verbal directions.  They did a great job and we finished with singing The Wheels on the Bus using our sticks as the wheels, the windshield wipers, the doors opening and shutting, and the people going up and down.

In the afternoon we played with play-doh and we also learned Nursery Rhymes and used our felt pieces to act them out as we said or sang them.  The day ended with a snack and a few more songs!

Friday, September 13, 2013

Access to Books Online



We Give Books

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We are dedicated to delivering award-winning books so you can read and share beautiful stories with the children in your life. By giving you great books for young readers, our goal is to create memories that will last a lifetime. Books are the heart of We Give Books — books for reading and books for giving!
Editor's Picks are free for anyone to read, anytime, anywhere, and on any device - without login!


Click here to learn more about We Give Books and see all the great books that are available for you to read online for free!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Rhythm-N-You Music Therapy


 
 
Every Monday we have the pleasure to work with Grace Butler, a board certified music therapist.  She comes into our classroom from 9:40-10:10 with her musical instruments and she works with our class as a whole.  We have only had one session with her but it was magical! She sat in the middle and the children sat in a semi-circle around her.  She used her guitar and her voice to talk to the children and each child needed to wait their turn to make choices of musical instruments that she presented them with. Grace has such a lovely way about her and her voice is beautiful.  The children really responded positively to her.  She will work with our class tomorrow morning and every Monday morning.
 
 
Please click here for more information on Rhythm-N-You music therapy.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Scholastic Books



Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub
One-Time Class Activation Code: HKF2P

Dear Families,

Encouraging reading is one of the most important things we can do to help your child succeed. It can be tough finding the right books to keep them interested, which is why I am so excited that our class will be participating in Scholastic Reading Club this school year.

With Scholastic Reading Club:
    Every book you buy earns FREE Books for our classroom library

    You can choose from handpicked, grade- and reading-level-specific books for your child

    You'll find the best values on a variety of formats, including eBooks

Each month, your child will bring home Reading Club flyers. Together you can choose from books hand-selected by teachers and experts, and then order online or by returning your order form and payment to me.

I'm excited to get our class reading!  If you have any questions please let me know.

Thanks,
Hilda

If This Is Your First Time Ordering Online:
     REGISTER at scholastic.com/readingclub

     ENTER the Class Activation Code at the top of this letter

     CHOOSE from thousands of print titles, value packs, and Storia eBooks

     SUBMIT the order to me by the due date listed on the website

     EARN FREE Books for our classroom too!


Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Welcome to the 2013-2014 School Year

Welcome to the New School Year!

We're very excited about this school year!  We're so glad your family will be a part of our school family!  It's Wednesday of the first week of school and we are off to a great start!  In preschool, we love to share experiences with each other and build relationships.  We are working on our field trip and our swim schedule at the YMCA.


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

67 Ideas for Fun and Learning this Summer




I just came across a great list of ideas to do this summer and I wanted to share it with you!

Friday, May 17, 2013




I just found this letter and thought it was appropriate to post!  I know on many occasions you have talked to me about the responses you get when you ask your child about their day and here's a letter that addresses that!
Dear Parents,
When your child responds to the questions “What did you do today?” with a frustrating “Nothing”….remember…..
When children come home at the end of the day,
The question they're asked as they scurry to play,
is “Tell me, what did you do today?”
Perhaps nothing means I worked with clay
Or learned my shapes or counted today.
Maybe I did a listening sheet,
Or reviewed the body parts from head to feet.
Nothing may mean that I sang a song,
Or learned concepts like short or long.
I may have learned how to write my name,
Or gone outside to play a game.
Maybe this was the day for the first time
That my scissors followed a very straight line.
Maybe I said the ABC’s from beginning to end,
Or worked cooperatively with a brand new friend.
I may have walked the balance beam and fallen off,
Or learned to cover my mouth when I cough.
Perhaps nothing means that I painted a tree,
Or wrote the numbers 1,2,3.
When you are a child and your heart has wings,
“Nothing” can mean so many things!!
-Author Unknown

Friday, May 10, 2013

Summer Science Ideas


Steve Spangler

Steve Spangler is the science teacher that you always wanted to have!  

I just recently found his website and I love it and I wanted to share it with you since he has so many good experiments that you can do with your children over the summer.



Monday, May 6, 2013

Preschool Celebration on May 22, 2013


                                            

You are invited to the 2013
 Brooks-Yates Preschool
 Celebration on               
Wednesday, May 2
 at 1:00 
The celebration will be
held in the conference
    room followed by
  refreshments.
 Please feel free to invite
your family and friends!

Friday, April 26, 2013

Sources for Free E-books for your children


Reading Rockets has a great article on e-books for your children.  


Monday, April 22, 2013

Tumblebooks Subscription


We now have a Tumblebooks subscription for a year!  Here's the link that you can use to access the books and activities.  I will send home a paper with the username and password for you to use at home or wherever you are!

Friday, April 19, 2013

May's Activities



   
                          




May's Activities


May 1-trip to the flower/garden shop for a present for someone special in our children's lives...hint, hint! In the afternoon we're going to Head Start Playground.

2nd-going swimming/family center at the YMCA

7th-going to the Zoo with the rain date on the 16th.  If we would go to the Zoo on the 16th then we would cancel our last day at the YMCA.

8th and 15th-going to Head Start playground

22nd-Preschool Celebration at school at 1:00 for our end of the year program and graduation celebration for the children moving onto Kindergarten next year

23rd-Picnic and play at Mary Virginia Crites Hannan Park which is the last day of school.

Friday, April 5, 2013

April Events

           


April Events

Monday, April 8-Bookmobile

Tuesday, April 9-Field trip to Pioneer School in Chillicothe and lunch at Tumbleweed Restaurant

Wednesday, April 17-play at Head Start playground

Thursday, April 18-Swim and Family Center at the YMCA

Wednesday, April 24-play at Head Start playground

Thursday, April 25-Field trip to Slate Run Living Historical Farm and picnic lunch at Buzzard's Roost

Monday, April 29-Bookmobile



Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Nutrition Information for Preschoolers



There's a newsletter for preschoolers using the my plate concept that I wanted to pass onto you.  

Please click here for the information.


Tuesday, March 5, 2013

March Events


We now have the Post Office up and running in our classroom so you might be getting some wonderful envelopes sent in as the children are writing letters and then delivering them to each other.

We mailed our letter to our new friends at Head Start and they will be coming to play with us a few times this month!  We're looking forward to going to their place on Corwin Street and playing with them on their playground.

Events in March
 
Wednesday, March 6, 20, and 27 our friends from Head Start are playing with us in our gym.
 
Thursday, March 7 and 21-YMCA-swimming and family center
 
Monday, March 11-No School-Staff In-service Day
 
Thursday, March 14-World of Bounce Field Trip
 
Monday, March 18-Bookmobile
 
Thursday-Monday, March 28-April 1-No School-Spring Break
 
Tuesday, April 2-School Resumes
 

Friday, February 8, 2013

February's Activities

What's Happening in February?
 
 
Thursday, February 14- Valentine's Party and then onto McDonald's for lunch and playing in their Play Place.
 
Monday, February 18-No School for President's Day.
 
Wednesday, February 20 and 27-Our new friends from Head Start come over and play with us in our gym from 1:45-2:30.
 
Thursday, February 21-YMCA swimming and family center fun.
 
Monday, February 25-the bookmobile visits ours school.  

Great Resource: Reading Rockets for Common Core Standards



 







We are hearing a lot of discussion about the Common Core Standards in Ohio and what it means for our children in school.  For an excellent source of information you can click on Reading Rockets.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Kindergarten Questions Discussed

Blogs About Reading

Sound It Out

Along with her background as a researcher, writer, and teacher, Joanne Meier is a mom. Join Joanne every week as she shares her experiences raising her own young readers, and guides parents and teachers on the best practices in reading.

Should she stay or should she go? (to kindergarten)

January 18, 2007
 

Field Trips for 2013


 

 
   

Preschool Field Trip List for 2013

January 24 YMCA Swimming and Family Center
January 31 AHA! Museum and Frisch's for lunch in Lancaster

February 7 and 21 YMCA Swimming and Family Center
February 14 McDonalds for lunch and play

March 7 and 21 YMCA Swimming and Family Center
March 14 World of Bounce with lunch at an area restaurant TBD

April 4 and 18 YMCA Swimming and Family Center
April 25 Slate Run Living Historical Farm and lunch at Buzzard’s Roost

May 2 and 16 YMCA Swimming and Family Center
May 7 Zoo
May 22 Preschool Celebration
May 23 Picnic at Mary Virginia Crites Hannan Park and last day of school

As always, we love it when our families can join us for our field trips!  We’ll send out individual permission slips for each trip. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thanks,

Hilda

 

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Daily Schedule for 2013

 Schedule for the Red Room Preschool Class
This is our updated schedule for the new year. As always, if you have any questions please call me at 474.1124 ext. 120 or you’re always welcome to email me at hwinner@pickawaydd.org.
Thanks,
Hilda
8:30 In class – get children off the bus, Circleville Bus, or the PICCA van and bring to classroom.    
Bathroom –bathroom needs are taken care of at this time. 
Free Play-they can play until morning welcome.  We pick jobs for the week on Mondays.          
Clean up-when all the children have been to the bathroom we clean up play area.             
8:50 Morning Welcome- we gather on the carpet, sitting on the floor, and we do the Welcome Song and give hugs.      
9:00 Breakfast-we go up to the cafeteria for breakfast. We are eating family style where the children serve themselves as we pass the bowls and platters around the table.                
9:30 Gym/Walk/Sensory Room-this gives us a chance to run and play.                                                                             
10:10-10:30 Scooby Doo Club and Busy Bee Club meet and then we all regroup in the Red Room.  On some days we play longer in the gym or the sensory room depending on our activities that day.
Bathroom – bathroom needs are taken care of at this time.                
Play-we have free play and we open up several centers such as the fix-it and repair shop, the computer, the iPad, small reading groups, and the listening center.                          
Clean-up-we all help clean-up the play area.
11:40 Music- we sing, dance, play musical instruments, and play musical chairs.
Wash Hands-we wash our hands in the classroom before lunch.         
12:00 Lunch-we have lunch in the cafeteria.  We are eating family style where the children serve themselves as we pass the bowls and platters around the table.                                       
12:30 Video/Free Play- the children can choose between watching a video or playing and they can freely go back and forth while we take the children to the bathroom and we take turns brushing teeth.                          
1:00 Nap-some children take a nap.
1:00 Green Room/ Scooby Doo Club and the Busy Bee Club/Red Room- The green room offers a variety of activities for the children to play with. In the green room we have our library, toys, the touch screen computer, crayons, paper, and all of our games. Scooby Doo and Busy Bee Club-some afternoons our clubs meet at this time.
Red Room-some afternoons we’ll stay in our room depending on the activities of the day.
Clean-up- we clean up the green room or our classroom.                           
Bathroom-bathroom needs are taken care of at this time.         
2:00 Snack –we have a snack at our table in the classroom.                              
We sing our good-bye song and dismiss the children to get ready to go home.
2:30 Home-we put on coats and gather backpacks and get on buses, go with parents or ride PICCA vans home.                             

New Snack Ideas for the New Year!


Here's a list of some of the ideas that we'll try for snack time!  The only one we won't do for a long time is graham crackers since we ate our fair share when we built our gingerbread houses!

Please feel free to share any ideas you might have!




30 Healthier Snack Ideas for Kids 
by Amanda Formaro from Familycorner.com



It's time for the kids to head back to school. When they come home each afternoon have healthier snacks waiting so that they don't grab for potato chips or cookies. Our members shared their ideas for fun and tasty snacks that are much better than the prepackaged ones that are so easy to grab. A little forethought will get them eating better and they'll thank you for it. We asked our members to share their ideas for healthier after school (or any time) snacks for kids. Here's what they suggest, share your suggestions too!

  1. whole wheat crackers and toppings - try sliced cheese, cream cheese, egg salad, tuna salad, peanut butter, peanut butter and jelly, or pepperoni. Make your own Lunchables by layering ham or turkey and cheese!
  2. celery and/or carrots with dip - popular dips among kids may include ranch, hummus, creamy italian dressing, bean dip, cream cheese, and other soft cheeses. Try other raw vegetables too, like cucumbers, zucchini and bell pepper slices.
  3. fresh fruit - different varieties of melon cut into chunks, whole strawberries and pineapple wedges are fun and colorful. Use rounded toothpicks to let kids make their own kabobs or mix several fruits together to make a quick fruit salad; add a dollop of fat free whipped topping.
  4. apple slices and dip - use an apple slicer or cut into slices with a knife and sprinkle with a little lemon juice to keep them from turning brown. Serve with peanut butter, fat free whipped topping, yogurt, sugar free caramel dip, or other fruit dips.
  5. tortilla roll ups and pinwheels - spread with peanut butter or peanut butter and jelly, roll up then slice into 1" pieces to make pinwheels. use a layer of cream cheese and a slice or two of turkey or ham, or layer with spreadable cheese and various vegetables, roll up and eat.

  6. trail mix - make your own by mixing together peanuts, raisins, chocolate chips, mini pretzels, granola, and other sweet and salty ingredients. Keep the high sugar sweets to a minimum.
  7. granola & yogurt - granola makes a great snack on its own, but it's also very tasty when you stir it into a container of yogurt. Look for different flavors available at your local grocer.
  8. cheese sticks - String cheese is very popular with kids. You can also find colby sticks and cheddar sticks at the store. You can also cut your own from any of your favorite cheeses!
  9. pretzel sticks & cheese - cut your child's favorite cheese(s) into cubes and give him pretzel sticks to pick them up with. Safer than toothpicks and edible too. You can also try dipping pretzels in cheese sauce or bean dip.
  10. popcorn - make the light butter or unbuttered kind and sprinkle with parmesan cheese while it's still hot. Try season salt, cinnamon sugar, and anything else you can think of to spice it up.
  11. cheese quesadillas - sandwich shredded or packaged sliced cheese in between two tortillas. Heat in the microwave until cheese is melted. For younger kids with smaller appetites, use only one tortilla, layer half of it with cheese, fold over and heat.

  12. mini pizzas - spread tomato paste or spaghetti sauce onto a toasted english muffin, sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and any other toppings you like. Heat in the broiler for a minute or two until cheese is bubbly.
  13. quick breads and muffins - best when made from scratch, these are wonderful when popped into the microwave for a few seconds and dotted with a little butter. Muffins and quick breads are easy to make and there are many varieties including zucchini, banana, blueberry, and more.
  14. smoothies - a great way to sneak in extra dairy and fruit. Pour 1 cup of milk into a blender, add enough frozen fruit to reach top of milk, add an 8 ounce container of yogurt, blend until smooth. Mix and match flavors, try frozen pineapple and vanilla yogurt, frozen strawberries and banana yogurt, or frozen cherries and cherry yogurt.
  15. bagels, toast, english muffins - spread bagels with different flavored cream cheese and cut into bite sized wedges. Make toast and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, cut into triangles. Toast an english muffin and spread with peanut butter and jelly or layer with a slice of cheese.
  16. cereal - toasted "O's", fruit circles, and other finger cereals and great as a snack. You don't have to limit a bowl of cereal to breakfast, this makes a fun and different snack for hungry kids as well.
  17. yogurt - keep a variety of flavored yogurts, containers, squeezable and drinkable are all available.
  18. bananas and peanut butter - slice a banana lengthwise down the middle. Spread each slice with peanut butter. Cut into bite size pieces and serve with round toothpicks or pretzels.
  19. parfaits - layer fresh cut up fruit with yogurt and a little granola. Your kids will think they are getting dessert!
  20. sugar free gelatin and puddings - if you do need a quick to grab snack sugar free gelatins and puddings are much better than a handful of chocolate cookies. Keep a small supply on hand and out of reach.
  21. rice cakes - serve plain or spread with peanut butter or Nutella (chocolate and hazelnut spread). Rice cakes come in many varieties and flavors.
  22. pita wedges & hummus - cut a pita pocket into small wedges, warm in the microwave and spread with cream cheese or your favorite hummus.
  23. graham crackers - graham crackers are a tasty substitution for cookies. They are perfect for spreading peanut butter or dipping into applesauce.
  24. tortilla chips & salsa - serve unsalted tortilla chips with homemade salsa. Mix together chopped tomato, chopped green onion, a little garlic salt and chopped fresh cilantro.
  25. animal crackers - another great substitution for cookies
  26. dried fruit - everyone knows about raisins, but don't forget all the other wonderful dried fruits available. Dried cranberries, plums, mangos and other tropical fruits are sweet like candy. Due to their natural sugar content they should be served in moderation but definitely in place of processed sweets.
  27. bread - bread sticks fresh from the oven are yummy, as are sliced pieces of french bread with cream cheese, or bread and butter cut into squares and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar or garlic salt.
  28. cereal & granola bars - another great option for quick grab and go snacks, cereal and granola bars come in a wide variety of flavors.
  29. applesauce - you'd be surprised at the different flavors available in applesauce these days!
  30. pita pocket stuffers - fill pita pockets with cheese and ham, turkey and lettuce, or even bananas and peanut butter