Today was our Christmas Program and my only wish is that each child enjoyed participating in it.  The children did a really good job singing and acting their parts.  Having forty nine 3,4 & 5 year old children march across the stage quietly holding their bells.... well I thought they were just wonderful!  I hope the parents were able to see their child.  I loved the surprise of the children when Santa walked into the gym. He had a quiet entrance, but once the children saw him I think they were happy!. All of the children were so happy to receive their gifts ... thank you so much.  It brought each of the children a lot of joy.

There will be NO SCHOOL until January 6 & 7.  Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you all for making this such a great year!

Getting ready for our Christmas Program next Wednesday at 11:00!  We are practicing really hard and learning the Letter "Mm" and making Gingerbread houses and trees and making Santa faces with cottonballs and next week on Monday and Tuesday we will be making Reindeer.  The 4-5 children had a blast making their cute little houses and the 3-4 age group decorating their tree.  I think both classes ate more candy than putting it on their houses and trees! Don' be too surprised on Wednesday and Thursday when they leave to go home....you may want to bring a camera when they walk out to great you! Also, if you feel your child has not brought treats for a while please let me know. I don't want any child to feel left out or sad over something like that. The treats that have been brought have been awesome.  I have noticed this year that the children really enjoy eating little crackers, cheese and meat cut up!  Its fun to watch what they bring and how the children are so excited to both eat and share what they bring.  Thank you so much.

Remember, no school until January 6th & 7th.  I have a preschooler who will be moving back to New Jersey and so *if you know of anyone interested in coming to preschool starting in January please let them know I have an opening.  Thank you!  I will miss you Issac!

Our Christmas program will be on Wednesday, December 18th at 11:00 am.  It will last approx. 45 minutes and will be held in the East Stake Center (East of my house) Please bring your child 10 minutes early into the primary room so we can get them ready.  Please put your hidden present you purchased for your child in the gym by Santa's chair.  Make sure the white index card I gave you earlier in your manila envelope is taped securely on top of the present so Santa can read the same handwriting on all the children's gifts.  Church dress. You may invite any family member you wish to come. If you have any younger children coming and would like them to receive a gift from Santa too just tie the gifts together with their added name on the card below your preschoolers name. Each child has made a Christmas gift for their parent(s).  Just look on the back to find your child's name on it.

We have completed already letters J, K and L.  This month we will be practicing for our Christmas program and completing our letter M.  We will review our days of the week, letters, sounds, worksheets, and doing craft projects. We will also have one more reading book to hand out to each 4-5 child.

*Donations for Santa will greatly be appreciated! A BIG thank you to those who already have.  I have a small bowl on my desk if you would like to help.  I hope you enjoy the Christmas Program Dec 18th. and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Preschool will start back up January 6th and 7th

3-4 year old Class:  we finished talking about letter"I" with the Pilgrims coming across the ocean on the Mayflower and landing at Plymonth Rock (and I apologize for the mispelling of the rock) and meeting for the first time the Indians.  This is why we celebrate "Thanksgiving".  The Indians basically saved their lives as they were starving when they landed.  We reviewed our colors, numbers, alphabet, sounds, and shapes. They are moving along very well.  They seem to still be struggling writing their names so please if you get a chance at home please work with them.  It instills confidence and knowing they can accomplish great things.  Today, we painted turkeys so they can enjoy them the whole month of November!  We played marbles, finger puppets, and threaded yarn through different shapes and shapes of animals as well.  A few of the children are still learning how to share and be kind. Through examples and other children I know each child will learn how to have more patience and kindness towards each other.

4-5 year old Class:  As well as the above these kids also worked hard on their sight words.  We played the match game and it was a lot of fun - girls against the boys.  It was interesting when 1 team won and the other lost.  I really want to instill in these children that in order to be a good winner you have to first learn how to be a good looser.  Not everyone wins - even tho we all have tried to teach our children we are all winners what is happening in the world due to recent articles and books I have read it is not good to have your children believe he/she is a winner all the time.  When life gets tough - and it will (sadly to say) children have to learn to pick up the pieces and move forward no matter if they win or loose. What the trend in the world now is that when they grow up into teenagers they just quit if the work is too hard...  "I can't do this anymore", its too hard, etc. because they never learned while they were young the great principle that there can be only 1 winner.  Have I said enough - I think so, so moving on.... each child received another sight word book and a new word.  Because we painted today our Turkeys we did not read through the books and I am very interested to see how each child did going home and reading to you.  I believe so much in each of these children.  They are wonderful little people who have great potential and as a teacher it is the greatest experience for me to watch them grow and see who they become ...having just a small piece in their lives...hoping to of made a positive difference in their thinking and belief system. Wow, teaching is the greatest gift to share with others..until next time have a great week!    

Happy Halloween to everyone and what a fun week we have had.  We began this week with the letter "I". For the older classes this was our first sight word at the beginning of the year so the children all recognized the letter.  The 3-4 year old class understood the letter after looking at picture cards to illustrate the letter sound. We will work more on this particular letter next Monday and Tuesday.

Yesterday and today was our Halloween Parties.I have never had so much fun playing with the children. Each class had so much fun playing pin the pumpkin (blindfolded), Spider Ring Toss.  We then made some Witches brew - consisting of... oh you don't really want to know.... dinasaurs, frogs, pumpkins, basketballs, ice cream, popsicles, etc.  Each child helped stir and watched the dry ice bubble while putting their hands in the container and watched their hands dissappear.By the way it tasted just like homemade rootbeer but I just didnt want to let the children know that.. it was so magical for them to make. Thank you Moms for the great costumes and treats!  You made Halloween a wonderful memory for your child.

This week in preschool we reviewed our shapes, recognizing each letter we have learned in the alphabet and its sound, worked really hard on writing our names, counted to 10 in the 3-4 year old class and counted to 100 in the 4-5 year old class; and did the Letter "H"....h, h, horse. On Monday each child wore a hat and we did some country line dancing with the cowboy hats I have.  The children loved dancing.  Our art project this week was tracing our hands and making a Fall scene with leaves and a few Halloween pics.  (Each child enjoyed designing their own picture).  We talked about the Honey Bee and watched a quick Smithsonian video on how the Honey Bee works and makes Honey.  Each child left preschool with a small bottle of fresh Honey.  Most of the children liked the taste of the Honey in class.  My 4-5 year old children learned another new word and took home a reading book. They read very well in class all their sight words and I just can't thank you parents enough for your positive reinforcement at home. Children will always do their best when they see their parents supporting them  Your children are amazing and I just love teaching them so much.

Letter "G" was a quick letter to learn after spud harvest, but we did it!  They love the phonic sound of Gorilla with it too!  As the children came this week on Monday and Tuesday it was Hat day.  We painted Halloween masks and worked on the Letter "H".  Each child had to come up with a word  that started with the sound of H and I was impressed how many words they came up with. We studied different shapes as we will the month of October and we also talked about patterns.
The Tautphaus Park Zoo animals came to visit this week and because they can only come once I had to double up classes.  The children didn't seem to mind because they were so excited to see the animals until the hugh snake appeared.  It was ok tho, after the ladies told the children they couldn't touch it!  They also brought animals that had passed away just so the children could touch their fur and see the tigers large head and feet - and sharp nails.  All in all, I think it was a great experience to learn about different kinds of animals and what Mammels are..just ask your child and she/he will tell you!

Just a reminder..even though we have spud harvest this week I will be teaching on Monday and Tuesday (Sept. 30, & Oct 1) regular times, after which, there will be no preschool until Oct. 9th.  Please make sure your payment is in by the 1rst so you will avoid a late fee.  Thank you.

Flamingo, fruit, football, fish, feet, fingers, fun were just some of the words the children came up with this week while learning about the letter "F".  Making fruit loop necklaces, and watching a fire safety video was fabulous and fun too.  I think the best part was after watching the video the firemen came from our Rexburg Fire Department crawling into the preschool room.  I wanted the children to experience what it would be like if they were ever caught in a fire and what the firemen really look and sound like.  The firemen told the children to learn the emergency number 911 and to also know their address; to never touch matches and if they see matches to let their parent know.  After the firemen left I had each child learn to Stop, drop, and roll.  I think they had a great time and feel prepared if something like this should ever happen.

I am blown away at how each mother is helping their child learn their sight words.  It helps me so much to continue teaching even more words to them.  In kindergarten they need to have 40 sight words memorized - I believe these children are going to learn about half in preschool - maybe more. Thank you so much for your continued support!

The Letter "E" was a pretty hard letter to learn to write last week.  The children wanted to put more lines then the 3 going across.  This is very typical and so I just helped each child. The children loved our elephant game/song.  I hope they sang it to you jumping up and down.  Our new sight word was handed out.  You will receive your packets this week and inside will be practice sheets with your childs name on it.  PLEASE have your child practice writing his/her name while we have the school districts spud harvest break.  I will be teaching Sept. 30 and October 1, then we will have no school until October 9th.  I was going to try and teach through the school districts break, but there are a lot of you that have made plans to be out of town.

We have a lot of fun surprises coming the month of October. This week is the Letter "F"; Wednesday and Thursday this week (Sept. 25th & 26th) I have invited a Fireman to come all dressed up to surprise the children and show them what a fireman will look like with his oxygen mask on.  I wanted each child to experience what it would be like if there was a real fire.   Then I have a 15+ video that Madison Fire Department has to show the children about fire safety.  It teaches the children in case of a fire to have a safe place to meet outside.  Please try and practice this sometime in your home with his/her brothers and sisters so everyone will be safe.

October 14 & 15th are Wear your favorite HAT day! Please don't forget!

October 16 the Tautphaus Park Zoo Animals are going to come and visit.  They can only come once and so I will have my Tuesday/Thursday classes come on Wednesday with no school being taught on October 17th.
Please check your calenders/notes in your manila envelope that I put in your child's backpack.  All the information will be enclosed.  There will be no show-n-tell that day.

Halloween party will be October 30 & 31rst depending on what day your child attends preschool.  It is a dress-up party but please have your child wear something that he/she can play games in and won't get too hot playing in.  Also, a costume that they will be able to use the restroom, if needed.

Each child please bring 12 treats for each child.  We will decorate our bags so you do not need to bring anything to hold their trick or treat candy they get at our party.

Each class of children that I am teaching are learning the days of the week, shapes, colors, numbers.  My 4-5 year olds are really doing great learning their sight words.  They are doing so good.  I am so proud of each of them.  Thank you parents for working so diligently and helping them have a positive experience reading at home.  Each week as we learn a new letter please help your child find words at home in the kitchen, family room, etc. words that start with that particular letter they are learning about in preschool.  Today I asked each class, as I will in tomorrows classes to go home and find something in their house that starts with the Letter "F".  I would like to do this each week as they learn a new letter. This will only enhance their perceptions and help them understand better what the phonic means of each letter and help them open their eyes to the world around them.  Have a great week!

This week we learned a lot about the letter "B".  We made Bumble Bees, Bluebirds, and Banana Bread.  We learned our Bluebird song and also how to hold our pencils correctly and crayons when we colored the pictures that started with the letter "B".  The children are only in their second week of school, but I see such wonderful personalities and sweet little people who are trying really hard to listen and learn.  Most of the children have learned the Pledge of Allegiance. 
4-5 yr old classes brought home their reading books and read in class together.  It will be fun now to see how they read for you in their homes.  Please keep these books and cards in your manila folders that I give you each month and practice each day with them and help them memorize their sight words and feel confident - they will!

Labor Day Weekend is this coming Monday. NO school will be taught on Monday and Tuesday.  We will see you all on Wednesday and Thursday.  Have a great holiday everyone.

What a wonderful bunch of children this year!  It has really been fun getting to know each of your children.
This week we learned more about the letter A.  We said the Pledge of Allegiance and the children said it great!  They are learning quickly.  We went over our rules in preschool and the children really tried hard to listen and to be polite as other children spoke.  We had show-n-tell on Wednesday&Thursday, as we do every week.  Most of the children remembered to bring something and the children that didn't - it's ok because it is called show-n- TELL! Just help your children understand that it is up to them to remember to bring something to show - not up to the parent.  I sometimes have children say to me, My mom didn't remember - and I always let them know it is "your show-n-tell - not your mothers".  They smile.
My 4-5 year old classes learned their first 4 sight words.  You will see them next week in your manila envelopes.  Please keep them all during the entire school year so during next summer you can work on them during the summer.  Have a great weekend everyone!

The first day of preschool started Wednesday and Thursday.  It was great getting to know each of the children and remembering their names. I believe they each had a great time together because they were all smiling during the time they were here.

In all of the classes we learned about the letter Aa and the sound it makes.  We then learned about freezing to a dance -  when the music stops playing we all freeze.  (They enjoyed this game together and wow, do we have some great hip hop dancers).  The freeze dance is a great way to begin to teach each child about listening closely. We then colored some A pictures and learned the "A" song.  Just ask your child to sing it to you (about an apple tree from Zoo Phonics).

We reviewed colors, shapes and counting to #10.  In the 4-5 year class one young man counted to 40 and the childrens eyes were hugh!  I told the children that they will be able to do that soon too!

The children brought home a flag as we started to memorize the pledge of allegiance.  Again, they were all trying very hard -some already knew it but some did not.  It is always fun to watch how they each help one another learn.

*Each class has 12 students in it so when it is your childs' turn to bring a snack please remember to bring enough for 12 children.

I hope you all have had a great summer so far... I just wanted to touch base and let you all know that preschool starts back up August 14 & 15, 2013.  I still have just a few openings left (3) if you know anyone who may be interested in signing up for the Fall.  I will be sending you a form letter to let you know what you need to bring and do for you child during the school year.  My hip surgery went very well and the doc said I am ready to go.  YEH!  So excited to get started and I will see you all in August!

Just a reminder:  1 week of preschool left!  There will be school all next week.  Wednesday and Thursday classes we will have each mother/child make a cake to give away at our last day of preschool cake walk party!  Thank you so much for a great year of learning and teaching!  You have wonderful, wonderful children who are examples to me of kindness, acceptance of others, and respect.

Graduation for the 4-5 year old children will be May 17th at 11:00 at the East Stake House (by my house and where we had our Christmas program).  Dress up and the program will be "short and sweet".  

My classes for this coming Fall are full....however I have decided to open another class.  This 4-5 year old class will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15 until 2:15. If you know of anyone interested please let them know and give them this blog.  Thank you!

just 2 letters left to do this year and graduation will be just around the corner...
Letter "Y" - what an interesting letter.  The hardest two words we learned were Yacht and Yak.  The kids giggled and giggled trying to remember those words after seeing the pictures of a Yoyo, a Yam and even Yogurt!  But when they encountered the pictures of Yacht and Yak lets just say they struggled a little bit, but with giggles. We also learned several new shapes - (parallel and pentagon).

This week my son Matthew who is serving a mission in Brazil sent us a picture of him in Campanario, Brazil. He was being transferred to a new area.  Enclosed with the picture was a letter that he wrote to his father and I. He told us that he had a lot of humble growing experiences in this area that changed his life.  He said the people there were extremely poor and living conditions were like nothing my son had ever seen or experienced. He said to "watch for every little blessing you can and be thankful for that moment - that blessing".

I did have that moment this week in my little 3-4 year old class.  A child who was showing his show-n-tell was sitting in my big chair as all the children were standing around him checking out the incredible toy he had.  I noticed one of the little girls just stayed in her chair smiling and was somewhere else in her moment of time....as I watched her smiling and realizing what a tuff personal life she was experiencing I couldn't help but call her by her name. She came over to me and I asked her if I could hug her.  She smiled and said yes!  I hugged her and told her how much I love teaching her and what a wonderful person she is.  She hugged me back with her big beautiful brown eyes still smiling and in that moment I just pray she will always know she is a child of God and that He loves her too.... I love these little ones so much.  They are so precious. I am truly grateful for every little blessing that I have and I love being around the Savior every day I teach....

Letter "x" this week was really fun for the children.  They all received little books showing pictures of a human skeleton, a dog, cat and fish.  I then had a real x-ray of a broken arm to show them and they really enjoyed looking at the bone that was broken.  They asked a lot of questions and my favorite one was, "How do you know if you have a broken bone?"  That was the easiest question they gave me. (hehehe)
The 3-4 year olds dressed up in hats and they each had a big net to carry around the yard.  We started to look for creatures flying about and around in the yard.  It was too cold still so this next week we will try to have another adventure if the weather permits and we will see what bug we can find first after our long cold winter.
The 4-5 year old class got their new reading books and I was so impressed at how well they are reading.  I did not help them much and they read like pros!  As with all classes we really played a lot of interactive games and they are such good friends now that it is so fun to watch how they just take care of each other.  They are very special children -

Spring Break until April 10th and 11th!  See you all soon.

We have almost completed learning our alphabet.  This past week we learned more about the letter "W".  I think the children were more excited for our Easter Party tho.  It was great going outside with our easter chalk and writing our names on the cement.  The weather was great for the kids.  I told the children last week as we were learning the letter "v" we would go outside this week and make a volcano.  They each poured vinegar into a cup full of baking soda and watched the volcano fizzle out of the cup.  I then showed them the vocanic rocks I have in my front yard and they touched them and found them to be sharp.  I explained what happens when the lava cools down and they intently listened. I pointed out west and they could see the "R" Mountain and explained to them why it was flat!

For our Easter Party we went outside and the Easter Bunny left some eggs full of candy.  We played games and I listened to the children giggle and smile and have a fun time together!  I love teaching preschool!!!!!

Registration is moving along great this year.  My Monday-Wednesday 4-5 year old class at 8:45-10-45 is full.
The 3-4 year old class on Monday-Wednesdays at 11:00-1:00 has 3 openings left!  I can't tell you how excited I am!
The 4-5 year old class on Tuesday-Thursday still has openings.  I will open another class when this one fills.
Thank you for being an answer to our prayers.  I just love teaching children!!!

This week we learned about the letter "V"  It is always hard for the children after learning how to write the letter "U" last week to change and make it a "v".  I always tell them to remember to slant and then I show them with their fingers to write the "v".  The children who are graduating in the older classes worked on their program coming up in May and I drilled them along with the younger class on things like, "If you say the letter T what word starts with that letter.  We went through the entire alphabet spelling.   They did Super! (it was a little harder of course for the younger children, but they hung in there trying). The 4-5 year age are reading phenomenal.  They have learned their sight words well as the parents have helped them at home too.  

We have been getting ready for the Easter Party this coming week.  The weather report said that it was going to snow and rain this week so I thought I would have our Easter Egg hunt next Wednesday and Thursday before Spring Break.  I hope it was a good idea in that maybe families will be taking off sooner for the weekend trips. I hope all the children will be able to be here.  If not I always save what we make and do in class on special days like this one coming up.

The children designed and made their baskets. We also frosted bunnies and egg shaped sugar cookies.  The children are prepared very well this year for their Kindergarten screenings.  I do have a couple of children who are still struggling with personal trials at home and in preschool concentrating.  When we go to do our letters and sounds they are lost.  If the parents are going over each week what we learned in class that day the kids do very well.   Whether its maturity or whatever, sometimes children come and just do not care to learn.  There will always be a few, however, I have learned in the past that if you give them a lot of love and consistency in teaching they will eventually pick up on what you have been teaching them and they will get it - maybe not as soon as we wished they would, but they will get it.

The Letter "U" was an interesting letter to teach this week.  (under) the table, shoe is (untied), (unlock) the door and of course, (umpire).  I told the children that I had the opportunity to pitch professional when I was younger but choose not to.  I explained to them what an umpire did and they said  "that wouldn't be a fun job getting hit".
The 4-5 year old classes learned meanings and definitions like before-after; same-different; patterns of shapes like circle, circle, square and then repeat.  Not only did they have to identify the shape but also the pattern.  I was very proud of each of them as they learned and their eyes brightened.  These concepts are a little too hard for the children I teach in my 3-4 year old class.  I always touch things lightly for them but in a way that is not overwhelming.  They loved doing the pics I had of the concept of different and same.  These  3 pictures that are the same and 1 different. Again, they have to identify which pic is different.  When teaching children you go by their ages to teach a principle.  In other words, you have 3-4 minutes to teach or 4-5 minutes depending on their ages.  I try very hard to play games that are active games that they are still learning at. If you keep things moving it keeps their thinking levels going. Last week the 3-4 children left preschool saying they were so tired as I opened the door.  Happy, smiling, but tired is exactly what I know they need.

We are getting ready for next months kindergarten screenings.  I have explained to the kids that their parent will take them to the school they will be attending for kindergarten next fall.  When they go inside they will be asked some questions that will be fun to answer. To be polite and listen carefully to the questions and give  the person asking your" best answer". I want to help them feel at ease and not worry about it.  The screening is just a placement test for their classes in the fall. The scores go: 15 to 20 is group 1; 10 to 15 group 2; and anything lower then that is group 3.  Some children freeze when taking tests.  Try to help them be relaxed and ready to go the day of the screening -that is all you can do. I know they will do incredible!!! By the way, in the middle of this by little Brinkley said to me. "Mrs. Dogg ett, Mrs. Doggett...... I said yes Brinkley, she answered "I Love You".  These children are just so wonderful!    

What a great week we had this week.  Bear World came and brought 2 of their 13 baby bears.  The kids had a great time watching them on the rug in front of them trying to walk around for an hour.  Then today and yesterday we had more surprise visitors - The leprechauns left gold chocolate coins and their foot prints on the carpet.  The children kept saying, "This is so magical. this is so wonderful".  I love teaching preschool and watching these beautiful children say and do the funniest things- this coming week we will get back to work!

We finished out our week with the letter "S".  We reviewed writing our names in class, alphabet, phonics song, identifying upper and lower case letters, their sounds, days of the week, months of the year, sight words and new words they are starting to sound out by themselves,the pledge of allegiance, colors, introduced the children to words that rhyme, and syllables. As we are going through all of these I am seeing some wonderful results with each child.  When they first came to preschool to the point they are at now.  It is a wonderful process to watch them grow not only academically, but also socially.  Another great week of growth and development!
I had 3 more phone calls yesterday - My classes are filling up for next year so if you are interested in having your child in preschool next Fall please let me know.  It looks like I will be opening up another class. however, I will wait until the scheduled classes I already have are full.

Preschool began this week with the letter "S".  We finished doing #6 and will be doing #7 next week as we continue with the letter s.  The children practiced their phonics, recognizing upper and lower letters, counted to 100, practiced the months of the year and days of the week, colors, shapes and pledge of allegiance.  They have developed relationships one with another and they instead of playing with a toy at recess they want to interact more with each other.... they especially love dancing to the Freeze song.  I put cowboy hats on them and taught them a few cowboy dance moves and they seemed to like it for about 4 minutes!  Thats ok.  We acted out nursery rhymes, which they love and then we read a book called "Sticky Child".  It has not words in it and the children take turns telling each other what is happening on each page.  They really enjoyed telling their own story.  It was a great way for them to express themselves and help them open up more to each other.

What a great week!  The children had a great Valentines Party this week.  And I have to say "kudos" to all the mothers.  Your amazing mothers and parents to your children!  The cute ideas for your child's Valentine Cards were over the top!  Thank you so much for all the work that each of you did.  You brought a lot of happiness by that work....all of the children just loved the things you made.  I especially loved it when I saw that some of the children even filled out the names of their classmates on their Valentine Cards.  That is so wonderful and encouraging for not only your child, but for all of the children to see. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and hope you all had a great Valentines Day!

Please check your calenders...there will be no school on February 18th (Presidents Day). See you all next week!

Last week we learned about the letter "P".  Had fun making puppets and having our annual puppet show.
We made a pink slush with pineapple, lemonade, and orange juice frozen with pink lemonade also in it.  The children decided whether or not to put pop (sprite) in it or not.  They really enjoyed eating and drinking the pink slush.  They wondered if I got the snow in it from outside! haha it was frozen and had to thaw - then we ate and drank it.
This week we talked about the letter "Q".  We made a quilt out of paper, we finished learning about the months of the year and traced the number "6".  We played concentration with the letter "Q" and the children enjoyed guessing and playing together the game.  We also played a game that teaches the children about patterns.  They picked up on it quickly.

If any parents have a good reading book to read to all the children next week, please let me know and bring it.  I would like to expand from my little library to yours.  Thank you so much!

Yes, I know it's a holiday on Monday (Jan 21st) - but come on - we've gotta have preschool so YES there is preschool on Monday!  See ya there.... and thank you

Letter "Oo" was the letter of the week.  We learned a lot of words that start with the letter O.  See if your preschooler can tell you a word.  One of the words should be "octopus".  I held up large capital letters and had the children identify the letter, the sound and what word starts with that particular letter.  The classes did great!

This month we are learning the Months of  the Year.  The meaning of the word Opposites was introduced.  We had work sheets that helped them understand better the opposites (up-down; hard, soft; day,night; hot, cold etc. )  We made O necklaces and the kids loved it!  We read a story about a boy who wanted an Octopus for a pet because his little brother has allergies.  The children enjoyed the book.  We also made bubble gum (game) learned a new color (fushia) and went through our numbers (6), writing our names, and received a reading book with the new word "come".   The 4-5 classes are doing great!  Thank you Moms for your empowering your child. Their sight words are coming along.  I love to hear them read all together - it really strengthens each other as they read.

No preschool today.  Power outage no heat.  See you on Wednesday!

The New Year has begun and we are heading in the right direction!  The letter  "Nn" was our focus this week along with the "Months of the Year".  So far for our first week back most of the children can repeat the first four months of the year.  We will continue to work on the months of the year until all the children have learned them.  We talked about words that begin with the letter N and we also made our birdnests with "Nn" word pictures to help remind the children what the sound of N is. I told a story about Mr. Noisy!  Ask your child if he/she can tell you the story.  They had to act it out - it was alot of fun watching them.

There are still a few children who are struggling with writing their names.  If your child is in the 4-5 class please continue to help him/her at home. We are now working on writing their last names in class.  If your child is in the 3-4 class we will continue working on it in the classroom setting too.  Sometimes the younger aged children's fingers strength haven't formed yet but it will come as they continue to practice.

I will be putting Fall applications for preschool in your February pymt. envelopes if you are interested in having your child come next Fall.  People in the community and out of state are coming by and calling now for applications for next Fall.  Please get yours in as soon as you can so you can have a good pick as to which time and class you would like your child to be in.  Oh my goodness... its my Anniversary today!!!!