This week we will be learning about feelings. It is a great chance to talk about our own emotions as well as recognize the emotions in others. Here are the lesson plans:
The week after, we will be talking about fall and after that, harvest veggies and a class favorite, our play farmers’ market. We will be looking for donations for the play market in the next two weeks, so please keep an eye out! Thanks!
Our picture time has not been confirmed yet, but most likely it will occur right at drop off so that you can stay with your child when their picture is taken. This does take a little longer than a normal drop off, so please plan your time accordingly. If your child is in the TTH class, you can still bring your child for picture day. As we get closer to the date, I will give you more info.
Visit the website above. Create an account and then connect your child to our classroom. Search by zip code (48124) and you will find Duvall Developmental Preschool. Select Kerri Lackey as the teacher.
All orders under our classroom account help us buy books for the children and the classroom.
Just a reminder that the field trip is this Wednesday. It starts promptly at 10:15. The orchard asks everyone to arrive at 10:00 so we can take a head count and start on time. Remember that we meet at the orchard, not the school. It takes about 30 minutes to get there from Dearborn. It looks like the weather will be warm and sunny, so please dress accordingly. See you there!
Next Friday, October 6, we will be making applesauce and we will need apples. We are asking each child to bring in one apple to contribute. It can be any type of apple except red delicious as we’ve noticed in the past that they don’t make the best applesauce. Thank you so much! We look forward to making applesauce with your children!
Today we go to the library for the first time. Children will bring their books home and turn them in Wednesdays at drop off. This is the drop off bin your children will use.
We hope your children have been getting into the swing of coming to school and that they are excited to see their friends and learn new things. We have seen returning friendships blossom and new friendships begin. This is an exciting time for the children as they are beginning to really understand how important their peers are. You might start to see some of this at home as the children tell you stories about school. You may also notice them start to compare themselves academically with their peers, for example, your child might suddenly become very interested in writing their names because their friend can write theirs. This is completely normal and a great way for you to work on their academic interests at home. It’s ok if your child isn’t showing these interests yet; children are naturally curious, so it will come in time and you don’t need to force it.
We have begun working on the alphabet in school by using the Alphafriends, which are always a big hit with students. Each Alphafriend has a name and song, so everyday, we are getting up and dancing to the letters. Ask your child which Alphafriend they met for the day and see if they remember the name.
Starting this week, we will be taking your child to the school library to check out a book. We will go every Wednesday so the previous week’s book will be due at drop off every Wednesday. The children learn about how to take care of a book that isn’t theirs, they learn how to interact with another adult (the librarian) who they aren’t familiar with and to ask her questions. It’s a great experience!
Speaking of great experiences, we will be starting a fun and free in school presentation in October. On October 16, LAHC (Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities) will come in for the first time for about 40 minutes to teach the children about healthy eating and habits. They will visit every Monday for six weeks and will bring a healthy snack with them for the children to try. They usually bring a hand out for me to give to you as well about the day’s lesson.
Also starting in October, Mrs. Lackey and I will be sitting down one-on-one with each of your children to assess where they are academically. This is something we will do three times a year and then turn the assessment into their home school for kindergarten. Do not worry about this assessment. We keep it fun for them by not only asking questions, but by playing games as well. Plus the kids really like being one-on-one with their teacher.
And last, speaking of assessments, please try to finish your ASQ by the end of this week. Next week, I will begin printing reports and going over them with you. This will take me a few weeks to print them all and talk to each person so please be patient with me. Thanks so much!
We hope all of your children are getting into the swing of going to school and are excited to come each Tuesday and Thursday. They love going to the playground and ask about it a lot during the day (pictures to follow shortly). They enjoy exploring the room and checking in with what the other students are doing. There hasn’t been a lot of cooperative play yet, which is to be expected. Don’t be surprised or disappointed when your child cannot tell you the name of anyone in their class. That is very normal. They are spending a lot of time jumping from one activity to the next and are rarely playing with other children. This will begin to change about halfway through the year. We are working on sitting at the carpet for circle times (we have three brief ones, including the story at the end of the day) and are starting to get better at walking in a line. We’ve spent class time discussing our classroom rules, which are :
Keep your hands, feet, and body to yourself
Use walking feet
Use inside voices
Be kind
We’ve talked about what they look like and when it’s ok to touch a friend (when they need a hug or if we ask them if it’s ok to touch them), when to use running or loud voices (outside) and when to be kind (ALWAYS!). Mrs. Lackey and I have even done some roleplaying to show the kids what not to do. So there is A LOT going on in our classroom everyday! If you ever have any question about what is going on in class, please let me know.
A few important dates: On Tuesday, October 3, Dearborn Public Schools is closed which means there is no preschool that day as well. So that week, the first time we will see you is at the field trip.
Please try to finish your ASQ by the end of this week. Next week, I will begin printing the reports and going over them with you. Please be patient as this will take me a few weeks to get to everyone.
On October 5, we will be doing an apple taste test and we will need some donations if you are able. We are looking for three families to bring in the following:
3-4 red apples
3-4 yellow apples
3-4 green apples
If you are able to bring in one of the above, please send me an email or tell me in person next week. Thank you so much! It’s a fun activity and the kids love trying the different types of apples.
Just a reminder that our field trip will be on Wednesday, October 4 at 10:15am (arrival time is 10am). Remember that we do not take a bus to our field trips. You will need to drive your child there, stay for the field trip, and drive them home. Feel free to carpool with another family if you wish. Dress for the weather as we will be outside for the majority of the field trip. Luckily our weather has been so nice lately; hopefully it continues to stay this way! If you haven’t turned in your field trip form and money yet, please try to do so by Tuesday. I need to give the apple orchard a head count by Thursday. Thanks so much!
