January 23, 2019

Dear PreK Families,

We jumped right back into work after the winter vacation. We did a short author study on Jan Brett and read several of her more well known stories,
The Mitten, The Hat, and The Three Snow Bears. Each class created their own group story about The Mitten, each child dropped a mitten and an
animal crawled into it. We discussed what animals do in the winter, some migrate, some hibernate, and some stay active. We looked for animal tracks
on the playground and listened for birds chirping.

Right now, we are working on a unit about Arctic Animals.  The students have enjoyed playing with arctic animals in the sensory table. Each day we
scooped up snow to put into the sensory table and added our play animals. Students could then put on mittens and dig into the snow.  We will
complete some science activities on how animals keep warm in such cold weather. And we will do some arctic animal themed Yoga. The class also
did journal entries on arctic animals and completed a mini book to take home. Next week, we will be learning more about snow, since we have so
much of it right now!

In Literacy, we have finished introducing all of the letter names, keywords, and sounds. Next, we will begin to write the uppercase letters. Many
children are very interested in this work right now. If your child is writing at home, please encourage a proper three point tripod grip and to make
letters from the top down, no letters start from the bottom up.

We will also be learning how to write numbers and making a number writing book. We have continued to do regular work on counting and
recognizing numbers. Students have been counting objects, and comparing amounts for more, less and the same. This is something that you
could do at home too. Next, we will be doing work around shapes.

After that, we will be getting into the next month. Please mark your calendars for February 13th. We will have a Valentine Card & Craft Sale at
drop off time. Students may invite a special family member to visit our class, have a snack and buy a card or craft. Sales will be by donation
and each class will make a donation the Humane Society.

We will have a Valentine’s Card Exchange Party and special snack on February 14th. You only need to sign your child’s name on each card
or let them write it themselves. Cards do not need to be labeled with classmates’ names. Please do not send in any candy treats with
Valentine’s Cards. We will post a snack list for families to make a donation to later this month.

IMPORTANT DATES:

2/13 PreK Valentine Card and Craft Sale (Family Member Visit)

2/14 Valentine’s Day Card Party

2/15 PreK In-Service: NO PREK

Thank you,

Mrs. Zayas & Mrs. Paronto