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Miss Barb's Class

Ms. Barb's Room - March Themes– 2008

Dates to Note:
Fri. March 21^st –No School - Good Friday
Mon. March 24^th – No School -

Week of Mar. 3 - 7  Begin Number 7

        We will begin by introducing the new month, March, on Monday, March 3rd. We will also introduce the number 7 this week for number recognition and 1:1 correspondence. Some of the concepts we plan to include are days of the week, The Seven Dwarfs and Lucky 7.

          Some of the books and poems we plan to read are:

        "7 Little Cookies" Poem and with actions
        Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Random House
        Seven Spunky Monkeys by Jackie French Koller


        Some Activities we have planned:

We will work on the recognition of the number "7" and making a number 7 page for our counting books that we have been working on the past several weeks. We will also talk about and create a chain calendar, counting out the days of the week. We will offer games such as Seven Up and Lucky Seven. In association with the poem, "Seven Little Cookies", we will be frosting and sprinkling sugar on cookies and eat them for our snack. We will also continue to add to our Ants Go Marching counting chart.

Week of March 10 - 14               Number 8

This week we will be introducing the number 8 for numeral recognition and 1:1 correspondence. We will create an 8 number page for our Counting Books. We will also incorporate spiders because all spiders have eight legs.   We will take a look at and talk about the octagon shape and become familiar with it as a stop sign. We also plan to add 9 to our "Ants Go Marching…" Chart.

        Some of the books and poems we plan to read are:
          Eensy, Weensy Spider
        Ten, Nine, Eight
        The Very Busy Spider



Some Activities we have planned:
          We will work on the recognition of the number "8" and making number 8 pages for our counting books (8 spiders). We plan to make giant spiders to decorate our room, make an eight bead necklace and decorate an octagon to look like a stop sign.

Week of March 17 – 20       Easter & St. Patrick's Day Themes   (NO SCHOOL 21^st Easter Weekend Break)
          This week we will work on holiday concepts and celebrate St. Patrick's Day on 3/17 and Easter on 3/20. We will talk about the traditions associated with both of these holidays: St. Patrick Day themes (Shamrock, Leprechauns, Pot of Gold at the end of the Rainbow); Easter (Colored eggs, Easter Bunny).

          Some of the books and poems we plan to read are:
          "I'm a Little Leprechaun" poem
        "A Rainbow" Poem/Song
        " Rainbow Bunny" Poem/Song

        Some Activities we have planned:
          We will be making a shamrock out of 3 hearts and a stem. We plan to talk about leprechauns who look for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. We will listen to the Rainbow Bunny song and paint a rainbow bunny of our own to take home. We will also learn a poem/song about how rainbows are made. We will be dyeing eggs and doing color sort activities with plastic eggs. Of course, we can't leave out an Egg Hunt for our Easter Celebration.


Week of March 25 - 28       9      (NO SCHOOL 24^th) Easter Weekend

          For this week we will introduce the number 9 for number recognition and 1:1 correspondence. We plan to incorporate a train theme into this week with the Engine, Engine Number Nine Rhyme. We will revisit our "Ants Go Marching…" Chart by adding the number 9 to it.

          Some of the books we plan to read are:
          "Engine, Engine Number Nine" rhyme
        Trains
          "Nine Little Birdies" Poem

        Some Activities we have planned:

          We will work on the recognition of the number "9" and making number 9 pages for our counting books. We plan to make a train for our classroom wall with 9 cars. We will make a train in out classroom and pretend we are going on a trip. We will make our own rainbow (reinforcement of color recognition), with a pot of gold at the end. We plan to begin Show and Tell with numbers 1 – 9. Our Number Hunts at Circle Time will use the numerals 1 – 9 this week.

Ms. Barb's Room - February Themes– 2008

Dates to Note:

Fri., Feb 15^th – No School – Staff Development Day

Mon., Feb. 18 – 22 – School Closed Presidents Week

Week of Feb. 4 - 8    Continue Number 5

        We will continue to work on the number five this week, number recognition and 1:1 correspondence. We will incorporate the five senses and we will experience feeling with our five fingers (on each hand) and our five toes (on each foot), as well as smells, tastes sights and sounds with relation to the number 5.

Some of the books and poems we plan to read are:
        The Five Senses Poem and Activity
        "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed" poem/ fingerplay
        Five Little Penguins Slipping on the Ice by Steve Metzger


                  Some Activities we have planned:

This week we will be Creating "5" art, Fishing for 5's, making a human star shape. We plan to talk about our senses and what they do for us. We have planned some hands-on sensory experiences to explain the five senses that we share.

Week of Feb. 11 – 15                  Number 6

This week we will be introducing the number 6 for numeral recognition and 1:1 correspondence. We will be incorporating hearts into our theme this week in honor of Valentine's Day. We will also be celebrating Valentine's Day by creating our own valentine boxes and exchanging cards.

        Some of the books we plan to read are:
          Six Little Ducks by School Specialty Publishers
        The Song of Six Birds by Rene Deetlef

Some Activities we have planned:

We will work on number recognition and will make a six page for our counting book as well as a tactile #6. We will be creating a post office and our very own mailboxes especially for Valentine's Day. We will exchange Valentines with our friends. Also, we will continue to add to our Ants Go Marching counting chart.


Week of Feb. 18 - 22           NO SCHOOL _ WINTER RECESS

Week of Feb. 25 - 29           Number 7
          For this week we will introduce the number 7 for number recognition and 1:1 correspondence. We will be incorporating monkeys into the
          Some of the books we plan to read are:
          Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Random House
        Seven Spunky Monkeys by Jackie French Koller

        Some Activities we have planned:

          We will work on number recognition and will make a seven page for our counting book as well as a tactile #7. We will continue to play the Birthday Card Number Recognition Game and add to our Ants Go Marching counting chart.

Week of Jan 1 - 4     Number 1
         For this short week, we will continue to incorporate winter themes with a focus on the number one.  We will also talk about ourselves (one of a kind) and the concept of being unique.

        Some of the books we plan to read are:
          One Mitten by Kristine O George
        Cluck One by Louise Mathews
        Clifford Counts 1,2,3 by Norman Bridwell

        Some Activities we have planned:
          We will begin by talking about the New Year and new month. As is our custom, we will say "Goodbye" to December and "Hello" to January. We will talk about the fact that January is the 1^st month. We will begin creating a counting book that the children will eventually take home. Making tactile number 1.

Week of Jan. 7 - 11   Number 2
          During this week we will continue with winter themes with a focus on the number two.   We will review body parts (What parts do I have two of?).

          Some of the books we plan to read are:
          Twins by Charlotte Doyle
        The Foot Book by Dr. Seuss
        One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish by Dr. Seuss
        Two Girls Can! by Keiko Narahashi

        Some Activities we have planned:
          We plan to talk about the concept of two in relationship to our bodies (two hands, two feet, two eyes, etc.). We will be making a two page for our counting book. We plan to do some foot painting, a sock sort, and some of the activities in Two Girls Can!, hold hands, leap-frog, hide and seek and dance, dance, dance with friends. Making a tactile #2.



Week of Jan. 14 – 18                   Number 3
          We plan to introduce the number 3 for number recognition as well as 1:1 number correspondence.  We will reintroduce the triangle, (three sides and three points/ angles.  We will look for other things with which we are familiar that come in threes in fairytales and nursery rhymes, tricycles, etc.


          Some of the books we plan to read are:
        1,2,3 Count With Me by Catherine and Laurence Anholt
        Goldilocks and the Three Bears retold by Jan Brett
          Barney's Counting Party by Susan Rich Brooke
        Three Little Kittens familiar rhyme
        Rub a Dub, Dub familiar rhyme
        Baa, Baa, Black Sheep familiar rhyme

        Some Activities we have planned:
          We plan to count and sort triangles, "build" snowman with three parts then sort circles by size to "rebuild them, make three wishes (fairytale reference), and tricycle day. We also plan to incorporate activities with the following nursery rhymes:   Three Little Kittens, Rub a Dub, Dub Baa, Baa, Black Sheep. We will make a tactile #3 and three triangles page for our counting book.


Week of Jan. 21 – 25          Number 4
          For this week we will introduce the number 4 for number recognition and 1:1 correspondence. We will reintroduce the square (four sides, four points/angles) and talk about thing with which we are familiar that come in or have four parts (quarters, four legged animals, four seasons, and four friends in our classroom)

          Some of the books we plan to read are:
          The Surprise Tree by Jean Warren
        My Friends by Taro Gomi
          What Comes In 2's, 3's, and 4's? by Suzanne Aker

          Some Activities we have planned:
          For reinforcing shape recognition and the number 4 1:1 correspondence, we will be using squares in our craft projects as well as in our activities. We will work on number recognition and will make a four page for our counting book as well as a tactile #4. We will begin our Birthday Card Number Recognition Game and add to our Ants Go Marching counting chart.

Week of Jan. 28 – Feb. 1 Number 5
          For this week we will introduce the number 5 for number recognition and 1:1 correspondence. We will take a look at our hands (5 fingers) and feet (5 toes).
          Some of the books we plan to read are:
          Five Little Penguins Slipping on the Ice by Steven Metzger
        The Five Senses School Publishing
         Five Shiny Stars Scholastic
        Laura's Star by
          Some Activities we have planned:
          For reinforcing shape recognition and the number 5 1:1 correspondence, we will be using stars in our craft projects as well as in our activities. We will work on number recognition and will make a five page for our counting book as well as a tactile #5. We will continue to play the Birthday Card Number Recognition Game and add to our Ants Go Marching counting chart.

Transition and Play Time

We begin each day with a period of open play to allow the children time to acclimate and get into the school/program day. This not allows the children to choose which activities they like best* but also allows time for them to socialize in a casual setting. We encourage interaction with friends and other adults who are be in the room. This is also a time when I (or my assistant) can work individually with your child.

* We try to provide a variety of puzzles, toys and games that are fun yet support the skills that we are working on.

Snack Time

Our Snack Time is when we gather (usually at approximately 10:00) to eat the snack of the day. We usually sing an opening song, talk about the theme for the day and who is at school. Then we frequently incorporate the theme of the week (for example cracker circles, apple circles or graham cracker squares). We try to always have nutritional snacks but we sometimes have a treat (cookies, cake, etc.) for special celebrations. If there is anything that you prefer your child does not have, please let us know.

After we finish our snack, we read books while we wait for everyone to be finished. We have a nice selection of books displayed on our shelves with a special focus on our current theme. This reinforces what we are learning during Circle Time and Snack Time Circle.

Circle Time

This is the time that we gather together on the rug to again focus on the current theme. We begin by singing our Circle Song and then we acknowledge each child in class. We sing the "Name Song" (B-I-N-G-O tune, substituting the child's name spelling while they look at their name card. They then put their name card on the board and get to play "The Pizza Song" by pushing the button. (This is adapted to each child's abilities and needs.) We go next to Calendar and then we focus on the theme, incorporating music, stories, language, gross motor and sensory experiences as a group.

Craft Time

Craft time reinforces the theme by providing tactile and sensory experiences which again use more of our senses to help us to learn. We consider the texture as well as smell, sound and visual for those children who have some vision. Our projects are usually highly individualized to incorporate your child's strengths. Take time to talk to your child about the craft work that they bring home. You may be amazed at how much s/he can tell you about it.

Gross Motor Movement

This is a time for using our bodies to move and have fun. We try to incorporate our theme into the type of play we do. For example, the first two weeks we will be giving each other "bus rides" to coincide with the theme of "Wheels on the Bus". The children may push one another in our toy riding car or in a laundry basket which we sing the song. This allows us to include those children who are in wheel chairs too and their wheelchair becomes the "bus". We also spend free time on the playground or in the gym at this time.

Lunch

We try to have everyone eat lunch together, however, some children receive therapy at this time and may be out of the room. We work on any feeding goals that the child has at this time.

Rest Time/ Hygiene

We turn out the lights and all of the children rest on their mats. Many of the children fall asleep at this time. If your child is not sleeping after approximately 20 minutes, we take him/her to the room across the hall for quiet play. We also work on Hygiene at this time. When the children get up from rest time, we will be working on teeth-brushing skills and grooming. (Please see note about what to send into school for this purpose.)

November Themes– 2007

Week of Nov 1-2 (continued from October) Birds

We will be finishing up our Birds Theme and learning about the different feathers from various birds (ducks, pheasants, turkeys, etc.)

Some of the books we plan to read are:Feathers for Lunch by Lois Ehlert

Some Activities we have planned: Feather painting, "Flying" into the Ball Pit, Feather Sorting, Acting out the Feathers for Lunch story

Week of Nov. 5 – 9 Where Do the Animals Go for the Winter?

During this week we will talk about various animals and their winter habitats (Brown Bears, Rabbits, Squirrels)

Some of the books we plan to read are:Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Some Activities we have planned: Making our own animal books, Animal movements (Gross Motor)

Week of Nov. 13 – 16 Gingerbread, Chocolate and other Taste Sensations

This week, we plan to talk about (and sample) some of the tastes of the season…gingerbread, chocolate, cinnamon, anise, etc.

Some of the books we plan to read are:The Gingerbread Man

The Big Block of Chocolate by Jean Slater Redhead

Some Activities we have planned:

Make andDecorate Gingerbread Men, Taste Gingerbread Cookies, Learn about (where it comes from and different ways we use it) and Taste Chocolate.

Week of Nov. 19 – 21 –Thanksgiving, Thankfulness, Turkeys and Veggies

This (short) week we plan to talk about the things associated with Thanksgiving (Thankfulness, turkeys, great veggies to eat!)

Some of the books we plan to read are:I Am Thankful Each Day

Clifford's Thanksgiving Visit by Norman Bridwell, Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks by Margaret Sutherland

Some Activities we have planned: Great Veggies Thanksgiving feast

Week of Nov. 26 – 30 Preparing for Winter

This week we plan to explore the things of winter which we can relate to…putting on more clothes to keep us warm (and what body parts they go on); days are shorter, ways that animals prepare (extension of winter habitats theme).

Some of the books and poems we will read are:When It Starts to Snow by Phillis Gershator, "The Jacket I wear in the Snow" by Karla Kuskin, The Mitten by Jan Brett, The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

Some Activities we have planned: Acting out Karla Kuskin's winter poem about getting dressed for winter, dressing a bear to play in the snow, Snow in the sensory table, Playing outside in the snow if there is any!