Found this article/video on NPR about preschool in the public school setting.  Many aspects of this video are similar to what we do in our preschool class such as play based learning and project led teaching as well as natural and authentic assessment.

http://www.npr.org/2014/04/22/304563233/what-exactly-is-high-quality-preschool

Photos!

Welcome Hannah!

Welcome Brayden!

Happy Birthday to Dylan!

Happy Birthday to Bree!

New Theme Coming Up- All About Sports

One of the many reasons I love preschool is because I get the opportunity to design lessons around the student's interests while still meeting the early learning content standards.  I polled the students and by popular demand we will be transitioning to a sport theme.  This is one theme I haven't done yet in my several years of teaching.   I've planned to have our dramatic play center full of sport clothing and shoes (jerseys, ball caps, helmets, cleats, etc..) and possibly be made into a sporting goods store.  I made it to the local St. Vincent DePaul store near my house and was able to pick up a few things but would be open to donations.  This weekend I will be running around looking for as many balls as I can find.  We will be able to sort balls by kind, size, color etc...  I have plans for many outdoor activities.  I'm looking for portable soccer goals.  In our block center I plan on using incline planes (ramps) as part of a science activity.  We will explore texture through painting with different types of balls.   I have many ideas but if you have anything sport related that you are willing to part  with, donate or even have a connection with please let me know. 
-sport banners
-equipment besides bats and clubs
-balls
-posters
-clothing

News and Updates

News and Updates

April 16, 2014

·     Remember no school Friday the 18th.

·     We have been so busy these last weeks.  Our class is all about dinosaurs right now.  Check out the blog soon for photos.  We have a dinosaur dig in our dramatic play.  We have made fossil dough and eggs with dinosaurs inside.  We have read many books and learned a new song.  Many of the students are able to define carnivore and herbivore as well as the names of many dinosaurs.

·     End of the year picnic.  We like to celebrate our school year with a picnic.  Preschool’s official last day will be June 4th and 5th.  Our picnics will be on June 3rd and June 4th starting at 11.  You are invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs, outside toys (bubbles, balls, kites etc…) and of course a picnic lunch for your family.  We will eat and then celebrate our successes. 

·     FIELD TRIP!  I have been able to secure another field trip for our class.   We are planning on taking the bus to Sunrock Farm on May 27th and May 28th.  We will leave at 9:30 and return to school around 1.  We will have an opportunity to milk a goat, handle baby farm animals, collect eggs, meet farmers, take a tour and enjoy a picnic lunch.   More details and permission forms will be coming soon.  In order for our field trip to be a success we need to have parent/ guardian volunteers join us.  In order to be a volunteer you must have fingerprints completed and on file at the district office.  Please contact me if you think you will be able to join us.  We have a limited amount of funding for adults to join us so it will be first come first serve. 

·     Program on Wheels- I’m in the process of securing the Cincinnati Museum Center’s program on wheels about insects and gardening. 

·     Walk-a-thon is May 22nd.  This is a normal school day for our Tuesday/Thursday class.  Wednesday/Friday students are welcome to come but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

·     Next school year- by now you have heard that preschool and Kindergarten will have school half days Tuesday-Thursday.  I’m waiting on confirmation of times but I believe they are roughly 8:30-11:15 and 12:15-3.   If your child is returning to preschool I have polled you and found out whether you’d prefer morning or afternoon.   I will do my best to honor your requests.  Our class this year and in years past has had 8 students on IEP’s and 4 students who are not on IEP’s and pay tuition.  Next year this is changing to an 8 and 8 model (8 with IEP’s and 8 without).  If you know someone interested in a tuition spot for our program please have them contact me.

·     Remember to enroll your child in Kindergarten if he or she is transitioning. 

·     We welcome Brayden and Hannah to our Wednesday/ Friday class.  Both classes are full with 12 students each.