Winter Performance

This week the children performed at the winter fine arts showcase. The children sang and danced as a group. They were really brave to perform in front of the school. The children have learned so much from our music department.

Esta semana los niños realizan en el invierno escaparate de Bellas Artes. Los niños cantaron y bailaron las canciones tradicionales de invierno. Eran muy valiente para llevar a cabo en frente de la escuela. Los niños han aprendido mucho de nuestro departamento de música.

Go Chiefs!!!

Today we got to go watch "The Princess and the Frog." at the movie theater and afterwards got to meet our very own Kansas City Chiefs. They were really cool and they gave us some treats. After they explained to us that they were not elves but football players, we wished them luck on their game. The players laughed when Alex and Brayan said, "Mr. Nick they are bigger then you, like monsters."

Hoy llegamos a ir a ver "La princesa y la rana". en el cine y después llegó a conocer nuestra propia Kansas City Chiefs. Eran realmente fresco y nos dieron algunos gustos. Después nos explicaron que no eran elfos, pero los jugadores de fútbol, que les deseó suerte en su juego. Los jugadores se rieron cuando Alex y Brayan dijo, "Sr. Nick son más grandes, entonces, como monstruos.".

Watercolors

The kids always have the opportunity to paint during centers but recently I realized that we had not painted with watercolors this year. This week we worked with Mr. Elrod in the art studio and created some great pieces that we will display in the classroom. The kids were really engaged and took their time painting.

Los niños siempre tienen la oportunidad de pintar en los centros, pero recientemente me di cuenta de que no había pintado con acuarelas de este año. Esta semana hemos trabajado con el Sr. Elrod en el estudio de arte y creó algunas grandes piezas que se mostrarán en el salón de clases. Los niños estaban realmente comprometidos y tomaron su tiempo pintando.

Our New Friend: Jasmis

We got a big surprise today, as we got a new friend in the classroom. Her name is Jasmis and we are going to work hard in showing her how to be a caring and thoughtful pre-schooler. Today we showed her how to join our community on the carpet, how to choose centers, how to talk to friends, and to have fun.

Tenemos una gran sorpresa hoy, ya que tenemos un nuevo amigo en el aula. Su nombre es Jasmis y vamos a trabajar duro en el que muestra su manera de ser un cuidado pre-escolar y reflexivo. Hoy nos mostró cómo unirse a nuestra comunidad sobre la alfombra, cómo elegir los centros, cómo hablar con los amigos, y para divertirse.

"I can put it together."

A few weeks ago our mat shelves arrived and they have been setting in the house area in boxes. We have been waiting on the tools and materials that were needed to build. The materials arrived yesterday and I told the kids that I would build them as soon as I get the time. A few the kids shouted that they could build them and asked to help. Later on in the day I decided to see if they could indeed build the shelves with my help. The kids choose to use their free time to build the shelves and it took them about two hours. I am proud to report that they did indeed build the shelves and they are very strong. By the end they didn't need my help at all!

Hace unas semanas llegó a nuestras estanterías tapete y se han venido estableciendo en la zona de la casa en cajas. Hemos estado esperando en las herramientas y materiales que se necesitan para construir. El material llegó ayer y le dije a los niños que iba a construir tan pronto como llegue el momento. Algunos de los niños gritó que podían construir ellos y le pidió que ayudara. Más tarde en el día que decidí ver si realmente podían construir las estanterías con mi ayuda. Los niños eligen utilizar su tiempo libre para construir las plataformas y les llevó cerca de dos horas. Estoy orgulloso de informar que, efectivamente, la construcción de los estantes y que son muy fuertes. Al final no necesita mi ayuda en absoluto!

Patterns

Every quarter before grading periods I will conduct an assessment on the children's skills. Today I wanted to know if they could still create simple patterns. Instead of the children setting at a table and showing me with blocks, we decorated frames with different patterns from different materials. The children broke off into pairs and discussed the patterns and materials they were going to use. Next they went and got their materials and placed them on the frame in a pattern. Next they used Tacky Glue to firmly place their items on the frame. The children really enjoyed this activity and I got my assessments done and we both got great pieces of work to hang in our classroom.

Cada trimestre antes de los períodos de calificación que llevará a cabo una evaluación de las habilidades de los niños. Hoy quería saber si todavía podría crear patrones simples. En lugar de los niños en el establecimiento de una mesa y me mostraba con bloques, que los marcos decorados con diferentes modelos en diferentes materiales. Los niños se dividieron en parejas y se discutieron los patrones y los materiales que se va a utilizar. A continuación vino y consiguió los materiales y los colocó en el marco de un patrón. Siguiente usaron pegajoso pegamento para colocar sus productos con firmeza en el marco. Los niños realmente disfrutado de esta actividad y tengo mis evaluaciones hecho y que ambos tenemos grandes piezas de trabajo para colgar en nuestra aula.

Publishing Party

Before we went on holiday break we got to show off all of our shape learnings by hosting a publishing party. After we completed our shape books we invited Ms. Raferty's first grade classroom over to our class. The kids shared their books with the first graders and talked about their learnings. Parents the pre-k shape books are on display outside of our classroom. Please come and take a look at our shape books.

Antes de entrar en receso por las fiestas que tenemos para mostrar todas las enseñanzas de nuestra forma de hacer una fiesta de publicación. Después de completar nuestra forma de libros que invitó a las aulas de primer grado de la Sra. Raferty a nuestra clase. Los niños compartieron sus libros con los niños de primer grado y habló de sus aprendizajes. Libros de los padres de la pre-forma k se exhiben fuera de nuestra clase. Por favor, venga y eche un vistazo a nuestros libros de forma.

Bark George!!

On Friday we got the wonderful opportunity to see one of our favorite classroom books "Bark George" come to life through Paul Mesner Puppets. The children had a wonderful time watching the puppets and meeting Paul Mesner and his crew after the show. Parents if you are looking for a great family outing then I would check out the Paul Mesner Puppet Studio. The studio is one of the leading puppet studios in America.

http://www.paulmesnerpuppets.org/home.html

El viernes tenemos la maravillosa oportunidad de ver uno de nuestros libros favoritos de clase "Bark George" cobran vida a través de títeres Paul Mesner. Los niños pasaron un tiempo maravilloso ver los títeres y el cumplimiento de Paul Mesner y su tripulación después del espectáculo. Los padres, si usted está buscando una gran familia excursión a continuación, le echaría un vistazo a cabo el Estudio de Paul Mesner Títeres. El estudio es uno de los principales estudios de títeres en América.

Block Play=Learning

The following information on the importance of block play comes from National Association of Young Children (NAEYC)

Socially -- Blocks encourage children to make friends and cooperate. Large block play may be a young child's first experience playing in a group, while small block play may encourage an older child to work with others in solving problems.

Physically -- When children reach for, pick up, stack, or fit blocks together, they build strength in their fingers and hands, and increase eye-hand coordination. Around two, children begin to figure out which shapes will fit where, and get a head start on understanding different perspectives -- skills that will help them to read maps and follow directions later on. Blocks help kindergarten and primary grade children develop skills in design, representation, balance and stability.

Intellectually -- Blocks help children learn across many academic subjects. Young children develop their vocabularies as they learn to describe sizes, shapes, and positions. Preschoolers and kindergarteners develop math skills by grouping, adding,
subtracting and eventually multiplying with blocks. Older children make early experiments with gravity, balance, and geometry

Creatively -- Blocks offer children the chance to make their own designs, and the satisfaction of creating structures that did not exist before. Beginning at the age of two, children may use a variety of blocks for pretend-play. Children may become life-sized actors in large block structures, or use figures to create dramas in miniature landscapes.
Children value their own block structures whether or not they represent specific things. Rather than asking a child, "What did you make?" say, "Tell me about what you made." This will encourage a dialog and offer the child new opportunities to explore.

Resources:
Hirsch, E.S. 1996. The Block Book.(Third Ed.) Washington, DC: NAEYC. #132/$5.
NAEYC. 1993. Block Play: Constructing Realities (video). Washington, DC: NAEYC.#838/$39.

Celebration Pictures

Here are some pictures of our celebration with 8th grade. The 7th and 8th grade students were great hosts and made us feel real welcome. Thanks-Mr. Nick

Aquí están las fotos de nuestra celebración con 8 º grado el pasado viernes. Los chicos más grandes fueron grandes anfitriones y nos hizo sentir realmente bienvenidos.
Gracias de 8 º grado-el Sr. Nick

Working with the big kids!

Last week Pre-K helped 8th grade move and smooth two huge piles of woodchips for our playground. We worked for about 40 minutes in the morning and for an hour in a half in the afternoon. It was a wonderful learning experience for the children as they got to work together as a community and complete a incredible task. The next day we had a celebration with 8th grade and made some new "Big Friends". Today we reflected on our experience by writing and drawing. Parents ask your child about the work they did with 8th grade and the woodchips.

La semana pasada, Pre-K ayudado a mover de 8 º grado y lisa dos pilas enormes de astillas de madera para nuestro patio de recreo. Hemos trabajado durante unos 40 minutos en la mañana y durante una hora en medio de la tarde. Fue una experiencia maravillosa para los niños, ya que se pusieron a trabajar juntos como una comunidad y completar una tarea increíble. Al día siguiente tuvimos una celebración con el 8 º grado e hizo algunos de los nuevos "Grandes Amigos". Hoy reflexionamos sobre nuestra experiencia de la escritura y el dibujo. Los padres se preguntan a su hijo sobre el trabajo que hicieron con el 8 º grado y la astillas de madera.

Pumpkin Patch

We had a great time at Johnson's Farm in Belton Mo. We got to pet some of the farm animals, find our way through the maze, play in the hay, and pick a pumpkin to take home. The kids did not complain once about getting rained on and slipping in the mud. It was a pretty nasty day but we made the best of it!

Tuvimos un gran tiempo en la granja de Johnson en Belton Misurí Llegamos a acariciar algunos de los animales de granja, encontrar nuestro camino a través del laberinto, jugar en el heno, y recoger una calabaza para llevar a casa. Los niños no se quejó una vez acerca de cómo la lluvia y los resbalones en el lodo. Fue un día muy desagradable, pero hemos hecho lo mejor de ell

Pre-K Painting

I wanted to share some pictures that I took of the children while they were painting this week. The children had a great time painting and sharing their work. They discussed the colors they used and what they painted.

Quería compartir con ustedes algunas fotografías que tomé de los niños mientras ellos estaban pintando de esta semana. Los niños tenían una pintura mucho tiempo y compartir su trabajo. Hablaron de los colores que utiliza y lo que pintaba.

Read For The Record

Mr. Elrod reading to Kevin and Alejandro.

Edgar Third Grade and sister Melissa
Levi, Lavannah, with big brother Thomas
Coach C reading to Jacob
Ms. Rachel reading to Brayan
Mia, Nicole's mom Laura, Nicole's sister, and Nicole
Mr. Molick reading to Abraham
Elaina reading with Grandma
Mr. Pecina reading La Oruga Muy Hambrienta

On October 8 SVN preschool participated in The Read for the Record Event. Along with SVN, hundreds of thousands of adults and children across the country read The Very Hungry Caterpillar in a record breaking celebration of reading, service, and fun.

As part of our celebration we had guest readers come in and read to the children. Mr. Elrod and Mr. Pecina from SVN's art team came and read and discussed the illustrations used in the book. Coach C and Ms. Rachel SVN's PE and dance instructors, and Mr. Molick are special education instructor also came in and read one on one with the pre-k children. We also had families join us as Elaina's grandmother, Nicole's mom and sister, Melissa's brother Edgar a SVN third grader , and Levi and Lavannah's brother Thomas, a SVN fifth grader joined us in reading the story.

After the reading our guests joined us in watching a video of Eric Carle, author of the Very Hungary Caterpillar read his story. After our viewing we ate our Very Hungary Caterpillar cake and drank fruit punch. Pre-K would like to thank all of the teachers and families who read to us, and the teachers who let us borrow copies of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Guinness's Book of World Records.

Parents tonight ask your children about the Read for the Record Event. Ask then who read to them, what book we read, and how the cake tasted!

Random Pictures of Pre-K

Melissa swinging on a rope with Coach
Sleeping on our first bus ride.
Sorting math materials by color.
Brayan eating a tomato at the farm.
Mia climbing on two huge tires

I would like to share some random photo's that I found. We sure were busy in our first month of school. I look forward to the upcoming months with the Pre-K boys and girls.

Using our body to have fun.

Each week Ms. Pam visits our room and teaches us how to use our small and large muscles. We have got to crawl through a dragon, bounce on a exercise ball, and limbo under a musical chicken. We really look forward to her visit. Parents ask your children tonight what they did with Ms. Pam this week, ask them to show you by using their body.

Bang the Conga Drums!!!

Twice a week are afternoon friends get to visit SVN's music team: Mrs. Nordeen and Mr. Dubose. Each time we visit we get to explore new musical instruments. Last week we got to bang on a conga drum and dance around the drums. We had a great time moving to the beat.