Library and book orders

Library will start tomorrow! Please be careful and keep track. It is due next Tuesday! Also book orders are due Wednesday of this week. Now I am accepting check orders, not online. Make them out to scholastic books.

First week photos

Working in tables

Mrs. Hoffman working in groups

sorting and counting center

burning energy

learning new dances and songs

painting!

Recap and on to Week 2

Week one was a mighty fun success!  The children were very excited to be big kids in school.  They are quickly learning the new rules and routines in the room.  Some things you can practice at home are using the words open and closed when referring to what they can and can't use or play with at a given time.  Also remind them to use quiet voices inside, to make good choices and to practice sharing and taking turns. 
We have begun using the RED YELLOW GREEN Light system.  Each child starts out on green, but if they are making bad choices, they will be put on yellow to remind them to slow down and think.  Red is the result of several warnings on yellow or an action that hurt another child.  Ask them about this.  Encourage GREEN DAYS!!!

This coming week we will be starting the color Red, letter A and our stories will involve Little Red Riding Hood and a variety of 3 Little Pig stories.  We will learn about Wolves as well.  Be sure to ask your child at home to identify the color red and or to point out our letter.  The major concept learned during this time of year is how to underline and draw a line over a subject.  Under and Over are the first 2 directional concepts I teach.  Practice this at home for fun.  Ask them to find the letter A or a specific picture in a magazine and underline it.  The 4's will be doing the majority of the print work, but all will be exposed to the information.  

During Jesus Time, we will be talking about the Creation of the World.  The children will be practicing the Christian Pledge each day as well.  Ask them to recite or share their snack prayer: We fold our hands and softly say, thank you for our food today. AMEN!

My "housekeeping" reminders: Please check your schedule for our special classes like Gym and library.  I don't want to keep extra shoes in the room at this time, so please have them WEAR gym shoes and SOCKS especially on those days.  On library days, have them return their books.  I will be giving the OK to check 1 book out and take them home.  I know this is new, so please be sure to keep track of the book.  We hope to start Library this Tuesday, Aug. 30. PLEASE check and clean out all folders EACH night and return the next day.  This Thursday and each subsequent Thursday, you will get an additional WHITE envelope with office information.  Please return that FRIDAYS.

As always, if you have any questions, please email me.  I will get back to you that same day. 

Thank you for sharing your children with me!
Tanya Boyle

WELCOME TO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR!!

Well, the time has come.  We all love a good vacation, but now it is back to work.  Above is some of the fruit of my labor.

My kids along with all the other CPS students still have a couple more weeks.  Most others have returned.  So first off, I want to wish all my old students a WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!!! Many of them are even starting new adventures in new schools, so I pray that the transition is "easy breezy!"

Next, I want to welcome all my NEW kiddos to LUSA!  I am so excited to finally get  the chance to teach you all!  We will be reading, writing, dancing, playing, exploring and so much more.  The first week will be a getting to know each other week.  We will be writing our classroom rules together as well as starting to enforce them.  These will be posted in my blog after we write them on Tuesday.  We will also be working on routine and independence.  The morning drop off is so important. I ask that you PLEASE stick to the requested drop off routine.  Mrs. Kim Hoffman will be meeting all late students at the door.  PLEASE try to be on time.  Remember, tardiness on a regular basis is very disruptive to the rest of the class and our routine.

Finally, please check your child's folder every day.  There is already a bunch of valuable information coming home Monday and Thursday this week for sure.  This is a purple home and school folder that is also an essential part of responsibility and routine for the children.  If it gets lost, I will ask that you replace it and let me know.

OK, so until later this week, I look forward to our new time together.  I pray that our days are filled with excitement for education and I ask that you do the same.

Tanya Boyle

Great Speech in honor of teachers!

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/entertainment/the_assistant/?p=5865

Remember, kids are more than standardized test results and teacher's performances are more than what the kids get on those tests! 

Check out the Race to Nowhere for more info on this topic!