Mahalo!

Gracias, Mahalo, Thank You and ! These were some focus words this week.  The children learned a new song called "Mahalo" by Laurie Berkner along with some actions.  We used the 4 ways of saying thank you in a variety of situations all week. Ask your child to respond using one of these ways. We said thank you God for many of the people and things we have in life. 

We are spending a lot of time on family.  The children all brought in family collages and shared them with the class.  They are hanging up until the last day of school next week.  We learned about cousins and siblings and grandparents and most importantly, how all families look DIFFERENT!  It is important to explore the different types of familes out there as our children are exposed to so many different people.  I told them I would send their posters home next week and they could hang them up at home, so don't be shocked to hear that. haha. 

In small groups we have been working on a lot more math skills.  We are doing number identification along with writing some numbers.  Some groups are working on matching along with identifying same and different.  A few children have begun some sight words!  Our letter focus was still Ff.  With the short week next week, we will be reviewing A-F and sequencing.  G, H and I will be covered before Christmas.  As you practice these things at home in anyway that you choose, please reinforce the lowercase letters as those tend to be the more difficult ones.  Also please teach all names in proper fashion of Uppercase followed by lowercase.  This is the way they will learn in here and throughout school.  All uppers is a hard habit to break.

Today, we talked about quilts.  We watched a video of The Patchwork Quilt.  This is a picture book about a grandma who teaches her granddaughter about why she makes a patchwork quilt.  The book takes an engaging approach to teaching the importance of family and tradition.  After, we made our own "SCHOOL FAMILY" quilt.  We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and therefore a family of our own! 

If for some reason your child is going to be out next week, please email me or send a note prior so we plan accordingly.  Obviously if your child is sick, a phone call to the office is fine.  In any case, do notify us in some way.

Finally, many children were prepared for the cold weather today.  I would like ALL children weather ready by tomorrow.  I will admit I forgot my gloves too, but I am not running about, my hands were ok in my pocket.  Some could not be outside for more than 5 minutes today due to the cold.  We should be outside for a good 15 minutes on days like today.  They need the fresh air!  So please send them in pants, WINTER coats, hats and gloves.  No need for boots until it snows. 

I will not blog next week, but I will be posting photos later tonight or tomorrow! I wish you many thanksgiving blessings~!  Enjoy your families and enjoy your food! Be thankful to God!

TB :)