Well.... it was a heck of a week and I am very happy be be back in class with Mrs. Lenck and the children. I managed to get a viral bug that made me think I was having an appendicitis attack and was admitted into Overlook Hospital. Over a few days, I had several tests to rule out may things. I was eventually discharged and had some time to recuperate at home.
Mrs. Lenck and I were in constant communication and it was a relief for me to know that the children were in good hands. A BIG round of applause to her, please!!
We are all back in the swing of things and on our regular school schedule. On Friday, I introduced our new Science Unit, The 5 Senses, and will continue to discuss them over the next few weeks.
You can extend this learning at home by helping your child become more aware of his/her sense of sight, sound, touch, smelling and tasting. We will be probing, asking questions, making observations, recording and discussing these senses and become Sense Experts!
We will start with the sense of sight. Look carefully at an object and start to help you child use some words to describe what they see, not just "nice" or "pretty" or "yucky"! This is an opportunity to develop new vocabulary. Use words like smooth, bumpy, rough,
pointy, etc. After a while their observation skills will become fine tuned. This is an example of what we will be doing in class.
Class discussions and student participation is critical! We need to help these brains to grow!
We also have been enjoying watching the changes that are occurring around Wilson School during Autumn. During a nature walk around the grounds, an observant student saw a beautiful hawk perched in the nearby tree. Talk about "eagle eyes"!
We also listened to the sounds of nature and the calling of a mother Blue jay cawing to warn of an oncoming danger.
And of course who can't refrain from jumping into a pile of leaves and listening to the crunching sounds they make! I think Autumn is my favorite season. Talk to your child, share your favorite season and talk about why it is. What is their favorite and why? Remember, "because I like it" is NOT an appropriate response!
We concluded our Social Studies Unit on Friendship, but of course, we will continue to reinforce and encourage kind words and developing Friendship skills throughout the year.
Thanks to the Class Moms who have worked together to compile a list of email addresses. This is an opportunity to make "play dates" for the children and also get to know each other better.
Question: Would you be interested in an evening activity for parents? In past years I used to do a "Math Night" where parents came into the classroom and "become 5-6 year olds". It's a Hands On opportunity for you to become familiar with the Math Their Way program. You can respond to the Gmail account if you think you would be interested. I have to have at least 50% (20 adults). If you have any other suggestions for an evening activity please let me know.
With the car line, I know it is difficult to have a close relationship with parents, and I miss that. I am very happy to attend evening activities or perhaps an "early bird" breakfast before school starts. This would be an opportunity to meet and have some friendly chats, NOT to discuss any concerns or to conference about your child's progress.
There will be opportunities later in the school year for that.
Enjoy this beautiful weather!
Judi Fisher
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