As April arrived, the children also arrived to school on April 1st to new table arrangements and table names. There's lots of chirping going on as our groups are now named after local birds such as the Robin Red Breast, Cardinal, Pileated Woodpecker , Hummingbird and Black-capped Chickadee.
I also have placed little chirping stuffed animal birds from the Audubon Society at the tables and the children have been enjoying listening and mimicking them.
As an added treat we have also been watching a live cam from Duke Farms showing a mother Bald Eagle sitting on her eggs. They are expected to hatch any day. Click on the following link to watch the action!
http://www.dukefarms.org/page.asp?pageId=565 As Spring brings so many beautiful signs of life, take the time to enjoy nature at its best. Take your child on a Nature Walk, pause to hear the sounds of birds. Get some non-fiction books out from the Library on birds, plants, flowers and trees. Go to the Reeves Reed Arboretum with a book and sit under a cherry blossom and drift into another world and escape the hustle and bustle! Bring some watercolors or colored pencils and draw, using detail, what you see.
As our Writing program becomes more intense, I am working with the children and teaching them that detail is critical. As you continue to have conversations with your child, try to elicit more information, having them use describing words, and elaborating on their thoughts. We will be working with the children during writing opportunities, having them begin to write more than one sentence. They will continue to expand on their writing, and conversation is the best way to begin this skill. Good talkers are good writers!
We continue to read many non-fiction books and are learning lots of facts about birds, bugs, whales, and sharks and baby animals. Did you know that a baby kangaroo is only as big as your fingernail when it is first born? Ask your child to share some facts that they have learned. This week I will have the children choose a non-fiction book which they will bring home. These books belong to the various Summit Elementary Schools Libraries and you and your child will be responsible for it. If the book is lost you will be responsible for its replacement and fines. Please take the time to read this book and collect some facts with your child. You will be amazed at what you will learn!! Please remember that the book chosen is on a topic that your child has expressed an interest in. Encourage daily reading and follow up with more books to expand their knowledge! Here are some suggestions: http://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Nonfiction-books-Preschool-Kindergarten/lm/R2RTHTDGFFKOIE
Heads Up! There is no school on Friday, April 10th. Spring break begins April 10th and classes resume on Monday, April 20th. Have a wonderful vacation, wherever you may be!
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