Hello Families,

Last Monday, we brought out our Halloween themed games and activities.  We traced and cut out orange pumpkins, which we turned into Jumping Jacks and Jackies!  The children added faces to their pumpkins and then added 2 legs and 2 arms.  They each had 4 strips of black paper which they folded accordion style to create the “jumping” effect.  We also took  a trip to Letterland to learn about Harry Hat Man.  We learned that he likes things to be quiet so you can hear his soft “h,h,h” sound.  He makes hundreds of hats and lives on a high hill. 

On Tuesday, our Peer Readers came over and we read some silly Halloween stories as a group. Our next visit will have the second graders reading to their Preschool partner.  We also had time to decorate our poem and song books for Halloween.  The children have been working hard to memorize many of the songs!

Some of the children helped Mrs. Olsen make our first batch of play dough last Wednesday.  We were hoping for blue, but it turned out light green.  The children explored with Halloween themed cookie cutters while manipulating the dough.  Harry Hat Man made a visit and we learned the poem to remember how to write his letter:

“Hurry from the Hat Man’s head down to his heel on the ground.  Go up and bend his knee over, so he’ll hop while he makes his sound.” 

Mrs. Caputo, who was teaching with Mrs. Olsen while Mrs. Atwater was away, visiting another school,  read The Vanishing Pumpkin, by Tony Johnston and then did a movement activity with the children.  They were thrilled and enjoyed having her as a guest teacher!

On Friday we went on our annual Pumpkin Walk.  We  joined the Kindergarten class and were thrilled when we spied something in the distance….it seemed to be a fairy….beckoning us to follow……which we did across the campus and to a field filled with magical pumpkins.  It was an adventure we will always remember.  You can see pictures of our adventure in an earlier blog. 

Monday greeted us with a chilly, snowy Halloween! Our classroom was overtaken by a Policeman, Rapunzel, a Fire Fighter, Robin Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Thomas the Tank Engine, a Woodland Fairy, Batman, a butterfly and a jellyfish!  We had a wonderful parade around the BCD campus and got to show off our costumes to lots of “big kids” and faculty members.  Everyone said we all looked fantastic! In the classroom the children got to play in Witch’s Brew, which consisted of purple water with glitter and lots of snakes, spiders, bats and skeletons.  They also played with a number of dress-ups, the Pumpkin Pom-Pom Toss and Halloween cookie cutters with the green play-dough.  Margaret shared a really fun Halloween BINGO game, which we all enjoyed.  Each child received a Halloween pencil after reaching BINGO!  Our Halloweeny snack and lunch times were filled with yummy and healthy treats.  Thank you to everyone who contributed to our party, we had a spook-o-licious time. 

 

Tuesday we had our first recess in the snow.  We talked about the BCD snow rules that include: no throwing snow and no eating snow.  We encourage the children to work together to build snow sculptures and forts.   Please be sure your child has the following items to better enjoy their time in the wet snow: snowpants, a warm jacket, boots, hat, mittens(waterproof or resistant are best) and an extra pair of socks to change into.  These items can all be left at school if you wish.  Please be sure to label everything, so that we can ensure items are returned to you if misplaced.  Preschool will go outside everyday as long as the air temperature is reasonable.

We celebrated Ben’s Star Day on Wednesday. His mom, Courtney, dad, Andrew, and brothers James and Emmet joined us for Morning Meeting.  We learned that when Ben was little he loved to make his brothers laugh.  Now that he is bigger he continues to make his brothers laugh, but he also likes to play Spud.  Ben’s favorite food is yogurt and granola.  On vacation on a ranch in Wyoming, he really liked to go horseback riding.  His mom read us the silly story Imogene’s Antlers,  by David Small.  Little Pea by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, was another story that he brought in to share.  Ben shared pictures of himself with his family, as well as his grandparents, cousins and friends on an IPad.  He did a fine job   They brought in apples and honey and delicious brownies to share with the class.  Happy Star Day, Ben!

On Thursday, November 17th we will join Kindergarten for our annual Friendship Lunch.  Earlier in the week we will spend time with our Kindergarten friends to prepare some of the courses of the meal.  As the details regarding the menu of this special feast unfold, we will let you know.  This is one way we celebrate being a part of a community. 

We would like to thank everyone for taking the time to join us for Parent/Teacher Conferences this week.  It is always nice to have the time together to reflect on your child’s experiences and development.  They have all grown so much in just the first two months of school!  Please let us know if you have any further questions, concerns or thoughts and we will be happy to schedule additional time to meet with you.   

A new set of book order flyers will be sent home next week.  Please feel free to order from these or place your order online with our activation code: J6XGN.   The book orders are due Thursday Nov. 17th and will be in before our Winter Break.  Remember that there is also the BCD Book Sale coming up Monday Nov. 28th through Friday Dec 2nd.  Happy reading!

 Important Reminders:

  • Please be sure to send in a refillable drink container for us to fill with water.  In our efforts to be green, we try to refrain from using plastic cups.
  • A variety of snack items is encouraged for young growing children.
  • Please be sure to return Library books on Wednesdays. 
  • If your child needs to have an item warmed up, please be sure it is in a microwave safe container.
  • Please be sure to replenish extra clothes and please leave an extra warm layer in case your child is chilly.
  • Leaving an extra pair of sneakers or other shoes in school is a good idea. 

 Dates to remember:

  • Friday November 11th: No School, Veterans Day
  • Tuesday November 15th: Lunch Bunch, Benson Family
  • Thursday November 17th: Friendship Lunch with Kindergarten
  • Friday November 18th: Pizza Friday
  • Tuesday November 22nd: BCD Soup, 1p.m. dismissal.  Thanksgiving Break, return to school Monday November 28th
  • BCD Book Sale:  Monday November 28th through Friday December 2nd

Enjoy the weekend!

Joni and Ellie