Pre K Parent News January 14, 2011

Hi Everyone!

If you haven’t ventured into the classroom, lately, you would be surprised to see that it has turned into Dinosaur World!  There are dinosaurs and fossil-related activities and resources in every corner of the Berkshire Room.  Mrs. Atwater’s cousin, “Dr. Atwater,” came for a visit on Monday, while Mrs. Atwater was attending a meeting!  She was very sad to find that she just missed him upon her return.  Mr. Atwater is a “famous” paleontologist, who works at a local university, researching dinosaur bones and fossils.  After asking the children what they already know about dinosaurs, he brought them into the Berkshire Room, where he introduced the children to the new toys and activities.  He also modeled how to use the new equipment and where the materials will be stored.  There are dinosaur puzzles, domino games, lotto games and card games.  We have small colorful dinosaurs for counting and sorting in the Math Corner and small, medium and large dinosaur figures in the Block Corner.  Two of the newest areas in the classroom are the “Dig Site” and the Paleontology Lab, located in the Pretend Area.  We have added a newer and larger sandbox.  Here, the children use chisels, hammers, sifters, buckets and brushes to excavate dinosaur bones.  Once the bones are uncovered, they are transferred to the Paleontology Lab, where the team of Paleontologists will measure, weigh, photograph, trace and study them.  Also in the lab are white lab coats, goggles, magnifying glasses, microscopes, maps, clipboards and reference books.  The children have had a wonderful time exploring each of the areas.

In addition, the children experimented with “crayon-resist” painting.  This involves drawing with cray-pas on white paper and painting a wash of water color over the drawing.  After practicing on regular paper, we had a class discussion about the fact that paleontologists knew all kinds of facts about dinosaurs, but they are not quite sure what colors they were.  Each child was given a pre-cut dinosaur of their choice.  They used the crayon-resist painting method to design his or her own dinosaur.  These dinosaurs will be on display in the Pre K classroom.

Due to our snow day on Wednesday and other scheduling issues, we will meet Oscar Orange next week.  Oscar lives at the Letterland docks, where many things, such as olives, oranges, otters, oatmeal and ostriches are delivered in crates.

Also, next week, we will have Pajama Day on Thursday, January 20th!  The children (and teachers) are invited to wear their pajamas to school for the day.  Kindergarten and B3s will join us for some cozy night time activities and we will provide a special snack.  Children may also bring a special blanket, a cuddle toy and a flashlight.  Feel free to send in a set of regular clothes for your child to change into later in the day, should he or she choose to do so.