LITTLE HANDS GET READY

We'll see you soon USA!

2012-03-09T08:50:00.002-08:00

Happy Spring Break to all of our families in PK! We will continue our journey through the USA when we return to school!

Eastern USA Snack

2012-03-09T08:49:00.002-08:00

Today, we enjoyed delicious pancakes with Vermont Maple Syrup! Thanks Mr. Flanders for sharing with us this regional USA snack!

PK News

2012-03-09T08:02:00.000-08:00

Newsletter March 9 12

The Statue of Liberty stands for...

2012-03-08T12:49:00.001-08:00

FREEDOM! We are grateful to France for giving us the Statue of Liberty, which stands strong and proud in the New York harbor. Lady Liberty reminds us of the freedom we have in the U. S. A.

We the kids...

2012-03-08T08:40:00.001-08:00

We the kids of Woodland Presbyterian School declare the United States of America a good country where we can grow up to be whatever we choose and live a good life.

We Love the USA!

2012-03-02T12:13:00.001-08:00

Land That I Love introduces the children to our country, the USA. The children will develop an understanding and appreciation of the vast array of landmarks and symbols that make up the USA. This unit is designed to continue and expand the study of one's world. The children will be able to state that their home is in the community, that is in the state, that is in the country where we live.

PK News

2012-03-02T11:59:00.001-08:00

Newsletter March 2 2012

Land That I Love!

2012-03-02T11:56:00.000-08:00

PK News

2012-02-24T11:56:00.001-08:00

Newsletter Feb 24 2012

Goodnight Tennessee!

2012-02-24T11:47:00.000-08:00

Goodnight Tennessee!

2012-02-24T11:43:00.000-08:00

Nashville Rocks!

2012-02-17T12:32:00.000-08:00

PK News

2012-02-17T12:29:00.001-08:00

Newsletter Feb 17 2012

Insects for you!

2012-02-17T11:36:00.001-08:00

Be My Valentine!

2012-02-16T09:15:00.001-08:00

PK News

2012-02-10T12:36:00.001-08:00

Newsletter Feb 10 2012

Messy Red Day

2012-02-10T12:29:00.000-08:00

From Kiss Krispies, Bubble Painting, and Red Foam painting the children are a red mess! We sure had fun!!!

Handwriting Corner

2012-02-10T11:43:00.000-08:00

Positions-Vertical, Horizontal, and Diagonal
As the students work on their handwriting and formation of letters and numbers, we begin to add the terms, vertical, horizontal, and diagonal. Using the wood pieces from the handwriting program, Handwriting Without Tears, the children imitate movements with the pieces preparing them to write uppercase letters with lines going up and down, across and diagonal. We encourage the children to speak with us as we write...which you can do at home as well. For example, when making the letter V, say "big line big line," as you discuss the diagonal line movement.

Large Mouth Bass

2012-02-10T11:34:00.000-08:00

Thanks Mr. Moore for teaching us about one of our state fish...THE LARGE MOUTH BASS!

Fine Motor Skills Activities

2012-02-03T14:22:00.001-08:00

http://www.handsonaswegrow.com/2012/01/30-kids-activities-materials-for.html#.TyN3ShdTUBI.twitter

10 Little Fingers

2012-02-03T12:03:00.000-08:00

Handwriting Corner

2012-02-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

From the time children learn to grasp, to hold, or to show their age, they are constantly using their “ten little fingers”! We strengthen and develop children’s fingers by playing with toys they can manipulate, using play dough or climbing outside on playground equipment. Finger strength and coordination is critical to handwriting skill. Who remembers the “Ten Little Fingers” finger play from our “All About Me” program at the beginning of the school year? We are implementing 20 days of fine motor play...Hopefully you can get some ideas of how to help at home. Have you seen a change in your child's hand coordination since the beginning of the year?

PK News

2012-02-03T11:36:00.001-08:00

Newsletter Feb 3 2012

Goodnight Memphis...Welcome to Tennessee!

2012-01-31T12:30:00.000-08:00

We said "Goodnight Memphis" today as we dressed as what we would like to be when we grow up. The unit study of "What Do People Do All Day" was a success. We have many stories from the children about what they learned. Next, we will study about "The Volunteer State" of Tennessee. The children will be exposed to many state facts and visit each section of Tennessee through imagination. We will end with a Tennessee train ride through the school with decorated train cars to represent the symbols of Tennessee.

Goodnight Memphis

2012-01-31T12:01:00.000-08:00

Handwriting Corner

2012-01-27T11:45:00.000-08:00

Children learn through consistency. We use the wood pieces to make our letters and numbers and we always use the same terms (big line, little line, big curve, and little curve). This consistency will continue from year to year and from teacher to teacher. Your children are building strong, foundational skills for letter memory, orientation, and sequencing. As you work at home you can practice saying these terms as well. For example, say “big line, big line, little line” to make the letter A.

PK News

2012-01-27T11:43:00.001-08:00

Newsletter Jan 27 2012

It's Mail Time!

2012-01-24T13:14:00.000-08:00

Check your mail box for a special letter tomorrow! The children are super pumped about mailing letters! Thanks to Mrs. VanCleve for making this possible.

PK News

2012-01-20T13:10:00.001-08:00

Newsletter Jan 20 12

FedEx.MOV

2012-01-20T13:08:00.000-08:00

Beale Street is hopping!

2012-01-13T13:21:00.000-08:00

PK News

2012-01-13T13:20:00.001-08:00

Newsletter Jan 13 12

Cook's Nook: Sawdust Pudding

2012-01-12T09:03:00.000-08:00

We hammered and hammered until the Vanilla Wafers turned into sawdust. We can even pretend to be builders in Cook's Nook with Sawdust Pudding. Add whipping cream and a cherry and you have a delicious treat!

The Children's Musuem of Memphis

2012-01-11T11:03:00.000-08:00

We had a good time today at The Children's Museum. Some of the favorite exhibits were the bank, the firetruck, and the airplane. I hope you can go back sometime soon with your family and explore even more. Thank you to everyone that joined us!

A Memphis HIstorian

2012-01-11T10:59:00.000-08:00

This is Jimmy Ogle, a Memphis historian. He was so kind to come and talk to us about the great city of Memphis. He said that we were the youngest group of students he has ever talked to. :) Did you know that animals paved the way through our city many many years ago? Memphis was a "high and dry" place for the animals to migrate. We talked about the animals being the first creatures on Poplar Avenue. Mr. Ogle also showed us a lot of pictures throughout the city of Memphis, especially of downtown and the Mississippi River. He showed us the levees of the river and explained that when astronauts come back to the earth, they see The Great Wall of China first and then the levees of the Mississippi River. Very interesting! Thanks Mr. Ogle.

Happy 2012!!

2012-01-06T12:05:00.000-08:00

Welcome Back!

2012-01-06T11:59:00.000-08:00

What Do People Do All Day?

2012-01-06T11:50:00.000-08:00

"What do people do all day?" is the question we will be asking all month long. During our unit study, the children will be exposed to their community in a way that will brighten their eyes to the city of Memphis. Each day, the students will come to school and create a part of our community of their choice. This will be a project based learning unit where their ideas lead to the discovery of what makes up a community. At the end of our unit, we will take a family trip downtown and ride the Trolley to see the sights of downtown. Also, the children will be able to come to school dressed as what they want to be when they grow up. Can't wait to see where this experience takes us this month. Check back for pictures as our classroom transforms into the city of Memphis.

2012-01-06T11:38:00.001-08:00

January 2012

PK News

2012-01-06T11:37:00.001-08:00

Newsletter Jan 6 12

2011-11-18T11:52:00.001-08:00

December 2011

2011-11-18T11:50:00.001-08:00

Newsletter Nov 18 2011

PK News

2011-11-11T12:07:00.001-08:00

Newsletter Nov 11, 2011

Field Trip to the Main Library

2011-11-11T07:29:00.000-08:00

Don't Worry Be Happy!

2011-11-08T11:24:00.000-08:00

A Guatemalan tradition for children who have trouble sleeping use these worry dolls to tell their worries to and place under their pillow. They help to make the worries go away. We talked about the feeling of being worried and what makes us feel that way. These dolls might even take some of our worries away!

Foods with Moods!!!

2011-11-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

2011-11-08T11:14:00.000-08:00

PK News

2011-11-04T11:36:00.001-07:00

Newsletter Nov 4 11

Handwriting Corner

2011-11-04T11:19:00.000-07:00

Is tracing beneficial when teaching handwriting?
It can be…With HWT, we use a “gray crayon” to trace over. The traditional “dot-to-dot” doesn’t work because the children naturally focus on the dots, connecting them one by one. When tracing a solid line, a child focuses on the beginning and the end of a line or curve. Try this at home. Today, your child is coming home with a picture of a rainbow for them to color. They can practice tracing the word, "RAINBOW" that is typed in gray.

Rainbow Pizza in Cook's Nook

2011-11-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

When I Get a Feeling I Try to Feel It!

2011-11-04T11:06:00.000-07:00

During the month of November, we will explore the many feelings that we all have and the different circumstances that cause each of us to feel the same feelings. The children will learn to identify and dramatize feelings- from happy and sad to proud and guilty! We will relate feelings to the colors of the rainbow. As you can see in the video, we have already begun acting out these feelings. We look forward to showcasing what we have learned this month during our "When I Get a Feeling" program on November 22nd.

Halloween 2011

2011-11-03T09:01:00.000-07:00

November Calendar

2011-10-27T10:21:00.001-07:00

November Calendar 11

PK News

2011-10-27T10:18:00.001-07:00

Newsletter Oct 27 2011

The Pumpkin Circle

2011-10-27T10:11:00.000-07:00

The children have been discovering the pumpkin and it's life story. We call it the Pumpkin Circle. We will put our pumpkin in the Outdoor Learning Garden after the Halloween Party to watch it grow old and go back into the earth. We call this "DECOMPOSING". Such a big word for these little minds!!!

Story Stones

2011-10-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

We went outside and collected rocks to make story stones. The children counted out 5 rocks and painted each one orange. Then, they drew a face on the rock to make it a pumpkin or a jack-o-lantern.

They even made a fence out of construction paper using cutting and pasting skills. We were then ready to use our story stones to retell the story of The Five Little Pumpkins Sitting on a Gate!

Handwriting Corner

2011-10-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

One of the most important jobs of a preschool teacher is to encourage the use of a child’s fine motor skills. The development of fine motor skills will enable a child to cut, draw, write, color, build, and much more as their learning progresses. Here are some activities that will enhance your child’s strength and ability!

• Play with toys that have pieces that move or snap or that one has to manipulate.

• Write, draw, or paint on vertical surfaces, such as an easel, a mirror, or a wall (covered with paper, of course!).This will help build strength in your child’s shoulders and arms.

• Give your child the ultimate touchy/feely sensory experience with play dough!

• Play outside…Did you know that your child develops his/her upper body strength the most while playing on playground equipment? This helps the coordination needed for fine motor skills, too!

2011-10-21T11:53:00.001-07:00

Newsletter Oct 21 2011

Looking Inside My Body Review

2011-10-21T11:27:00.000-07:00

We are so proud of our work!

This is a skeleton that the children labeled. They drew the bones and then wrote the names for us to label our very cool skeleton. We would collapse without our skeleton!

The organs are very important to us too! Here is more labeling done by the children.

Q-Tip Skeletons!

Life in a Day with a Brain

2011-10-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

We had a Brain Food Tasting today. The children learned that their brain is like a computer that helps us do and think. Therefore, we need to fuel our brain with good foods in order for it to function at its best. Our Brain Food menu included rasberries, blueberries, kiwi, salmon, quinoa (pronounced keenwa), and Greek yogurt with honey.

YUMMY!!!

Mrs. Jabbour and Mrs. Hamm's class made brain jello and shared it with us. MMMMMM!!!!

We used pictures to show our favorite foods that are good for your brain! Thank you EH's mom for providing the brain food for us.

Handwriting Corner

2011-09-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

As children write, one of the “hurdles” is learning to grasp the writing utensil correctly. We sing a song called “Pick Up A Crayon” as we practice learning where the fingers should be placed on the crayon. Coloring within spaces is very helpful in gaining hand control and using the small motor muscles in the fingers. This week the children practiced coloring inside circles, having to try to stay inside the lines.

October 2011 Calendar

2011-09-30T11:32:00.001-07:00

October 2011

PK News

2011-09-30T11:30:00.001-07:00

Newsletter Sep 30 2011

Looking Inside My Body!

2011-09-27T11:59:00.000-07:00

As we move into the month of October, the children are being introduced to the human body. During the unit, Looking Inside My Body, the students will be exposed to the functions of the organs, muscles, and the skeleton. From listening to the heart beat "pa pum"
to making a lung the children will expand their knowledge of the human anatomy. We will be exposing them to lots of "big words" that we hope you hear all about at home. Cannot wait to see these little minds grow during this unit.

Grandparent's Day Movie

2011-09-27T07:37:00.000-07:00

Scarecrow Day

2011-09-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

What a fun morning we had stuffing our scarecrow's body with hay. Now we know that a scarecrow is stuffed with hay and our body is not. Tomorrow we will begin our new unit, Looking Inside My Body. The children will explore the important parts of our body that help us learn, live, and grow each day. We always say, "Kiss you brain!" You will soon hear, "Kiss your cranium!" Stay tuned!

Handwriting Corner

2011-09-23T09:37:00.000-07:00

Did you know that children can practice hand strokes with other mediums than pencils, crayons, and markers? This week, your child was able to use a paintbrush to make little lines and curves in the art room. The children discovered that their scarecrow’s face has lines and curves in the eyes, nose, mouth, and even with eyebrows and eyelashes. Wow! We can practice these skills everywhere we go!

PK News

2011-09-23T09:31:00.000-07:00

Newsletter Sept 23 11

Scarecrow Heads

2011-09-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

Scarecrow!

2011-09-22T12:16:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for our fun day on Monday when we will make our scarecrow body! Check back for more pictures!

Morning Meeting

2011-09-16T12:20:00.000-07:00

We have started a new component to our circle time. We call our circle time "Morning Meeting." During the Morning Meeting the children get to count the days of the calendar, sing songs with movement, share stories, and read and write on the Morning Message! Towards the middle of the school year, the children will be able to "fill in the blanks" on the message. The sentence, "Let's make good choices and have a great day!" is always on the message. This is a guide for remembering how to be your best at school! Check out the Morning Message!

PK News

2011-09-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

Newsletter Sept 16 11

All About Me Program

2011-09-16T11:58:00.000-07:00

Do you want your child to LIVESTRONG?

2011-09-09T11:59:00.000-07:00

Of course, I know the answer to that is a big, loud, “YES!!!” One thing that teachers implement the first weeks of school is the policies and procedures of the classroom and the school. We could not do our job if it wasn’t for the self-sufficient child. After all, the reality of school is that there is not one teacher for every child. Yes, we are here for all of the children and we are here to guide them all as individuals. But, we need a little bit of help and having a self-sufficient child makes the teaching and learning fall into place.

Have you heard your child say, “I can do it all by myself!”? Children love to do things on their own. They like the independence at this age. If we take that away from them, we are giving them an underlying sense of incompetence. We all know that these young minds are far from incompetent. Therefore, when you are at home, continue your child's development as a human being with independent skills when eating, dressing, and with daily chores. They can do it and you will be less tired! Well, maybe not less tired! :) But, you will see a strong child developing and moving forward in this journey of life. Here are few examples of how the children are independent and self-reliant in the classroom! Yes, they recycle; they clean up; they put up their own belongings; they go to the restroom and know to wash their hands; they can go across the hall and get the “big lines” from SK if we need them; they can turn off the lights and give a two minute warning of clean up time. The list goes on and on and on! Carry it on at home and we will have top notch kiddos growing up to be successful learners and workers! LIVESTRONG starts now!

Handwriting Corner

2011-09-09T11:43:00.000-07:00

When writing in school, each Early Childhood teacher at Woodland uses the same terminology. In pre-kindergarten, simple terms such as, “big line, little line, big curve, little curve”, are used to teach handwriting in an informal manner. Frequently, the students practice writing lines and curves as independent marks on a piece of paper, when writing letters, or in their drawings. Each classroom has access to wood pieces that allow endless possibilities of representing the symbols. The children have been making certain objects, letters, and even building Mat Man with these wood pieces. At home, practice making simple symbols by finger painting, tracing a line or a curve on your child’s back, or making symbols in the bathtub with shaving cream. Remember information is just a click away at http://www.hwtears.com/.

2011-09-09T11:40:00.001-07:00

Newsletter Sept 9 2011

Hand Cookies in Cook's Nook!

2011-09-09T11:24:00.000-07:00

My foot is this BIG!

2011-09-08T11:51:00.000-07:00

His feet, her feet...How many, many feet you meet!

Handwriting Corner

2011-09-01T11:50:00.000-07:00

Without a doubt, all children love their name! Does your child recognize his name? Does she try to write her name? Writing can be an exciting adventure for each child, and it all depends on age and readiness. You might be wondering why we teach the children to write their names in all uppercase letters. Uppercase letters are the easiest letters to form and recognize. They are also the same size, “tall”, and also start at the same place, “at the top.” You might hear your child singing words to the song, “Where do you start your letters? At the top…If you want to start a letter, then you better, better, better…remember to start it at the top.” When working with the children at school, we display their name both ways: all uppercase letters and the “correct” way, so they become familiar with all the letters of the alphabet. If you want to help your child write her name, remember to use the terminology provided for you at the parent meeting. For example, to write an “A”, you say, “Big line, big line, little line.”, as you demonstrate writing the letter. Remember, information is just a click away at http://www.hwtears.com/.

2011-09-01T08:28:00.000-07:00

The children discovered a slug and her eggs under the trash can today in our Outdoor Learning Center.

The slug!

Look at those eggs! Can you see them? They are teeny tiny.

Our PK garden box is now full of snapdragons thanks to our little gardeners.

2011-08-29T07:25:00.001-07:00

September 2011

Handwriting Corner

2011-08-26T12:01:00.000-07:00

In the early childhood classrooms at Woodland, the children experience a unique handwriting curriculum through Handwriting Without Tears. This curriculum focuses on a multisensory approach to school readiness. As the school year goes on, you will hear your child use certain phrases, such as “Mat Man”, “helper hand”, “Where do you start your letters?”, etc. when writing, coloring, or drawing. You will also witness progress made throughout the year in your child’s work because of the wide range of activities implemented in the classroom. Please check out the web site at www.hwtears.com for resources and information about this program. More info about handwriting to come each week…stay tuned!

2011-08-26T11:56:00.001-07:00

Newsletter Aug 26 2011

Outdoor Learning Center

2011-08-26T07:20:00.000-07:00

One of the most exciting tools we have at Woodland is our Outdoor Learning Center. This learning space is located on the south side of campus by the playgrounds. If you ever have a chance to go back there and look at what the children have at their fingertips, please do so. David Ogdon, better known as "Dr. Amazing" is our Science teacher. When the children are not in the Science Lab learning all things Science, they are able to go outdoors and explore with Dr. Amazing. Pre-K has their own box to plant and grow various plants. We will also watch our pumpkins decompose in the compost pile all year long. The children also enjoy spending time watching the fish swim in the pond. Come check out the Outdoor Learning Center! Hopefully you will hear about this from your child!

2011-08-19T12:19:00.000-07:00

Do you think Spider Man does his good and brave deeds for a reward? No! He does not! This is because he is SELF-DISCIPLINED! He works hard to better himself and to help the world around him. His reward is that alone. Research shows that "self-discipline is TWICE as strong a predictor of school success as intelligence." This is one of our philosophies in the classroom. We want the children to behave according to the rules to receive the reward of learning. That's success! Don't get us wrong, rewards are definitely fun and useful at times, but in moderation. Hopefully you will witness this self-discipline as the year progresses in your child...if you have not witnessed it already!

2011-08-19T11:31:00.001-07:00

Newsletter Aug 19 11

Dress Up

2011-08-17T12:27:00.000-07:00

Even the boys love to play dress up!

Globe Cookies!

2011-08-12T11:51:00.000-07:00

Each week, we cook in PK! Thank you for sending in your Cook's Nook items. They are a huge help! Today we made globe cookies with blue icing for the water and green sprinkles for the land!

PK News

2011-08-12T10:58:00.001-07:00

Newsletter Aug 12 2011

PK Technology

2011-08-10T12:16:00.000-07:00

This year your child will use the iPad for many learning experiences. It is amazing how familiar the children are with technology! We might even learn something from them...

First Day of PK!

2011-08-09T11:16:00.000-07:00

Today was a fantastic day in PK...The children had fun with their friends. We sat in a circle for circle time and to listen to a story about our wonderful Earth! Enjoy the pictures from the first day! See you all tomorrow..

A must read article about early childhood edcuation!

2011-08-07T09:34:00.000-07:00

http://news.primroseschools.com/files/media/documents/kirchner-reprint-v2.pdf

Registration Monday, August 8th

2011-08-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

I look forward to meeting all of you on Monday at Registration. Please bring with you any forms that were mailed to you at home. We will meet in the classroom at 9:00 to have a quick Parent Meeting, then you will go to the gym to continue and finalize registration. Please email me with any questions at asmythe@woodlandschool.org! See you very, very, soon...is your child getting excited? We sure are!

School is almost here!

2011-07-19T18:14:00.000-07:00

I hope all of you have gotten a letter in the mail letting you know that your child will be in Mrs. Lucchesi and my class. We cannot wait to see all of you at the start of school. Don't forget that Registration is Monday, August 8th and the opening day of classes for PK is Tuesday, August 9th!

We have all of your child's supplies, inlcuding a special Woodland bag that he/she will carry to school every day this year. Don't worry...we will cover all of your questions at our parent meeting on registration day about our curriculum, carpool, after school care, and much more!

Please email me at asmythe@woodlandschool.org with any questions...OH and sign up to follow me on twitter at @amyfsmythe. We will be tweeting about our adventures in PK!!!