Week of January 6th!

Reminders / Notices:

• School resumes on Monday, January 6th!

• We are celebrating National Hat Day on Wednesday, January 15^th.  Your child can wear their favorite hat to school.  A hat contest for all the prekindergarten classes will take place in the auditorium at 9 a.m. Parents are invited.  

• School is Closed on Monday, January 20^th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 

• Dismissal is at 12:00 noon on Friday, January 31^st.  The After-School Program will end at 6 p.m.

• Parent-Teacher Conferences are on Friday, January 31^st from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

     Unit Topic:

     Transportation

     Essential Question for the Unit:

     How does my community use various modes of transportation?

     Focus Questions for this Week:

     What kinds of transportation do I use and why?

     Focused Learning Activity for the Week:

     Ms. McGarry and Mrs. Madera will work with students in the pretend play center, creating materials that firemen use.  students will be asked to think of things that firemen use (firetruck, hose, fire hydrant, etc.).  Students will then build materials to transform the pretend play center into a fire station.  

    Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

    PK.AL.3 Approaches tasks and problems with creativity, imagination, and/or willingness to try new experiences.

      Foundational text for the week:

     

 The Bus for Us by Suzanne Bloom

 Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

       PK.ELAL.5: Participates in discussions about a text. 

QUESTIONS THAT WILL BE ASKED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK:

Level 1: Recall

What question does Tess ask over and over again?
What were some of the vehicles that drove past Tess and Gus before the bus came?
What are the dog and the cat doing while the children wait for the bus?

Level 2: Skill/Concept
Why do you think Tess asks the same question over and over again?
Why do you think Gus looks sad just before the bus comes?
Gus and Tess take the bus to school. How did you get to pre-K today?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking
Why do people take the bus?
Tess holds her ears when the fire engine drives past. Why?

There is a picture of a skunk on the garbage truck. Why do you think that is there?

Level 4: Extended Thinking
Us and Gus are rhyming words. What are some other words that rhyme with us and Gus?
Tess looks a little nervous about getting on the bus. Why do you think she might be nervous? Have you ever been nervous? When?

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- Students are invited to create a variety of ramps and use different vehicles to race, predicting which one will go down the fastest and why. 

Pretend Play- Pretend Play will be transformed into a fire station. Students are invited to create a fire truck using large pieces of cardboard.  

Art- An assortment of shape cutouts and pictures of vehicles will be added to the center.  Students will be invited to reference the vehicles to create their own vehicles.

Science- Teacher will model how to draw a simple map with roads.  Students will be provided with metal cars and magnetic wands.  Students will be encouraged to make their car move down the road by using the magnet wands.

Math- Students will be invited to match numbered cars to the corresponding amount of people each car holds. 

Library- Students are invited to sequence the pictures and retell a familiar story, using a felt board.

Writing-  Students will be invited to match lettered cars to their corresponding spots in a "parking lot".

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

For more information on the Lesson Plan, click HERE!

If there are any questions regarding the Pre-K for All program that can not be answered by the office or classroom teacher, please feel free to contact the

Help Line at 888-227-8175

Week of December 16th!

REMINDERS

• Our Holiday Show is on Tuesday, December 17th at 9:00 am in the gymnasium. Students are asked to wear dress up clothes.
• Christmas recess begins at dismissal at 12:00 noon on Friday, December 20th.  There will be NO After-School on Friday, December 20th.
• School resumes on Monday, January 6th!

Unit Topic:

Where We Live

Essential Question for the Unit:

Where do the people and animals around me live?

Focus Question for this Week:

How do people and animals make homes?

Focused Learning Activities for this Week:

Ms. McGarry and Mrs. Madera will work with students in the art center. Students will be provided with popsicle sticks, glue, and paper.  They will be invited to make a home by gluing the sticks onto the paper.  Students will be asked to describe their home and to add detail to their artwork by using crayons, colored pencils, and markers. 

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.ARTS.16: Creates visual arts.

Foundational Text for the Week: 

The Three Little Pigs and the Somewhat Bad Wolf by Mark Teague

Note: This version of the classic tale, The Three Little Pigs does not glorify violence or show violence in a graphic or frightening way.

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed: 

PK.ELAL.7: Develops and answers questions about characters, major events, and pieces of information in a text.

Questions that will be asked throughout the week: 

Level 1: Recall
When the farmer and his wife moved to Florida, what did the pigs want to do with the money the farmer and his wife paid them?
What did the first pig use to build his house? What did the second pig use to build his house?

Level 2: Skill/Concept
How do you think the first and second pigs felt when the wolf blew their houses down?
How do you think the first and second pigs felt whenthey got to the third pig’s house?
How do you think the third pig felt about sharing her house with the other pigs?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking
Why couldn’t the wolf knock down the brick house?
The wolf was very hungry so at the end of the story the pigs shared their food with him. What else could he have done to get food instead of trying to blowdown the pigs’ houses?

Level 4: Extended Thinking
The pigs used straw, sticks and bricks to build their homes; if you could build your own home what materials would you use? Why?
When all of the pigs lived together in the brick house the third little pig asked all of them to clean their rooms. What are some things you can do at home to be helpful?

Learning Centers Available for the Unit:

Blocks-Pictures of different types of homes and buildings will be posted in block center and students are invited to build the homes in the pictures or similar homes.

Pretend Play- Students will decorate a building facade that will be used in the pretend play area.  

Art- Students will be supplied with popsicle sticks in order for them to create a home by gluing sticks onto paper.

Science- Multiple pictures of animals and their homes will be provided in science center for students to match.

Math- Cut-outs of shapes will be added to the math center.  Students are encouraged to create their homes out of shapes.

Library- Students are encouraged to look at two non-fiction books about homes and compare and contrast what they see.

Writing-  Students will discover blueprints and create their own blueprint with blue paper and chalk.  

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

For more information about the lesson plan, click HERE!

If there are any questions regarding the Pre-K for All program that can not be answered by the office or classroom teacher, please feel free to contact the

Help Line at 888-227-8175

Week of December 9th!

REMINDERS

• School is closed on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th for Thanksgiving.
• Our Holiday Show is on Tuesday, December 17th at 9:00 am in the gymnasium.
• Christmas recess begins at dismissal at 12:00 noon on Friday, December 20th.  There will be NO After-School on Friday, December 20th.
• School resumes on Monday, January 6th!

Unit Topic:

Where We Live

Essential Question for the Unit:

Where do the people and animals around me live?

Focus Question for this Week:

Where do people and animals live?

Focused Learning Activities for this Week:

Ms. McGarry and Mrs. Madera will work with students in the science center. They will have two sets of cards with different animals and different habitats.  They will ask the students where they think each animal lives, modeling how to put the animal card on the corresponding habitat card.  The teacher will ask students questions such as "Why do you think an animal would need thick fur to live in the arctic?' 

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.SCI.4: Observes familiar plants and animals and describes what they need to survive.  

Foundational Text for the Week: 

A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed: 

PK.ELAL.5 : Participates in discussions about a text.

Questions that will be asked throughout the week: 

Level 1: Recall

Why did Hermit Crab need a new house?
Hermit Crab liked the way his new house felt, but did not like the way it looked. Why didn’t HermitCrab like the way the house looked?
What are some of the things Hermit Crab used to decorate his house?

Level 2: Skill/Concept
What are some things you like about where you live?
Hermit Crab invited many friends to live with him; who lives with you?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking
Hermit crab added many things to his home, which one do you like best? Why?
When the Smaller Crab moved into Hermit Crab’shouse she promised to be good to his friends. How do you take good care of your friends?

Level 4: Extended Thinking
Hermit Crab was very polite and used his manners when he asked the sea creatures to decorate his house; when do you use your manners?
What do you think Hermit Crab would have done if the sea creatures he asked to decorate his house said no?

Learning Centers Available for the Unit:

Blocks-Pictures of different types of homes and buildings will be posted in block center and students are invited to build the homes in the pictures or similar homes.

Pretend Play- Students will decorate a building facade that will be used in the pretend play area.  

Art- Students will be supplied with popsicle sticks in order for them to create a home by gluing sticks onto paper.

Science- Multiple pictures of animals and their homes will be provided in science center for students to match.

Math- Cut-outs of shapes will be added to the math center.  Students are encouraged to create their homes out of shapes.

Library- Students are encouraged to look at two non-fiction books about homes and compare and contrast what they see.

Writing-  Students will discover blueprints and create their own blueprint with blue paper and chalk.  

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

For more information about the lesson plan, click HERE!

If there are any questions regarding the Pre-K for All program that can not be answered by the office or classroom teacher, please feel free to contact the

Help Line at 888-227-8175

Week of December 2nd!

REMINDERS

• School is closed on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th for Thanksgiving.
• Our Holiday Show is on Tuesday, December 17th at 9:00 am in the gymnasium.
• Christmas recess begins at dismissal on Friday, December 20th.  There will be NO After-School on Friday, December 20th.
• School resumes on Monday, January 6th!

Unit Topic:

Where We Live

Essential Question for the Unit:

Where do the people and animals around me live?

Focus Question for this Week:

Where do I live? Where do my family members live?

Focused Learning Activities for this Week:

Ms. McGarry and Mrs. Madera will work with students to create a building facade in the dramatic play area.  Students will be asked which objects should stay outside the building and which objects should stay inside the building.

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.AL.2: Actively engages in problem solving.

Foundational Text for the Week: 

The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed: 

PK.ELAL.6 : Retells stories or shares information from a text.

Questions that will be asked throughout the week: 

Level 1: Recall
How did the big orange splot get on Mr. Plumbean’s house?
What did the neighbors want Mr. Plumbean to do about the splot?
What did Mr. Plumbean do when he painted his house?

Level 2: Skill/Concept
Why were the neighbors upset that Mr. Plumbean changed his house?
Why do you think Mr. Plumbean changed his house at night?
What happened when the neighbors talked to Mr. Plumbean at night?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking
Do you like the changes Mr. Plumbean made to his house? Why or why not?
Which house on Mr. Plumbean’s street do you like best? Why?

Level 4: Extended Thinking
Why do you think Mr. Plumbean changed his house?
If you lived on Mr. Plumbean’s street, how would you paint your house? Why?

Learning Centers Available for the Unit:

Blocks-Pictures of different types of homes and buildings will be posted in block center and students are invited to build the homes in the pictures or similar homes.

Pretend Play- Students will decorate a building facade that will be used in the pretend play area.  

Art- Students will be supplied with popsicle sticks in order for them to create a home by gluing sticks onto paper.

Science- Multiple pictures of animals and their homes will be provided in science center for students to match.

Math- People figures, number cards, and pictures of homes will be placed in the math center.  Students will be encouraged to pick a number card, and place the corresponding number of people into a home.

Library- Students are encouraged to look at two non-fiction books about homes and compare and contrast what they see.

Writing-  Students will discover blueprints and create their own blueprint with blue paper and chalk.  

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

For more information about the lesson plan, click HERE!

If there are any questions regarding the Pre-K for All program that can not be answered by the office or classroom teacher, please feel free to contact the

Help Line at 888-227-8175

Week of November 25th!

Reminders!

• OLQM is having our annual canned food drive.  All food will be delivered to St. Patrick’s Home Outreach Program. Please consider donating canned foods for our food drive.
• Our Thanksgiving Performance is on Tuesday, November 26^th at 9:30 a.m.
• School is CLOSED on Thursday, November 28^th and Friday, November 29^th, for Thanksgiving.

Unit Topic:

• All About Us

Essential Question for the Unit:

• Who am I and who are the people in my life?

Focus Question for the Week:

• Why is my class important and unique?

Focused Learning Activity for the Week:

Various size shapes from construction paper will be cut out. Students will be encouraged to use the shapes to create their bodies. After gluing the shapes to a piece of paper, children can use writing utensils to add additional details (hair, patterns on clothes, etc.).

The teacher will observe as children identify the shapes they used.

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

• PK.MATH.13. Names shapes regardless of size.

Foundational Text for the Week:

• Friendshape by Amy Krouse

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

• PK.ELAL.12: Makes connections between self, text, and the world.

Questions That Will Be Asked Throughout The Week:

Level 1: Recall 

Who are the friends in this story?
What are some of the things the friends in this book do together?
What were the friends in this story all thinking about at the same time?

Level 2: Skill/Concept
What is so great about having friends?
How do the friends in this story have fun together?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking
Who are some of your friends?
What do you like to do with your friends?
How can friends help each other?

Level 4: Extended Thinking
What could you do when you and a friend quarrel or get upset with each other?
What could you do if another child asks to play with you and a friend?

What could you do if you see a child who looks lonely and does not have a friend to play with?

Lessons and Activities for the Week:

Blocks-The student’s name cards will be available in block center.  Students are invited to write their names using blocks, discussing the lines in each letter of their name (straight, curved, etc.).

Pretend Play- Pretend play will be transformed into "circle time".  Students can take turns being the teacher and leading their friends in circle time activities.

Art- Various size shapes from construction paper will be cut out and students are invited to use the shapes to create their bodies. After gluing the shapes together, or to a piece of paper, children can use writing utensils to add additional details (hair, patterns on clothes, etc.).

Science- Students are invited to use magnifying glasses to explore fingerprints, skin, hair, etc.

Math- Students will beencouraged to refer to their name cards and count how many letters are in their name, then place the appropriate number card next to the name card. Children can count the letters in their own names as well as their peers’ names.

Library- Students are encouraged to read a book with a friend. One child could read to the other or they could look at a book together.

Writing-  Students will be able to play a matching game where they match pictures of the students in the class with that student's name.

Sensory- Sand and water, or play-doh.

For more information on the Lesson Plan, click HERE!

If there are any questions regarding the Pre-K for All program that can not be answered by the office or classroom teacher, please feel free to contact the

Help Line at 888-227-8175