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

Week of November 18th!

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.
• Monday, November 18^th, is Mickey and Minnie Mouse Dress-up Day!
•  Dismissal is at 12:00 noon on Friday, November 22^nd.  The After-School Program will end at 6 p.m.
• Parent-Teacher Conferences are on Friday, November 22^ndfrom 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Our Thanksgiving Performance is on Tuesday, November 26^that9:30 a.m.
• School is CLOSED on Thursday, November 28^thand 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:

• What feelings do I have and why?

Focused Learning Activity for the Week:

In small groups, children will be introduced to an interactive feelings chart.  Students will be able to match how they are feeling to an array of labeled pictures.  The chart will become part of the morning routine but will also be available for children to access throughout the day as desired.

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

• PK.SEL.1. Regulates responses to needs, feelings and events

Foundational Text for the Week:

• The Feelings Book by Todd Parr

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 

What are some of the ways the children in this book feel?
Why did the child in the book feel like crying?

Level 2: Skill/Concept
What are some things that might make people feel like crying?
What are some things that might make people feel really happy?
Why is it a good idea to share your feelings with someone else?
How do you think the kids on the cover of this book feel? How do you know?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking
Have you ever tried something new? How did it feel?
What do you think it would feel like to kiss a sea lion?
What are some things that might make people feel like yelling really loud?

Level 4: Extended Thinking
Why do you think people like to hold hands with their friends?
Why might people have a tummy ache?

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

Week of November 11th!

Reminders!

• School is CLOSED on Monday, November 11th, for Veteran's Day.
• 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.
•  Monday, November 18^th, is Mickey and Minnie Mouse Dress-up Day!
•  Dismissal is at 12:00 noon on Friday, November 22^nd.  The After-School Program will end at 6 p.m.
•   Parent-Teacher Conferences are on Friday, November 22^ndfrom 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Our Thanksgiving Performance is on Tuesday, November 26^that9:30 a.m.
• School is CLOSED on Thursday, November 28^thand 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:

• What makes me important and unique?

Focused Learning Activity for the Week:

Students will be asked to look at themselves in the mirror.  What do they see? What features do they notice on their own faces? Where are their eyes? Noses? Mouths? Ears? Eyebrows? Etc. What do they notice about their features? What shapes are they?  Students will then be encouraged to draw their own self-portrait.
Students will be asked to dictate their thoughts about their self-portraits with prompts such as, “Tell me about your self-portrait."

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

• PK.SEL.2: Recognizes self as an individual having unique abilities, characteristics, feelings, and interests.

Foundational Text for the Week:

• Little Elliot, Big City by Mike Curato

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 is different about Elliot?
Elliot is very small; what things are hard for him to
do since he is so small?
What does Elliot like?

Level 2: Skill/Concept
How do Elliot and Mouse help each other?
How do you think Elliot felt about having a new friend?
How do you think Elliot felt when he got his cupcake?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking
What are some things that are hard for you?
What are some things that are easy for you?

Level 4: Extended Thinking
What are some reasons you might like to have a friend?
What are some things you like might like to do with a friend?
What are some things you can do to be a good friend?
How do you make a new friend?

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

Week of November 4th!

Reminders!

• School is CLOSED on Wednesday, November 6th, for a Teacher Conference Day.
• School is CLOSED on Monday, November 11th, for Veteran's Day.
• Dismissal is at 12:00 noon on Friday, November 22nd.  The After-School Program will end at 6 p.m.
• Parent-Teacher Conferences are on Friday, November 22nd from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• School is CLOSED on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th, for Thanksgiving.

Unit Topic:

• My Five Senses

Essential Question for the Unit:

• How do we use our senses to explore, investigate and understand the world around us?

Focus Question for the Week:

• How do we use our sense of taste?

Focused Learning Activity for the Week:

Students will have the chance to smell and taste a variety of apples.  The varieties of apples will be shown and named. Students will be asked to describe how they look. They will smell and taste each kind of apple and reflect on which apple they thought smelled best and which one tasted best.  They will record their answer by placing their picture on a chart in the appropriate column.

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

• PK.SEL.2: Recognizes self as an individual having unique abilities, characteristics, feelings, and interests.

Foundational Text for the Week:

• Press Here by Herve Tullet

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 are you supposed to press in this book?
What happens when you press the dots in this book?
What happens when you tilt and shake the book?

Level 2: Skill/Concept
Sometimes the book says to press gently on the dots. Press gently on your arm. How does that feel?
Sometimes the book says to press hard on the dots. Press hard on your arm. How does that feel?
The book says to blow gently on the dots. Blow gently on your arm. How does that feel?

Level 3: Strategic Thinking
What happens when you blow on something?
What happens if you blow on something really hard?
What happened to the dots when we blew really hard?

Level 4: Extended Thinking
When the book told us to clap more and more and more we clapped louder and louder and louder. Why?
Were the dots really moving in this book? How do you know?

Lessons and Activities for the Week:

Blocks- Children are encouraged to use tree shaped blocks.  Students will be able to explore how the blocks feel and look compared to the other blocks in the block area.

Pretend Play- The Dramatic Play center will be transformed into an apple orchard. Students will be able to explore apples with their senses.    

Art- Play-doh will be added to the art center as children discuss how the play-doh feels, looks, and smells.

Science- A "Feely Box" will be added to the science center.  Students are invited to put their hands in the holes of the box and identify the object using only their sense of touch. 

Math- Students will be able to sort animal manipulatives by color, size, type, and texture.

Library- Students are invited to look at our classroom books and discuss what they see with their peers.

Writing- Scented markers will be provided in the writing center. Students will be encouraged to use their sense of smell as they use the markers.

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