MONTHLY THEME AND LESSON PLAN“Play is a central context for social and emotional development in early childhood.”
“School Readiness consists of social-emotional competencies as well as other cognitive and motivational competencies required for success in school.”
~foundations in social-emotional development, California Department of Education
This month the children will further explore the foundation of social-emotional development. The children will participate in various activities that reflect on self-awareness, self-regulation (sharing ), cooperation and responsibility (giving and manners), social and emotional understanding, empathy and caring, interactions with peers, friendship, group participation (such as in the classroom),initiative in learning, attachments to parents, close relationships with teachers and caregivers, and interactions with familiar adults—are each predictive of children’s adaptation to school and their academic success.
The goal is to further assist the children in the behaviors that are typical of preschool children who are making a good progress toward readiness for Kindergarten. We understand that our younger children will need additional help as they develop fundamental social-emotional skills.
Students will participate in group activities that promote positive team effort and display effective interpersonal communication skills. In preparation for Kindergarten, our older students will further develop their social-emotional skills by participating in various circle time activities that promote self-awareness and self-regulation, cooperation and responsibility—practice of proper use of language and conflict resolution strategies (role-playing).
The younger children will also participate in these role playing social-emotional activities. The children will practice sharing toys (5 minute toy use, exchange toy, and redirecting strategy) school materials (taking turns with glue sticks, scissors, marker, etc.), and practice language development, instead of demonstrating aggressive behaviors.
In addition, students will discuss the importance of sharing and giving as they learn the story of Thanksgiving Day and Native American cultural values.
Lastly, this month the children will focus on Mathematics foundations. Students will play games and sing songs that trigger counting, number relationships, and operations. The children will memorize and recite numbers from 1 to 20 and understand that numbers represent the quantity of objects (value). The younger children will focus on numbers 1 to 12.
The students will review classification and patterning—sorting and classifying objects; recognizing, extending, and creating patterns (Algebra and Functions). Students will learn to order objects from smallest to largest (e.g., orders various circle sizes, nests cups, lines up from shortest to tallest). Children will learn basic concepts of patterns and simple patterns (e.g., boy-girl-boy-girl). They will match and name patterns (e.g., "boy-girl-boy-girl", "red-blue-red-blue") by building with various types of blocks, and using Peg boards. Picture cards and other manipulative will also be used to stimulate the learning process.
Children will understand basic concepts of geometry—properties of objects and the relation of objects in space (shape, size, position,). They will review spatial sense, sort and group objects by attributes (e.g., shape, size, color), and describe how items are the same or different (e.g., "This ball is bigger than that one," "My shirt is the same as Marcus'").
Children will further review Measurement—comparing and ordering objects by length, weight, or capacity; precursors of measurement. They will estimate (e.g., "I'm as tall as the yellow bookshelf", "I think there are about 20 marbles in that jar") and use size words like "many", "big", and "little" appropriately. They will begin to use approximate measures of familiar objects (width of your finger, temperature of a room, weight of a gallon of milk) to develop a sense of measurement and use measuring implements (e.g., uses tool in sand and water play, helps measure ingredients for a cooking project).
Students will develop their sense of Mathematical Reasoning by using mathematical thinking to solve problems in play and everyday activities. Students will implement sharing strategies which will develop sense of time (5 minute rule), direction and proportion (location of toys—blocks sorted a certain way, etc.). They will need these important strategies when sharing toys and resolving conflict with their peers.
Week of November 2---Celebrating birthdays for Isela (3 years old) and Karen (4 years old), finish Dia de los Muertos altar project (please bring pictures of family members and/or historical figures that may be cut and glued onto altar box.)/card to loved one, car Math activity and graph (what is your favorite color vehicle?), Turkey art (http://www.educationworld.com/a_earlychildhood/activity/activity11_018.shtml)
*Pp, #1, Sphere, Chocolate
Week of November 9--- PPLA will be closed on Monday, 11.9.09 for Veterans Day, pancake measurement chart, (http://www.educationworld.com/a_earlychildhood/activity/activity13_138.shtml),
*Qq, #2, Cone, Copper
Week of November 16---Native American Corn Tortilla Recipe (making corn tortillas workshop and decorating recipe page), Native American Heritage and Thanksgiving Day (the importance of corn and to the survival of the pilgrims and Natives--readings),
Rr, #3, Cylinder, Auburn
Week of November 23--- PPLA will be closed for Thanks giving Break, 11.25.09-11.27.09 (alternative care is available, if needed), Celebrating birthdays for Jair and Andrew, Thank you poster (corn kernels poster)--"I am thankful for ___________". (Record each child's sentence on chart paper and reread it aloud, tracking the print as you read. Encourage children to draw pictures to go with their sentences. Bind the pictures into a class book to read over and over). http://www.educationworld.com/a_earlychildhood/activity/activity11_019.shtml), Native American corn husk doll,
*Ss, #4, Pyramid, Bronze
ACADEMIC STUDENT STANDARDS
The following standards have been incorporated in the development of student activities and in daily interaction with school children, parents and staff.
*for a detailed description of each standard, please refer to the booklet on California Preschool Learning Foundations, Volume 1, 2008. You may download the booklet at no charge by visiting http://www.cde.ca.gov/. The booklet was also sent to your email account as an attachment in the fall of 2008.
Language and Literacy Development
Listening and Speaking
-Language Use and Conventions, 1.0
-Vocabulary, 2.0
-Grammar, 3.0
Reading
-Concepts about Print, 1.0
-Alphabetic and Word/Print Recognition, 3.0
-Comprehension and Analysis of Age-Appropriate Text, 4.0
-Literacy Interest and Response, 5.0
Writing
-Writing Strategies, 1.1-1.3
English Language Development
-Listening, 1.0-3.0
-Speaking, 1.0-3.0
-Reading, 1.0-6.0
Social- Emotional Development
-Self, 1.0-5.1
-Social Interaction, 1.0-4.1
-Relationships, 1.0-3.0
Mathematics
-Number Sense, 1.0-2.4
-Algebra and Functions, 1.0-2.2
-Measurement, 1.0-1.3
-Geometry, 1.0-2.1
-Mathematical Reasoning, 1.0-1.1
Science
(See California Child Development standards)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. As you already know, the outdoor space is in dire need of renovations, from repairing cracks on the cement (which cause students to trip and fall), to covering the soil with a cushion (wood chips) for play-structures play. In addition, we expect to include a new sandbox, patio and deck for outdoor classrooms, as well as planters. We also hope to purchase tricycles and outdoor toys in the near future. Although, we expected to begin renovations this past summer, unexpected delays came our way and we hope to carry out the scope of work this Fall/Winter. Thank you for your patience.
2. PPLA will close on Monday November 9, 2009 in observance of Veteran’s Day.
3. The next parent participation field trip will take place on Friday, November 20, 2009.
4. We ask that you RSVP for all future field trips at least 72 hours in advance. If you suspect that you will not be attending the field trip, but need child care, we will do our very best to have all children attend the field trip regardless of parent participation. There are no guarantees that your child may participate (due to lack of transportation), but a PPLA staff member will stay behind to welcome students that may not attend the field trip.
In an effort to improve our field trip policy, a parent survey will be going out in the near future. We ask that all parents participate in this important survey, so that we may have your suggestions in improving our program.
5. PPLA will be closed for Thanksgiving Break from November 25-27, 2009. Thank you.
6. Student evaluations will take place the week before we break for Winter Recess.
7. Noah is our new student—he is 20 months old and will be joining our PPLA family this month. Bienvenido Noah!
8. We also have a new Teachers Assistant by the name of Ms. Tracy. Ms. Tracy has a BSU in Pedology and is currently attending Merritt College to further her knowledge in Early Childhood Development. She is CPR and First Aide certified with negative TB results, and cleared live scan.
9. Prima Jazmin and Ivette will also assist with evening student activities and school functions.
10. In an effort to maintain a healthy environment and fair policy for all families, we ask that children with special diets (lactose intolerant, vegetarian, allergies, etc,) bring snacks, meals and milk from home. This policy will take effect starting January 1, 2010. We ask that you bring in food and beverages inside a lunch pail/box and label with name of your child on the exterior. Thank you for your support.
REMINDERS
1. We encourage parents to read a short book to their child during drop-off each morning (if not doing so already). Not only will this important activity support a smoother morning transition for your child, but you will also experience additional bonding time, while all in the same, promoting literacy development. Thank you.
2. We encourage parents to assist their 3/4 year old student to trace her/his name during drop-off, each morning with the help of a parent. Student sign-in sheets will be set up on center table.
3. Please use our child’s school backpack to store clothing daily. In addition, take the time to organize your child’s belongings and clear out dirty clothing daily. Thank you.
4. In trying to maintain open communication with parents, we will begin a student observation log. Parents are encouraged to read and write inside the notebook daily (possible illness, mood, any special requests). Parents may write down comments about their child’s sleeping pattern and diet the night before and the morning of care. Parents will also have the opportunity to check the white board, located in the school hallway for monthly parent announcements and reminders.
*However, parents are responsible for reading the monthly parent newsletter posted on our school blog. The newsletter was developed with the intention of maintaining a strong school to home connection. Thank you.
5. We are currently enrolling P-T and F-T students for Fall/Winter of 2009/2010 and need your help. Please assist us in spreading the word about our school success by sharing your school experience with friends, coworkers and neighbors. PPLA is offering an ‘Appreciation Stipend’ worth $100.00 per family for every referred child who enrolls in our school. Thank you for your time and support.
6. We are asking for your assistance in maintaining a stimulating school experience for our children. Due to our limited funds, we are asking parents to donate what they can from the list of items below. We appreciate your commitment to the program and value your support and understanding in these harsh economic times. Thank you!
1. Outdoor large sea animals
2. Outdoor storage shed
3. Indoor costumes and rack
4. Indoor mirrors
5. Multicultural dolls
6. *Imaginative play furniture—, washer and dryer, kitchen with sink, cooking accessories, etc.
7. 3 Classroom storage outdoor baskets/containers (i.e. baskets used to store small blocks, etc.)
8. Building blocks (large wooden, bristle, etc.)
9. *Planters and soil
10. *Outdoor play house
11. * 4 Tricycles
12. 2 tires and chains for student swings
13. Outdoor floor mats
14. *Parent labor for school repairs
*An asterisk has been placed next to the item (s) in the most need.
No comments:
Post a Comment