TEACHING AND LEARNINGMONTHLY THEME
This month students will learn about animal kingdoms and pets. The children will read about animal behavior, characteristics and natural habitat, as well as observe pets in motion.
The children will have the opportunity to bring a pet from home to share with their classmates during show and tell (on the second Friday of this month). If you would like for your child to participate in the show and tell activity, a child permission slip must be filled out and turned into the tuition pocket. This permission slip will allow for your child to pet the animals during show and tell. We will also be posting a show and tell sign-up sheet—please sign in, if your child will be bringing in a pet.
There will be a documentary showing (short video on laptop) to further provide a visual simulation on the ways in which animals interact with their habitat and other animals in the wild. Students will compare and contrast the characteristics of prehistoric animals, reptiles, birds, and mammals (pets). In addition, students will participate in daily Language Arts and Mathematics activities that incorporate the letter, shape, color and number of the week, during circle time.
LESSON PLAN
Week of April 5—PPLA will be closed for Spring break from April 5-6, 2010
~WEDNESDAY AM CIRCLE TIME--Ice Breaker activities and welcoming new students (Eleanor and Jonah), Spring break check-in, review school guidelines, introduce the letter of the week, Jj
WEDNESDAY AM ART PROJECT—The children will label their cubby storage unit with a name tag, they will trace their name and decorate their name tag
WEDNESDAY PM ART PROJECT—The children finish name tag activity and cut out images of good behavior from school magazines (poster collage)
WEDNESDAY PM CIRCLE TIME (ENRICHMENT CLASS)—The children will continue to discuss school guidelines and proper cooking class etiquette--baking with Prima Alma. Introduce the Spanish word of the week, amigo (friend).
~THURSDAY AM CIRCLE TIME—Spring break check-in, ice breaker songs/games, introduce the number of the week, #1, and introduce prehistoric animals (T-Rex reading)
THURSDAY AM ART PROJECT—Dinosaur claw prints
THURSDAY PM ART PROJECT---Continue T-Rex claw prints
THURSDAY PM CIRCLE TIME (ENRICHMENT CLASS)---Review the Spanish word of the week, guidelines and continue with Los Pollitos movement and song
FRIDAY AM CIRCLE TIME---Introduce Triceratops and reading, Dino Yoga (ask the children what a Triceratops Yoga pose would look like?), Introduce the shape and color of the week, Cube, green
FRIDAY AM ART PROJECT---Triceratops mask
FRIDAY PM ART PROJECT---finish Triceratops mask
FRIDAY PM CIRCLE TIME (ENRICHMENT CLASS)---Review Triceratops reading in Spanish, and puppet show
*Jj, #1, cube, green
Week of April 12—Continue with Dino facts, introduce Reptiles (Anaconda, Black Mamba and Iguana)
~Monday AM Circle Time---
*Kk, #2, cylinder, forest green
Week of April 19—Introduce birds (Peacock and Flamingo)
*Ll, #3, sphere, aqua green
Week of April 26—Introducing Mammals (pets and wild animals)—Asian Elephant and Cheetah
*Mm, #4, cone, lime green
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. PPLA is yet to receive another county grant and this time to install an edible school garden. We will need the assistance of our families to install the garden on Sunday, April18 at 10:30am. The installation will last up to 4 hours and families are asked to participate for at least an hour of time. We ask that families arrive at 10:30am, so that we may all begin the installation together, or at least to have the children watch the way in which we grow food.
It is a family affair! Please dress comfortably and join us for some refreshments! PPLA will supply the families with water, juice and snacks. If you would like to bring a dish (snack?) to share with the families, you may do so, but not required. Thanks!
2. In an effort to improve the environment of our school and maintain a competitive Teachers Assistant salary, as well as provide professional development opportunities, PPLA will be increasing monthly tuition fees in the near future. Effective September 1, 2010, PPLA will be increasing monthly tuition fees for both P-T and F-T care. To view an updated tuition fee schedule, log on to the school blog and read the postings under the date, December 16, 2009. Thank you.
3. The outdoor project is close to finishing. However, we still have some touching up to do and will do so in the weeks to come. The children will stay on track with the daily schools schedule.
4. The children will have the opportunity to bring a pet from home to share with their classmates during show and tell (on the second Friday of this month—April 16). If you would like for your child to participate in the show and tell activity, a child permission slip must be filled out and turned into the tuition pocket. This permission slip will allow for your child to pet the animals during show and tell. We will also be posting a show and tell sign-up sheet—please sign in, if your child will be bringing in a pet. The forms will be available this week
5. Many of you have figured out by now that we have a big girl by the name of Mimi that joins us every late afternoon and evening for children activities and play. Mimi is Prima Alma’s little sister who is of school age (5 years old) and will participate in the daily enrichment program.
6. The lost & found, and communal boxes have been moved to on top of the cubby storage shelf unit. Please check the lost and found box daily.
7. The afternoon enrichment classes will be moved around according to teacher’s work schedule and skill ability; Monday- Kid’s Yoga with Ms. Mari/Ms. Tracy, Tuesday- Science Lab with Ms. Mari/Ms. Tracy, Wednesday- Cooking with Prima Alma/Ms. Tracy, Thursday-Music & Movement with Ms. Mari/Ms. Tracy, Friday-Drama with Ms. Mari/Ms. Tracy. The classes are co-taught by both an English and Spanish speaking instructor to assist with comprehension in English. However, the majority of the instruction is conducted in Spanish.
8. In an effort to organize children’s storage spaces, we ask that parents bring 3 pictures of their child and place them inside of the tuition pocket by Friday, April 9. In addition, by placing pictures on their cubby space, art pocket and jacket hooks helps promote language development, as the children learn to recognize their name (print).
9. We are currently enrolling P-T for spring of 2010 and P-T/F-T for fall of 2010 and need your help. Please assist us in spreading the word about our school success by sharing your school experience with friends, co-workers and neighbors. PPLA is offering an ‘Appreciation Stipend’ worth $100.00 per family for every referred child who enrolls in our school. This stipend will be redeemed and placed towards your most current monthly school tuition payment. Thank you for your time and support.
10. To provide families with a preview of the next field trip, we will be attending the Mother’s Day Free Admissions to Chabot Space Center on Sunday, May 9 at 9am.
11. We will be sending out a short questionnaire via e-mail and in the next few weeks. PPLA is hoping to begin a Parents’ Night Out program every Friday and Saturday evening. We need your input to see if this service will be beneficial to our PPLA families. Thank you.
REMINDERS
1. Due to limited storage space and in an effort to organize school items, we would like for student outdoor shoes and jackets to be stored inside the kitchen area. Each child has a jacket hook with his/her name and shoe rack space for shoe storage. During drop off parents are encouraged to bring their child into the kitchen to store their belongings. And during pick-up parents may pick-up their child’s belongings from the kitchen storage area. Thank you for your help.
2. Your child’s milk and lunch box needs to be labeled with his/her name and left inside the kitchen (counter top). Please label all of your child’s belongings, including socks and shoes. Thank you.
3. In an effort to improve the quality of our second language acquisition program (Spanish Immersion) PPLA will implement a different model of bilingual education. Effective immediately we will no longer follow a 90% Spanish Immersion teaching model, but rather integrate a Dual Immersion program (or Two-Way language immersion) in both the Toddler (1/2 years old) and Preschool (3/4 year old) classrooms.
The Dual Immersion bilingual education model would allow for one Teachers Assistant to only communicate in the English language, meanwhile the second instructor will only communicate in the Spanish language throughout the entire day. The morning circle time and art activity will be lead in English, meanwhile the afternoon enrichment classes (a variation of AM circle time with a specific theme; Science Ed./Cooking, Yoga, World Dance and Music Appreciation ) will be taught in Spanish only.
Not only will our native English speakers be on their way towards bilingualism, but so will our native Spanish speakers. The educational goal is to create a stimulating learning environment, in which the language development needs of both native English speakers and English language learners (ELL) are met equally and effectively.
To learn more about the various models in bilingual education by clicking on the link below.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/ip/faq.asp
1. Effectively immediately, PPLA will no longer conduct formal student evaluations for children under the age of 3 years old. Children ages 1 and 2 (Toddlers) have a significant catching up to do in their development, in which case there is no true value in conducting a child evaluation so early in their development.
However, PPLA’s Toddler classroom (1/2 years old) and will be closely monitored for any learning deficiencies due to a possible learning disability, physical disability, etc. If the director of PPLA believes there is a concern in the development a child, a parent meeting will be conducted immediately to discuss a plan of action for the child.
On the other hand, preschoolers (3/4 year old) need extensive preparation for Kindergarten and may need to be challenged even more (advanced students) or given modified instruction to catch up in their development. Research demonstrates that child development is most rapid and important during the age of 0-5. This is a small window of time to stimulate the production of new brain neurons in preparation for bench marked reading, writing and social-emotional development.
2. After reviewing parent field trip surveys, PPLA has decided to implement the following field trip policy, to begin immediately. Parent participation field trips are not only a fun bonding experience among friends and families, but it provides an engaging and developmental opportunity for your child, as well as networking and community building efforts among PPLA families.
There will be four total field trips scheduled throughout the academic school year (TBA-see blog, December entry), during in which parents are required to participate in all scheduled field trips. If parents may not participate, but want their child to attend the field trip, a family member may participate in lieu (must be 18 year old). Parents will be asked to assist with supervision of children, transporting food and beverages and transporting students from PPLA and to the venue.
We ask that you RSVP for all future parent participation field trips at least 72 hours in advance. This time frame will allow PPLA ample time to finalize transportation arrangements and venue booking. Children are welcome to return to school after the field trip however parents must notify PPLA at least 72 hours before the day of the field trip.
We do not guarantee participation of children without parent (or adult) participation (due to lack of transportation and PPLA staff) however PPLA will try to arrange for all students to attend. If not possible, the children will stay behind and attend daycare/preschool as scheduled.
3. In trying to maintain open communication with parents and safety, the student observation log must be reviewed by parent(s) during pick-up--parent initials are required. Parents are encouraged to 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.
4. PPLA will be implementing a new Medical Administration Authorization school policy starting on January 4, 2009. If your child is under any prescribed medication in which PPLA staff will administer, we ask that you fill out a Medical Administration Authorization form and turn in to Tuition Pocket. This form will be emailed to each parent and may be printed as needed from your home. The form must be on file before starting medicine administration. Refrigerated medicines will be placed inside designated (labeled) area inside school refrigerator. If you medicine does not require refrigeration, medicines will be stored inside the labeled medicine cabinet inside kitchen. All prescribed medicines must be labeled with their child’s name, as well as directions.
5. 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.
6. 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. This is a great way to further bond with your child before going to work, as well as fine tune motor and writing/literacy skills in preparation for Kindergarten.
7. 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. Mold may grow on clothing and sleeping materials left in school overnight and may be a health hazard to the children. Thank you.
8. 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. Bulletin board
6. Multicultural dolls
7. *Imaginative play furniture—, washer and dryer, kitchen with sink, cooking accessories, etc.
8. 3 Classroom storage outdoor baskets/containers (for outdoor classrooms)
9. Building blocks (large wooden, bristle, etc.)
10. *Outdoor play house/play structure
11. 2 Tricycles
12. 2 tires and chains for student swings (to be mounted on trees)
13. Outdoor floor mats
14. *Parent labor for school repairs
*An asterisk has been placed next to the item (s) in most need.
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