Catch up!

     We have been working hard in Literacy Centers to develop stronger hands for writing and writing our names. Some of us are working on tracing, while others are working on practicing writing their first and last name. We have used dry erase markers on white boards, paper and markers, and writing our name with our fingers in rice and sand. To develop stronger muscles in our hands, we've manipulated play-doh, moon sand, and clay. We have also practiced moving things from one place to another using tweezers. During free art, scissors and glue have been used a lot since they appeared in our art caddies.
     During Math Workshop, the children have been working on positional words (above, below, beside, between, etc.), sorting, and patterns. Some of us are working on AB patterns (red, blue, red, blue) while others are working on making patterns with shapes. We have a sorting center that has been very popular during "free math." The children can sort by size, color, or shape. This is usually worked on by two to three people at a time. I love listening to them socialize as they figure out which piece goes in what area of the sorting tray.
     In Science Exploration, the children have been busy discovering magnets. They have been taking the magnet wand around the classroom and figuring out what is magnetic and what isn't. Tomorrow, I will send home a sandwich sized baggy with each child. Over the weekend, see if you can help your child find five or so things that may or may not be magnetic that will fit in the bag. We will get our baggies out during science next week and do some experiments. The baggies will come back home with the items that you send in. Your child may bring them in Monday or Wednesday.

     Conferences have been coming quick(Tuesday, November 6th)! We spent some time this week preparing for them. Please check the Conference Schedule and double check your child's conference time. If you are running late, please call the school (540-563-5036) so I have a heads up. Because of our back to back schedule, we will need to reschedule if you are more than 10 minutes late. Thank you for understanding!