January Newsletter
Preprimary 2 Miss Jessica Miss Hannah
January Newsletter What is “line time” anyway? It was so nice to see all of the children come back from Holiday Break rested and relaxed. Everyone came back to school with fun stories to tell about their adventures during vacation. All of the children were also very eager to get back to work and have returned with a greater sense of ownership over their classroom and routines. At line time almost every day, we are practicing how to tell a story and how to listen to a story. We always have children who want to share with others about their lives so its important for the other children to be good listeners. One of our Peacemaker messages this month was, “Peacemakers listen to understand.” After a child tells a story, I will ask the others questions about that story. This not only keeps the storyteller “on track” and works on their public speaking but also keeps the others engaged and will prepare them for reading and language comprehension. Every Wednesday, we have a Peace Meeting. During these meetings, we turn off the lights and a Peacemaker Message of the Week is introduced. This month, the messages have been, “Peacemakers work it out without violence, Peacemakers share with others, Peacemakers listen to understand.” The children are asked to think of and share times when they have been a peacemaker in one of these ways. This a time for the children to openly share stories about their experiences. We also find a lot of times when the children were not acting as peacemakers and we are able to discuss what to do next time. We then circle back to our Grace and Courtesy lessons and talk about ways we can put these Peacemaker messages into action in our classroom. The children are learning new vocabulary to use in tough situations and also able to practice what to do before a situation happens.
Teacher “Place” Studies
Before jumping into our continent study each teacher is taking a week to share the city or town they are from. Ms. Hannah started off with Worcester, Massachusetts. We began with talking about where Worcester is on the map and how far it is from Boston. We also brainstormed the different ways to get to Worcester from Boston. The children talked about driving in a car or riding a train would be good ways to get to Wocester. They also concluded that riding in an airplane would not be a good way to travel to Wocester J Ms. Hannah introduced Worcester as "The Seven Hills" and the children worked on their 3D artwork as a representation of Worcester's landscape (you can find this artwork on the second floor of Province). Ms. Hannah also introduced the Smiley Face because it was created in Worcester by Harvey Ball. We sang the Smiley Face Song (search on You Tube!) and the kids got to make their own smiley faces by tracing a circle, cutting it out, and practicing drawing a face with eyes, nose, and mouth Ms. Hannah wrapped up her study by sharing very special pictures from her childhood. The children loved seeing pictures of Ms Hannah when she was younger. Ms Rachel also shared that she originates from China, which is in the continent of Asia. The children agreed that China is a very long plane ride away from Boston. The province Ms Rachel was born in is called Shanxi (Shang-‐zee). Ms Rachel also shared very special childhood pictures of herself and her family. In China, mothers are called “Mama,” fathers are called, “Baba,” brothers are called
“Ge ge” and dog is called, “xio gou.” Ms Rachel also shared special snacks with all the children. The children made ma hua. This is a twisted fried dough snack and it is Ms Rachel’s favorite sweet. The children twisted their own ma hua out of clay. Ms Rachel also showed the children how to make a special steamed bun called man tou. In the province of Shanxi, people only prepare and eat man tou during Chinese New Year. Man tou can come in all different shapes such as flowers, rabbits, snakes, and towers. Please come see the children’s man tou outside the classroom on the bulletin board!
Songs We Have Been Singing… I Have a Little Pussy I have a little pussy
His coat is silver grey He lives down in the meadow Not very far away He’ll always be a pussy He’ll never be a cat Cause he’s a pussy willow Now what do you think of that? Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow Scat Cat!
Five Little Snowmen Five little snowmen, happy and gay The first one said, What a lovely day! The second one said, We’ll never have tears The third one said, We’ll last for years! The fourth on said, But what happens in May? The fifth one said, We melt away….
Word of the Month! Meteorologist : a person who studies the weather
How it applies in our classroom? Every morning, our Mister or Miss Meteorologist will check the weather out the window.
January “Sensorimotor Group” Newsletter
A Sensorimotor Group note from Miss Geraldine: Our groups are underway and the children are excited. Please peek in the room, when you have a moment, to see the equipment. The room is used for Torit’s sensorimotor groups and as a play space for the school during inclement weather. What does sensorimotor mean? A sensorimotor group is a form of intervention used by an occupational therapist to improve academic and motor skills in all children. The groups are aimed at the development of sensory, perceptual, and motor skills through the use of very specific activities completed thru an obstacle course. Our groups, at the Torit School, are theme-‐ focused and include warm-‐up and cool down activities. Each month, I will explain one key developmental concept that is being promoted during your child’s sensorimotor groups. Each activity is modified as needed so that all of the children are successful and challenged. January’s Developmental Concept -‐ Bilateral Coordination Bilateral coordination is the ability to use both sides of the body at the same time in a controlled and organized manner. Bilateral movement might be: using both sides of the body to do the same thing; alternating the same movement on each side of the body; or utilizing each side of the body (hands or full body) to do different movements (e.g. holding with one hand and cutting /writing with the other). Being able to coordinate both sides of the body is an indication that both sides of the brain are communicating and sharing information with each other. This is important for success within the classroom in academics such as reading and writing. It is important for success as a child in accomplishing many daily activities such as climbing stairs, playing a musical instrument, stirring food in a bowl, playing sports and having full visual awareness of the environment. Examples of bilateral activities the children may do during our groups are listed below: • Climbing the ladder to the top of the loft • Climbing down the ladder from the top of the loft • Jumping and hopping activities • Wheelbarrow walking • Animal walking • Crawling through tunnels, under equipment, over bumpy surfaces • Rope-‐pulling up an incline using alternating arms (hand over hand) An additional great overview, written by Geraldine, detailing the links between movement and academics can be found on our website at: http://toritmedia.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2014/02/Movement-‐Bulletin-‐ Geraldine-‐.pdf
January Newsletter What is “line time” anyway? It was so nice to see all of the children come back from Holiday Break rested and relaxed. Everyone came back to school with fun stories to tell about their adventures during vacation. All of the children were also very eager to get back to work and have returned with a greater sense of ownership over their classroom and routines. At line time almost every day, we are practicing how to tell a story and how to listen to a story. We always have children who want to share with others about their lives so its important for the other children to be good listeners. One of our Peacemaker messages this month was, “Peacemakers listen to understand.” After a child tells a story, I will ask the others questions about that story. This not only keeps the storyteller “on track” and works on their public speaking but also keeps the others engaged and will prepare them for reading and language comprehension. Every Wednesday, we have a Peace Meeting. During these meetings, we turn off the lights and a Peacemaker Message of the Week is introduced. This month, the messages have been, “Peacemakers work it out without violence, Peacemakers share with others, Peacemakers listen to understand.” The children are asked to think of and share times when they have been a peacemaker in one of these ways. This a time for the children to openly share stories about their experiences. We also find a lot of times when the children were not acting as peacemakers and we are able to discuss what to do next time. We then circle back to our Grace and Courtesy lessons and talk about ways we can put these Peacemaker messages into action in our classroom. The children are learning new vocabulary to use in tough situations and also able to practice what to do before a situation happens.
Teacher “Place” Studies
Before jumping into our continent study each teacher is taking a week to share the city or town they are from. Ms. Hannah started off with Worcester, Massachusetts. We began with talking about where Worcester is on the map and how far it is from Boston. We also brainstormed the different ways to get to Worcester from Boston. The children talked about driving in a car or riding a train would be good ways to get to Wocester. They also concluded that riding in an airplane would not be a good way to travel to Wocester J Ms. Hannah introduced Worcester as "The Seven Hills" and the children worked on their 3D artwork as a representation of Worcester's landscape (you can find this artwork on the second floor of Province). Ms. Hannah also introduced the Smiley Face because it was created in Worcester by Harvey Ball. We sang the Smiley Face Song (search on You Tube!) and the kids got to make their own smiley faces by tracing a circle, cutting it out, and practicing drawing a face with eyes, nose, and mouth Ms. Hannah wrapped up her study by sharing very special pictures from her childhood. The children loved seeing pictures of Ms Hannah when she was younger. Ms Rachel also shared that she originates from China, which is in the continent of Asia. The children agreed that China is a very long plane ride away from Boston. The province Ms Rachel was born in is called Shanxi (Shang-‐zee). Ms Rachel also shared very special childhood pictures of herself and her family. In China, mothers are called “Mama,” fathers are called, “Baba,” brothers are called
“Ge ge” and dog is called, “xio gou.” Ms Rachel also shared special snacks with all the children. The children made ma hua. This is a twisted fried dough snack and it is Ms Rachel’s favorite sweet. The children twisted their own ma hua out of clay. Ms Rachel also showed the children how to make a special steamed bun called man tou. In the province of Shanxi, people only prepare and eat man tou during Chinese New Year. Man tou can come in all different shapes such as flowers, rabbits, snakes, and towers. Please come see the children’s man tou outside the classroom on the bulletin board!
Songs We Have Been Singing… I Have a Little Pussy I have a little pussy
His coat is silver grey He lives down in the meadow Not very far away He’ll always be a pussy He’ll never be a cat Cause he’s a pussy willow Now what do you think of that? Meow meow meow meow meow meow meow meow Scat Cat!
Five Little Snowmen Five little snowmen, happy and gay The first one said, What a lovely day! The second one said, We’ll never have tears The third one said, We’ll last for years! The fourth on said, But what happens in May? The fifth one said, We melt away….
Word of the Month! Meteorologist : a person who studies the weather
How it applies in our classroom? Every morning, our Mister or Miss Meteorologist will check the weather out the window.
January “Sensorimotor Group” Newsletter
A Sensorimotor Group note from Miss Geraldine: Our groups are underway and the children are excited. Please peek in the room, when you have a moment, to see the equipment. The room is used for Torit’s sensorimotor groups and as a play space for the school during inclement weather. What does sensorimotor mean? A sensorimotor group is a form of intervention used by an occupational therapist to improve academic and motor skills in all children. The groups are aimed at the development of sensory, perceptual, and motor skills through the use of very specific activities completed thru an obstacle course. Our groups, at the Torit School, are theme-‐ focused and include warm-‐up and cool down activities. Each month, I will explain one key developmental concept that is being promoted during your child’s sensorimotor groups. Each activity is modified as needed so that all of the children are successful and challenged. January’s Developmental Concept -‐ Bilateral Coordination Bilateral coordination is the ability to use both sides of the body at the same time in a controlled and organized manner. Bilateral movement might be: using both sides of the body to do the same thing; alternating the same movement on each side of the body; or utilizing each side of the body (hands or full body) to do different movements (e.g. holding with one hand and cutting /writing with the other). Being able to coordinate both sides of the body is an indication that both sides of the brain are communicating and sharing information with each other. This is important for success within the classroom in academics such as reading and writing. It is important for success as a child in accomplishing many daily activities such as climbing stairs, playing a musical instrument, stirring food in a bowl, playing sports and having full visual awareness of the environment. Examples of bilateral activities the children may do during our groups are listed below: • Climbing the ladder to the top of the loft • Climbing down the ladder from the top of the loft • Jumping and hopping activities • Wheelbarrow walking • Animal walking • Crawling through tunnels, under equipment, over bumpy surfaces • Rope-‐pulling up an incline using alternating arms (hand over hand) An additional great overview, written by Geraldine, detailing the links between movement and academics can be found on our website at: http://toritmedia.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2014/02/Movement-‐Bulletin-‐ Geraldine-‐.pdf
