Quarter Note Class Newsletter

Dear Parents,

We continued our autumn theme by creating fall collages, using pumpkin stickers, leaves and shredded paper.  Some of the stories the children enjoyed listening to were: Mouse's First Fall, by Lauren Thompson and Mrs. McMurphy's Pumpkin, by Rick Walton.






In music class this week with Lisa, we went to the beach and made castles in the sand.  We also listened to sounds of waves, seagulls and motorboats and then imitated their sounds.  We counted five seagulls on our fingers and watched as they flew away one by one.  Their favorite song of the week was "Shoo-fly", which we dance as a big circle.  I could hear the kids still singing it while they were playing outside! In violin, we have learned the parts of the violin and the bow, plus are working on developing the shape of our bow holds with our "bunny bow holds".  Ask your kids if they can show you how to make one!

The highlight of the week was when Richard, from Curious Creatures, visited the school.  The children had a chance to pat, and even hold the creatures. Some of their favorite animals and reptiles were a boa constrictor, a chinchilla, a tortoise, a bearded dragon lizard,  and an alligator.  What a fun learning experience it was for the children.

 

Today we made the most delicious pumpkin muffins. The children not only had a great time baking the muffins but eating them as well. They were so delicious!  The children learned how to measure, crack open an egg, and even had a chance to decorate the muffins with a real  pastry bag.

 

Next week we look forward to beginning our Thanksgiving unit.

Notes:  Parent Conferences will be scheduled on Wednesday, November 13, 2013.  A sign up sheet will be posted in the classroom.  If this time is not convenient for you, please let me know. 

It is getting very cold outside. Please make sure you send your child to school with the proper outdoor clothing.

Please bring your child to school on time.  We will be starting our meeting time promptly at 9:15.  This is a very important part of the day and we don't want your child to miss it. 

Love,

Ms. Bonne and
Ms. Barbara

October 18, 2013 Newsletter

Dear Parents,

We began our fall theme by going on a nature walk.  We collected pine cones, wild flowers, and leaves.  We then went back to our class room and sorted through the leaves and all of nature's treasures.  The children chose all of their favorite leaves and  flowers and stuck them onto clear contact paper. Please stop by our classroom and see how beautiful they look displayed in our windows.  We also painted a large brown tree and attached some painted leaves to it.  





 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Some of the stories the children enjoyed listening to this week were:  Why do Leaves Change Color?, by Betsy Maestro and Leaf Man, by Lois Ehlert.  We then had a discussion about trees and leaves. We talked about the benefits of trees, such as they provide oxygen, fruits, and provide us shade from the sun.   We now know that the wood from the trees can be used to build houses, furniture and boats.  
 
After taking a closer look at the leaves, we found that different types of trees produce different kinds of leaves such as oak, maple, pine, elm, and birch. We also discovered that leaves come in all different shapes and sizes.  Some leaves are large, small, round, pointy, long, and short.
 

 
 
The children seemed to enjoy painting at the easel this week.  They seemed to like experimenting with paint by  mixing all the colors together.  They also traced and cutout a pumpkin shape, which they marble painted.

 
 
 

         












                "Hi Dad, I am at school."
  

  

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Next week we will continue our fall theme by decorating pumpkins and roasting pumpkin seeds.
 
Love,
 
Ms. Bonne and
Ms. Barbara


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

October 11, 2013 Newsletter

Dear Parents,

We continued our pet theme this week by learning about fish and birds.  We read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, by Dr. Seuss.  We then had a discussion about fish.  We now know that fish live in water, breathe through their gills, and are covered with scales.

We have a new addition to our class, a betta fish.  We are in the process of coming up with a name for him.  The children created their own aquariums. They first traced and cut out a fish bowl shape.  They then painted their fish bowl with a combination of corn syrup and blue food coloring. They added water colored fish, bubbles, stones, and glittery seaweed.  Not only were the results spectacular but the children used many different skills in creating this project such as cutting, tracing, and painting.

In music this week  the children learned the different parts of the violin - the strings, the bridge, the f-hole (sound hole) .  Each child had a chance to practice playing the violin. They also learned to play the bike bell and sang the bicycle song.













We celebrated Nina's third birthday.  Thank you to Nina's family for the delicious cake.

 
 
       Happy Birthday Nina!

 

Jean Holmblad, librarian from the Newton Public library visited our school.  Some of the stories she read to the children  were: "The Bridge is Up," "Lemons are not Red," and "What Am I?  Halloween."

 One of the highlights of the week was when Geddy (my parrot) visited our classroom.  He talked, sang, meowed, barked and even played basketball. We learned a lot about birds such as, birds have feathers, wings, and beaks. They come from the rain forest, where it is hot and humid.  They are the only animals that have feathers. Birds are among the most intelligent of creatures. We also talked about what birds eat.  They mainly eat fruit, vegetables, seeds, and occasionally nuts.

 

 

 

  

Please remember to leave an extra leave a jacket or sweater in your child's cubby.  The playground tends to get very cold.

 

 

Love,

Ms. Bonne and
Ms. Barbara