Hello Yellow Duck Families,
We had a wonderful first, full week together. We were very busy Ducks, exploring our classroom, checking out our outside play spaces, eating together, and beginning to get familiar with our new classroom routines. Everyone is doing a great job of learning everyone’s names and lining up to travel to all the places we go during our short time at school. Occasionally, you might see your child struggle to fit things into their little cubbies. Before you jump in to rescue them, encourage your child to try it themselves first. Almost every time, they will figure it out and beam with pride in their accomplishment! You will too! Often times, the opportunity to struggle is a gift.
International Dot Day is on Sunday. So, to celebrate we read the book, “The Dot”. Its beautiful message to children is that wherever they are with their art, it is a masterpiece. Dot art was made by all, and every child signed their masterpiece just like any famous artist would. They are hung on our bulletin board above our writing table as you enter our room. Focusing on dots was simple and helped even those who struggle with art, to step back and see value even in a dot!
Creating our dots!
Please check out the self portraits in the hallway by our room. The children used pencil and crayons to create them.
“A self-portrait is an intimate, bold declaration of identity. In her self-portrait, a child offers herself as both subject and artist. When we look at her self-portrait, we see a child as she sees herself. The story of self-portrait work is a tender story to tell." - The Language of Art: Inquiry-Based Studio Practices in Early Childhood Settings by Ann Pelo.
A new tea set showed up this week from our Amazon wish list (thank you Karie)! We’ve been enjoying every kind of tea you can imagine. If you’d like to order something for the Duck class, feel free to use the QR code. No pressure to do so. It’s there for those who asked if we needed/wanted anything for our classroom. 😄
REMINDERS:
-Be sure to check out our class photos to see what we have been up to this week. You can access the ducks blog page in the parent portal on the school website using the password CCP-2024-25 (remember…our photos are password protected to keep our children safe. DO NOT copy & share any pictures that include children other than your own, please). We will continue to keep our play-based learning environment simple and welcoming for the next few weeks, focusing on providing each child with opportunities to move, discuss, sing, read, observe and create. Can you see these important areas of growth developing in the class photos of your child?
~Next week, we will join Pastor Lee for chapel time. He will give a short message, sing some songs and pray with us. We are grateful for the time he spends with us each week. This is also the week that we start our first music time with Ms. Vicki.
~September 23rd is our first Lunch Bunch! Please send in both a labeled snack and lunch with your child. Having them separate helps them (and us) know exactly what is supposed to be their lunch for that day. Please remember that we are a NUT/SESAME-FREE school when packing your snack and lunch.
-Near the end of the month we will practice our first fire drill. It will be very low key and non-threatening. First we will read a little book that we wrote about fire drills at CCP. Then, Ms. Debbie will ring a little bell in the hallway for our first practice. Typically, it’s not a big deal. We clap and praise the children’s efforts at knowing how to be safe.
-If you haven’t sent in your family photo yet, please do so. Our family tree is filling up. We have had several conversations about the people in our families this week and it helps us learn more about your duck.
Cheers to the weekend! Remember always to hit that read on link…
Peace,
Ms. Shelly & Ms. Carina