I am thankful for all of you, "my" families, "my" kids bring such joy every day!
But seriously:
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Thanksgiving
I had such a great feast with all of the kids and families able to make it!
I am thankful for all of you, "my" families, "my" kids bring such joy every day!
I am thankful for all of you, "my" families, "my" kids bring such joy every day!
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Mrs. Miller gets snowed in...
First night of storm
My house, I was lucky to get a crew out to shovel my roof, the drifts in the back were higher!
Snow up to the bedroom windows
Drift from roof before having it cleared off
It's been quite a week! I'm happy to say I was finally able to get out of our house! My husband is working out of state and with the help of neighbors we weathered the storm. I did things I never imagined and got through it!
I'm looking forward to returning to school next week. Our feast as of now is still on for Tuesday. Due to no school on Friday, please bring in whatever you had signed up/were selected to bring in for the feast on Monday so we can prep for Tuesday.
Have a fantastic weekend. If you have friends or family within the storm I send out my thoughts and hope all are safe. Cross your fingers I don't have flooding now!
~Mrs. Miller
Friday, November 14, 2014
Sometimes...All the time...
Happy Friday!
Is it just me or is November flying by?! As I was planning for next week I realized that next week is the last full week of class in November!
I can't say Thank You enough to those of you who are able and have responded to helping with our Family Feast. I am looking forward to just spending some time together as one big Pre-K family before the holiday hustle and bustle starts.
This week we started our nutrition unit. I can assume that some kids have come home and become almost obsessed with talking about "all the time food" and "sometimes food". Each year without fail I hear from parents that their kids really become interested in learning about healthy vs. unhealthy food. I explain to the kids in a way that is easy for them to understand that:
Healthy food is AKA All the time food, they are foods that are good for our body and it is okay, if not great to eat these types of food every day!
Unhealthy food is AKA Sometimes food, food that tastes good but is not very good for your body and should not be eaten every day.
This week we really focused on looking at different foods and using the smart bord to play interactive sorting games in which they determined and sorted food into healthy and unhealthy categories.
They learned that nutrition means how we eat and take care of our bodies. Healthy food has so many vitamins that help us to stay healthy and grow up big, strong and smart. They learned that although unhealthy food tastes REALLY good, there are things in them that can make our body unhealthy and maybe even feel tired.
We also discussed breakfast as being the most important meal because it gives us the energy we need to make it through the day. We talked about foods that would make a healthy breakfast.
Today's focus was on exercise and how it is good for the heart, body and mind. They learned that exercise does not mean simply working out but can be other things like playing outside, climbing the playground, bike riding, skating, running, dance and other sports. We exercise every day in class after snack time during gross motor in which we do movement activities from the smart board. Today we did work out videos:
The kids learned that stretching our bodies is also important to keep our muscles from getting sore or hurt.
Other things the kids learned this week included:
~comparing-longer/shorter, more/less, wide/narrow
Click for comparing games we played here I.1 I.5
Letter H extras:
Is it just me or is November flying by?! As I was planning for next week I realized that next week is the last full week of class in November!
I can't say Thank You enough to those of you who are able and have responded to helping with our Family Feast. I am looking forward to just spending some time together as one big Pre-K family before the holiday hustle and bustle starts.
This week we started our nutrition unit. I can assume that some kids have come home and become almost obsessed with talking about "all the time food" and "sometimes food". Each year without fail I hear from parents that their kids really become interested in learning about healthy vs. unhealthy food. I explain to the kids in a way that is easy for them to understand that:
Healthy food is AKA All the time food, they are foods that are good for our body and it is okay, if not great to eat these types of food every day!
Unhealthy food is AKA Sometimes food, food that tastes good but is not very good for your body and should not be eaten every day.
This week we really focused on looking at different foods and using the smart bord to play interactive sorting games in which they determined and sorted food into healthy and unhealthy categories.
They learned that nutrition means how we eat and take care of our bodies. Healthy food has so many vitamins that help us to stay healthy and grow up big, strong and smart. They learned that although unhealthy food tastes REALLY good, there are things in them that can make our body unhealthy and maybe even feel tired.
We also discussed breakfast as being the most important meal because it gives us the energy we need to make it through the day. We talked about foods that would make a healthy breakfast.
Today's focus was on exercise and how it is good for the heart, body and mind. They learned that exercise does not mean simply working out but can be other things like playing outside, climbing the playground, bike riding, skating, running, dance and other sports. We exercise every day in class after snack time during gross motor in which we do movement activities from the smart board. Today we did work out videos:
Other things the kids learned this week included:
~comparing-longer/shorter, more/less, wide/narrow
Click for comparing games we played here I.1 I.5
Letter H extras:
I have enjoyed meeting with some parents for conferences and look forward to the upcoming scheduled conferences. It is nice to get time to talk to each of you without other distractions!
~Have a Great Weekend!
Mrs. Miller
Friday, November 7, 2014
Learning and Laughter
Happy Friday!
I apologize for the missed post last week. With last Friday being Halloween it was quite busy between the party at school with the kids and trick or treating at home with my own kids. Mrs. Pohl and I cannot thank our families enough for helping make the party a success. Thank you for your donations and volunteering. The kids looked awesome and they had so much fun! With that being said, you will now find information about our Family Thanksgiving Feast in which all are welcome to attend in their folder this weekend...
'Tis the season!
We have been working on so many new things and continuing to practice other skills as well.
One thing that has really been standing out most in my class that the kids seem to really love is how I explain letter formation. On the web there are many, many catchy ways to explain to your child how to properly form and print letters and numbers. This week's letter G and number 5 had the kids cracking up each day we talked about it and practiced.
My version of writing G is different than what I will post below:
Capital G-First you make a C then throw food in it's mouth
Lowercase g- First you make a small circle and then an upside down candy cane
Number 5-Give it a hat, short neck, belly fat
So I highly recommend referring to some of these silly poems when practicing name writing, letter writing or number writing at home. It really catches their attention and they look forward to practicing each day just because they like to hear me say it while I show them. I even heard some of the kids saying the silly phrase as they attempted printing the letter and number! SUCCESS! (Even when they just aren't getting it I tell them how great I think they are doing and to keep practicing...why?...even when it looks nothing like the letter?...because they are trying and motivated to keep trying).
Capital and Lowercase Letter Formation Poems
A - Pull down twice from the point to the top. Add a seat to view the apple crop.
a - First make a round apple to eat, then a slide for an ant when he's finished his treat!
B - Big old B has a tall straight back and two big bellies 'cause he just ate a snack!
b - Draw a straight back just like me. Don't forget to add a belly for b.
Cc - Cars can cruise down curvy c. Stop near the ground- that's it you see!
D - Down to the ground, then take a break. Half a circle is what you'll make.
d - First you make a dime to spend. Go way up high then down to the end.
E - Pull straight down for capital E. Then add some shelves 1, 2, 3.
e - A little line start off e. Add a plate for an egg- here's breakfast for me!
F - Big F is a tall flower for you. E has three lines, F has two.
f - This flower grows tall and hangs a little. Add a line right in the middle.
G - Big round circle but don't go too far. Add a garage to park your car!
g - A garden starts with a little seed. The roots grow down that's all you need!
H- Make two lines, high to low. Connect the lines so they can say hello!
h - First start high then take a jump. Little h has a little hump.
I - Big I starts with one side of a door. All it needs is a roof and a floor.
i - Little i goes down, it's an ice cream treat. Add a sprinkle on top and it's ready to eat.
J - Jumping jack J jumps up and down and then curls up. Jack needs a hat 'cause he likes to dress up!
j - Little j is so thin and lean. Jump way down, then add a jellybean!
Kk - K and k have three lines as you can see: a tall straight back and a sideways v.
L - Pull down a line and add a lap. Lie down, lazy! It's time for a nap!
l - Little l looks like a number one. Just draw a line and you are done!
M - Go down, hit the ground, then draw a V. Down to the ground again big M is two mountains for me.
m - Go down, hit the ground then get ready for bumps. Little m is easy to write, just add two humps.
N - Stick a nail in the ground and slant another one right. Add a third pointing up and say “nighty-night”!
n - Go down, hit the ground and your almost done. Little m has two humps, n has only one!
Oo - Oh yum! An orange to eat! Nice and round, it's a healthy treat.
P - Pull down your pencil, then pick it up off the ground. Add a half a penny, nice and round.
p - Pop on down and then up, you see. Finish it off with a little pea!
Q - Big Q is a round quarter to spend. Add a line when you're at the end.
q - A fancy queen with a little pearl. Give q's hair a special curl.
R - First draw a line and then a rainbow. Add a ramp and you're ready to go!
r - Go straight down, then race on back. r has an arm, like a little rack.
Ss - Silly S and s, those slippery snakes. Twisty, turny, ready to shake!
T - Big T is a big tall tree. Add a fort at the top so you can see.
T - Little t is a little tree. Add a fort in the middle for you and me!
U - Big U is just like a cup. Start by going down and then curve up.
U - Curve down and up, then down once more. Little u is a cup that's ready to pour.
V v - Slant down first then up like so. This upside-down volcano is ready to blow!
W w - W and w have two pointy waves. Swim in the water if you're brave!
X x - A criss and a cross and in case you forgot, where is the treasure? X marks the spot!
Y - Capital Y has a V in the air. The pole at the bottom holds it there.
Y - Slant down right, down to the ground. Slant down left and take it underground.
Z z - Zigzag Z and z are easy, you see. Just zig a zag - 1, 2, 3!
Number Formation Poems
I apologize for the missed post last week. With last Friday being Halloween it was quite busy between the party at school with the kids and trick or treating at home with my own kids. Mrs. Pohl and I cannot thank our families enough for helping make the party a success. Thank you for your donations and volunteering. The kids looked awesome and they had so much fun! With that being said, you will now find information about our Family Thanksgiving Feast in which all are welcome to attend in their folder this weekend...
'Tis the season!
We have been working on so many new things and continuing to practice other skills as well.
One thing that has really been standing out most in my class that the kids seem to really love is how I explain letter formation. On the web there are many, many catchy ways to explain to your child how to properly form and print letters and numbers. This week's letter G and number 5 had the kids cracking up each day we talked about it and practiced.
My version of writing G is different than what I will post below:
Capital G-First you make a C then throw food in it's mouth
Lowercase g- First you make a small circle and then an upside down candy cane
Number 5-Give it a hat, short neck, belly fat
So I highly recommend referring to some of these silly poems when practicing name writing, letter writing or number writing at home. It really catches their attention and they look forward to practicing each day just because they like to hear me say it while I show them. I even heard some of the kids saying the silly phrase as they attempted printing the letter and number! SUCCESS! (Even when they just aren't getting it I tell them how great I think they are doing and to keep practicing...why?...even when it looks nothing like the letter?...because they are trying and motivated to keep trying).
Capital and Lowercase Letter Formation Poems
A - Pull down twice from the point to the top. Add a seat to view the apple crop.
a - First make a round apple to eat, then a slide for an ant when he's finished his treat!
B - Big old B has a tall straight back and two big bellies 'cause he just ate a snack!
b - Draw a straight back just like me. Don't forget to add a belly for b.
Cc - Cars can cruise down curvy c. Stop near the ground- that's it you see!
D - Down to the ground, then take a break. Half a circle is what you'll make.
d - First you make a dime to spend. Go way up high then down to the end.
E - Pull straight down for capital E. Then add some shelves 1, 2, 3.
e - A little line start off e. Add a plate for an egg- here's breakfast for me!
F - Big F is a tall flower for you. E has three lines, F has two.
f - This flower grows tall and hangs a little. Add a line right in the middle.
G - Big round circle but don't go too far. Add a garage to park your car!
g - A garden starts with a little seed. The roots grow down that's all you need!
H- Make two lines, high to low. Connect the lines so they can say hello!
h - First start high then take a jump. Little h has a little hump.
I - Big I starts with one side of a door. All it needs is a roof and a floor.
i - Little i goes down, it's an ice cream treat. Add a sprinkle on top and it's ready to eat.
J - Jumping jack J jumps up and down and then curls up. Jack needs a hat 'cause he likes to dress up!
j - Little j is so thin and lean. Jump way down, then add a jellybean!
Kk - K and k have three lines as you can see: a tall straight back and a sideways v.
L - Pull down a line and add a lap. Lie down, lazy! It's time for a nap!
l - Little l looks like a number one. Just draw a line and you are done!
M - Go down, hit the ground, then draw a V. Down to the ground again big M is two mountains for me.
m - Go down, hit the ground then get ready for bumps. Little m is easy to write, just add two humps.
N - Stick a nail in the ground and slant another one right. Add a third pointing up and say “nighty-night”!
n - Go down, hit the ground and your almost done. Little m has two humps, n has only one!
Oo - Oh yum! An orange to eat! Nice and round, it's a healthy treat.
P - Pull down your pencil, then pick it up off the ground. Add a half a penny, nice and round.
p - Pop on down and then up, you see. Finish it off with a little pea!
Q - Big Q is a round quarter to spend. Add a line when you're at the end.
q - A fancy queen with a little pearl. Give q's hair a special curl.
R - First draw a line and then a rainbow. Add a ramp and you're ready to go!
r - Go straight down, then race on back. r has an arm, like a little rack.
Ss - Silly S and s, those slippery snakes. Twisty, turny, ready to shake!
T - Big T is a big tall tree. Add a fort at the top so you can see.
T - Little t is a little tree. Add a fort in the middle for you and me!
U - Big U is just like a cup. Start by going down and then curve up.
U - Curve down and up, then down once more. Little u is a cup that's ready to pour.
V v - Slant down first then up like so. This upside-down volcano is ready to blow!
W w - W and w have two pointy waves. Swim in the water if you're brave!
X x - A criss and a cross and in case you forgot, where is the treasure? X marks the spot!
Y - Capital Y has a V in the air. The pole at the bottom holds it there.
Y - Slant down right, down to the ground. Slant down left and take it underground.
Z z - Zigzag Z and z are easy, you see. Just zig a zag - 1, 2, 3!
Number Formation Poems
Straight line down
And then we're done.
That's the way
To make a one.
Around and back
On the railroad track.
Two, two,
Two, tow.
Around a tree,
Around a tree.
That's the way
To make a three.
Down and over,
Down once more.
That's the way
To make a four.
Straight line down,
Then around.
Hat on top
And five's a clown.
Stick and a hoop
Do the tricks.
That's the way
To make a six.
Across the sky
And down from heaven.
That's the way
To make a seven.
Make an S
And do not wait.
Go back up
And that's an eight.
A loop and a line
That's a nine.
Straight line down,
Then around with a grin.
That's the way
To make a ten.
I hope you have a GREAT weekend...stay warm!
~Mrs. Miller
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