Tuesday, March 12, 2013

The baby's here and more...

Miles Thomas Pallarino
Born 3.9.13
6 lbs. 12 oz
(Mama and baby are doing fine.)

 
 
From Maps to Planets
 
We went to counselor Don McCord's office to see his BIG map!
When Heike's mom so generously donated a globe to our classroom, the chidren's interest began to shift from maps to planet Earth to planets in general.  First the children painted thier own planet Earths.

Later, Mrs. Nemcek made "moon dust" with the children and  read a book called Meet the Planets. Then everyone got to paint their favorite planet.  We also started writing/and rawing in our Space Journals where we can record what we know and what we think about space, real and make-believe.

Playing with "moon dust"

Ava, Kate and Heike write/draw in their space journals.
 
Daisy
Daisy is a box turtle that used to be Mrs. Carlson's pet.  A couple months ago, Mrs. Carlson donated Daisy to the high school science department so she can become a part of the Environmental Sciences turtle pond.  Until it's warm enough, Daisy is living in science teacher Beth Peterson's classroom.  The children helped deliver Daisy to Mrs. Peterson a couple months back and continue to visit her periodically. Recently, many of the children made pictures to take to Daisy the next time we visit her. Many thanks to Mrs.Peterson for caring for Daisy and for so graciously hosting our visits!
 
The children help deliver Daisy to Mrs. Peterson's classroom.
 
 
 
 
Welcome, Henry and Elsa
Please join us in welcoming 4 year old twins, Henry and Elsa to our classroom.  Henry and Elsa have a big brother named Gavin who is in kindergarten.  Welcome to Little Giants!
 
 
Sign Language
 
Lately we've been incorporating some sign language into our day as an additional way to communicate.  The teachers and children are learning together as we use signs to communicate what to do (sit, listen, etc.), to complement our project work (sun, moon, planet, etc.) and to reinforce letter sounds (pants, pajamas, parrot for the letter "p").  The children have picked up on it very quickly.  Ask them to show you some!  Here are some of our frequent words:  yes, no, please, water, listen, turtle.  Mrs. Carlson has been using this site to learn new signs--http://www.signingsavvy.com/
 
The children do the sign for "planet".

 
 Reminders:
  • Please be sure your child has an extra set of clothes at school at all times.
  • Save the date for the HP Community Benefit at the Deerpath Inn in Lake Forest on April 26th...dinner, live auction (the Little Giants will be have a piece for live auction!) and more!
  • No School Spring Break, Mar.25-29th
  • For the remainder of the year, Mrs. Fieldman will work 8-4, Mrs. Nemcek 7-11:30, and Mrs. Carlson 11:30-5.
  • Little Giants registration in now open to the general public...spread the word!!!
 


Saturday, March 2, 2013