We had a great time at the pumpkin patch! Everyone enjoyed a story and pumpkin bread. They also had a chance to pick out their own pumpkin to take home.

BUTTON PATTERNS 

The ability to recognize and create patterns help us make predictions based on our observations; this is an important skill in math. Understanding patterns help prepare children for learning complex number concepts and mathematical operations. The children worked together in pairs to create their own button pattern

SEWING CIRCLE

After discussing how people make clothes we formed our own sewing circle. This activity helps with fine motor skills and eye-hand coordination. Using a needle and thread the boys and girls created their own bat for Halloween.

This week we discussed how to make friends and keep them. We also made a digital book about friendships called "A Circle of Friends". After we wrote the story, the children took photos and we incorporated them into our book. On the computer, the children watched as I typed each child's part of the story. Young children's concept of print is a good predictor of later reading, writing, and spelling ability.

YOU'VE GOT MAIL

What did the letter say to the stamp? "Stick with me and you'll go places".

 Since we are learning about friendships, I had the children make postcards for their classmates in our new Post Office. We discussed why we give cards to others and how it feels to receive a card. Using markers, colors, and stickers the boys and girls decorated their postcards. When they were done we discussed how the postal system works, from the mailbox to the sorting office to the letter which arrives at their mailbox. After sorting our mail by names, the children delivered postcards to the student's cubby. We also sent real postcards through our school mailbox so friends could receive them at home. Having a post office dramatic play area in our classroom offers a variety of opportunities for working together, writing and sending notes and learning how mail is delivered. While our students are sorting, transporting, and sending packages, they are building language skills while working and playing together.

We had a special visit from the Fire Department and they taught the children about fire safety. Preston had a race with one of the Firefighters to see who could get ready first. It was wonderful to hear the children cheer him on. What a Great visit!

September is Hunger Awareness month and we wanted to help. Each child decorated a box to collect food. We placed the 21 boxes around campus to encourage people to donate. I’m proud to say we filled all 21 boxes. This is twice the amount from last year.

One of our focus questions was, “When do things happen at school?”  We used our visual schedule to see what happens during the day and even took some time to plan activities together.  Routines are very important at this age and their inquiring minds enjoy discussing what we are doing next. One of the activities we planned was to to read Peeny Butter Fudge.  In this book when Mama leaves the kids with Nana, she also leaves a set of instructions for the day. But, when the door closes, all sorts of fun breaks loose. Then, Mom comes home, sees the house is a big mess and is temporarily annoyed until she sees that they've made peanut butter fudge. The peanut butter fudge fondly reminds her of her childhood.

We had our schedule planned for the day and who do you think showed up? Our very own Nana!

Nana is my son’s grandmother and there is no one like Nana in the whole wide world. She is the best. Nana knows how to take an ordinary day and make it extra special!  

She brought the recipe and all the ingredients to make peanut butter fudge.  We read the recipe and discussed how important it was to follow the directions. If we missed a step, our fudge wouldn’t taste good.  Knowledge of print and its uses includes understanding that print carries a message and that print is organized and read in particular ways.  Each child was given a step from the recipe and couldn’t wait to help. 

One of America’s fondest legends is that of Johnny Appleseed, a folk hero and pioneer apple farmer in the 1800’s. His dream was to produce so many apples that no one would ever go hungry. This was a great story to read since September is Hunger Awareness Month. Every year the Primary classes collect food to donate to Harvest Food Bank. To help our community we put on our Johnny Appleseed hats and passed out apples reminding everyone about our food drive. This was also a great way to meet faculty and other students for our other focus question “Who works at our school?”

During the first week, we focus on “What names we need to know at school?” It's important that we get to know each other and begin building trust and relationships so we can feel safe and happy. To help them feel comfortable at school, we took a tour of the campus and met the Administrative Staff. Being able to establish caring relationships and to enter successfully into ongoing social interactions are essential skills for school and for success in life. We also discussed expectations as well as building a strong classroom family.

The boys and girls loved learning the nursery rhymes: Humpty Dumpty and The Three Little Kittens. These nursery rhymes teach them phonological awareness, or phonological sensitivity, which is the ability to discern the sounds and patterns of spoken language. Phonological awareness is an important skill in learning to read. Children become phonologically aware through experiences such as reciting poems and nursery rhymes, singing, and clapping the syllables of chanted words. They hear the words "wall" and "fall" have the same end sound, just like "ball" and "tall." Then we say these words: "call," "hall," "wall," and "fall." We are learning that these words rhyme because they all end with the "-all" sound.

We also discussed what we could learn from Humpty Dumpty and The Three Little Kittens. Humpty Dumpty is an egg and can be easily broken when mishandled. Once cracked, an egg shell can't be put back together. I asked the students, "Where is Humpty Dumpty, and is it a safe place for him to be?" This led to an entire discussion about safety and making good choices so we stay safe. When asked, “Why did the kittens lose their mittens?” The children said “they lost them because they didn’t take care of them.” This led to a discussion about taking care of our things in the classroom and at home. We talked about where things go in our classroom so we don’t lose them(backpack, folder, lunch box, toys).

While we are doing all these fun things, a lot is taking place. Following instructions, learning to socialize with others, working on gross motor skills, and spatial awareness are some of the skills we are learning without even realizing it.

Although it is a hectic time of year, it is the time when I most realize how blessed we all are to be a part of this school and community,. It has been a year full of learning, growing and sharing.  It is hard to believe how quickly the school year has come and gone.

Our Spring Program was this week and each child received a certificate for completing the class.  I’m confident that their year at St. James Day School has taught them both academically and spiritually.  Congratulations to the Class of 2019!

We are ending the school year with our annual Fun Fair.  The festivities include painting, potting flowers, crawling through tunnels, bubbles, and ice cream.  The boys and girls are excited for the event.

I would like to thank you for your faith, trust, and commitment to St. James Day School.  We realize the sacrifice each family makes to send their child/children to our school. We share in your commitment and want to continue to be your partner in molding faith driven leaders with a spirit of service.  I can’t wait to see everyone next school year. Have a happy, safe, and fun summer. Enjoy your family and friends.