Christmas!

This week we are thinking about Christmas and all the traditions or customs associated with Christmas.

Table activities include baking soda, vinegar and candy cane experimenting, jingle bells and magnet wands, making light string patterns, Christmas tree scissor cutting activity, coloring pages and puzzles.

Small group activities include naming shapes and putting them where they belong on a Christmas tree, Christmas baking soda experiment, and opening our presents on Friday.

KDIs of the week-

Shapes: Children identify, name, and describe shapes. - We are thinking about Christmas shapes too!

Self-identity: Children have a positive self-identity.- Jesus came for us! How he loves us!! We are special to him! 

Jesus Time- This week we keep the story going. Last week we stopped when baby Jesus was born. Things were still and quiet in the stable. This week we hear about what the shepherds heard and saw! During the night, shepherds were watching their sheep and an angel appeared to them. The angel said, "Don't be afraid! I have the best news! A Savior is born for you today in Bethlehem! This is how you will know who he is. He is lying in a manger, wrapped in clothes." Then thousands of angels appeared with the angel and praised God! After the angels went back into heaven, the shepherds rushed to Bethlehem to look for the Savior. They found him just as the angel said. They praised him and were so excited that they returned to the fields telling everyone they saw what they had seen and heard! We are so excited to share the news with you too this Sunday!!

Books of the week- "A Christmas Wish for Corduroy" based on a story by Don Freeman, "A Night of Great Joy" by Mary Engelbreit and "Christmas in the Barn" by Margaret Wise Brown.

This Friday is our party, so bring your gift. If you would like to bring a little fruit, veges or crackers or cheese, that would be fine. I doubt much will be eaten. We will be practicing the Christmas service  and having morning meeting and free play time. Then we will open gifts and have our snacks and play a game or two and maybe get outside.

On Sunday, please be a church at least 15 minutes before the service you chose to attend- so 8:15  04 10:45. The service lasts about an hour. We look forward to seeing you there!

Have a wonderful Christmas holiday!! We resume school on Monday, January 7, 2019!

Mrs. Schneck

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

This week we are listening for the letter Hh and the sound it makes. We hear about the holidays and think of Christmas. The original word was Holy day- a day set apart for God. We set apart Christmas to celebrate Jesus' birthday.

Morning activities include coloring ornaments, invite to create Christmas trees, ribbon cutting, wrapping stars with ribbon, beading candy canes and Christmas character puzzles.

Small group include matching letters on our letter wreath, decorating cookies and adding a Hh is for holidays page to our journal.

KDIs for the week-

Alphabetic knowledge: Children identify letter names and their sounds.- we worked well on matching and naming our letters.

Fine-motor skills: Children demonstrate dexterity and handeye coordination in using their small muscles. - lots of work on this this week- cutting, beading, wrapping. 

Jesus Time- This week we hear about Jesus birth. Mary and Joseph were ordered to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted by the Roman government. It was a long trip for a very pregnant young girl. They may have ridden a donkey or walked, the Bible doesn't say. The trip may have taken as long as 7 days. It does seem they were some of the last ones to make it to Bethlehem as there was no room left for lodging. Finally someone made room for them in a stable, probably a cave carved into the hills outside Bethlehem. It was warm and dry, but probably also smelly and crowded. There Mary gave birth, to her first born, a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger. It was done, God became man to save us from our sins. As they sat in the quiet, resting after their long ordeal. Mary thought and treasured. It wouldn't stay quiet for long, soon the shepherds would burst in on the scene. We'll hear about them next week.

Books of the week- "Mortimer's Christmas Manger" by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman, "Mooseltoe" by Margie Palatini and "Snowmen at Christmas" by Mark Buehner.

Lots going on in the next two weeks-

 This Saturday, Christmas service practice from 9am-10:30am. This is a time change from my original note.

Sunday, December 23rd is our Christmas service. You can choose to attend either the 8:30 service or the 11:00 service. There is a sign up sheet in the sign in room at preschool. If you are unable to attend, please let us know that as well.

Wednesday we will decorated cookies from 10:45-11:15, bring your own or decorated some that I am making.

Your child picked a name today for our Christmas gift exchange which will take place on Friday, December 21st. Here is the list in case you have lost yours-

Jace has Noah
Natalie has Jesse
Noah has Rosie
Abigail has Abel
William has Charlie
Charlie has Brennan
Maicoll has Peyton
Rosie has Jace
Brennan has Maicoll
Abel has Tessa
Harper has Abigail
Peyton has William
Tessa has Harper
Jesse has Anna
Anna has Natalie

In general, the girls love unicorns and the boys love superheroes.
Good luck!

Have a marvelous week!

Mrs. Schneck

Gg is for gingerbread

 This week we are having fun with gingerbread and listening and looking for the letter Gg.

Morning activities include creating a paper gingerbread man, playing with gingerbread people clay mats, baking play, cookie cutter printing,gingerbread sorting and gingerbread playdough.

Small group activities are a torn gingerbread man, decorating real gingerbread cookies and adding a Gg is for gingerbread page to our journals.

KDIs for the week are-
Community: Children participate in the community of the classroom. - We are working together and helping each other out pretty well. We talk about how to be friends and work together.
Building relationships: Children build relationships with other children and adults. - There's never just one gingerbread, we learn about friendship from our stories and activities this week.


Jesus Time- We move into Christmas stories this week. Today we were introduced to Mary and Joseph and the angel. Mary was a young woman engaged to Joseph. They both lived in the town of Nazareth. Joseph was a carpenter. One day while Mary was home, an angel appeared to her and told her that she was going to be the mother of the Son of God. She was afraid and confused. How could she have a baby? She wasn't married yet. The angel explained that this baby would be true God and true man. Mary accepted what the angel said.

When Mary told Joseph, he thought she had done something wrong. He still loved her, so he was going to quietly end their engagement to not bring her any shame. An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. The baby she was carrying was from God and would be true God and true man.

Mary and Joseph were married and were soon on their way to Bethlehem to be counted by the Roman government.

Books of the week-
"Gingerbread Friends"  and "Gingerbread Christmas" by Jan Brett and "Maisy makes Gingerbread" by Lucy Cousins.

Hopefully we'll get outside every chance this week! Let your little one know where you've put their gloves, I know we have ones to borrow and they like to, we'll try to help them find their own.

Sign up for the Christmas service of your choice or let us know if you are unable to come! Christmas fun is on it's way! Have a wonderful week!

Oo is for occupation

 What do you want to be when you grow up? What's your mom's occupation or your dad's occupation? This week we are thinking about our occupation and the sound and shape of Oo.

Morning activities include dramatic play to "try out" different occupations such as flower shop, pet shop, post office, airport, library and restaurant.

Small group activities are coloring a picture of yourself dressed for what you want to be, drawing where you'd like to work and putting a picture of you in it and adding a "When I grow up, I want to be... page to our journal.

KDIs for the week include-

Community roles: Children recognize that people have different roles and functions in the community.- As we study occupations, each person does something different for their job.

Diversity: Children understand that people have diverse characteristics, interests, and abilities.- We had lots of different choices today, police officers, artists, ballerinas, veterinarians. 

Jesus Time- This week we hear the story of Jonah. Jonah was sent to Ninevah by God, but he didn't want to go. He tried to run away from God, boarding a ship that was sailing in the opposite direction of Ninevah. God made a storm come up. Jonah was sleeping in the hold, when the sailors woke him to draw straws and see who God was angry with, he drew the short straw. He told them to throw him overboard, he knew that he was the cause of the storm. When they reluctantly threw him over, the seas calmed and Jonah was swallowed by a huge fish. He spent 3 days inside the fish's belly, cramped, covered in fish slime and seaweed, possibly irritated by stomach acids and he prayed! He repented, and God had the fish cast him out on the shore closer to Ninevah. Jonah went and proclaimed repentance or vengeance on Ninevah. He thought the people wouldn't listen, so after 40 days of preaching, he sat outside the city to wait for it to be destroyed. But they did listen! The king of Ninevah lead his city in repentance so they were not destroyed. Jonah kept complaining and God showed him that he deserved nothing. Everything he had received was a blessing! And so it is with us! WE are so blessed!! Lord, please help us to not complain, especially during this holiday season when our joys so often turn to grumbles and sharp tempers, keep us centered on you and your love for us!

Books of the week- "Roberto, the Insect Architect" by Nina Laden and "Everybody Works" by Shelley Rotner and Ken Kreisler.

We have started learning our song and recitation for our Christmas program. This year it takes place on Sunday, December 23rd. The preschoolers are only asked to do one service, although you can do both if you desire. The services take place at 8:30 or 11:00 am. I will have a sign up sheet out next week. If you are unable to attend, you can let me know on the sign up also.

Have a fantastic week!

Mrs. Schneck

Happy Thanksgiving!

This week we are doing activities around the theme of Thanksgiving!

Table activities this week include making a paper turkey, Thanksgiving themed dot paintings, Thanksgiving pattern blocks and candy corn activities.

For small group this week, we are making a name turkey and adding a "I am thankful for..." page to our journal.

KDIs of the week are-

History: Children understand past, present, and future.- We are talking about why we celebrate Thanksgiving and some of the history of it.

Counting: Children count things. - We'll be counting candy corn and feathers this week. 

Jesus Time- This week we hear another story about a young person helping someone to increase their faith. This week's story is about Naaman and his young servant. Naaman was a general in the army of Aram, one of Israel's enemies. When they had defeated the Israelites, a young girl was taken and she became a slave of Naaman's wife. Naaman had leprosy, an incurable and contagious illness. The young slave girl suggested to her mistress that he go to see the prophet Elisha and be healed. Naaman went to see Elisha with a letter from his king, riches and promises of wealth. When he went to Elisha's house, he was told to go wash in the Jordan River seven times and he would be healed. Naaman thought that wasn't miraculous enough to work. Why didn't Elisha make a big deal of healing him? He grumbled and started to head home. His servants intervened, just give it a try, they urged! So he did wash in the Jordan and he was healed. His skin was like a baby's, smooth and soft!  He returned to Elisha and apologized and confessed his faith. Because of a slave girl's bravery, he believed. 
How often aren't we afraid of what could happen as we share our faith? God is with us!! He will protect us and make His word work wonders!

Books of the week- "Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving" by Dav Pilkey, "Thanksgiving Day Thanks" by Laura Elliot and "Thanksgiving is for Giving Thanks" by Margaret Sutherland.

Here is a picture of what your children are thankful for today-

Ff is for feathers

This week we are looking at feathers and birds and listening and looking for the letter Ff.

Table activities this week include cutting feathers, carefully putting feathers in colanders, beading on feathers, investigating feathers, cutting paper feathers and coloring pictures of feathers.

Our small group activities include investigating different kinds of feathers- flight feathers, down feathers and feathers for display(like peacocks). We also did an experiment to show how water fowl oil their feathers to keep them dry by putting baby oil on a feather and putting it in water and then putting a plain feather in water. On Wednesday, our feathered friends from Wild Wing Bird Rehab are paying us a visit at 9:30! If you wish to donate to their work, you can bring it on Wednesday. Friday we will add an "Ff is for feather" page to our journal.

KDIs of the week are-
Natural and physical world: Children gather knowledge about the natural and physical world.- We are learning about birds and feathers this week!

Use of resources: Children gather information and formulate ideas about their world. - How do ducks stay dry? How do feathers help birds fly? Why do birds preen? Lots of things to investigate and try to figure out answers for! 


Jesus Time- Last week we heard about Samuel and Hannah. This week, Samuel is an old man and Israel's judge. God tells him to go and anoint a man to be the next king of Israel because that is what the people want. He goes to a man named Jesse's house and looks his sons over one by one. When he gets to the youngest, he asks Jesse if he has anymore sons, and Jesse says he has one more, but he's just a boy and a shepherd. Samuel anoints that young boy, David, as the next king of Israel. Meanwhile, Saul is the king and his army is fighting the Israelites' enemy, the Philistines. The Philistines have a champion, a nine foot tall warrior named Goliath. Goliath goes into the valley between the armies each day and challenges the soldiers of Israel and mocks their one God. David is bringing food for his older brothers, who are in the army, and hears Goliath. He is amazed that no one is going out to fight him! He volunteers! King Saul and the rest try to dissuade him- he's too small, just a boy! Goliath is a seasoned warrior! David is upset about what Goliath is saying about his God and he knows that if he goes to fight Goliath, God goes with him. So he chooses five smooth stones, he goes to meet Goliath with his slingshot. Goliath laughs, thinks it is a joke. David places a stone in the sling, swings it around and lets the stone go. It hits Goliath in the head and sinks in and kills him. David also cuts Goliath's head off with his own sword. God gave David total victory! He is with us in our battles and gives us the victory too!

Books of the week- All the pigeon books I own by Mo Willems, "Have You Seen Birds?" by Joanne Oppenheim and Barbara Reid and "The Perfect Purple Feather" by Hanoch Piven.

Have a fantastic week! Next week is Thanksgiving already!! I can hardly believe it! We have school on Monday and Wednesday! No School Friday! Enjoy your food, family and all other blessings!!

Mrs. Schneck

Bb is for bubbles!

We are experimenting with and blowing bubbles this week along with listening and looking for the letter Bb.

Table activities include playing with bubble foam, making bubble wands, blowing bubbles on the table and with found objects, playing with foam letters in bubbles and making bubbles in a cup.

Small group activities include making bubble prints, tensile bubbles and adding a Bb is for bubbles page to our journals.

KDIs of the week are-
Alphabetic knowledge: Children identify letter names and their sounds.-the difference between P and B sound and the print- they should know the difference by the end of the week.

Pretend play: Children express and represent what they observe, think, imagine, and feel through pretend play. - What can we pretend? Knowing the difference between pretend and real.

Jesus Time-
This week we hear the story of Hannah and Samuel. Hannah was an Israelite woman who had no children and very badly wanted one. She prayed when she and her husband went to temple for a child. The priest, Eli, heard her sobbing and wondered why she was so sad. When she told him, he assured her that God had heard her prayer and she would have a child. She did have a little boy and named him Samuel. She vowed that she would give him back into the service of the Lord. When Samuel was about 5 years old, she traveled with him to the temple where she talked again to Eli. She gave Samuel into his care. Samuel assisted Eli in the temple, cleaned, prepared the temple for worship and lived there. He worked for the Lord when he was about the age of the children in preschool! We don't have to send our children to live in the back of the church, but they can still do things out of thankfulness to God. Being kind, sharing their possessions, honoring their parents are all ways they can show their love for God!

Books of the week- "The Bubble Factory" by Tomie dePaola, "Pretend" by Jennifer Plecas. We may read other bubble books if I can get them!

Have a beautiful week!
Mrs. Schneck