Ms. Jen's Blog

Parents,

Here is the link for the upcoming parent teacher conferences. This is for parents and teachers only. https://www.trackitforward.com/site/389525/events

We hope to see you there.

Ms. Jen & Ms. Jess

Parents,

We finished up taking a look at our 5 senses.  We ended by talking about the sense of taste and decided what better way to end than by making pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.  The kids did a great job making them and almost everyone liked them.  Here is the recipe just in case you want it.

Ingredients

• 3/4 c. white sugar
• 1/4 c. vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 c. canned pumpkin
• 1/4 c. water
• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Place paper liners in muffin tin.  Mix the sugar, oil and eggs. Add pumpkin and water.  Sift dry ingredients in a separate bowl and them mix them in.  Add chocolate chips.  Fill muffin cups 2/3 full.  Bate in oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

Enjoy.

This week will will begin many of our new topics for October. They are maps, invertebrates, measurement, and secondary colors.

We will also be studying leaves this month and we always have a leaf party.  This year our leaf party will be on October 17 (cross your fingers the weather holds out). We would love if any of you have leaves you have raked from your yard to save them for us to jump in them on the 17th.  Just bring them on the 17th (I really can’t store them before).  We would really appreciate it.

You will be receiving information on all of our field trips on Monday.  Please look for it in your child’s backpack.  Please sign and return the second page.  Our first field trip will be on Friday October 12 to Oak Lawn park.  We would love to have lots of chaperones for this.  Please send me an email if you would like to chaperone.

Friday October 12th is also the Fall Festival for the school.  This is the time to dress up and celebrate Halloween as we will not be having a separate classroom party on Halloween.  I hope to see all of you there.

One question parents ask me often is how to get their child to give them more information about what they did at school.  Here are some questions you could try on the way home from school, during dinner, or while getting ready for bed:

1. What was the best part of your day? (Worst part?)
2. What was the funniest thing you saw today?
3. Which books did you read from today?
4. What was your teacher wearing today?
5. Which part of your classroom do you think I’d like the best?
6. What do you wish you could do more of at school?
7. Which activity at school today was your favorite? (Least favorite?)
8. What games would you like to be able to play at recess?
9. What did you eat for snack today?
10. What’s something your teacher said today?
11. Which kid in your class needed to be cheered up today?
12. If you were the teacher tomorrow, what would you do differently?
13. What made you feel happy today? (Sad, confused, bored?)
14. How did you get to be a helper today?
15. What do you wish your teacher would have done differently today?
16. What would you like to forget about from today?
17. What would you like to be learning more about?
18. Which topics do you wish you didn’t have to learn about at all?
19. Did you get or give any compliments today?
20. What do you think I’d like best about your teacher?
21. Which kid at school would you like to get to know better?
22. Which color crayon or marker did you use the most today?
23. Did you get to spend time with the class pet today? If not, what did you do instead?
24. What was the hardest part of your day?

Have a great week!

Ms. Jen & Ms. Jess

Parents,

Please remember that Monday is an early release day.  This means the morning class will be in session from 8:30 to 10:30 and the afternoon class will be in session from 11:00 to 1:00.

This week we will talk about positive and negative choices and how our mindset affects these. We will also take a look at what different emotions can look like.  We will talk about how we care for the animals in our classroom.  This is not an assigned job but something the students can volunteer for.  I try not to let the same child do it every day so that everyone can have a turn but I am not perfect.  We will also talk about the needs of plants and the basic parts of plants.

Dr. Maria Montessori is often quoted as saying “Man builds himself through work”.  In our classroom we refer to the different activities as “work”.  Paula Polk Lillard described a child’s work in this way “Children use the environment to improve themselves; adults use themselves to improve the environment.  Children work for the sake of process; adults work to achieve an end result. . . (adults) will look for both gain and for assistance. The child seeks no assistance in his work.  He must accomplish it himself.”  I would encourage you to allow your child to work and not do it for them, this is how they build themselves.

Have a great week!

Ms. Jen & Ms. Jess

Parents,

This week as part of our peace lessons we will look at how our 5 senses give our brain information that we can use.  We will talk about the artist Piet Mondrian in conjunction with our study of primary colors.  In physical science we have been studying magnets.  This week we will talk about how our earth acts like a magnet and look at a compass. In geography we will talk about how our earth id made up of land, air and water and we will introduce how to care for the plants in our classroom.

Jean Piaget said “The principal goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done”.  In our classroom we often ask students to try new things or do something that has typically been done for them.  Some children love the challenge while others are frustrated with the thought of doing something that is new to them.  Our goal is not to frustrate but to challenge and show the children what they are capable of.  Maria Montessori said “Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed”.  As teachers we would challenge you as parents to help your child by not doing things for them that they are capable of.  Each child has different abilities, but they are all capable of more than we think.  Just some food for thought.

Have a great week!

Ms. Jen & Ms. Jess

Parents,

We will continue our peace lessons this week, focusing on the making sure we have calm bodies and recognizing when we need to “reset”.

This week we will begin our studies in geography by looking at our globe.  We will talk about the difference between plants and animals and continue our study of magnets.

Thursday evening is a back to school night for parents only from 6 to 8 pm.  There will be more information on the schools blog.

One of the items on the supply list that may sound unusual is a non-locking carabiner clip for your child’s backpack.  As teachers we noticed that  by the end of the year many of our students backpacks were almost unusable because they had been thrown on the ground through all kinds of weather.  In an effort to help your child’s backpack last a little longer we are having each student clip their backpack on the fence.  If you are having trouble finding a carabiner let me know.  We would also love it if you checked your child backpack periodically for items that may have come from our classroom such as small beads, miniature objects and bouncy balls.  They may seem random to you but we cannot do many of our works without them.  If you find them please send them back to school.  We would really appreciate it.

As the children become more comfortable in their classroom and with their peers we will begin asking them to do more challenging work.  Many of the manipulatives that we began the year with will be replaced with materials that are related to the curriculum we are studying.  We refer to what the child does in the classroom as work and not play (even though many times it may look like play to adults).  Maria Montessori explained why the work of a child is so important “A child’s desire to work represents a vital instinct since he cannot organize his personality without working: a man builds himself through working. There can be no substitute for work. . . a man builds himself by carrying out manual labor in which he uses his hands as the instruments of his personality and as expressions of his intellect and will, helping him to dominate his environment . . . work becomes fascinating and irresistible and raises a man above his diverted self . . . enabling him to express his own individuality” The secret of childhood p. 186.  As teachers we look forward to seeing the amazing individuals that these children become because of the work they have done.

Have a great week.

Ms. Jen and Ms. Jess

Parents,

Peace lessons

Our focus this week in our peace lessons will be on conflict resolution by using a peace rose.  It is used much like a talking stick. Students can take turns talking to each other in order to resolve an issue in the classroom. We find that this is a very valuable lesson, one that creates good life skills and empowers children to problem solve and resolve conflict without adult intervention. This leads me to the concept of saying sorry. When someone does something to hurt another they should apologize, this is the socially and morally acceptable thing to do. We often try to teach our children to apologize by forcing them to say sorry. Two things happen when we do this. The first is that the forced apology does, whether sincere or not, is loose it’s power to heal. Have you ever received an apology from someone who was forced to do it? You may feel better in that your feelings were validated, but it does not bring about good feelings towards the person who wronged you. It is the same with children, and some children will refuse to apologize putting you in a power struggle (Always avoid power struggles!). We must treat children with more respect. When two children enter the peace area each child will get a turn to hold the peace rose and tell their side of the story without any interruptions. If they need my help, I will validate how each child was feeling. Throughout the discussion, I will do my best not to make any judgment calls on who was right, and who was wrong. I will also ask questions to help the children better understand what happened or how their actions may have contributed to what happened. Then I will ask each child (if necessary) to ask the other what they can do to make it better. This is better than an apology in that an apology does not always make things better and allowing them to decide what they want as the solution puts the power into the hands of the students. Sometimes a student will ask for an apology, sometimes it is just saying they won’t do it again, sometimes it is a hug/handshake and sometimes it is nothing. I also allow the students to refuse to do what is requested and offer another solution instead, this does not happen often in that students are usually willing to fix a problem when they see that their side of the story matters too. In the end both children hold on to the peace rose look each other in the eye and say “We declare peace”.

Snack
Beginning this week we will introduce individual snack. Each day we have snack available in our room. Our snack is provided by donations from you, the parents. If you have not taken the time to sign up yet please visit our track it forward site to do so.  Here is the link https://www.trackitforward.com/site/389525/events  Snack is a very important part of our day. Last week we had group snack. We all sat together and used our best manners, saying words like please, and thank you, waiting for others, and cleaning up after ourselves. The main purpose of snack in our environment is to teach grace and courtesy (it also fills hungry bellies). We want the children to learn to take care of themselves, the environment, and others. Once we begin individual snack, the children will have the opportunity to feed themselves when they have a need. However, we do encourage the children to only have snack once to make sure everyone gets the opportunity to eat. It is the child’s responsibility to regulate their own bodies, a skill that will help them throughout their lives. If Ms. Jess or I notice a student that appears to be having a drop in blood sugar, by behaviors such as tired, frustrated, overly emotional, or mental blocks, we will ask some leading questions to help guide the child into having some snack. We will not however, be reminding everyone to eat. Some children don’t need snack or find it exhausting to follow all the procedures involved such as washing hands, getting snack, eating, and washing plates. So don’t be too surprised if they choose not to eat snack.
Here are the guidelines for snack. Typically we like to offer one fruit or veggie and one whole grain each day. Our snacks portions are small, (think 2 apple slices and a 1/4 cup of goldfish) but we have 25 students in each class. Check the ingredients on any processed food, if the first two ingredients contain sugar than they are not appropriate for school snack. If we are not able to serve snack items in our class we will send them home with your child. Please know we are not passing any judgment. There are plenty of snacks in my cupboard at home that would not qualify as school snacks.
Here is a list of some appropriate snacks: (you may have other ideas and that is great!)
Unprepared produce (we will prepare them in class)- Apples, bananas, oranges, strawberries, grapes, celery, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, blueberries, jicama, cherries, olives, sweet peppers, cucumbers etc.
Grains: Goldfish crackers, Ritz crackers, wheat thins, corn chips, pretzels, sunflower seeds, popcorn, club crackers, graham crackers (check sugar), veggie chips, bagels, rice cakes
Other: Cheese, humus, guacamole, salsa, yogurts (check sugar), dried fruit, fruit snacks (check sugar), cream cheese, milk

We will begin our study of biology by talking about living and non-living things.  We will introduce magnets in physical science and in art we will begin our study of the elements of art by looking at color first. This month we will focus on primary colors.

“Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future.”
― Maria Montessori
Have a great week.
Ms. Jen & Ms. Jess

Dear Parents,

Peace
We will spend the first 6 weeks or so focusing on our peace curriculum. These lessons come from the book Honoring the Light of the Child by Sonnie McFarland. This week the lessons will focus on our love lights. A Love Light is the feeling you get when you do something that makes you feel good inside, it is also that place inside you that tells you right from wrong. You may refer to love lights as a gut feeling, the Holy Spirit, your conscience, intuition, inner voice, etc.. At school we will call them Love Lights, but this would be a great conversation to have with your child to help them tie this vocabulary with whatever vocabulary you use at home.
We will also have our first opportunity to make silence. This is a very common activity in an Early Childhood classroom, but it is also very misunderstood. We are not forcing the children to be quite. This exercise helps them become more aware and sensitive to the sounds around them. It also helps develop willpower and self control over their bodies. Finally this activity shows children that we must work together to achieve a collective goal. In the beginning of the year our silence may only last a few seconds but by the end of the year we may be able to be silent for several minutes. It is beautiful to see the joy that making silence can bring the children.

Class Pets
In our class we have 2 parakeets as well as fish. The children have the opportunity to help feed the animals. If you would NOT like your child helping with the pets please email me.

PICK-UP AND DROP-OFF PROCEDURES
These first two weeks are the most difficult time for us during drop off and pick up. Our students do not know the procedures nor do parents. We find that no amount of talking about what to do at pick up/drop off will prevent every student from wandering off or running toward a moving vehicle. That is why as teachers we must have constant vigilance. It is not that we don’t want to talk to you, or tell you the amazing things your children did today, or reassure you that they will be ok, it is just that we are trying to keep the children safe. May I request that pictures with teachers be done a few weeks from now when things have mellowed out, and that if you need to have an at length conversation that you schedule time before or after school.
Here are some things you can do to make drop off/ pick-up bearable:
Pull forward (it is rule #1)
Pull forward (and rule #2 just to make it stick.)
Pay attention to teachers and volunteers directing traffic (it’s a dirty job!)
Stay in your car if you are using the pick-up lanes.
Ask for help (if you pulled forward and your student was not paying attention ask a teacher to assist you)
If your child needs help getting into our out of the vehicle, park in the parking lot. North Shore parking lot will be available after Labor day.
Use the cross walk (it teaches children to use it too, and we always want children to use the cross walk).
Come get your child, do not call for them to run across the parking lot to you.
Bring a snack. You may be waiting a long time and nobody likes it when you’re hangry.
Wait your turn.
Speak to teachers before or after pick up.
Be nice. I know it’s frustrating, but try to imagine your happy place.
Pay attention. Stay off your phone, students will step in front of cars.
Prepare other relatives/friends that may pick up, by explaining these rules and possibly sending them with a snack.

For the first week or so we will be outside assisting students at drop off. You can help by encouraging their independence, try not to carry them, make goodbyes short and sweet, if you must cry try to do it when they are not looking.

A.M. pick-up will be done at the front doors. Please pull  all the way forward to utilize all the space at the front of the school. We will walk children to the cars and will encourage them to use walking feet and to stay as far away from the curb as possible.  If they need help buckling up you can either park or pull all the way forward to assist them.
P.M. Pick-up will be done at the South end of the pick-up lane please follow the flow of traffic. Early childhood students must stay with their teachers. We will not let our students cross the cross walk to North Shore by themselves or with a sibling unless you send us an email explaining that this is what you prefer.
Have a great day!
Ms. Jen & Ms. Jess

Parents,

I wanted to make one correction on the pool party.  In my last post I said that it would be from 6 to 8 and it is actually from 7 to 9.  See you there.

Ms. Jen

Parents,

Welcome to a new and exciting 2018-189 school year. We are looking forward to seeing our returning students and meeting our new students.  I know this is a long post but please read all of it.  Our main form of communication with parents is our classroom blog.  We ask you subscribe to our classroom blog to receive email notifications for weekly classroom updates as well as special  classroom notifications.  Here are the instructions on how to subscribe:

• On right hand side of the blog page you will find “Subscribe to our blog” click on the blue link under that heading
• When the “Email Subscription Request” page comes up enter your email address
• Enter the spam code into the box provided and click on “Complete Subscription Request” button
• Go to your email (if it’s not there check junk folder) to complete the activation steps.  Your subscription will not be complete unless you do this last step!

Here are some other things to help make our new beginning run more smoothly:

The state of Utah is continuning its assessment for all kindergarten age students. To allow us the time necessary to accomplish this we will be using August 20 through August 24  for assessments. There will not be school during this week for kindergarten students.  Kindergarten and preschool students will have their first day of school on Monday August 27th. We are asking all parents (preschool students as well) to sign up for 1 time slot for your child.   During the hour they are with us we will do the assessment as well as give each student an orientation to the classroom and playground.  The preschool students will only come for 30 minutes for an orientation.

Please sign up here https://www.trackitforward.com/site/389525/events

The school and MAPA use the track it forward website as a way to help parents keep track of their volunteer hours as well as find all volunteer opportunities in one place.  You will need to create an account before it will allow you to sign up for a time slot.  It can take up to 24 hours for the registeration process to be complete. Please be patient.  If you are having problems please email me.

For those parents who do not sign up by the August 17th they will be assigned a date and time.

We have a snack available each day for our students.  We ask families to sign up for and provide snacks for 2 weeks during the year.  The sign up sheets can also be found on the track it forward website. https://www.trackitforward.com/site/389525/events

Classroom supply list

Personal items (labeled with child’s name)
– Backpack
– inside shoes/slippers
– Gallon size zip-lock bag which contains: pants, shirt, underwear, socks
– water bottle
– 1/2 inch white 3 ring binder with the child’s name on the inside cover ** please note the change.  I messed up earlier and put 1/4 inch.
– package of 25 sheet protectors (please place inside the binder)

Optional classroom donations (please do not label)

• white construction paper
• Kleenex
• glue sticks
• small bar of soap
• play dough (red, yellow, blue)

AM class

• regular pencils
• gallon size zip lock bags
• water colors

PM class

• colored pencils
• snack size zip lock bags
• thin tip markers

*Notice* The items on this list will be used during the regular school day.  They may be brought from home on a voluntary basis.  Otherwise they will be furnished by the school.

We have had a few questions on the dress code.  Click here to view a copy of it.

On Thursday August 16 there will be a pool party for all family members of MMA’ s faculty, staff and students at North Shore from 6:00-8:00 p.m. to meet and greet one another.

We are hosting a PreK-9th Sneak A Peak event on Monday, August 20th from 1:30-3:30pm. On the half hour, beginning at 1:30pm, then again at 2pm, 2:30pm, and 3pm – Ms. Jess and I will  give an overview of the classroom as well as answer any questions you migh have.  This will be an ideal time to drop off supplies, and check out the classroom with your student.

We are looking forward to a great year. See you soon!

Ms. Jen & Ms. Jess

Ms. Jen’s Classroom supply list 2018-2019

Personal items (labeled with child’s name)
– Backpack
– inside shoes/slippers
– Gallon size zip-lock bag which contains: pants, shirt, underwear, socks
– water bottle
– 1/4 inch white 3 ring binder with the child’s name on the inside cover
– package of 25 sheet protectors (please place inside the binder)

• Carabiner clip for your child’s backpack (non-locking)

AM classroom donations (please do not label)

• colored pencils
• sandwich size zip lock bags
• water colors
• Black construction paper/card stock
• Small bar of soap
• Playdough (red, yellow, blue)
• sponges

PM classroom donations (please do not label)

• Twistable colored pencils
• quart size zip lock bags
• regular markers
• 1 roll of paper towels
• Glue sticks
• Playdough (red, yellow, blue)
• Small bottle of dish soap

*Notice* The items on this list will be used during the regular school day.  They may be brought from home on a voluntary basis.  Otherwise they will be furnished by the school.