December 2012

I can believe we’re almost at the end of 2012!  Everything is moving right along and we’ve been busy in all of our classes at TCNS.  We have a wonderful group of children (as always)!  It’s been a treat to watch them grow and develop so much even in just a few short months.  Some of them are finally letting their personalities show & even singing songs with us!

We’ve already had quite a bit of cold weather this school year and it sounds like it will continue throughout the winter.  We work hard at TCNS to encourage children’s independence and getting dressed for outdoors is a big part of that.  Please make sure all your child’s clothing is comfortable and easy to put on.  This helps your child feel successful & might even encourage them to practice at home.  Remember that mittens are easier than gloves – and usually warmer too!

Fun with Santa:  Remember this big fundraiser is Saturday December 8^th.  Please get your donations in as soon as possible!  Each family is also expected to provide two baked items for the cake wheel and sign up for a shift on the 8th.  Baked goods can be dropped off at TCNS on Thursday or Friday.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  We also need a few parents to help set up the tree and decorate on Friday.  We need someone to be Santa this year! 

Holiday community service:  The holiday season provides a great opportunity to think about other people.  During the month of December we’ll be collecting new and gently used socks for Catholic Charities and toddler/board books for the Ulysses Christmas Bureau.  Each year we collect about 100 pairs and the children enjoy counting and sorting the socks.  This is a good chance to go through your children’s socks and bring in those they’ve outgrown – or the ones with the uncomfortable stitching, wrong colors, etc.  

Remember, there will be no school from December 21 through January 2 for the holiday break.   I hope everyone enjoys their time together.  We will not have a parent meeting in January. 

We do still have a couple of openings in the TTh class if you know any children who are interested or for any MWF children who would like to come every day for the remainder of the year.  In January Hannah’s cousin (and Ms. Sarah’s nephew), Will Brainard will be joining the TTh class.

December Activities:   the first week of December we’ll be reading Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming.  This book about hibernation has beautiful illustrations.  We’ll be talking about how animals prepare for the winter, make a collage and sculpture about hibernation and work with pastels.  Our next book will be We Are All Alike, We Are All Different.  This is a wonderful book by the Cheltenham Elementary School and we will begin to look at our own similarities and differences and make a self-portrait and puppets.  In our last week we’ll read Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup and Light the Lights by Margaret Moorman.  We will work on holiday gifts, ornaments, cards, and make gingerbread cookies.   

Terrific Twos:  December will be a very busy month in our Terrific Twos class! We will read books about hibernation and caring, including Time To Sleep by Denise Fleming and Bear Stays Up by Karma Wilson. We have introduced scissors and snipping, a big hit with all the kids! Circle time is expanding with yoga and lots of conversation. We are constantly working on using words for needs and wants. We hear a lot of no thank you and yes please. We are also working on independent dressing in outside clothes. Practice those snowpants and coats at home. Please follow our classroom happenings by checking out our pictures on Picasso. Everyone should have received an email invite to view our pictures. Happy December!

Winter is a cold, cold season

Winter is a cold, cold season

Winter is a cold, cold season

When the snow falls down!