October 2014

The year is off to a good start and the children are settling into the classroom routine and making friends. Remember that we go outside every day. As the weather gets colder remember to send children with good outdoor clothing. It’s also a good idea to label outdoor clothing – many children do not recognize a new coat or boots.

Fundraising: this month we’ll start collecting clothing for our ongoing Gemm Shop fundraiser. It’s a great opportunity to clean out your closets and TCNS gets the consignment portion of the sales. The Gemm Shop donates their portion to good causes around the community. Also – it’s not too early to start getting ready for Fun with Santa. I will have copies of our donation letter ready and the list of previous business donors on hand so we can start collecting. Each family is asked to collect two donations.

Dates to remember:

October 1^st  — our first parent meeting starting at 6pm with pizza. Children are welcome. It’s a chance to chat other parents and teachers and ask questions. We will talk about our play-based curriculum and the importance of play in children’s lives. Check out NAEYC website for great info at their website http://families.naeyc.org/.

No School on Friday October 10^th and Monday October 13^th for Columbus Day weekend.

Scholastic orders are due Wednesday, October 22^th. They should be here in time for Halloween

Preschool classes: October is a busy month. We’ll be exploring apples, colors & shapes, pumpkins and Halloween. We’ll be reading Leaf Jumpers by Carol Gerber, The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall, Mouse Paint by Ellen Walsh, The Perfect Square by Michael Hall, Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell, and The Bumpy Little Pumpkin by Margery Cuyler. We’ll be doing lots of cutting and collage, building pumpkins out of many different materials, and making our own applesauce.

We will hike to the falls on October 1^st and take a field trip to the Good Life Farm on October 8^th. Watch for details as we get closer.

Terrific Twos:  October is bringing us many changes all around.  In our classroom we will be changing the leaves on our trees and adding fall songs and activities to our circle time.  We are becoming comfortable with our friends and learning names.  Please look at your friends books at home.  We will be reading books about fire safety: Going To The Firehouse by Mercer Mayer: the moon, Kittens First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes: and apples and pumpkins, Autumn is for Apples by Michelle Knudson and Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell.

As always we are encouraging use of words and independence in helping ourselves.  Jonica and I are seeing growth already.  Thank you for working at home too. At circle time we will add our “The More We Get Together” song and “Fall is a Colorful Season.”  Ask your children to sing them with you. Thank you for the delicious snacks you have been sending in and for helping with keeping our classroom so clean.

Homemade play dough: mix together 1 cup flour. ½ cup salt, 2 tsp cream of tartar. Add 1 cup of water (food coloring optional) ad 2 Tbs oil. Mix well and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until slightly sticky. Remove from heat and knead until smooth.