We've had another week filled with learning through play and purposeful work in the PreK classroom! The students have been engaged in several hands-on projects including cooking and serving food, creating a game and sharing it with others, and discovering and sharing their knowledge about dinosaurs. They continue to learn about number concepts and counting, having introduced the idea of "one more."
During small group time, the students worked on a collaborative game where they made a print of an object to create a game card, then used that game card to ask "what made that mark?" They love the idea of creating a riddle or trick. Some students were able to work with the art teachers to create marks using vegetables, while others worked in the classroom with Ms. Trillian or Ms. Salma. We have shared the game with some teachers at school and will hang it as an interactive display on our board outside the classroom.
We served sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and salad/cupcakes at the restaurant this week.
The children were also very interested in dinosaurs and we took some time to research our thoughts and questions about this topic. The students listed what they know about dinosaurs and what they want to find out. Sharing common interests is an important way to build friendships and so we are continuing to facilitate these themes throughout the year as they come up!
In math groups, we played games to figure out "what comes after" a number and count the total. Students chose a cube tower from the "mystery box" and then counted how many cubes made up the tower. Then they added one more to discover what comes after this number. This is important foundational work for the skill of "counting on," or starting at a number higher than one and then continuing to count onward.
Next Week:
We will begin a new unit of study, investigating structures near and far. The students' extensive work in the block area has created a great foundation for this study. In upcoming weeks, we will be responsive to the students' areas of interest to create study groups that support individualized learning.
PreK students collaborating on a house for dolls this past week.
We will finish up our first math unit, which was focused on conceptual understanding of the numbers one through five. We will count backwards from five to one. Next we will look ahead to identifying and sorting two dimensional shapes.
Reminders:
Please be sure to pack your child's library bag and books each Sunday. Thank you!
Thank you to all parents for being so responsible in letting the teacher know when there is a change in your child's pick-up routine. Thank you also for forwarding a copy of the ID of anyone who is authorized to pick up your child from school. This is so important for keeping all CAC students safe. If there are any changes, please be sure to advise us by email in advance so that we can update the file we have in the classroom and office.
Upcoming Events:
On Sunday, October 8th we will have our first CAC Family Picnic. The PreK class eats lunch at 11:05-11:30 and then has recess afterwards until 12:00. We invite you to join us on the field for a picnic lunch.
If you are unable to join us for lunch, the other children and teachers will be keeping your child company- don't worry! If you are joining us, please be sure to explain to your child that you are coming for lunch and that you will say goodbye afterwards. It can be confusing for children when you come in the middle of the day, and then leave without them! Reaffirm that you will see them after school according to your usual routine. We will give the same message in the classroom. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Parents of Students in Grade 3 - 9:
On Wednesday, October 11, David Chadwell (Director of Teaching and Learning) will hold a session for parents with students in grades 3-9 to explain the reports, provide some overviews regarding MAP performance, and answer questions. Elementary School 1st Floor Common Room - 1:15 -- 1:45 pm
Promoting Writing With Your Child:
Christy Curran, a literacy consultant with extensive experience as a classroom teacher and coach, is returning to CAC. She will be leading a Coaching Institute with CAC teachers and coaches from other international schools in the region, teaching model lessons in classrooms, and running workshops for teachers and parents. We hope you can join us Wednesday, 11 October, 2:00 to 3:00pm in the 1st Floor Common Room for a presentation on Promoting Writing With Your Child. We are excited to have her back! Christy has worked at the internationally renowned Teachers College Reading and Writing Project as a staff developer.
After-Care:
Last week the children worked on activities related to the color pink. Next week they will engage in "rainbow" activities!
Circle Solutions:
In our past week we looked at "Respect" through interactions during our circles. Next week we will focus on the theme of "friendship."
Parents' Corner:
No one wakes up one day and decides: "Today, I'm going to be a passive parent!" (Or, "Today, I'm going to be an aggressive parent!")
It happens gradually.
One unsure response. One pressured purchase. One giving in when you know you're going to regret it.
Over time, you feel defeated and frustrated...will my kids ever listen to me?!
This week, I'm offering some tips to help you move from Passive Parenting to Confident Parenting. If you feel like your kids are running the show, if you feel like you're constantly saying "yes" when you want to say "no," this post is for you.
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