News from Ms. Gloria, Friday, January 30, 2009

Friday, January 30, 2009 Letter of the Week: M

On Monday, we read Martha in the Middle by Jan Fearnley. There was Clara mouse, who was big and sensible, and Ben mouse, who was little, clever, and cutesy, and Martha mouse, who was just Martha. She did not like always being in the middle. Once Martha learned that the best things are sometimes in the middle, like the seeds of a sunflower or the juiciest part of a watermelon, she changed her mind and enjoyed being the middle mouse. The boys and girls made masks using collage materials. We learned letter M words, like Monday, mommy, mix, muffin, and the names of our friends, Max, Maxwell, and Miss Mindy. We listened to Preschool Aerobic Fun by Georgiana Stewart and the children participated in aerobic movement.

On Tuesday, we read The Secret Birthday Message by Eric Carle. In this book, a secret message is written in code. The children had to follow the clue shapes to find the birthday present surprise. For our letter M art project, the boys and girls painted the letter M using magenta paint. On the M, they placed a moose using a mower to cut the grass.

On Thursday, we read Ben's Trumpet by Rachel Isadora. Ben listens to the music of the Zig Zag Jazz Club. He loves hearing the rhythms of the piano, saxophone, trombone, and drums. He dreams that one day he can learn how to play the trumpet. When one of the musicians sees how Ben pretends to play the trumpet, the musician gladly brings him into the Jazz Club and shows him how to play his favorite instrument. For a special treat, Miss Lily brought in her cello to play for the class. She told us about the parts of a cello and we listened to the sounds that the cello makes. The children tried to identify high and low sounds and fast and slow sounds. They named some of their favorite songs, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, the ABC's, and the Itsy Bitsy Spider, for her to play. Miss Lily said that she will bring her cello back to school soon so that more of our friends can hear her play. For our art project, the boys and girls made a picture of the musical instrument, the cello.

On Friday, we read The Mitten by Jan Brett. In this book, a lost mitten makes a warm place for animals to hide. For our art project, the boys and girls made monkeys.

*Thank you to Phoebe, Max L., Annalise, Ciampone, Jack F. for being our super "kids of the day" this week.

* Please use the radio, TV, or internet to find out if the Philadelphia Public Schools are open or closed. If the schools are open, then we are open. If closed, then we are closed. This is the only way that you will find out about Playschool weather closings.

*Don't forget about Afterschool Arts Clubs. The children have a great time participating in free play, story, bike riding, snack, and Cooking, Science, Art, Movement, and Music. Please have your child try Afterschool Arts to see what fun it is!

*In looking forward to February, the Playschool will be closed beginning on Thursday, February 12 through Tuesday, February 17 for the President's Day holiday.

*Next week, we will learn about Groundhog's Day, Tu B'Shevat, and letter P. Have a great weekend!

Miss Gloria, Miss Allison, Miss Lily, Miss Mindy and Miss Sophie