News from Miss Gloria's Class, March 20, 2009

Friday, March 20, 2009 Letter of the Week: B

On Monday, we read The Magic Hat by Mem Fox. In this book from the Art Museum, a wizard's hat moves like this, and it moves like that. As it moves through the air, the hat lands on the heads of people and changes them into animals. On our classroom bulletin board, you will see that each of the wizards on display is one of the children in our class. For this art project, the boys and girls used a picture of themselves for the wizard's face.

On Tuesday, at the Art Museum, the theme of the lesson was Who is Wearing Hats? In the galleries, we saw the Portrait of Francis I, King of France by Joos van Cleve. The boys and girls looked at King Francis' clothing and decided that he was wearing a fancy hat to match his fancy shirt. For their activity, they dressed a cut-out doll in clothing similar to what King Francis wore. We also saw Portrait of Anthony Reyniers and His Family by Cornelis de Vos. In this art, the Reyniers family was dressed in their best clothing for their family portrait. Some of the family members were wearing hats and some were holding their hats. The boys and girls participated in a hands-on activity of matching clothing. Our last stop in the galleries was to see knight's armor. Along with the armor, the cases were filled with quite an impressive display of swords. The children enjoyed making magic hats for their art project.

On Wednesday, the children made kites, for the winds of March, to put in their journals. The other group read We Are Best Friends by Aliki. This story shows that children can have lasting friendships even when a friend moves away. It makes their time together more special. In yoga, Miss Kim asked the children, "If you could be any animal, what would you be?" The children learned a new yoga stretching game where they had to stretch their bodies while keeping their feet in place on the floor. Their imaginary yoga trip was to go to the park. Each of the children found a partner to work with as they moved their bodies back and forth in a seesaw motion.

On Thursday, we read Ziggy's Blue-Ribbon Day by Claudia Mills. Ziggy does not like to participate in running, jumping, and throwing in track and field events. He knows that he only has to try to do his best, he has to cheer for his friends, and he has to try to have fun. Ziggy's favorite activity is drawing. For each of the track and field events, Ziggy didn't win the blue ribbon, but he found another way to win the first place ribbons. For our art project, the children made beautifully colored butterflies, like the one in The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

On Friday, we read Sammy Spider's First Passover by Sylvia A. Rouss. Sammy Spider learns how the Shapiro family celebrates Passover by preparing for the seder. The seder is the dinner that is held on the first two nights of Passover. During a seder, the story of the Jews' freedom is told, prayers are said, and songs are sung. For our art project, the boys and girls made beaded jewelry.

*Thank you to Ava, Maxwell, Owen, and Jack L. for being our super "kids of the day" this week.

*Thank you to all of the parents who accompanied us on the trip to the Art Museum. Our last trip will take place on Tuesday, May 5.

*Please sign-up for summer camp as soon as possible. Our enrollment works on a first come - first served basis until we have a full enrollment. Camp begins on Monday, June 8 and runs through Wednesday, July 29. We have flexible options for camp scheduling.

*In looking forward to April, the Playschool will be closed from Monday, April 6 through Friday, April 17 for Passover. The Playschool will resume on Monday, April 20. Our Spring Shabbat Dinner will be held on Friday, April 24. A class picture will be taken on Monday, April 27. All children should attend so that they are in the group picture. Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30. More information will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.

*Next week, we will learn about letter A and Passover. Have a great weekend!
Miss Gloria, Miss Allison, Miss Mindy, Miss Lily and Miss Sophie