Our week in Photos!

This week was all about fun: building, painting, cooking, and laughing!!

Monday building and discovery!

JELLO anyone?!

A lovely bouquet!

Painting our masterpieces!

Who knew painting could be so fun...and messy!

I see you!!!

Powerful Role of Parents

1. Check out this website: http://www.rootsoflearning.com/

It's all about the powerful role of parents. Some of you might find it helpful to share with the parents of your students.

2. Check out the "movement" created by Veda Jairrels, the author of African Americans and Standardized Tests: The Real Reason for Low Test Scores, which seeks to explain the hardships non-readers (or students who are alliterate) face in middle and high school. (Book Review and application provided here.)

She writes, "As a result of my book, I’ve also started “The 2000 Book Movement.” The 3 goals of The Movement are as follows:

1. All children will have had read to them or read for themselves, at least 2000 books by the time they reach 6 years of age. If parents read at least one different short book every day starting from birth, they will easily surpass the goal of 2000 books. Parents can use the library to obtain books.

2. Infants and toddlers (birth to age 3) will hear 30,000 words per day from parents, relatives, and caregivers. You simply talk to them about anything. This recommendation is based on the research of Hart and Risley (1995; 2006). They (and other researchers as well) have found that infants and toddlers who heard the 30,000 words per day had higher IQ scores and standardized test scores than the children who had heard far fewer words. Obviously, when you read to your children, you also talk to your children. It does not appear that listening to television has the same effect.

3. Older children who can read for themselves should engage in pleasure reading for at least 30 minutes each day. By pleasure reading, I mean allowing children to read on any topics (with parental supervision) that interest them. Children should be encouraged to read challenging new material.

Please spread the word about The 2000 Book Movement. Join The Movement on Facebook."

No pictures??

We are having camera difficulties here at Willow. We have been using our
personal cameras, and Annessa's broke and mine is lost. :(

This is the reason there is no daily journal...we didn't just forget....

Photos are very important to our program! We have found a temporary replacement camera and will back in action soon!!

Have a great day,
Ms. Kara

January Update

Who stole the Cookies from the Cookie Jar? We've had lots of fun with this song. This has coincided with the creation our Bakery! The children have enjoyed having a bakery in the dramatic play center. After 25 minutes of careful work, Hayden made our sign. IN small group time, we have played with the children in the Bakery to model cooperation, positive playing experiences, and vocabulary for the roles of baker, cashier, customer, parent, and baby. We are looking to go to a local bakery for a real life experience to link to our learning.

We have also been studying Martin Luther King, Jr and his dream. On Monday we will have a special birthday party in his honor. We will talk more about his dream for peace and kinness and what we can do to be a part of his dream.

We visited Colter Elementary 5th graders again! Having Reading Buddies creates an opportunity to see models for reading and get to see elementary school first hand. It is also a chance to ride the Start Bus...when they pick us up!! The bus drove right by us. After calling them, we got our own bus! It was fun.

Preschool is a time to learn very valuable self-help skills. We are teaching your children INDEPENDENCE! Did you know that your child can set the table, pour his own milk, wash dishes, clean up her own spills, put on and take off his outside clothes with very little help, and put on her shoes? Please allow your child to practice, practice, and PRACTICE!

Dates and Updates:

1. The Healthy Snack Calendar is now posted on the small parent bulletin board. Please check it out.

2. Ms. Kara will be gone on Feb 4th and 5th.

3. Our thoughts will be with Ms. Graciela's daughter on January 25th.


As always, please contact us with any questions or concerns. Phone: 733-3951 or email.

Angel takes a moment to sit and read a book.

Ellis makes an ice cream cone with the clay.

Oh what fun it is to play in big pool of balls!!!!

Megan, Audrey, Paedon and Angel have fun "swimming" in the ball pit

Happy New Year! 2010

Ethan creates with clay.

"Ms. Kara! Look at Me! I see 3 Ms. Kara's!"- Alexandra