Wednesday

Let me catch you all up on this week:
     Monday, we started talking about Chinese New Year and how we're going to celebrate. We learned that Chinese New Year falls on a different day each year from the Gregorian calendar that most of us are used to because the Chinese calendar is based on the cycles of the moon.  Each year is named after an animal and goes in cycles of 12. This year we are celebrating the year of the rabbit. We colored pictures of a lion, fish, and dragon that we'll turn into fans for all of our friends to carry in the parade. Ruth Ann's class has been hard at work on a dragon that they'll carry as well. We also had music and a little discovery time in the new sand boxes I've put in the room before recess.
     Tuesday, the children wanted to practice writing, so we all got out a white board and marker. Together on the rug, we practiced the beginning letter of each child's name. We had drama class where the children are hard at work practicing for their spring performance. More information on that is coming soon. Ask your child about their part in the play! The children also had Spanish class with Elena.
     Today, we talked about Groundhog Day and shadows. We read Gregory's Shadow by Don Freeman. We took a minute to discover our own shadows and how they follow us. This was especially comical to watch on the playground today. Most of the Early Learners were running away from their shadows! 
     Later this morning, we finished up our headbands that we'll wear tomorrow in our Chinese New Year parade. 


     Please make sure you check your child's folder for a bag containing paper and a list of names for Valentines. Start soon so they aren't overwhelming for your child! If you work on a couple a night, they'll be done in no time. Let me know if you have any questions.