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CHILDREN’S HOUSE PRESCHOOL November 2008
SCHOOL INFO
Phone: 303-444-6432
E-Mail: elaine@childrenshousepreschool.org
Website: www.childrenshousepreschool.org

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
November 11th No School -Veterans Day
November 24th-28th No School-Thanksgiving Week
December 22nd – Jan 6th School breaks for winter vacation and BVSD Professional Days

PROFILE
We are currently reading,
Nov 3rd – Dec 5th or 12th The Paperboy by Dav Plinkey
Themes: Occupations, morning routines and responsibilities, safety, community, newspapers, reporters
We do have one extra copy for $4:00 if someone missed out on getting one

Happenings
This month, as we are studying occupations, we would like to invite parents to come in to talk to the children about their occupations. Contact Michael to set up a day, if you are interested in participating. Interested parents will come in 15 minutes before their child’s pick up time on their scheduled day. You are welcome to bring a visual aid i.e. tool. Please contact us if you have any questions.

All the teachers will be participating in a 15 hour course with a group of 50 Boulder Valley School District and local preschool teachers. We are using two books for our course. The first is Learning Environments and the Young Child by Deb Curtis and Margie Carter. This book is a sequel to Designing Environments for Living and Learning which was the basis of last year’s teacher training. The second book we will be studying from is Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. This opportunity is a fabulous way for our staff to develop professionally, as individuals, as a teaching team as well as in the larger context of local teachers. We look forward to bringing our experience into the classroom for the benefit of all of us.
With A Song In Your Heart
All Around the Town
(Child’s name) is up
(Child’s name) is down
(Child’s name) is (action: running, jumping, driving, flying) all around the town
Their (action) on their shoulders,
Their (action) on their knees,
Their (action) on their head,
Better tuck them into bed.
Goodnight

The People in Your Neighborhood
Oh, who are the people in your neighborhood?
In your neighborhood, in your neighborhood.
Say who are the people in your neighborhood–
The people that you meet each day?

Oh, the postman always brings the mail
Through rain or snow or sleet or hail.
I’ll work, and work the whole day through
To get your letters safe to you.

Cause a postman is a person in your neighborhood,
In your neighborhood, he’s in your neighborhood.
A postman is a person in your neighborhood–
A person that you meet each day.

Oh, a fireman is brave it’s said.
His engine is a shiny red.
If there’s a fire anywhere about.
Well, I’ll be sure to put it out!

Cause a fireman is a person in your neighborhood,
In your neighborhood, he’s in your neighborhood.
And a postman is a person in your neighborhood–
Well they’re the people that you meet
When you’re walking down the street
They’re the people that you meet each day!

It’s a Small World
It’s a small world after all,
It’s a small world after all,
It’s a small world after all,
It’s a small, small world.
It’s a world of laughter, a world of tears,
It’s a world of hopes, it’s a world of fears
There’s so much that we share that it’s time we’re aware
It’s a small world after all
(Chorus)
There is just one moon and one golden sun,
And a smile means friendship to everyone
Though the mountains divide and the oceans are wide
It’s a small world after all

This Land Is Your Land
This land is your land – This land is my land
From California to the New York Island
From the redwood forest – to the gulf stream waters
This land was made for you and me.
Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are
Could the traveler in the night,
See without your tiny light,
Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

Liza, “I’m going to be Ariel for Halloween. My dad’s going to be Prince Eric. I’m going to swim from house to house.”

Lily, “I didn’t know teachers have kids.” Elaine, “Your mom’s a teacher and she has you, and Sam’s mom is a yoga teacher, and she has Sam.” Sam Straff narrows his eyes, “My mom is …just my mom.”

Ahmed, “I’m going to throw a party.” Suzanne doesn’t understand what he is trying to say, so he throws wood chips in the air (like confetti) repeating, “party, party.”

Koen, “I’m growing into a human like you (to an adult)”

Eli sees some pink foam from the pig project in the styrofoam bin, “There’s a pig’s leg in the styrofoam!”

Matuka, “What is this?” Quincey, “A clock.” Matuka, “What does it do?” Quincey, “Whirrs.”, Matuka, “What do we use it for.” Quincey, “Spending time.”

“Bark of the tree can be rough.” Sawyer surprised, “Bark?”, “Yes like this (pointing to bark.” Sawyer, “No like this, Ruff Ruff Ruff”

Joy trying to get Amelia to repeat her, “Say it back to me.” Amelia, “I’m in front of you.”

Michael, “Do you want to do the art project?” Wolf, “I’d love to; I just don’t have the time. I have to… (exit stage left)

Matuka, “Is this a cricket or a grasshopper?” Lily, “This isn’t a cricket! I know a cricket. They’re the ones who sing you a song. This one just hops, it doesn’t sing songs.”

Isabelle, “I’m going on a hike, mom.” Matuka, “Where will you hike?” Isabelle, “Supercuts! I’m going to hike at Supercuts. (one minute later) No, I’m going to get my hair cut.”

Eli, “My dad’s at the office.” Michael, “What does he do there?” Eli, “He makes money.”

Thank You

A special thank you to John Stillman (Joy’s Dad) who painted a page from our current book to decorate our classroom; be sure to step inside to look at it on our magnet board.

Thank you to Kirsten Wood (Liam’s Mom), who has been sewing cushion covers for us and Cooper’s grandma for sewing eyes on our 5 ducks.

We’d also like to thank all of the parents who have chosen to donate goods, take home projects, bring snacks, help in the classroom and provide support for the school over the last month. It is efforts like these which add to the wonderful community of Children’s House.

CHILDREN’S HOUSE PRESCHOOL December 2008
The true cold has definitely arrived. Thanks to all the parents for wrapping your children so well. We don’t go outside if it is less than 20F, but we do try to get out for at least a little while if the weather permits. We would like to wish all families a happy and safe winter break, which begins Friday.

SCHOOL INFO
Phone: 303-444-6432
E-Mail: elaine@childrenshousepreschool.org
Website: www.childrenshousepreschool.org

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Monday December 22nd “ Tuesday Jan 6th School breaks for winter vacation and BVSD Professional Days
Wednesday January 7th School resumes
Monday January 19th No school – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

STORYBOOK  JOURNEY

Jan 7th – Jan 30th “The Three Snow Bears” by Jan Brett. These books are now here to pick up. The story follows the essence of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, but it is set in the North, with an Inuit Girl. We will be learning about the polar worlds, north and south: the environments, people who live there, the animals found there and marine life. We will also delve into the areas of sharing, and asking for things, as well as fairy tales, and variations on them.

Happenings
It is not only important for our preschool to take the utmost care of our children, but also of our planet. We recently looked into a voluntary Eco Friendly Certification program for Child care centers, which looked at our school environment in regards to: cleaning and freshening products used, the materials that our toys are made from, quality of our playground equipment, and the lack of treated wood, air quality, furniture, art supplies, recycling and toxic substances. We are pleased to tell you that we have been confirmed as an Eco-friendly preschool. This program was started in Oregon, and has now expanded to a nationwide program. For more information visit their website at

http://www.oeconline.org/our-work/kidshealth/ehcc/index_html

We have information available for all parents in regards to which numbered plastics have been determined “good”, and which numbered plastics are known to contain and leach toxins. There is also information about which cleaning products are good for your home. We have this information available to all parents seeking resource information about this important topic by the front sign-in sheet. There is also a ‘True Food Shopping Guide’ to use as a reference for all parents who would like information on which food companies are using Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) in their products.

We had two children join us recently. In December we welcomed Talis Hubner to the W/F morning class, and Marcus Padillo to the afternoon class. In January we will be joined by Elias (Eli) Sura, Chisa Ogino, and in February, Tessa Robinson.

Unfortunately we are saying good-bye to Sam Straff, as he and his family head to Los Angeles. We wish the whole family the best of luck as they return to their former home.

With A Song In Your Heart
A Chubby Little Snowman
A chubby little snowman had a carrot nose
Along came a rabbit and what do you suppose?
That hungry little rabbit looking for some lunch
Came upon that snowman’s nose
Nibble, nibble, CRUNCH!

Baby Beluga
Baby Beluga in the deep blue sea,
You swim so wild and you swim so free.
Heaven’s above and the ocean below,
Just a little white whale on the go.

One Little Polar Bear
One little polar bear went out to play, upon the arctic ground one day
He/she had such enormous fun, he/she asked another polar bear to come.
Two little polar bears went out to play. . .
This is a music and movement act out adding a child and increasing numbers to develop one:one correspondence (one child:one number).

Plaintive Penguins
Five little penguins slipping on the ice
One fell down. “Ouch! That’s not nice.”
Four little penguins sliding free
One fell into the icy sea
Three little penguins skating all around
One flew up and then fell down
Two little penguins playing on a hill
One slipped off and banged her bill
One little penguin jumping very high
Broke the ice and began to cry
No little penguins having any fun
No little penguins, not even one

Have You Ever Seen A Penguin? (To the tune of “The More We Get Together”)
Have you ever seen a penguin?
A penguin. . .a penguin!
Have you ever seen a penguin swim this way and that?
Swim this way and that way . . . and this way and that way?
Have you ever seen a penguin swim this way and that? (point)
slide this way and that, swim this way and that, waddle this way and that, etc

Penguin Family
One royal penguin . .feeling very blue (hold up one finger)
Called for his brother then there were two (hold up two fingers)
Two royal penguins. . .swimming in the sea (swimming motion)
Called for their sister then there were three (hold up three fingers)
Three royal penguins waddle on the shore (waddle)
Call for their mother, then there were four (hold up four fingers)
Four royal penguins learning how to dive (Make diving motion)
Call for their father, then there were five (hold up five fingers)

Walking Through the Arctic
Walking through the arctic (echo)
And what do you think I saw (echo)
A great big polar bear
He said Staaand UP! (everyone jump up)
And shake, shake, this way, shake, shake that way (everyone shake)
Shake, shake, this way and then sit down (sit down)

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

Pascal, I don’t like stinky exhaust.
Elaine, I agree.
Pascal, Its skunk.

Lily, “It snowed! I thought it was Christmas.”

Elaine to Cooper, “What’s your newspaper called?”
Cooper,”The Intelligent Office.”(sounds like a good read.)

Dane, “I’m sick as a dog.”
Carey, “I’m sick as a cat.”

Mia and Salsabel are playing “X marks the spot” when Mia finds the ‘X’ and then comments, “Now we need to find the Y and Z”

Grace-Mae, “The snow is melting!”
Matuka “Oh No!”
Grace-Mae, “Don’t worry, it will be back at Christmas.”

Michael is seeing which numbers Ben H knows, he holds up a nine and asks, What number is this?
Ben P
Michael P is a letter, this is a number. Do you know what number this is?
Ben It’s number P

Dane’s memorized a book at home.
Elaine suggests, You can read it to the children on Friday at story time.
Dane, confident of his abilities, I can read it any day.

Lost and Found

Our lost and found basket is filling up. Please check it this week, as we would like to donate unclaimed items to the Pine Ridge Reservation.