Awesome Apples

     This week we studied apples as part of our tree study.  We tasted red, yellow, and green apples and recorded our favorites.  We also cut out a rectangle and circle to make a tree and then crumbled tissue paper to make apples.  All of the children worked together to make applesauce.  The children picked an apple, peeled it, put it in the pot, and mashed it.  Today we tasted the applesauce.  Mmmmmm!  Our letter of the week was A.  We continue to practice erasing and tracing letters on a chalkboard using a small wet sponge and chalk.  This week we also started working on a picture dictionary.  The children will have the opportunity to write the letter of the week and glue in pictures that start with the letter.  At then end of the year, the children will take the dictionary home. 
     Cutting is a skill that requires a lot of fine motor control.  Many of the children have a hard time with cutting.  Each child was given a pair of scissors at the beginning of the year.  Please help your child practice his/her cutting skills at home.  Some fun things for children to include; cutting straws, play-doh snakes, and small strips of paper. 
     Next week we will learn more about leaves. 

HOMEWORK...
* Cutting page
* A worksheet
* Trace, color, and name the shapes

REMINDERS...
* Sign up for parent -teacher conferences.  Conference times will be assigned on a first come - first served basis.  I will send home conference confirmation letters after forms are turned in.
* The weather has been quite cool in the morning and warm in the afternoon.  Please consider dressing your child in layers.  This way, your child can stay warm on the playground and remove layers as the day gets warmer.
* Some members of our classroom have allergies and sensitive respiratory systems.  In order to keep everyone in our classroom healthy and comfortable, please have your child refrain from using cologne or perfume before coming to school.  While fragrance sprays are appealing to some people, they can make other with allergies sick.  We appreciate your support and efforts to keep everyone healthy and happy at school.