Homes for People

This (short) week, we began our study of homes.  We read the book "Homes A to Z" and learned about many different types of homes that people live in.  We used paper shapes to make our own house on paper.  We also have many new materials out in our classroom including a doll house, barn, and animal sorting work.  The children have been very interested in the new materials.  In addition to letter of the week, we have begun reviewing the letters we have already learned using large picture flash cards.  We say the name of the letter, it's sound, and name the picture on the card.  You can also help your child practice letter names and sounds with the flashcards your child received at the beginning of the year.  If you did not receive any and would like a set please let me know.  The letters we have learned so far this year are: M, T, A, S, P, and C.  Next week we will learn about the letter I.

If you're wondering why your child doesn't bring a lot of art work home, there are 2 reasons...
1) We save a lot of your child's art work and projects and put them in his/her portfolio.  You will be able to look at your child's portfolio at conferences and it will be sent home at the end of the year.  Portfolios help us see the progress your child is making over the course of the school year.
2) We focus more on the learning process and not on the product.  Each child has his/her own way of showing what they are learning.  We encourage the children to explore classroom materials in their own way.  One child may cover the whole page with paint and next may only make a few brush marks.  It's about the process (of learning and exploring), not the product!    


REMINDERS...
- If you received an ASQ questionnaire, please return it on Tuesday.
- Parent-teachers conferences are tonight and next Wednesday 11/14.  I'm looking forward to talking with everyone.
- No School on: 11/12, 11/21, 11/22.  (November is going to fly by!)
- Scholastic Book orders for November and December will be coming home next week.  Books make great gifts!  If you order online, you get a $5 coupon for your next order and the classroom gets a $3 coupon.  Thanks to the parents who have been ordering.
https://orders.scholastic.com/J6YFH

HOMEWORK...
- C worksheet
- Counting doors and windows page
- Send in a picture of your house (you can use google maps to find one on the Internet)
- Hands on Homework Activity Pack (please remember to send back to school with all pieces by Tuesday of next week.)