Nursery Rhymes Newsletter - The Joy of Discovering

Room 2 - A.M. Newsletter
Dear Families,
Our class has had a great start! The children have learned the routines and are becoming more comfortable in school. Friendships are forming and all the children are actively participating in all aspects of the program.
We started the year reading books that helped the children see how different we are from one another and yet at the same time how much we are alike. We made our first class book titled Funny Face, Happy Face which is circulating right now. We use the books We Are All Alike… We Are All Different! and Funny Face as inspirations for this class book. We also read books about feelings.
Since September and October are apple picking season we are also learning about apples. We talked about what the children knew about apples and then we read The Apple Tree, Apple Farmer Annie, and Ten Apples up on Top. We ate apples for snack; we made apple sauce, and cut an apple during circle to see what’s inside. We are learning apple songs and finger plays and at the art table we are making an apple tree and will collage an apple and make apple printing.
Next we will learn about fall, exploring pumpkins and farms. Also, we will be learning about our senses, family and friendship. The children will guide this curriculum by the interest they show in these topics.
On Wednesdays we cook our own snack. The class is enjoying cooking with Jean, so far they made apple sauce, apple cake, pear crisp, and pumpkin bread. We thought you would enjoy the recipe for pear crisp. Pears could be substituted with apples or peaches.

Ingredients:
10 pears peeled and sliced

2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups quick oats

1 ½ cup brown sugar
1 cup flour

1 cup melted butter
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1. Place sliced fruits in a greased baking pan. Sprinkle with lemon juice.
2. Mix oats, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and melted butter in a bowl.
3. Sprinkle oat mixture on top of fruits.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 – 40 minutes. Enjoy!

We are having lots of fun learning about farms. We made our own Big Red Barn, stuffed a scare crow and created a pumpkin patch. In the house keeping corner we acted out the book Click Clack Moo, Cows That Type! The children enjoyed using the typewriters.
We have been learning about colors at the easel and at the art table during finger painting. The children had mixed red and yellow, blue and red, and blue and yellow to make new colors. They love to discover the formation of a new color.
Playing with dry and wet sand, cornmeal, water, and red sand is a big hit! These materials provide opportunity for activities such as emptying, pouring, and funneling which engage the children’s minds and offer fundamental math and science concepts as well as prepared them for everyday tasks. Many children find it a soothing place to play. In the future we will play with salt and color rice.
Another loved activity is singing. This class has learned many new songs in this short while, some favorites are: Let’s Make a Circle, If You’re Happy and You Know It, Open Shut Them, Old MacDonald Had a Farm, The Farmer In The Dell, Way Up High In The Apple Three, Five Little Pumpkins, and The Sock Song.
Part of the day, is spent outdoors. The children must be dressed for the weather. We do go outside in the winter. The children especially enjoy playing in the snow. Snow pants, boots, and mittens are an absolute must to stay dry and enjoy the outdoors. Mittens not gloves need to be attached to jackets with clips or by string so when taken off, as they invariably are, will not be lost. Please help by updating your child’s extra clothes for the cold weather. Please label all clothing! We cannot always remember whose sweater or hat belongs to whom. Also please send spoons, forks, and napkins as needed for lunches-we do not supply these on a regular basis. If you are looking for ideas for lunch look for the “lunch ideas” section of this news letter. It is a good idea to always provide your child with a fruit and/or a vegetable.
I would like to thank all the parents who signed up to bring fruits or vegetable for our healthy snack. Lastly, remember a child’s work is play. Your children are learning a lot as they are working and playing each day.
We look forward to sharing their growth with you!
Maria, Alma, and Jean
Threes AM Class



Lunch Ideas:
Mac and Cheese
Bagel and Cream Cheese
Pasta (wheels, bows, elbows) with vegetables
Soup, Tofu, Yogurt and fruits, boiled egg
Sun flour butter and jelly sandwich
Turkey and cheese sandwich
Cheese sandwich
White rice and scramble eggs
Rice and beans
Popular Vegetables: baby carrots, peas, edamame beans, broccoli
Popular Fruits: Berries, apple sauce, a few pieces of apples, grapes, orange