I hope that everyone received my Yy is for Yum! Food is Fun plans. I hope this allows all of you a break from paper and offers more hands-on learning fun.  It's always best to learn through play.  If  you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me.  Also, Please, Please keep sending me those pictures of your child "distance learning".  I absolutely love seeing my little loves and it makes me smile so big!!  Thank you to those of  you that have been sending pictures.  

Our Religion this week is as follows:
PreK 3's - I Can Smile.  I always love this lesson for this time of the year because it allows us to smile about the friendships we've made, the things we've learned, and the memories we've created.  Although this year is different, we still can celebrate and smile about the time we did have together this year - before all of this distance learning began.  We all made new friends, we learned so many things (our Days of the Week song; our Weather song; 5 Little Pumpkins song, 5 Green and Speckled Frogs song, Letter songs, how to share more, listen more, and follow rules, we learned about letters and numbers, shapes and some sign language, and more.  Talk to your child about things we've done in class this year:  We made apple pie; we made pudding, banana bread, we cleaned out pumpkins, met our 5th grade buddies, did science experiments with vinegar and baking soda, made crafts, celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday with fun stories and made Green Eggs and Ham to eat for a snack,  played Bingo with our buddies and won prizes, had a fun Christmas party and put on a great Christmas play, passed out Valentines, decorated cookies, and so much more).  Yes, it's not the way we wanted the year to end and yes we may feel jipped out of extra time together and more great moments and memories.  But, we also did a lot together that is worth remembering, celebrating, and smiling about.  (Plus, our time at home has probably brought different memories and times to smile about that we may not have otherwise had).  God wants us to be happy and wants us to make those around us happy too.  Use your smile to change someone's day.
Be sure to go to our Religion link and review the Religion pages with your child. 
Activity:  Use a paper plate or cut a big circle out of paper.   Create and decorate a "Smiley Face".

PreK 4's - God Made Butterflies. I love butterflies.  During Lent at school we used the butterfly as our Lenten symbol.  What an example of transformation the butterfly is to us. 
When a butterfly starts it's journey, it has only 2 jobs to do: eat and grow.  We too as new Christians for 2 jobs:  (receive God's word and recieve the Holy Spirit). When we are first saved we must feed on God's word.  This is how we grow and mature to know, love, and serve God. 
The next phase of the caterpillar is so special and always leaves me in amazement.  This little insect enters into it's chrysilis. Here, it grows and changes into a beautiful butterfly. When it comes out of the chrysilis it's wings are damp and limp and unusable.  It is not until the butterfly has done some work that it can use it's wings and fly away.  We as Christians are like that too.  We are all saved by God's grace but our transformation does not stop there. We have to grow and mature, but we also need to allow the Holy Spirit into our hearts so that we can be changed from the inside out.  Once we allow this, then we can truly do God's work and recieve his graces.  
Be sure to visit our Religion link and review Religion pages with your child.
Activity:  Cut a butterfly out of paper and decorate it.

This week we are learning about the letter Xx.  Review the correct way to write Xx and the Xx sound.  Xx is a tricky letter.  Not many words begin with Xx, so let's also point out that many words end in Xx: box, fox, six, fix, ox, ax.  Write some of these words down for your child and have them underline the Xx and say the Xx sound.  We do this at Circle Time.  
Our 4 Year Olds should work on their packet or the worksheets that I attached via email.  They come to school 3 days a week, so they should be 3 worksheets per week just as we would do if we were at school.  Also, they should continue to color (so many benefits to coloring).  Plus, practice writing those names.  
Our 3 Year Olds should focus on the worsheets that I sent home via email.  If you find something that you like in the packet that comes in Flocknote, by all means use it.  But, don't overdo the worksheets.  
-We learn best through play in our Preschool Years-
That being said....  Here are some hands-on activities for letter Xx.  Most of these activities are things we would do in class.
*Make letter Xx with sticks.  In class we would use popsicle sticks.  However, if it's a nice day out go on a twig and stick hunt with your child.  Use what they collect to make the letter Xx.
*To go with our X-Ray page:  Paint your child's hand with white paint and make a print on blue or black paper works best.  If you don't have paint, trace your child's hand and color it white.  Use Q-tips to make "bones" and create a hand X-Ray.
*Create an Xx marks the spot hunt.  Put at Xx on circle objects in your home.  Have your child find the Xx on those objects.  Do the same for square objects, rectangles, etc...
*PlayDoh fun:  Make the letter Xx with playdoh.  Make shapes with playDoh.  Make the first letter of your name (or your whole name) with playDoh.
*Fill a dishpan with rice, sand, etc... put cardboard Xx's in the pan and have your child find them.
*Use tape to make a letter Xx on a piece of paper.  Allow your child to paint over the Xx and all over the paper.  Remove the tape and find your "magic" Xx picture.
*Using a cookie sheet and some of dad's shaving cream - make letter Xx, write your name, make shapes, make a fun picture. 
*Each week in class we read a story about a little boy who finds things to put in his box.  There is a story for each letter of the alphabet.  Use a shoebox and help your child to find Letter Xx things to put in the box.  It could include the letter Xx picture they colored.

Letter Xx Science:  Water Xylophone (Kitchen Science)
*Lesson - Sound waves are vibrations that travel through a medium which here, it is water.
You will need:
-water
-food coloring
-4 mason jars or glasses
-wooden stick or spoon
Setting up:
Set out your 4 jars.  Allow your child to "tap" each jar so that they can hear what the empty jars sound like first.
Next, fill your jars with varying levels of water.  You can eyeball it or use measuring cups if you choose. Remember: more water equals a higher sound or pitcher and less water equals a higher sound or pitch.  Now add food coloring to each jar for a different note (like you would find on a xylophone). Mix.
Tap each jar with your wooden stick or spoon.  What do you hear?  What did the jars sound like before you added the water?  Try adding differenet levels to the jar to hear different sounds.  Did you hear them?  Try adding different liquids to the jar (maybe water and milk).  Differenet liquids have different densities.  Do you hear a difference?  
We do this in class for letter Xx every year and out little ones LOVE it.  Enjoy

Religion:
Our Religion lesson for the Preschool 3's is I CAN LOVE.  See the link for our Religion book from my previous blog.  Read the lesson with your child.  Brainstorm ways that we can show our love to others.  How does Jesus show his love to us? What I normally do in class to add to this lesson:
Trace your child's  hand and cut it out.  Cut out a heart shape.  Write down a couple of ways that your child can love.  Display for all to see.  Being loved and showing love to others is essential for a child's healthy social/emotional development. Teaching our children to understand, respect, and care for others all stems from a loving family environment.  Sing the song "Jesus Loves Me" with your child.  Another song that we sing in class is on YouTube. It is called "God's Love is Bigger Than a Burger" by Doug Horley.  It is a fun song and our Preschoolers love, love this song. 

Our Religion lesson for Preschool 4 is God Made Fish. See the Link for our Religion book from my previous blog.  Read the lesson with your child.  On the 5th day of the Creation Story God made the birds and fish.  Cut out a number 5 and help your child to make an ocean scene with different colored fish.  You could also paint your child's hand and allow him/her to make hand-print fish creations.  There is a cute song on YouTube called "God Made all the Fishes - 3 little words".  It's a fun and colorful song that our little ones enjoy.  You could also go to Saddleback kids and watch the story of Jonah and the Fish.  

Lastly,  Please continue to work on name writing, counting, shapes, colors, patterns.  I will send some activities later in the week for patterns, one-to-one correspondence, etc...

I know that everyone is busy, overwhelmed, tired, frustrated, and the list goes on.  Please know that I so appreciate all that you are doing to educate your Preschooler at home.  My best advice is: Be consistent, try to have fun learning with your child, Enjoy the little things and those sweet moments that you'll never get back,  Laugh together, Try to find a little time for yourself, and Relax - we've got this!!!
Love to all. 

Today is Holy Thursday.  Holy Thursday liturgy makrs the beginning of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jeus. This day recalls the Last Supper when Jesus washed the Disciples feet. It is a day that reminds us that we are called to serve one another.   During this time of Covid-19 we are all doing that.  We are staying home to help ourselves and others stay safe,  We are praying for our family, friends, medical people, and everyone helping us to stay safe and get the help we need, some of us are lighting candles to show hope, and more.  Help your child to find one more way today to help others.  Maybe they can call someone who lives alone and may be feeling lonely.  Drawing a picture, taking a picture and sending it to someone will put a smile on a face.  Be creative.

Here are some hands-on Easter activities that you can do at home with your child.  They are things we would have done in class at school.

*Sound or No Sound - Get 10-12 plastic eggs.  Fill some with rice, jelly beans, or a small toy.  You may want to tape them shut.  Leave some eggs empty.  Get 2 shoe boxes.  Maybe your child could decorate them.  Cut a hole in the top of each box. Label one box SOUND and the other NO SOUND.  Have your child shake each egg and put it in the correct box.  This is a great auditory discrimination activity.
*Egg Stacking - Again, get out your plastic eggs.  Most of them have a tag that keeps the top and bottom of the egg connected.  Break that tag.  Have your child stack the eggs to make an "Egg Tower" and count how many eggs they can stack before it falls over.  Great math activity, one-to-one correspondence, hand-eye coordination, and creativity.
*Water Eggs - Kids love playing in the water.  If you have a double-sided sink that would be great, but you could use a dish pan and a towel.  Fill a container with water and add your plastic Easter eggs and maybe some large beads if you have them.  Using a spoon have your child transfer the eggs from the water to the towel.  If you add beads they can use the spoon (that may be difficult) or use their fingers to transfer.  This is a good transferring activity, counting activity, hand-eye coordination, small motor skills, and color practice.  

I hope this helps.  Remember, the worksheets are good, but in Preschool we try to learn through play and hands-on activities.  Have fun with these and if you can, take pictures of your child doing them and send those to me.  Seeing their faces make my heart smile so big!!  Also, I can send these to Mrs. Schultz for our yearbook. 

Love and hugs. 

God as we walk through Holy week toward the cross,
May we remember the wonder of who you are .
Beyond sin your love is inexhaustible.
Beyond brokeness your forgiveness is incomprehensible.
Beyond betrayal your grace is poured out eternally.
Beyond death your life is unimaginable.
Beyond human understanding, Your ways are always higher than ours. 

Blessed be the King who comes in the name of the Lord.
Peace in Heaven and glory in the highest. -Luke 19:38

I have been praying for all of you and will continue to do so.  However, in this most Holy week I ask that we remember to pray together as a family.  Sit with your child(ren) and discuss the meaning of Holy week and what happens during this time. Discuss that through Jesus' death and resurrection our sins are forgiven. Retell the events of Holy Week. 
What Happened During Holy Week: (The Cheat Sheet)

• Palm Sunday: Liturgical color, red. Jesus rides a donkey into Jerusalem, the people wave palm branches at him shouting “Hosanna”. 
• Holy Monday: Liturgical color, purple. Jesus and his disciples go into the temple, and Jesus overturns the tables since people are selling things rather than praying there. 
• Holy Tuesday: Liturgical color, purple. Jesus and the disciples return to the temple and teach the people many things with parables and give the people the new commandment. 
• Holy Wednesday (AKA Spy Wednesday): Liturgical color, purple. Judas agrees to hand over Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
• Holy Thursday (AKA Green Thursday): Liturgical color, white. Jesus has the Last Supper, which is the institution of the Eucharist and also the first mass. He also washes the feet of his disciples. Jesus asks his disciples to pray in the garden with him all night, and they fall asleep. 
• Good Friday: Liturgical color, black. Jesus dies on the cross. All the things from the stations of the cross happen this day.
• Holy Saturday: Jesus is dead in the tomb. The evening of Holy Saturday is considered the “vigil”, and Easter celebrating can begin then. 

 

Below are some some video suggestions that will help with the events of Holy week.  They will be good to start some family discussions and prayer time.  
Saddleback kids The Last Supper
Saddleback kids The Easter Story

God Bless all of you! 

Good Morning my little loves and their families.  I hope I am finding all of you in good health.  I pray daily for you.  Life has definitely thrown us a curveball.  As I talk to different people I find that we are all experiencing similiar feelings.  We are afraid, overwhelmed, stressed, feeling anxious, lonely, sad, and more.  Remember to take a deep breath, try to "let go" of this situation we cannot control, try to envision the best, reflect (we've all faced uncertainty before.  Try to remember and reflect on those times and how we've gotten through them), keep moving (we may be stuck at  home, but keep on moving; dance in your living room, play hide-n-seek, go for a walk, camp out somewhere in the house and make microwave smores, put on an exercise video, use the gonoodle app I've supplied and keep on moving.  It really does help!), try to stay positive (Yes, we're scared and anxious. We are bored.  We are missing loved one and friends.  But, remember, that you have each other. You have a safe home.  You have food on the table.  You can facetime, use zoom, etc... to see and talk to family and friends, etc.... Use this time to reconnect as a family - do a puzzle, create a "daily drop everything and read" time, enjoy family meals, play some games.  Life is usually so busy.  We are now forced to slow down and connect with one another.  How wonderful is that!! Try to find something positive in each day.), Pray. There is so much power in prayer. By exercising our authority of prayer and standing strong in God's truth we are working together with Him. When we tap into our faith and pray, miracles happen. Praise God!

I have had severeal planning meetings this week with Mrs. Forsythe, the AOD, Mrs. Nesom, and other St. Paul staff members.  We are working together and trying our best to help our students.  You will be receiving a new Preschool packet soon through Flocknote.  This packet supplies you with a calendar of activites and other things to help your child review and learn.  Work at your own pace.  Allow your child to check off or add a sticker to activities they have done.  It's a fun way for them to keep moving forward with the activities.  Continue to practice writing and reviewing letter sounds.  For our 4's, brainstorm words that begin with the letter your working on. For everyone, practice the letter sound and have your child go find something in the house that starts with that letter (ex. letter Ss - slippers, socks).  They can burn some energy while they're learning and everyone likes a scavenger hunt.  Remember to be creative, have fun, and try to keep learning hands-on,

Here are some links that will supplement your packets:

This is our religion series.  It has a great parent/student section:
https://www.loyolapress.com/faith-formation/early-learning/god-made-me-and-god-made-the-world

U tube-Saddleback Kids -bible stories etc

Another cute idea would be to make a prayer table/corner for your child.-This can include a bible, children's religious story books, The Blessed Mother statue, a Crucifix, rosary, Noah's Ark play set, Good Shepard basket,with a shepard figure and sheep, a Nativity set etc
During our school day we practice spontaneous prayer.  You can carry this over with your child by making "Prayer Starter cards" for example:Thanks for...,Please bless..., Help me with..., etc.
Also,we have learned the Angel of God prayer and were going to begin The Hail Mary, you could work on that as well.

Scholastic/Let's Find Out: Go to student login-stpaulonthelakeprek:
Let's Find Out

For science:
https://sciencespink1.scholastic.com/home-page-logged-in.html

Movement fun:
https://www.gonoodle.com/
https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga
https://www.learningstationmusic.com/

Please make sure to continue to practice your child's name/ upper and lower case, if they have mastered all uppercase. Here is the link that we used:
https://www.createprintables.com/name_tracing_worksheet_download.php

Please share your photo's of the children hard at work to me via email so I can share them on our Instagram page as well as the school Facebook page!

Today I am working on creating an Instagram page so that I can read to my little ones.  I will email you when it is complete.  

 Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have.  Continue to check our class blog each week for further updates.  

I truly miss all of the children and my parents as well!!!!!  Let's all make sure to stay home!!!
Until next week,
Love, peace, and blessings to all of you!!

I hope this blog finds all of you in good health.  You are all in my thoughts and prayers daily.  I know that it is hard to be away from family, friends, activities, and fun outings, but hang in there and remember that this isn't forever.  Here is an idea for you to do at home that may help with your feelings of isolation.  Get a jar, post-it notes, and colored markers  or pencils.  Keep this activity fun and colorful. Every time you wish you could do something, go somewhere, treat yourselves, see someone you love, visit a new place, invite people to visit,  etc... write it down on your post-it note and put it in your jar.  When all of this is over your jar will be your bucket list.  You and your family can work your way through the jar and maybe it will make us more grateful than ever for the little and lovely things in our lives.  Until then, have fun watching your jar fill up with magical things to look forward to.

I am loving the pictures that I am receiving with all of the fun ways that you are helping your child to learn.  Keep up the good work and keep sending those pictures.  I love seeing my sweet babes - I miss them all so much!!  Here are some other suggestions to keep our learning going:
-Remember to read, read, read.  
-We've had some nice days outside.  Venture out into your backkyard and have a science lesson:  how many squirrels can you count; what kinds of birds do you see;  Are the trees or bushes in  your backyard budding yet; Are any flowers starting to grow; etc... Ask your child questions, let them ask questions.  Be creative with  your lesson.  Draw a picture of what you saw.  Make a little book with the drawings and add print to each page for your child.  Read it with them and you may find that they will start "reading" it on their own.
-Try this online learning site called "ABCYA" -  It has fun learning activities in almost all subject areas.
-Continue to work on your packet and remember to be creative and make learning fun and hands-on.  If you need anything or have questions do not hesistate to reach out. 

**Heavenly Father, walk through my house, and take away all worries and illnesses, and please watch over and heal my family and friends.  Bring quiet where there is chaos, bring light where there is darkness and put love in o ur hearts.  In Jesus name. Amen.

Take care and God Bless all of you.
Hugs to my sweet Preschoolers.  I love you all and miss you more than you know. 

Today we started to learn about the letter Tt.  We learned how to write Tt the correct way in upper/lower case, learned the Tt sound, and the "sign" for Tt. Our Board Story was about Timmy getting his ten toes tickled.  Our Board Words are tomato, turtle, tools, and tiger.  Our Circle Time story was Tony Baloney by Pam Munoz Ryan.  In Religion we continue to talk about being more like Jesus through prayer and Good Deeds.  Our Good Deeds jar is filling up. Keep up the good work Preschool!!
We had a special day today.  As many of you know, many of our students have been working hard on the play production of Mary Poppins.  To allow our youngest Lakers feel like they can be a part of it, we did an art project which will be a part of the set design.  Paper, glue, and scissors helped us to create beautiful and colorful pinwheels.  Our little ones really enjoyed the transformation of a square piece of paper into a beautiful piece of art.  Thank you Miss Sharon for helping us today.  We hope everyone enjoys our creations.
We also had a DEAR time (Drop Everything and Read).  Everyone chose a spot with a book of their choice to relax and read.  

**Special Notes
*Please be sure to send in your bag of Easter Candy so that Mrs. J. and I can start filling our plastic eggs for our Easter Egg Hunt. 
*We are spraying and wiping desks, chairs, toys, carpets, opening windows, increasing hand washing and more to help keep all of these germs at bay.  You can help in two ways: 1) We are in need of more Clorox Wipes and 2)If your child is not feeling well - runny/stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, nausea, stomach ache, headache, fever - KEEP THEM HOME.  Please know that missing a few days of Preschool is not going to harm them or prevent them from moving forward next year.  Please help us to help you.
*March is reading month.  If you would like to come in and be a guest reader we would love to have you.  Send me an email with a date and time and let's read together. 

**Books aren't just made of words....They are filled with places to visit and people to meet. -unknown

What a fun day we had today.  We reviewed what we learned about letter Ss and had fun thinking of animals that started with the letter Ss - snake, sloth, sabertooth tiger, shark, salamander, squirrel, and skunk.  This was followed by the finger play "The Insey, Winsey Spider" and the story Miss Spider's Tea Party by David Kirk.  In Religion we continued to talk about Lent.  We are using the symbolism of a caterpillar and a butterfly to talk about Lent and Easter.  A caterpillar stays in a cocoon for several days before making their way into the world as a butterfly.  During Lent we use these 40 days to be more like Jesus so that we can transform into someone new - someone more like Jesus.  We do this through prayer, Almsgiving, and good deeds.  We are praying more in class and are watching for those good deeds.  Several little ones were allowed to add a cotton ball to our Good Deeds Jar and got so excited to do so.  
We ended our day with the Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham.  Everyone loved this story.  For our snack we made Green Eggs and Hams.  What a treat.  We combined a math and science lesson with our snack too.  I think everyone tried our snack and most of our Preschoolers said "I like Green Eggs and Ham."  Yeah!!

Our Centers:
Center 1: PlayDoh
Center 2: Magnetic Letters
Center 3: Art Center - we decorated letter Ss to look like a snowman. 

**Special Notes:
*Please see The Preschool Press for Easter Egg Hunt information and dates.

This week we are learning about the letter Ss.  Today we learned the correct way to write Ss in upper/lower case, the "sign" for Ss, and the Ss sound.  It's always nice when Dr. Seuss' birthday correlates to the letter Ss like it did this year.  We learned that Dr. Seuss (Ted Seuss) wrote many books and did some wonderful illustruations for his books.  This week we will read many Dr. Seuss books. Today we read One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.  We also had fun making our Dr. Seuss craft.  They all looked too adorable.  
In Religion we continue to talk about Lent and added some cotton balls to our Good Deeds jar. Keep showing your loving, kind, and caring ways Preschool.

Our Centers:
Center 1: PlayDoh
Center 2: Alphabet Games/Mazes
Center 3: Dr. Seuss Crafts

Special Notes:
*We are still seeing flu and strep throat.  If your child is not feeling well please, please, please keep them home.  We are cleaning tables and chairs daily, are cleaning toys, spraying our Circle Time rug, opening up windows, etc... Help us stop the spread of germs.
*Please watch for upcoming notes about our Easter Egg Hunt.  It's always a fun time for our Preschoolers.

We have a fun and busy week planned this week.  We will be learning all about the letter Ss this week.  Today we learned the correct way to write Ss, the "sign" for Ss, and the Ss sound.  Our Preschoolers put 40 Ss words on our Brainstorming Board.  Awesome job guys!!  Today is Dr. Seuss' birthday.  We will be reading Dr. Seuss books, doing Dr. Seuss crafts, and making Green Eggs and Ham for a snack later in the week.  Our theme this week is "Ss is for snowman" so many of our activities will involve this theme.  Also, Reading Month started today.  There are many activities planned throughout the month.  If anyone is interested in coming in to be a guest reader in the next few weeks, please let me know and we can find a date and time that will work.  Our stories today were One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and we started Green Eggs and Ham.  
The March Snack Calendar went home today.  Please find it in your child's folder.  

Our Centers:
Center 1: Reading Center - I Spy Letter Ss. Books
Center 2: Art Center - Letter Ss Crown
Center 3: Writing Center - Getting Ready Letter Ss

Special Notes:
*We are still seeing flu - aches, nausea, headache, high fever, etc... Please, please, please, if your child is not feeling well, keep them home and help us stop the spread of germs.  
*Watch for upcoming notes about our Easter Egg Hunt.  I'll be working on these this week and next week. Thanks in advance for your help.

**Don't give up. I believe in you all. A person's a person, no matter how small. -Dr. Seuss