Desertland December Newsletter
“The child tends always to expand her independence....She wants to act of her own accord, to handle things, to dress and undress herself....Her impulses are so energe<c that our usual reac<on is to check them....But we must consider that exploring her environment is the child’s natural way of learning....Her crea<ve energies are so fragile as to need a loving and understanding response.”
Maria Montessori
Luca: coin drop box
Hazel B. works on the “ring tree”.
This past month we celebrated the concept of Thanksgiving by reading about family gatherings and some typical Thanksgiving dinner food. Turkeys took main stage in our songs and fingerplays, art, and dance. We colored pictures of turkeys, glued feathers on turkeys, and made “turkey” hand prints. We sang “Turkey Dinner”, “Gobble, Gobble, Gee”, “Five Fat Turkeys are We”, and “Over the River and Through the Wood”. We danced the “Turkey Tango”! Bowie glues feathers on his turkey.
Desertland December Newsletter
Apples were a focus for cooking projects: applesauce mixed in a blender and apple chunks in waffles. We also enjoyed some yummy acorn squash.
Elías chops up apple for applesauce.
December!
In December the focus on families will conMnue, as the holidays are usually Mmes for families to gather together. The cold weather is here now for sure, and the children are all working very hard to put on their own pants, socks, shoes, and coats. Hats and miOens or gloves are an added fun challenge for your children. Model for your toddlers how to dress yourself for the cold or wet condiMons outside and help them to become more and more independent in this important self-­‐help skill.
Don’t forget to send in your family photo!
Desertland December Newsletter
Hazel July: grapes prep
Nico: dry pouring transfer work
Abigail: number puzzle
Songs and Fingerplays:
The Turkey says:
Gobble, gobble, gee!
I’m a big fat turkey.
Gobble, gobble, gee!
You can’t catch me.
The Farmer says:
I want turkey For my dinner.
I want turkey
On Thanksgiving day!
Desertland December Newsletter
Spanish Corner:
To the tune of Frere Jaques:
Buenos días, buenos días, Cómo estás, cómo estás? Muy bien gracias, muy bien gracias, Y usted? Y usted? Good morning, good morning, How are you, how are you?
Very well, thank you. Very well, thank you.
And how are you? And how are you?
Buenos tardes, buenos tardes, Repeat as in first verse. Good aSernoon, good aSernoon,
etc.
Buenos noches, buenos noches, Repeat as in first verse. Good evening, good evening,
etc.
Lewis works with play dough.
Desertland December Newsletter
Notes:
Please send in a box of Kleenex and some wipes for December. Thank you!
Please label every food container in your child’s lunch box. We appreciate your assistance!
Benefits of Buying a Wet Bag for Soiled Clothing
Inevitably, where there are children, there are messes. Dirty, smelly, sMcky, wet clothes, diapers, shoes, etc. And where do you put these things? If you're at home they might go straight into the wash. If you're not, hopefully you have a Wet Bag with you! MOA requests each family provide a “Wet Bag” or reusable zip lock bag for infant and toddler’s clothes that are going home.
We encourage families to provide a Wet Bag as we are a Green School. Here is a link to our A-­‐Store where you can buy or see an example of a wet bag hOp://astore.amazon.com/astoremoamp-­‐20?
_encoding=UTF8&node=23. Another opMon is to provide a plasMc bag (a quart ziplock with your child's name in Sharpie works well and can be used several Mmes). If you are sending mulMple bags, please fold them neatly and store them inside a ziplock, to help keep your child's backpack organized. Thank you for your help! It is our most sincere effort to be in compliance, reduce our footprint and to acMvely model green pracMces at all Mmes. Your support is greatly valued!
Important Dates:
Friday, December 4
Parent Teacher Conferences -­‐ School Closed, sign up sheets will be posted closer to the date
Thursday, December 17
Last day of school before Winter Break
Friday, December 18
Winter Skate Party
School closed, meet at Lloyd Center Ice Rink, from 10am – 12pm
December 21 – January 5
Winter Break -­‐ School Closed
Monday, January 4
Teacher Planning Day -­‐ School Closed
Tuesday, January 5
First day back to school