A Single Valentine
By: Patricia Mongeau
Oh Mom. I’ve got a secret
And I’m not suppose to tell,
But when you find it out I know
That you will think its swell.
I made it yesterday in school
And I can hardly wait
Till I can give it to you
On that very special date.
I’m not supposed to tell, you see,
What I have made for you…
But I don’t think it matters
If I give a hint or two.
It’s round and red, and it has lace
Around the sides of it,
And please excuse my cutting ‘cause
I’m not too good at it.
And if my writing’s hard to read,
Here is what I’ll do,
I will help you out a bit…
The words say “I Love You.”
Oh Mom, I had a secret
And I wasn’t supposed to tell,
But now that I have told you,
Don’t you agree it’s swell?
Table of Contents
Capers
1-2
Childhood, Curriculum, & Coaching
12-13
Calendar of Events
3
Christian Education
14
Caring & Sharing
4
Math & Science Newsletter
15
Themes of Study
5
Spanish Newsletter
16-17
Announcements
6
Chinese Newsletter
18-20
Parent/ Teacher Conference
7
Library Newsletter
21-27
Lunch Menu
8-9
Drama Newsletter
28-29
Inclement Weather Policy
10
Physical Education Newsletter
30
St. Valentine’s Story
11
1
Dear CDC Families,
January was a month of blowy, blustery days and traces of snow. The children enjoyed all of the
winter activities planned and seemed content to have some snow. Although the wind is cold and raw there is a sense
with nature that spring is not far. The earth is beginning to thaw in anticipation of the arrival of Spring.
February promises to be quite lovely. We’ll be busy learning and celebrating it’s many holidays. As
you read through your child’s newsletters lovely celebrations abound. Here are a few
-
February is Black History Month– An celebratory time when we learn about the many African American people
and their great contribution to our country.
Groundhog Day– Will he see his shadow? I’ve often wondered why he couldn’t be a she?
Mardi Gras/ Fact Tuesday– They’ll be beads, jazz, and a king cake.
Ash Wednesday– Younger children will be challenged to show one act of love everyday during lent and the
older children will be challenged in one daily act of helpfulness, kindness, or peace making.
Valentine’s Day– the sweetest day of the year! Studies of St. Valentine’s and his legends and traditions. It’s a
special day when we make Valentine’s and think of the people we love.
Presidents Day– Remembering two past presidents Abraham Lincoln and George Washington
Chinese New Year– a holding for family and friends to enjoy being together, enjoying food, dancing, parades,
and presenting gifts during this celebration. This year is Year of The Snake!
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month and National Pet Dental Health Month. Yes pets need to
take good care of their teeth also.
Love Your Pet Day– A chance to show your cat, dog, tortoise, and or hamster how you really feel. Spend time
with them and show you care.
National Dog Biscuit Day– Imagine that a world wide day for fides to indulge in an all time favorite “Dog
Biscuits”
National Polar Bear Day– A day to celebrate and learn about this endangered animal. Our little Polar Bear
Class has adopted a bear in honor of this day.
Summer Camp Registration will begin Monday, February 11, 2013. If you are interested in Summer
Camp stop by the office.
Letters of intent for the 2013/2014 School Year will go out on Monday, March 4, 2013. Public
registration will begin Monday, March 8th.
As our journey to full implementation of Conscious Discipline ® accelerates, we find ourselves at the
point where as our partners in this endeavor, it is time to introduce you to the framework. A survey will be
circulated to help us determine the best time to offer you this informational opportunity.
It is a privilege to be a part of your family Many Blessings to you.
My Valentine w sh
Is nothing new…
Each day I wish
The best for you.
My Valentine’s a
Daily prayer
That God will keep you
In his care
And grant your every
Dream come true…
Thisis my valentine wish
For you!
Happy Valentine’s Day
Secethia
By: Kay Hoffman
2
Friday
2/1- 2/28
Parent/ Teacher Conferences
Saturday
2/2
Groundhog Day
Wednesday
2/6
Little Discoverers & Small Scholars
Barnes & Noble 10:00 A.M.
Monday
2/11
Emergency Planning and
Preparedness Presentation 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday
2/13
Blue Birds and Lady Bugs
Barnes & Noble 10:00 A.M.
Thursday
2/14
Valentine’s Day Card Exchange & Parties
Monday
2/18
President’s Day
CDC Closed
Wednesday
2/20
Butterflies and Roaring Lions
Barnes & Noble 10:00 A.M.
National Love Your Pet Day
Saturday
2/23
National Dog Biscuit Day
Wednesday
2/27
National Polar Bear Day
3
Congratulations to the
Erlanger Family on the
birth of their baby girl.
Condolences to Nicole
Scott on the loss of her
mother-in-law.
Condolences to Donnetta
and Chiquyta Forman on
the loss of their
grandmother/ great
grandmother.
Keisha
Angela
Lawrence
Teresa
Nina
2/1
2/9
2/17
2/ 19
2/ 25
4
Little Lambs I
“How Many Hearts?” and “Love on the Go!”
Little Lambs II
“Sort and Separate” and “Putting In and Taking Out”
Caterpillars
“How Things Work!” and “Putting Together and
Taking Apart”
Koala Babies
“So Many Celebrations!”
Polar Bears
“Then and Now!”
Lightnin’ Bugs
“Jesus Loves Me” and “Who do We Love?”
Lady Bugs
“Many People Love Me” and “Let’s Work Together”
Inch Worms
“Transportation”
Busy Bees
“Lots to Learn, More to do!”
Butterflies
“Many Holidays!”
Blue Birds
“A Month of Many Days!”
Small Scholars
“African American Contributions”, “Presidents” and
“Chinese New Year”
Little Discoverers
“Love is Every Where!” and “Afro-American Contributions”
Roaring Lions
“Loving to Learn””
Sea Turtles
“Out of This World; Adventures in Space Odysseys!”
Little Explorers
“Prognostications”, “Pioneers”, “Presidents” and “The
Power of Love”
5
Announcements
CDC Closed In Honor Of Presidents
Day
Monday, February 18, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013 @ 6:00 P.M.
White Hall
Emergency Planning and Preparedness
Speaker: Debbie Powers,
Deputy Coordinator Office of Emergency Management
Learn what to do in case of an emergency and how to get
information in an emergency.
All Conferences will be held between the hours of 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
If these times are not convient for you please see your child’s teacher.
Little Lambs I- Mrs. Leola Chatman
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Little Lambs II- Mrs. Jennifer Gonzalvo
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Caterpillars- Mrs. Margareta Graur
Friday, February 1, 2013
Koala Babies- Mrs. Kim Stevenson
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Polar Bears- Ms. Tanganyika Smith
Monday, February 4, 2013
Lightnin’ Bugs- Mrs. Ivy Hines
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Lady Bugs- Ms. Jette Bustillo
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Inch Worms- Mrs. Angela Benjamin
Monday, February 11, 2013
Busy Bees- Ms. Amanda Rocabado
Friday, February 8, 2013
Butterflies- Ms. Melissa Brodin
Thursday February 7, 2013
Blue Birds- Ms. Jennifer Pyunn
Friday, February 22, 2013
Little Discoverers- Ms. Gwen Robertson
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Small Scholars- Mrs. Elise Jackson
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Roaring Lions- Mrs. Amanda Worthan & Ms. Jasmine Harrison
Thursday, February 21, 2013
8:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Sea Turtles- Ms. Marquita Williams & Ms. Kayla Washington
Thursday, February 28, 2013
8:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Little Explorers- Ms. Bindu Roberts & Mr. Lawrence Harris
Monday, February 25, 2013
8:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
7
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1.Breakfast for
Lunch
Waffle Sticks
w/ Maple Syrup
Turkey Sausage
Fresh Fruit
4. Vegetarian
Chicken Breast VG
Carrot & Granny
Smith Apple Slaw
Wheat Bread
Fresh Fruit
Todds
Cooked carrots
11. Swedish
Meatballs
w/ Brown Rice
Sautéed Spinach
Wheat Bread
Fresh Fruit
5. Vegetable Pasta
w. Marinara Sauce
VG
Artisan Green Salad
w/ Dressing
Bread Sticks
Fresh Fruit
Todds
Peas
6. Chicken Vegetable
Soup
w/ Rice DF, LF, GF
Wheat Crackers
Cheese Slice
Fresh Fruit
7. Crispy Cod Nuggets
Steamed Broccoli O
Whole Wheat Bread
Fresh Fruit
8. Beef Stew
Artisan Green
Salad
w/ Dressing
Whole Grain
Biscuit WG
Fresh Fruit
Todds
Beef stew Only
12. BBQ Chicken Leg
Cooked Baby Carrots
Seven Grain Roll WG
Fresh Fruit
13. Tomato Basil
Soup DF, GF
Grilled Cheese on
Whole Wheat
Fresh Fruit
14. Valentine’s Day
Pretzel Mini Hotdogs
Mustard & Ketchup
Sweet Potato Fries
Cucumber Slices,
Celery, Carrots
Strawberry Ice Cream
Todds
Chicken Nuggets
Cooked Carrots &
Broccoli
15. Cheese Pizza
on Whole Wheat
Crust WG
Artisan Green
Salad
w/ Dressing
Fresh Fruit
22. Cheese
Quesadilla on
Honey Wheat
Tortilla WG
Black Beans &
Corn
Fresh Fruit
Todds
Grilled Cheese
Green Beans
18.
Presidents Day
CDC Closed
19. Chicken Nuggets
Steamed Broccoli O
Wheat Bread
Apricots
20. Turkey & Cheese
on Spinach Wrap
w/ Shredded Lettuce
Diced Tomatoes
Raw Veggie Tray w/
Dip
Fresh Fruit
Todds
Cooked carrots
21. Turkey Meat Loaf
w/ Low Sodium Gravy
Mashed Red Skin
Potatoes
Green Beans
Dinner Roll
Fresh Fruit
25. Chicken Strips
GF
Baby Green Peas
Whole Wheat Bread
Fresh Fruit
26. Baked Shells w/
Cheese & Meat Sauce
Steamed Green Beans
Whole Wheat Bread
Fresh Fruit
27. Chicken Salad
Sandwich on Whole
Wheat WG
Raw Veggie Tray &
Dip
Fresh Fruit
Todds
Mixed Vegetables
28. White Chicken Chili
w/ cilantro GF
Raw Baby Carrots
Whole Grain Biscuit
WG
Fresh Fruit
Todds
Cooked Carrots
Key: GF: Gluten Free
DF: Dairy Free
LF: Low Fat
WG: Whole Grain
VN: Vegan
O: Organic
8
VG: Vegetarian
AM
Monday
Apple Sauce
Graham
Crackers
Tuesday
Cheerios
Cereal Bar
Milk
Wednesday
Cottage
Cheese
Pineapple Tid
Bits
Thursday
Raisin Bread
Orange Juice
Friday
Cereal Trail
Mix
Milk
Todds
Whole Milk
PM
Flat Bread
Fresh Fruit
Unsalted
Nachos w/
Salsa
Apple Juice
Goldfish
Crackers
Pineapple
Orange Juice
Todds
Cheese &
Crackers
Whole Milk
Todds
Whole Milk
Vanilla
Pudding
Wafers
Pear Slices
String
Cheese
9
1. On days that the Arlington County Schools ARE CLOSED DUE
TO SNOW AND INCLEMENT WEATHER, the Child Development
Center WILL BE CLOSED. Parents can check the Arlington
County website for school closings at www.arlingtonva.us
2. On days that the Arlington County Public Schools open one
hour late the Child Development Center WILL ALSO OPEN ONE
HOUR LATE AT 7:45 A.M.
3. On days that the Arlington County Public Schools open two
hours late the
Child Development Center WILL OPEN AT 8:45 A.M.
4. If the Arlington County Public Schools have an early release,
the Child Development Center will close at 2:00 PM.
5. If the Arlington County Public Schools are closed for MORE
than 2 consecutive days, parents should call the CDC at 5226477 (VOICE MAIL MESSAGE) to see if the CDC will be open.
6. During inclement weather, the CDC Administration and
Board of Trustees has sole discretion in making emergency
decisions regarding school closures.
7. When severe weather occurs it is the parent’s responsibility
to stay informed, and have a plan to pick-up their children in a
timely manner.
10
Let me introduce myself. My name is Valentine. I lived in Rome during the third century. That was
long, long ago! At that time, Rome was ruled by an emperor named Claudius. I didn't like Emperor
Claudius, and I wasn't the only one! A lot of people shared my feelings.
Claudius wanted to have a big army. He expected men to volunteer to join. Many men just did not
want to fight in wars. They did not want to leave their wives and families. As you might have guessed,
not many men signed up. This made Claudius furious. So what happened? He had a crazy idea. He
thought that if men were not married, they would not mind joining the army. So Claudius decided not
to allow any more marriages. Young people thought his new law was cruel. I thought it was
preposterous! I certainly wasn't going to support that law!
Did I mention that I was a priest? One of my favorite activities was to marry couples. Even after
Emperor Claudius passed his law, I kept on performing marriage ceremonies -- secretly, of course. It
was really quite exciting. Imagine a small candlelit room with only the bride and groom and myself.
We would whisper the words of the ceremony, listening all the while for the steps of soldiers.
One night, we did hear footsteps. It was scary! Thank goodness the couple I was marrying escaped in
time. I was caught. (Not quite as light on my feet as I used to be, I guess.) I was thrown in jail and told
that my punishment was death.
I tried to stay cheerful. And do you know what? Wonderful things happened. Many young people came
to the jail to visit me. They threw flowers and notes up to my window. They wanted me to know that
they, too, believed in love.
One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit me in
the cell. Sometimes we would sit and talk for hours. She helped me to keep my spirits up. She agreed
that I did the right thing by ignoring the Emperor and going ahead with the secret marriages. On the
day I was to die, I left my friend a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty. I signed it,
"Love from your Valentine."
I believe that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine's Day. It was written
on the day I died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now, every year on this day, people remember. But most
importantly, they think about love and friendship. And when they think of Emperor Claudius, they
remember how he tried to stand in the way of love, and they laugh -- because they know that love can't
be beaten!
11
Love is defined as a feeling if tender affection for someone, to like something/someone very much, to show
kindness toward someone, a feeling of attraction or desire or to have a strong affection. Other definitions and
descriptions include, a verb, a choice, loving someone until they love themselves. Apage love is described as
being patient, kind, truthful, unselfish, trusting, believing, hopeful, and enduring, it is not jealous, boastful,
arrogant, rude, selfish, or angry. True love never fails. The description perfectly fits God's love toward us, and
should be the way we love each other and God.
I hope it comes as no surprise to you that all of the above considered, some of my favorite descriptions and
definitions of love come from a group of children aged 4-8 in response to a group of professionals who posed
the question, “What does love mean”?, for out of the mouths of babes comes an understanding of love like
which our faith and love should be.
"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is
safe in their mouth."
Billy - age 4
"When my grandmother got arthritis, she can’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather
does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
Rebecca- age 8
"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each
other."
Karl - age 5
"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you
any of theirs."
Chrissy - age 6
"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
Terri - age 4
"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make
sure the taste is OK."
Danny - age 7
"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you
talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss"
Emily - age 8
"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas……………… if you stop opening presents and
listen."
Bobby - age 7
"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,"
Nikka - age 6
(we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)
12
"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, so then, he wears it everyday."
Noelle - age 7
"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so
well."
Tommy - age 6
"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."
Elaine-age 5
"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."
Mary Ann - age 4
"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new
ones."
Lauren - age 4
"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." (what an
image!)
Karen - age 7
"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People
forget."
Jessica - age 8
This is the story of a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had
recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard,
climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the
little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."
What does love mean? After thoughtful introspection, whatever your response, I pray it be yours!
Bonnie
13
Every February we celebrate Valentine's Day by giving flowers, candy and
cards to those we love. We do this in honor of Saint Valentine. You may be
wondering, "Who is St. Valentine"? Time to brush up on your Valentine's
history!
Legend has it that Valentine was a priest who served during third century
Rome. There was an Emperor at that time by the name of Claudius II. Emperor
Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were
married. With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in
hopes of building a stronger military base. Supposedly, Valentine decided this
decree just wasn't fair and chose to marry young couples secretly. When
Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine's actions he had him put to
death.
Another legend has it that Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love
with his jailor's daughter. Before he was put to death he sent the first
'valentine' himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it 'Your Valentine',
words still used on cards today.
Perhaps we'll never know the true identity and story behind the man named St.
Valentine, but this much is for sure...February has been the month to celebrate
love for a long time, dating clear back to the Middle Ages. In fact, Valentines
ranks second only to Christmas in number of greeting cards sent.
During the week of 4 February, the chapel lesson will be about ST. Valentine
and the many ways we show love for and to each other. Children will create
heart ‘coupons’ of ‘acts of love’ that they will give to others as part
of this lesson.
The chapel lesson that will be planned in observance of Ash
Wednesday, for the week of 11 February will challenge
children to make a commitment to ‘make a change that
makes a difference’ during the liturgical season of Lent.
The ‘jelly bean prayer’ will be the focus of Christian
Education lessons and learning in chapel and the
classroom throughout Lent.
Blessings!
14
Josie
Early childhood teachers have the opportunity to teach math concepts in the ways in which they
will respect children’s ways of thinking.
Seriation is the math concept that children will encounter during the month of February. Active
and participatory activities and experiences in seriation, will provide opportunities for the
children to create patterns grouping materials and items according to characteristics. Some of the
High Scope Key Developmental Indicators are: comparing attributes, arranging several things one
after another in a series or pattern and describing the relationships between things. One of the
lessons the children will be offered is patterns in motion. Children will develop A-B-A-B and A-BC-A-B-C patterns. During this activity, children will compare attributes (longer-shorter) and will
describe relationships such as big/bigger/biggest. Another math lesson the children will be
offered is creating patterns by using plastic shapes. They will start with three shapes and than I
will introduce more shapes if children seem ready for a greater challenge.
A science lesson the children will engage in is classifying and charting hot and cold foods such as
ice cubes, fruits, chips, cans of soup, tea bags, hot chocolate, coffee, hot water, cold water.
Another science lesson will be a prediction and an observation of how ice melts. They will first
make predictions about how long they think it will take for some ice to melt and the ice will be
checked in correlation with their predictions. Possible key developmental indicators the children
will encounter include observing people, places and things from different spatial viewpoints and
describing objects, events and relations.
Riddle!
I have six sides
And I fall from the sky.
I land on your nose,
I land on your eye.
Can you guess what name have I?
During another science lesson, encountering the key developmental indicators of describing
events, objects and relations, the children predict how baking soda will be transformed by mixing
water and vinegar. (hint: the answer to the riddle!)
Wonder!
Ms. Ionela
15
Spanish Newsletter: Febrero
Have you heard our Spanish Colors song at home yet? The children are singing it every day here at school and
recognizing colors in Spanish fabulously!
~~~~~
Isn’t it great that we have the staff and resources here at CDC for your child to learn two foreign languages along with
English? What a rare and awesome experience for children – and as we said, this is the best age to do so. Is learning
Chinese (and Spanish) as difficult as it might sound?
Let’s see what our Fact or Myth says about learning languages!
Fact OR Myth
“Mandarin is no harder to learn than Spanish (or any language for that matter).”
FACT!
New brains are “equipped with the ability to pick up any language equally well. Infants and children
learn the language that… is used with them in everyday life.”
Studies have shown that English-learning infants as young as 6 months could easily discriminate sounds
from two separate, foreign languages. The decline in ability to distinguish sounds with ease typically
begins around 12 months unless the foreign language is being spoken to the child daily.
*(Reference: Early Language Acquisition: Cracking the Speech Code, Patricia K. Kuhl, Nature Reviews.
Neuroscience.Volume 5. November 2004.831. )
~~~~~
January was a fun time to start reviewing what we did before we left for break. We also had a blast creating different
weather scenarios and discussing what types of clothing we wear to stay warm, dry, or cool. The children had hands-on
experience with clothing props that they were able to wear and then explain to their friends what the item was in
Spanish. We learned songs identifying the clothing names or weather patterns to reinforce our memory. We even had
a few “races against the clock” to see how quickly everyone down the line could identify the clothing, wear it, and pass
it along to another friend. You’ll find the clothing vocabulary below.
This has also been our second month of “The Opposite Game” which again, includes a series of related motions as we
say the corresponding English and Spanish words to develop the vocabulary. The repetition has proven effective
because now when I prepare to play the game the children know and begin to say their favorite opposite pair (often in
Spanish first) and request that we do it together as a class. Some classes have also been good at pointing out certain
opposites while I read to them books in Spanish/English – if a book mentions “up” many of the children say “up!
arriba!”
16
~~~~~
For February, we will continue with our new song identifying the Spanish Colors, singing through the Days of the
Week and Months of the Year, and learning new opposite pairs. We will also take a spotlight review of our shapes –
we will have a song (I love teaching children music to learn vocabulary! Can’t you tell? ) and I have several new
books to help us find and identify shapes by looking at everyday objects.
The children have made great progress with repeating the phrase “Me llamo…” (My name is…) and understanding the
meaning enough to add their own name at the end of the sentence. We will now be working on generating that phrase
in response to the question ¿Cómo te llamas? (What is your name?).
We have already started discovering some of our five-sense verbs in Spanish such as oir and ver (to hear, to see) and
we will continue this month with oler (to smell). We will talk about how different things around us smell and
describing our reaction appropriately in Spanish.
As I hear the children often do in their other classes, they enjoy discussing what they might want to be when they grow
up. We will take this month to learn about different careers and jobs that we can be! Service men/women, doctors,
nurses, teachers, dancers, post masters, politicians, stay-at-home moms/dads, and more!
~~~~~
My exciting news for this month is that while I have been continuing to develop our permanent Spanish library at
school with books for me to use with classes, I also recently signed up for my FREE Arlington public library card!
This has given me another opportunity and resource for wonderful, age-appropriate, bilingual and Spanish books that
are pertinent to what we are studying. Did you know that there are NINE public libraries just in Arlington? Getting a
card is easy! I would encourage you, if you have time, to check out your local library, too. The children sections are
full of awesome language opportunities on every shelf.
As always, I will end with saying that some of the parents have already requested the music we sing! What a benefit it
would be to your child to listen to these Spanish songs even more than when they do during the day! If you are
interested please e-mail me and/or leave a blank CD with your child’s teacher with instructions to get it to me so that I
can make one for you. As always, please feel free to send me an e-mail with regards to anything about information on
our Spanish program here at CDC ([email protected]). Also, please check out the vocabulary below!
Con cariño,
Stefanie Miller
Vocabulary Review
la ropa, clothes [la roh-pa]
Hace frío., It’s cold. [ah-say-free-yoh]
el gorro, hat (beanie) [el-go-roh]
el suéter, sweater [el-sway-tayr]
la bufanda, scarf [la-boo-fahn-da]
la chaqueta, jacket [la-cha-kay-ta]
unos guantes, gloves [oo-nohs-gwan-tays] el abrigo, coat [el-ah-bree-go]
Está lloviendo., It’s raining [eh-stah-yo-vyen-doh]
el impermeable, raincoat [el-eem-pear-may-ah-blay]
las paraguas, umbrella [las-pah-rah-gwahs]
las botas, boots [las-bow-tahs]
Más opuestos, more opposites [mahs-oh-pway-stohs]
fuerte, strong [fwair-tay]
débil, weak [deh-beel]
rápido, fast [rah-pee-doh]
despacio, slow [day-spa-syoh]
calor, hot [kah-lore]
frío, cold [free-yoh]
largo, long [lar-go]
corto, short [core-toe]
dentro, in [den-tro]
fuera, out [fway-rah]
Hace calor., It’s hot [ah-say-kah-lore]
la camiseta, t-shirt [lah-kah-me-say-tah]
la gorra, cap [lah-gor-rah]
los cortos, shorts [lohs-core-tohs]
las gafas (del sol), sunglasses [lahs-gah-fahs (del-sole)
17
In January, the children learned useful phrases and words
from our story book called "Let's
Go Guang". The children seemed to enjoy the songs they
learned and sang in January. The first song taught the
children how do we say I want to (wo yao) and I don't
want to (wo bu yao ). The second song taught children
how to say what's your name ( ni jiao shen me ming zi )
and
my name is ...( wo jiao...).
I heard that Jack in the Butterflies used the phrase "I want
to " (wo yao 我要 ) in Chinese when he was playing. I
also heard from other teachers that some children when
interacting with each other were heard to say, "I don't
want to" ( wo bu yao 我不要 ) or intermittently used the
numbers “one, two, three” (yi, er, san).
In February, we will continue our story in the "Let's Go
Guang". In this part of the book, Guang
tells Kai and Ling about his days in China at the famous
Monastary (Shaolin 少林 ). His story
will help the children to learn some information about
Chinese culture and some more Chinese
words, such as hou zi 猴子, monkey, hao bu hao 好不好
, okay, hao 好, sure, jiao zi 饺
子 dumplings .
In February we will be celebrating Valentines Day, qing
ren jie 情人节 and Chinese New Year!
Xin Nian! (Happy New Year!)
Lion Dance Song
(sung to: “Mary Had a Little Lamb”)
See the lion dance and prance.
Dance and prance, dance and prance.
See the lion dance and prance,
Xin Nian! (Happy New Year!)
Hear the firecrackers pop
Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop.
Hear the firecrackers pop,
Xin Nian! (Happy New Year!)
See the children laugh and clap.
Laugh and clap, laugh and clap.
See the children laugh and clap,
Xin Nian! (Happy New Year!)
The Chinese New Year is determined by
the Lunar calendar, the last day of the
Chinese New Year is not December 31st
and the first day of the year is not
January 1st. The New Year usually
begins between January 21st and February 20th.
There are endless variations of the folklore story
explaining how the order of the animals of the zodiac was
chosen. Below is a popular telling of the tale.
When it came time for the Jade Emperor in heaven to
decide the order of the zodiac, he invited all the animals
to participate in a race. The order of the zodiac would be
decided by the order in which animals finished the race.
When the competition started, the ox was leading the
pack, but the rat jumped on his back. Since the rat was so
light and small, the ox did not realize that the rat was
hitching a ride. As the ox approached the finish line, the
rat leap off his back and was crowned as the first animal
to complete the race.
After all the creatures finished the race, the order was
finalized: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat,
monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.
According to legend, those born in a particular year of an
animal are said to possess particular character traits
associated with that animal. 2013 is the year of the
SNAKE.
The Snake, also called the Junior Dragon, is the sixth sign of the
Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 Animal Signs. It is the enigmatic,
intuitive, introspective, refined and collected of the Animals Signs.
Ancient Chinese wisdom says a Snake in the house is a good omen
because it means that your family will not starve. People born in the
Year of the Snake are keen and cunning, quite intelligent and wise.
They are great mediators and good at doing business. Therefore, you
should have good luck if you were born in the Year of the Snake.
This is a year of water Snake, and all things will be possible. Saving
money and being thrifty should be your top priorities. Delusion and
deception are common in the year of water Snake. Stay alert! To gain
the greatest benefits from this year, you must control spending and use
your talents wisely. If you are planning to get married or to begin a
business partnership, be sure to thoroughly investigate the other
person's finances and background before you legalize the alliance.
The Sign of the Snake
People born in the Year of the Snake share certain characteristics:
Acute, aware, charming, cunning, elegant, mysterious, passionate,
proud, serene, and vain. They are attractive people who take cries
with ease and do not become flustered easily. They are graceful
people, exciting and dark at the same time. They enjoy reading,
listening to great music, tasting delicious food, and going to the
theater. They are fascinated with all beautiful things in life. Many of
the most beautiful ladies and men with strongest personalities were
born in the Year of the Snake.
Contemplative and private, Snake people are not outwardly emotional.
They usually act according to their own judgment and do not follow
the views of others. They can appear cunning and reticent and work
very modestly in the business environment. They will plot and scheme
to make certain things turn out exactly as they want them to. They are
not great communicators and can become quite possessive when they
set their minds on achieving the interest of a partner.
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Snake people become easily stressed and have to avoid hectic
schedules or noisy atmospheres. They need calm and quiet to thrive
and succeed. They must have sleep, relaxation, and peace to live a
long, healthy life.
People born in the Year of the Snake are usually very sophisticated
and cultured in their choices for home decoration. They are elegant
and graceful and place emphasis on their comfort when deciding what
to decorate with. They are materialistic and need to have as many of
everything as possible.
They become bored easily and therefore change jobs quite frequently.
They are very conscientious and diligent at work. They are organized
and precise, cautious and alert when doing business. They act
confidently, calmly and have a strong sense of responsibility and clear
goals. Sometimes, because they like to work alone, they can seem as
though they are withholding information or being secretive about
some important things.
Snake people are oversuspicious, which is their nature. They hide
their suspicion, and acting as if nothing is on their minds. They like to
think deeply, plan carefully and make a systematic and appropriate
exposition of their views. They like to follow the fashion and be
properly dressed. And, they usually speak with great care.
Snake people are passionate lovers and show a strong desire for
control when associating with others. They will never forgive anyone
who breaks a promise. They show their resentment with ice-cold
hostility instead of bitter words. Some of the people born in the Year
of the Snake may strike their enemies with a deadly blow.
It seems not easy to deal with a person born in the Year of the Snake,
especially when he thinks one way and behaves in another. There
always lies an alert heart behind his serene appearance. He has a
strong will and will try his best to hold fast to his position. He is so
cunning that when you think you may have seized him, he has already
slipped away.
Snake people will face danger fearlessly and deal with unforeseen
disasters. They are not annoyed by lack of money and are usually
lucky enough to own everything they need. They can be successful as
long as they avoid excess spending. Although they are intuitive, they
should avoid dive right into decisions without weighing the
consequences.
All about Chinese New Year
There are many ways to celebrate the Chinese New Year.
The holiday is celebrated with big family gatherings, gift
giving, the eating of symbolic foods and display of festive
decorations--all focused on bringing good luck for the
new year and celebrating the coming of Spring.
According to Daria Ng, Assistant Curator of Education at
the Museum of Chinese of the Americas in New York
City, New Year celebrations can last up to a month and
often do in China.
Originally the celebrations lasted for lengthy amounts of
time because China was a very agriculture-based country
so farmers took the whole month off to rest since crops
couldn't be planted during the winter. Nowadays most
families celebrate the New Year for about two week's
time, says Ng, starting on the first day of the New Year
and end on the 15th.
Clean house and new clothes
According to Celebrate Chinese New Year by Elaine A.
Kule, prior to the first day of the New Year it is
customary for families to thoroughly clean their homes
from top to bottom. Doing this is said to clear out any
back luck from the previous year and to ready the house
to accept good luck for the coming year.
All cleaning must be finished before New Year's Day so
there is no chance of accidentally throwing out the good
fortune of the New Year. "Before New Year's Day you
want to buy new clothes or cut your hair" in order to have
a fresh start, says Ng. Wearing black is not allowed due to
its association with death, however, wearing red is
encouraged as the color is associated with warding off
bad spirits.
Decorate the house
Another popular custom is to hang up signs and posters
on doors and windows with the Chinese word fu written
on them, which translates to luck and happiness. Buying
flowers for the home is also commonplace since they
symbolize the coming of spring and a new beginning. In
Chinese neighborhoods, special lunar New Year flower
markets often sprout up during the days prior to the New
Year. Check out our charming plum blossom craft and
other Chinese New Year decorations you can make for
your home.
Eat with your family
On the eve of the Chinese New Year it is customary to
visit with relatives and partake in a large dinner where a
number of specific foods are served.
"Typically families do eight or nine dishes because they
are lucky numbers," says Grace Young, author of The
Wisdom of the Chinese Kitchen. "The Chinese word for
eight is baat [in Cantonese], which rhymes with faat, the
word for prosperity." The word for nine means "longlasting."
"A lot of the foods are very symbolic," explains
Ng. Some popular foods include: dumplings ("because
they look like golden nuggets" says Ng), oranges
("because they are perfectly round, symbolizing
completeness and wholeness"), and long noodles ("served
to symbolize long life").
Sticky rice cakes and sweets are also served and are tied
to a story about the Kitchen God-- a Santa Claus-like
figure who reports to the Jade Emperor in heaven on
whether families have been good or bad through the
course of the year. According to legend, when families
serve the Kitchen God sticky, delicious foods, his mouth
gets stuck together and therefore he cannot report any bad
things about the family to the Jade Emperor.
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Give good luck gifts
It is a traditional practice for adults to give children little
red envelopes--hong bao in Mandarin or lai-see in
Cantonese--filled with money in order to symbolize
wealth and prosperity for the coming year. It is also
common for elders to bestow red packets to unmarried
members of the family. It is a sign of respect to bow three
times in order to accept the hong bao. Envelopes are not
to be opened until the recipient has left the home of the
giver.
Make lanterns
The New Year's festivities come to an end on the fifteenth
day of the New Year, which is celebrated by the Lantern
Festival. According to the book Moonbeams, Dumplings
& Dragon Boats by Nina Simonds, Leslie Swartz, and the
Children's Museum, Boston, the Lantern Festival honors
the first full moon of the year and represents the coming
of springtime.
Five Green Dragons
Five green dragons making such a roar.
One danced away and then there were four.
Four green dragons dancing around a tree.
One danced away and then there were three.
Three green dragons dancing around you.
One danced away and then there were two.
Two green dragons dancing in the sun.
One danced away and then there was one.
One green dragon having lots of fun
She danced away and then there were none.
Xin Nian!
Yula
Families will light lanterns, which symbolize the
brightness of spring, and hang them on walls around the
house, or on poles to be carried in lantern parades. You
can create kid-friendly paper lantern crafts with your
children in order to honor this tradition.
Chinese New Year Dragon
There's a great big dragon coming our way,
A great big dragon on this holiday.
Let's grab our lanterns and follow along,
Dancing & waving and singing a song.
There's a great big dragon coming our way,
Hip, hip, hurray!
The colors associated with Chinese New Year are red and
yellow and the children are asked to wear those colors on
10 February as part of their Chinese New Year Party. As
part of the lessons and learning in Chinese class, the
children will participate in a dragon dance around the
school while learning New Year greetings and phrases.
The children will make origami den long (red lanterns)
which are hung in homes and businesses in celebration of
the New Year. Children will receive hong boa (red
envelopes with a small cash gift) to celebrate the New
Year. Our New Year’s celebration will include games,
songs and dancing.
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One of the biggest milestones in our children's education is when they learn how to read.
You've probably asked yourself, "When is the best time to teach my child to read?" You can
research this until you are blue in the face, but the answer is really very simple. You've
already started, because from the moment your child is born, you are teaching him. We talk
to our babies. We read to them. We sing to them. We recite silly little verses while we change
their diapers or put them in their car seat. We hug and cuddle our children. We play with
them. We laugh with them. We read to them. In this way we are teaching children to read.
The key to becoming a good reader is an early and varied exposure to language. What does
this mean? Basically, the more you can expose your child to language, the better. How can
you do this?
Read aloud to your child every day. This is probably the most important daily activity parents
can do in teaching children to read . Reading to children increases their knowledge of the
world, their vocabulary, their familiarity with written language ('book language'), and their
interest in reading. From being read to repeatedly, children learn that reading is enjoyable,
that pictures provide clues to the story, that books and print go from left to right, that print
represents words and meaning, that stories have a beginning and an end. By listening,
watching, and asking questions, they add to their vocabulary and increase their
comprehension. This helps in teaching children to read . Repeated reading not only helps
children learn to read but also has an impact on school success. Lifelong enjoyment of
reading is directly related to daily reading.
February’s big ideas, Black History Month, Ground Hog’s Day, ST. Valentine’s Day and
Presidents Day provide many topics for your daily reading to and with your child.
I suggest the following titles for your consideration and enjoyment!
READ!
Ms. Shanna
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Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad
Ellen Levine Ellen Levine (Auth› (author) Kadir Nelson (illustrator)
This is a stirring and dramatic story of a slave who mails himself to freedom by Ellen Levine, a Jane Addams Peace Awardwinning author and a Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist.
Henry Brown doesn't know how old he is because nobody keeps records of slaves' birthdays. All the time he dreams about
freedom, but that dream seems farther away than ever when he is torn from his family and put to work in a warehouse. Henry
grows up and marries, but he is again devastated when his family is sold at the slave market. Then one day, as he lifts a crate at
the warehouse, he knows exactly what he must do: He will mail himself to the North. After an arduous journey in the crate, Henry
finally has a birthday -- his first day of freedom.
Freedom Summer
Deborah Wiles (author), Jerome Lagarrigue (illustrator)Deborah Wiles (Author)
(From Publishers Weekly) Set in Mississippi during the summer of 1964, Wiles's affecting debut children's book about two
boysAone white and the other African-AmericanAunderscores the bittersweet aftermath of the passage of the Civil Rights Act.
Rather than opening public pools, roller rinks and shops to African-Americans, many towns and private owners boarded up the
doors. Wiles delivers her message incisively through the credible voices of her young characters, narrator Joe and his best friend,
John Henry, whose mother works as housekeeper for Joe's family. Joe and John spend many hours swimming together in the creek
because John is not allowed in the public pool, so on the day the Civil Rights Act is enacted, they visit the town pool together,
excited about diving for nickels in the clear water. Instead they find a work crewAincluding John Henry's older brotherAfilling in
the pool with asphalt. "John Henry's voice shakes. 'White folks don't want colored folks in their pool.' " The tale ends on an upbeat
if tenuous note, as the boys walk together through the front door of a once-segregated shop to buy ice pops. Lagarrigue's (My Man
Blue) softly focused, impressionistic paintings capture the lazy feel of summer days and affirm the bond between the two boys. The
artist's close-up portraits of the boys' faces, as well as the body language of other characters, reinforce the narrative's powerful
emotional pitch.
White Socks Only
Evelyn Coleman (author), Tyrone Geter (illustrator)
(From Publishers Weekly) Subtle and stirring, this tale-within-a-tale begins with an affectionate exchange between an African
American girl and her grandmother, then telescopes to encompass an electrifying moment fraught with personal and political
significance. Grandma tells of sneaking off to town one sizzling summer day when she was a child, "planning on doing no good."
Approaching a water fountain, the thirsty girl mistakes its "Whites Only" sign to mean that she should take off her shoes so that
only her white socks will touch the step stool. A "big white man" grabs her and removes his belt to whip her-prompting African
American bystanders to remove their shoes, too, and defiantly drink from the fountain. At home, the narrator's mother proclaims
she can now go to town by herself, " 'cause you're old enough to do some good"; in town, "the 'Whites Only' sign was gone from
that water fountain forever." Though Coleman (The Footwarmer and the Black Crow) complicates the story with some
unnecessary subplots, the impact is strong. Geter's (Dawn and the Round-to-it) full- and double-page paintings can be hazy, but
they conduct the story's considerable emotional charge.
The Story Of Ruby Bridges: Special Anniversary Edition
Robert Coles (author), George Ford (illustrator)
From Booklist) Sustained by family and faith, one brave six-year-old child found the strength to walk alone through howling
protesters and enter a whites-only school in New Orleans in 1960. Ruby Bridges did it every day for weeks that turned into
months. The white parents withdrew their kids, and Ruby sat alone with her teacher in an empty classroom in an empty building
and learned her lessons. Harvard professor Cole has written powerful adult books about children in crisis and about children's
moral and political lives. Here he tells one girl's heroic story, part of the history of ordinary people who have changed the world.
He tells it quietly, as an adult, and the simplicity is moving, though kids might want some indication of Ruby's personal experience,
what it was like to be her. Ford's moving watercolor paintings mixed with acrylic ink are predominantly in sepia shades of brown
and red. They capture the physical warmth of Ruby's family and community, the immense powers against her, and her shining
inner strength.
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The Story Of Ruby Bridges: Special Anniversary Edition
Robert Coles (author), George Ford (illustrator)
Sustained by family and faith, one brave six-year-old child found the strength to walk alone through howling protesters and enter
a whites-only school in New Orleans in 1960. Ruby Bridges did it every day for weeks that turned into months. The white parents
withdrew their kids, and Ruby sat alone with her teacher in an empty classroom in an empty building and learned her lessons.
Harvard professor Cole has written powerful adult books about children in crisis and about children's moral and political lives.
Here he tells one girl's heroic story, part of the history of ordinary people who have changed the world. He tells it quietly, as an
adult, and the simplicity is moving, though kids might want some indication of Ruby's personal experience, what it was like to be
her. Ford's moving watercolor paintings mixed with acrylic ink are predominantly in sepia shades of brown and red. They capture
the physical warmth of Ruby's family and community, the immense powers against her, and her shining inner strength.
Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. [Paperback]
Doreen Rappaport (author), Bryan Collier (illustrator)
In this elegant pictorial biography of Martin Luther King Jr., author Doreen Rappaport combines her spare, lyrical text with
King's own words for an effective, age-appropriate portrayal of one of the world's greatest civil rights leaders. From King's youth,
when he looked up to his preacher father and vowed one day to "get big words, too," to his death at a garbage workers' strike
("On his second day there, he was shot. He died."), Rappaport imbues the story with reverence.
Acclaimed artist Bryan Collier depicts his subject with stunning watercolor and collage illustrations, balancing glorious
recreations of stained glass windows with some of the more somber images of peace marchers and the famous bus that pitched
Rosa Parks into the civil rights movement. A brief chronology and bibliography provide additional resources for readers. Here is
an exquisite tribute to a world hero.
The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. [Board book]
Johnny Ray Moore (author), Amy Wummer (illustrator)
Written and illustrated in a matter so that even young toddlers can immediately relate to Martin Luther King. The s
tory begins with the child Martin, how he liked school, how he always did more than we required, and how his school
playground was run down. The story also shows how Martin and his parents could not eat anywhere they chose, how
his school was not as nice as the white school, and how he had to drink from a separate water fountain. The child will
see King giving his I have a dream speech in Washington, and learn that, now, because of King's dream, we all have the
chance to eat where we choose, drink out of any water fountain, and go to any school.
The Story of Rosa Parks
Patricia A. Pingry (author), Steven Walker (illustrator)
Rosa Parks is recognised as "the mother of the Civil Rights movements" and one of the most courageous women of the twentieth
century. This story of only 200 words provides an introduction to Rosa Parks and uses simple, short words with only the bare
outline of Parks' life. The focus of the story is the history-making event of 1 December 1955, when Rosa Parks refused to give up
her seat on the Cleveland Avenue bus.
If A Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks
Faith Ringgold (author and illustrator)Faith Ringgold (Author, Illustrator)
A talking bus is literally the vehicle for this picture-book biography. Marcie, on her way to school, finds herself on a driverless bus
occupied by a group of unfamiliar passengers who don't seem to notice she's there. A disembodied voice tells her that this used to
be the Cleveland Avenue bus but is now the Rosa Parks bus, and then launches into an account of the woman's life. Ringgold
recounts the dramatic events triggered by Parks's refusal to give up her seat: the Montgomery bus boycott; the leadership,
persecution, and death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; the Supreme Court decision to ban bus segregation; and public recognition
of the woman who started it all. The story ends when Parks herself enters the bus for a birthday celebration with the passengers
who are now revealed as personages from her history. While the artifice of the talking bus and a few minor lapses in logic
sometimes detract from a solid telling, the story does much to humanize a larger-than-life figure. Ringgold's colorful, textured
acrylic-on-canvas paper paintings done in a na?f style are a perfect complement to the stark realism of the events and the simple
dignity of the subject. Color and line are used to suggest ideas, such as the turbulent purple, black, blue, and chalky white and the
jagged forms depicting the Ku Klux Klan and bombings. Text and art harmonize, with print changing from black to white and
appearing on each page in an interesting variety of layouts. An accessible telling and beautiful illustrations result in a worthy
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contribution to this developing genre.
Rosa
Nikki Giovanni (author), Bryan Collier (illustrator) (Caldecott Honor Book)Nikki Giovanni (Author)
Rosa Parks's personal story moves quickly into a summary of the Civil Rights movement in this striking picture book. Parks is
introduced in idealized terms. She cares for her ill mother and is married to one of the best barbers in the county. Sewing in an
alterations department, Rosa Parks was the best seamstress. Her needle and thread flew through her hands like the gold spinning
from Rumpelstiltskin's loom. Soon the story moves to her famous refusal to give up her seat on the bus, but readers lose sight of her
as she waits to be arrested. Giovanni turns to explaining the response of the Women's Political Caucus, which led to the bus
boycott in Montgomery. A few events of the movement are interjected–the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of
Education, the aftermath and reactions to the murder of Emmett Till, the role of Martin Luther King, Jr., as spokesperson. Collier's
watercolor and collage scenes are deeply hued and luminous, incorporating abstract and surreal elements along with the realistic
figures. Set on colored pages, these illustrations include an effective double foldout page with the crowd of successful walkers
facing a courthouse representing the 1956 Supreme Court verdict against segregation on the buses. Many readers will wonder
how it all went for Parks after her arrest, and there are no added notes. Purposeful in its telling, this is a handsome and thoughtprovoking introduction to these watershed acts of civil disobedience.
A Sweet Smell of Roses
Angela Johnson (author), Eric Velasquez (illustrator)
This quiet, gentle story pays tribute to the many unnamed children who participated in the African-American struggle for civil
rights. It opens: "After a night of soft rain there is a sweet smell of roses as my sister, Minnie, and I slip past Mama's door and out
of the house down Charlotte Street." They head toward the curb market where folks, mostly adults, are gathering to listen to and
march with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Large, powerful charcoal images dominate the pages with particular attention paid to
facial expressions. The artist shows the strength and resolve of the marchers in the face of "people who scream, shout, and say,
'You are not right. Equality can't be yours.'" Once the speeches are over, the sisters race home and are met at the door by their
worried mother, "And as we tell her about the march, the curtains flow apart, and there is a sweet smell of roses all through our
house." The only color that appears in this book is the deep red of the ribbon around the neck of Minnie's teddy bear, the U.S. flag,
and the roses. Without going into much detail, this book nonetheless drives home the fact that children were involved in the
movement and makes the experience more real for those just learning about this chapter of American history.
The Story of Coretta Scott King
Patricia A. Pingry (author) Steven Walker (illustrator)
The story focuses on Mrs King's lifelong interest in equal rights for all people and her role as one of the leaders of the civil rights
movement following her husband's assassination.
Sit-In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down
Andrea Davis Pinkey (author) Brain Pinkey (illustrator) (Jane Addams Honor Book)
It was February 1, 1960.
They didn't need menus. Their order was simple.
A doughnut and coffee, with cream on the side.
This picture book is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the momentous Woolworth's lunch counter sit-in, when four college
students staged a peaceful protest that became a defining moment in the struggle for racial equality and the growing civil rights
movement.
Andrea Davis Pinkney uses poetic, powerful prose to tell the story of these four young men, who followed Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr.'s words of peaceful protest and dared to sit at the "whites only" Woolworth's lunch counter. Brian Pinkney embraces a new
artistic style, creating expressive paintings filled with emotion that mirror the hope, strength, and determination that fueled the
dreams of not only these four young men, but also countless others.
Groundhog Day!
Gail Gibbons (author and illustrator)
Every February 2, people all across the country wonder about the groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil. Will he see his shadow on that
day or won't he? Will spring come early or late? Here is information about Groundhog Day, its origins, and the animal at the
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center of this delightful annual event
Gretchen Groundhog, It's Your Day!
(From Publishers Weekly) Young Gretchen must carry on the family tradition of stepping out on the morning of February 2 to
search for her shadow, but she is too shy to "Go Out" and face the crowd of people. With letters, e-mail, phone calls and visits, the
townsfolk urge her to reconsider. Levine's (Ollie Knows Everything) tale turns hokey when the town historian's daughter arrives
with a box of notes penned by Gretchen's ancestors (Goody Groundhog, who sailed on the Mayflower; George Groundhog, who
fought at Valley Forge; and Gloria Groundhog, movie star), all confessing their fear of "Going Out." Emboldened by their words,
Gretchen rises to the task, after she, too, jots down "a few lines" to place in the history box. Cote (Flip-Flops) peppers her cheery
if occasionally stiff illustrations with some droll details: a quilt with an acorn motif, a book entitled Down Under. But the author
shortchanges readers: they never get to read the message that Gretchen passes on to posterity, nor do they learn, when her big
moment finally arrives, whether or not she spies her shadow. Gretchen's big day ends in anticlimax.
Substitute Groundhog
Pat Miller (Author), Kathi Ember (Illustrator)
(From School Library Journal) This whimsical story is sure to please. Groundhog comes down with the flu just before his big day,
so he has to hold auditions for substitute weather tellers. As the local animals show up, he is forced to get more and more specific
in his requirements–for instance, Bear is able to fit into Groundhog's hole, but he snoozes instead of checking his shadow. The
animal that finally fills the bill is a surprising choice that will give readers a chuckle. Ember's warm illustrations alternate
between single-page drawings, spreads, and spot art, making the book as cozy as Groundhog's home. The pictures add much life
to the various animals as well as to the humor of the search. In the end, Groundhog is forced to think about what makes him
perfect for the job, and his wise appointment of a substitute results in an unlikely friend.
Go To Sleep, Groundhog!
Judy Cox (author), Paul Meisel (illustrator)
(From Booklist) It's hibernation time, and Groundhog isn't a bit sleepy. But when he ventures outside between bouts of tossing
and turning, seasonal sights and sounds reveal he's been dozing more than he thinks. Children will giggle at Groundhog's
distorted perceptions and his naivete about the major cool-weather holidays. Those who can't tell time, however, will need
guidance from adults to fully comprehend the cleverness of an alarm clock with hands pointing to months rather than hours.
Meisel's Groundhog is a dear little character, especially when he's being tucked in by holiday emissaries (a friendly witch, a
turkey, and Santa), who try to lull him back to sleep. It all comes to a satisfying close when Groundhog sees his shadow on
February 2 and gratefully climbs back into bed for six more weeks. An endnote discussing the tradition of using critters as
meteorologists makes this a useful as well as a charming answer to the scarcity of engaging material on Groundhog Day.
Where Is Baby's Valentine
Karen Katz (author, illustrator) (A Lift-the-Flap Book)
As in all her other books, about Valentine’s Day, Karen writes, “Baby made a valentine for Mommy. Where could it be? Is it
behind the lamp? No, those are pretty, sparkly flowers!”
as you lift the sturdy flaps to help Baby find her very special valentine.
The Story of Valentine's Day
Nancy Skarmeas (author), Stacy Venturi-Pickett (allustrator)
There are so many things in this world for which to be thankful - the sun and the moon, flowers and raindrops, family and friends.
Children will delight in counting their own blessings as they follow the pages of this colourfully illustrated, easy-to-read book.
My Valentine for Jesus
Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton (author), Buket Erdogan (illustrator)
The rhyming text and delightful illustrations tell the story of a child's love for his family---and his special love for Jesus.
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God Gave Us Love
Lisa T. Bergren (author), Laura J. Bryant (illustrator)
As Little Cub and Grampa Bear’s fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear begins to question
why we must love others… even the seemingly unlovable.
In answering her questions, Grampa Bear gives tender explanations that teach Little Cub about the different kinds of love that is
shared between families, friends, and mamas and papas. Grampa explains that all these kinds of love come from God and that it is
important to love others because…
“Any time we show love, Little Cub, we’re sharing a bit of his love.”
This sweet tale will warm the hearts of young children as they learn about all the different sorts of love, while the gentle
explanations of each provide a valuable opportunity to encourage children to share with others a “God-sized love.”
My Valentine Story: Giving My Heart to God
Crystal Bowman (author), Claudine Gevry (illustrator)
Valentines are fun to make and give. They tell people we love them. Who loves all of us? God, of course. 'How can I give God my
heart? Loving him is where I'll start.'
Valentines Are For Saying I Love You
Margaret Sutherland (Author), Amy Wummer (Illustrator)
14 February, a day for candy hearts, flowers, boxes of chocolate and Valentine’s Day cards that say “I LOVE YOU!” In this
sweet tale, a little girl makes a special valentine for those with whom she shares love.
The Night Before Valentine's Day
Natasha Wing (author), Heidi Petch (illustrator)
Kids dream of candy hearts in this humorous and whimsical take-off on Clement C. Moore's beloved poem. The next day at school
is a day of parties and games-and a surprise visitor bearing a Valentine gift for the whole class!
Day It Rained Hearts
Felicia Bond (author and illustrator)
(From Publisher’s Weekly) Cornelia Augusta couldn't believe her eyes as this unusual downpour began. Instead of water falling
from the sky, it was raining hearts. She caught bunches of them in her hands and slicker, and took them home. After examining
her hearts carefully, Cornelia Augusta knew just what she wanted to do with each and every one of them.... Felicia Bond has
brought back her 1983 picture book, originally titled, “Four Valentines In A Rainstorm”, and it's as sweet and charming today as
it was almost twenty years ago. Her simple and gentle text is kept to a minimum. The actual story is told through her engaging,
bright and expressive artwork, as Cornelius Augusta plans and constructs the perfect Valentine for each of four special friends.
Preschoolers will enjoy watching her create each unique card, and guessing as to who will be receiving it. With a Valentine
sticker page at the end to help your little ones get started on their own special Valentine cards, The Day It Rained Hearts is an
endearing holiday book that shouldn't be missed.
The Biggest Valentine Ever
Steven Kroll (author), Jeni Bassett (illustrator)
When Mrs. Mousely asks her class to make valentines, Clayton and Desmond decide to make one together and give it to their
teacher as a surprise. But things don't go as planned. First Clayton puts too much glitter on the card. Then Desmond puts on too
many hearts. Soon the friends are arguing and they rip the card in half. "I'm going to make my own valentine!" they both say and
go home in a huff.
But then Desmond and Clayton realize that by working together they can make the biggest, best valentine ever!
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Presidents' Day
Anne Rockwell (author), Lizzy Rockwell (illustrator)
President’s Day comes to life for young children in this account of a day at school. “Today at school we celebrated Presidents'
Day by putting on a play. Mrs. Madoff said I could be George Washington because his birthday is the same as mine. Charlie was
Abraham Lincoln because he's the tallest kid in our class. Everyone else had very important parts to play, too. At the end of the
day we voted for class president, and you'll never guess who won! “
The Story of Abraham Lincoln
Patricia A. Pingry (author) Stephanie McFetridge (illustrator)
Suitable for ages toddler and upwards, this story introduces the most memorable events of Lincoln's life: his childhood in Indiana,
his leadership during the Civil War, and his writing of the Emancipation Proclamation.
The Story of George Washington
Patricia A. Pingry (author) Stephanie McFetridge (illustrator)
George Washington was the first president of the United States and through this books colourful, sometimes whimsical
illustrations, even the youngest child will be introduced to the life and presidency of this great American.
The Story of Thomas Jefferson
Patricia A. Pingry (author), Meredith Johnson (illustrator)
Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, the author of the "Declaration of Independence", and the man whose
library began the Library of Congress is introduced to young children through easy to understand text and colourful illustrations.
The Story of the Star Spangled Banner
Patricia A. Pingry (author), Nancy Munger (illustrator)
The words to the first verse of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' along with the admonition that we should stand up, remove our hats,
and place our hands over our hearts when this song is played are included in this easy enough for young children to understand
book.
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Miss Amy’s
In January we celebrated the little snow we got, by recreating a snowstorm in class. We made
imaginary snowmen and threw imaginary snowballs. We read the story of Frosty the
Snowman and imagined what it would be like to find a magic hat. We pretended to be
snowmen that came to life with magic hats.
The children are getting more comfortable acting in front of each other. They have such
amazing imaginations. The impulse to make-believe is spontaneous in young children.
Young children learn by imagining and doing. Have you ever watched your child pick up a
stone and pretend it is a zooming car, or hop a Lego across the table as if it were a person or a
bunny? Your child is using an object to represent something else while giving it action and
motion. But this pretend play is not as simple as it may seem. The process of pretending builds
skills in many essential developmental areas.
Social and Emotional Skills
When your child engages in pretend (or dramatic, imaginary or make-believe) play, he is
actively experimenting with the social and emotional roles of life. Through cooperative play,
he learns how to take turns, share responsibility, and creatively problem-solve. When your
child pretends to be different characters, he has the experience of "walking in someone else's
shoes," which helps teach the important moral development skill of empathy. It is normal for
young children to see the world from their own egocentric point of view, but through
maturation and cooperative play, your child will begin to understand the feelings of others.
Your child also builds self-esteem when he discovers he can be anything just by make
believing!
Language Skills
Have you ever listened in as your child engages in imaginary play with his toys or friends?
You will probably hear some words and phrases you never thought he knew! In fact, we often
hear our own words reflected in the play of children. Children can do a perfect imitation of
mom, dad, and the teacher! Make-believe play helps your child understand the power of
language. In addition, by pretend playing with others, he learns that words give him the means
to reenact a story or organize play. This process helps your child to make the connection
between spoken and written language — a skill that will later help him learn to read.
Thinking Skills
Pretend play provides your child with a variety of problems to solve. Whether it's two children
wanting to play the same role or searching for the just right material to make a roof for the
playhouse, your child calls upon important cognitive thinking skills that he will use in every
aspect of his life, now and forever.
Does your child enjoy a bit of roughhousing? Great! Some researchers in early brain
development believe that this sort of play helps develop the part of the brain (the frontal lobe)
that regulates behavior. Recognizing your concern that this type of activity will encourage
your child to act out or become too aggressive, consider that within a monitored situation,
roughhouse play can actually help your child learn the self-regulation skills needed to know
how and when this type of play is appropriate.
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Nurturing the Imagination
Do you encourage make-believe, imaginative and pretend play at your house? Consider
creating a prop box or corner filled with objects to spark your preschooler's fantasy world.
Consider including:

Large plastic crates, cardboard blocks, or a large, empty box for creating a "home"

Old clothes, shoes, backpacks, hats

Old telephones, phone books, magazines

Cooking utensils, dishes, plastic food containers, table napkins, silk flowers

Stuffed animals and dolls of all sizes

Fabric pieces, blankets, or old sheets for making costumes or a fort

Theme-appropriate materials such as postcards, used plane tickets, foreign coins, and
photos for a pretend vacation trip

Writing materials for taking phone messages, leaving notes, and making shopping lists
I recently read that, “The essence of drama is the making of story through enactment.”
Throughout February, my goal is that your child will capture the essence of drama through the
telling and re-enacting of silly stories.
Bravo!
Amy
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Young children do not need any extra encouragement to move their busy bodies, do they? It seems that way, yet
amounts of physical activity for preschoolers often don't add up. In the late 1970s, about 5% of children between 2 and
5 years old were overweight. Recently, that figure has climbed to nearly 20%, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. How can you encourage physical activity for preschoolers?
The National Association for Sport and Physical Education suggests the following fitness guidelines for young
children.
Preschoolers (ages 3 to 5) should spend:
 at least 60 minutes a day, cumulative, on structured physical activities
 at least 60 minutes a day (and up to several hours) on unstructured physical activities
 no more than 60 minutes at a time engaged in sedentary activities, unless they are sleeping
For toddlers (12 to 36 months old), the recommendations are the same, except structured physical activity should add
up to 30 minutes a day instead of 60.
Teaching Physical Activity for Preschoolers
What does "structured" play mean? Young children need help learning motor skills. They must go through several
developmental steps to learn how to coordinate their movements into efficient running, throwing, catching, and the
like. "There is a common misconception that if you kick kids out to play, they will learn" on their own, says Jackie
Goodway, Ph.D., an associate professor of motor development and elementary physical education pedagogy at Ohio
State University. "But it's like reading. If you don't teach them, provide feedback, and offer them appropriate
opportunities to practice and learn," they won't become proficient at those skills.
While formal classes can be wonderful, says Goodway, parents make the best role models. To boost your child's
physical activity and motor development, spend time playing actively with him. Offer positive, constructive feedback
("Kick a little more softly next time" or "When you reach out for the ball just like that, you will catch it!"). Provide
age-appropriate toys and equipment, such as a wiffle ball and a fat plastic bat instead of a heavy wooden one. If you do
enroll your child in a movement class, make sure it is appropriate for his developmental level. Children this age are not
ready for team sports, and they should not spend time waiting for their turn on the sidelines. Instead of one ball and 10
kids, for example, each child should have her own ball.
Encourage Physical Activity with Preschoolers
To make sure your child gets his daily hour (or more) of physical play, during the month of February I will plan PE
lessons for your child which will include:

Tag or chase: (for variety, hop, waddle, or dance instead of running)

Catch or kickball (experiment with balls of different sizes and textures)

Riding a tricycle or scooter

Crawling through a cardboard-box tunnel

Dancing: and add scarves or ribbons to promote
creativity as well as coordination

Indoor obstacle course: Build one together using sofa cushions,
hula hoops (to jump in and out of), chairs lined up to form a tunnel
or balance beam, etc.
For the love of movement………………………MOVE!
Mr. Rudy
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