Reindeer OR Caribou?

In honor of the holiday season, why not learn a little more about the very famous Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.  We all know that Rudolph is a mythical creature but what about real life reindeer? Last week was all about reindeer studies! The children leaned so much about this fascinating creature.  Did you know that reindeer are actually Caribou? Did you also know that it can be hard to tell if a reindeer is a male or female because both male and female reindeer grow antlers? It is, however, still a mystery how Santa's reindeer can fly! During the week, the children made reindeer food to sprinkle on the front lawn, just in case Santa's reindeer need a little snack.  The children also learned how to sign "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" using sign language as they sang the classic holiday song.  

Later in the week, the children joined in reindeer games and pretended to be reindeer training for Santa's crew.  The children pulled a sleigh, carefully tossed snowballs in the chimney to warn santa of peeking eyes and leapt over roof tops.  We celebrated the end of the games dancing to our favorite holiday songs.

To wrap up the week, the children created their fourth and final story tree based on the much loved book, "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault. The children decorated a variety of letters and added them to the coconut tree! Such a fun story!

Home extension activity:

SEE's story trees are inspired by Concord Museum's latest exhibit celebrating children's literature called, "Family Trees." The exhibit will be available to see until January 2, 2017. Try to get over there before the new year, this exhibit is definitely worth checking out! Here is the link for more info: Concord Museum's Family Trees Special Event. 

                 

What's up next?

SEE will be closed from December 26-January 2, 2017.  We will return to our regular schedule on Tuesday, January 3rd! Stay tuned for more info on our upcoming curriculum topics!

                                                                                                                              

Upcoming Dates and Reminders:

December 22 & 23: Pajama Day! 

December 26-January 2: SEE closed for Winter Break

January 3: SEE is back in session and tuition is due
January 16: SEE closed in observance of MLK day
February 1: February Tuition is due

Pictures from the week:     

Our Fourth Story Tree! 

Studying a real deer antler!

Sign Language for "Reindeer"

Have a great week everyone!
Ms. Joanna

Story Tree Number Two

      What a fun week, we had our first sign of snow and we enjoyed it!  Thank you to all the parents for sending in snow gear, we’ve been teaching the children the five steps to putting on and taking off their snow apparel.  When outside we made snow angels, snowballs and we even tried to make a snowman, but the kids only managed to make a giant snowball instead.  It was beautiful out and everyone was happy.

      The SEE story trees have been coming along and are very festive.  We are finishing up The Mitten by Jan Brett, the tree looks amazing with all the snowballs and different mittens on it.  We began our second story tree, the book There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A bell, by Lucille Colandro.  This is a rhyming story and is very funny. First, the old lady swallows bell then a bow tie, some gifts, a snack, a sleigh, a reindeer and more.  Of course, we made a beautiful bell for the story tree and a little old lady swallowing all those funny things.  Later in the week, we made decorations for this tree and we made mistletoe, all the children had a turn under the mistletoe and gave each other a hug after learning the meaning of love under its branch. 

      The Pre-K class had a lot of fun learning this week’s word “ICE," burr.  They followed directions when it was time to trace the word and when decorating the ice cubes with light blue paint and salt to give it that shiny wet look.

      Ms. Mary Beth brought the Nutcracker to SEE. The children learned some ballet positions and how to take a proper bow.  Mr. Ed also sang some fun holiday tunes both new and some oldie but goodies.   

Home extension activity:

    SEE's story trees are inspired by Concord Museum's latest exhibit celebrating children's literature called, "Family Trees." The exhibit will be available to see until January 2, 2017. Try to get over there before the new year, this exhibit is definitely worth checking out! Here is the link for more info: Concord Museum's Family Trees Special Event. 

                 

What's up next?

        This week is all about reindeer. Did you know that there is, in fact, a such thing as a reindeer? They are also known as Caribou! The children will learn their body parts, where they live, what they eat and how many toes they have! The children will have a reindeer bootcamp and make reindeer food for their front lawn.

                                                                                                                              

Upcoming Dates and Reminders:

December 22 & 23: Pajama Day! 

December 26-January 2: SEE closed for Winter Break

January 3: SEE is back in session and tuition is due
January 16: SEE closed in observance of MLK day
February 1: February Tuition is due

Pictures from the week:                                     

The kids had so much fun outside making a
giant snowball together!

     

 The Mitten Tree is decorated with art work from all the children.

Pre-K spelled, traced and used blue paint to create cold "ICE".

Have a great week, 

Ms. Pauline

December's Story Book Trees

       We hope all of our SEE families had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and a restful weekend.  We started our Story Trees this week beginning with "The Mitten" by Jan Brett and the "I Spy Tree" by Jean Marzollo and Walter Wick. Both trees will be on display for the month.  The Mitten is a wonderful story about all of the different animals who trying to fit into one mitten, there is a rabbit, owl, mouse, badger, fox, a bear and more.  The bear tickles the mouse’s whiskers and he sneezes and all the animals scatter after being blown out.  The story takes place in a snowy setting and the first decorations to go up on our story tree were snowballs and the second were mittens decorated with glue, yarn, and cloth pieces. The uniqueness of everyone's mittens make the tree look extra special. The I Spy tree is beginning to collect some fun decorations. Please feel free to bring in something from home to add to our I Spy Tree. One of our preschoolers lent us a snowman she and her dad made. We are looking for families to lend us more items for the tree. If you would like to participate, please send your child with an item 3 inches or smaller.  If you would like your item to be retuned to you at the end of the month, please label you item. Thank you!

       Then week, the children had lots of fun playing outside making a soup brew using rain water and sand.  During social play they had a great time bowling. The children took turns setting up the pins for each other and then bowling away.  Mr. Potato Head gave us lots of laughs as friends gave him three eyes and ears where his nose should be.

      Pre-K had a chance to work on their HWT (Handwriting Without Tears writing book) and did a terrific job on the word of the week,  HAPPY. The children colored a very happy face with crayons.

       On Thursday, we had a special visitor, a former SEE student, Clare, age 8, who read two books to the children, "I Will Take A Nap" and "Waiting Is Not Easy" both by Mo Willems. Clare is a terrific reader the children were laughing and listening attentively to every word!  

Home extension activity:

SEE's story trees are inspired by Concord Museum's latest exhibit celebrating children's literature called, "Family Trees." The exhibit will be available to see until January 2, 2017. Try to get over there before the new year, this exhibit is definitely worth checking out! Here is the link for more info: Concord Museum's Family Trees Special Event. 

                 

What's up next?

             We are very excited and looking forward to the next Story Tree theme, "There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell" by Lucille Colandro.  

                                                                                                                              

Upcoming Dates and Reminders:

December 11: Weekend Gathering at Winchester Gymnastics - see your Evite for more info and to RSVP.
December 22 & 23: Pajama Day! 

December 26-January 2: SEE closed for Winter Break

January 3: SEE is back in session and tuition is due
January 16: SEE closed in observance of MLK day
February 1: February Tuition is due

Pictures from the week:

The children used their engineering and fine motor 

muscles to make an Evergreen tree out of play dough

"The Mitten" story tree decorated with snowballs and mittens.

The children cut yarn and cloth and used different 

materials to make their very own mitten for the story tree!

SEE's very own bowling team and friends cheering everyone on!

Using their hand-eye coordination, the children 

made a beautiful dot painting collage.

See you next week!

Ms. Pauline