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