Themes
The theme that we will be working on this month is Christmas, which we will focus on throughout the month of December. We will be reading stories, and participating in discussions that are theme-related, and the children will be making crafts and participating in activities that will be based on each individual theme.
Table Work
The three year olds will be working on Mat Man. This is an activity where children name parts of the body and listen to oral directions to attend to a simple task. “The ant, the bug, and the bee” is a song that teaches the children about numbers. ABC sing and point helps the children learn left-to-right directionality for letters, as well as help them recognize the letters of the alphabet. Door tracing encourages the children to point to and name capital letters, as well as proper crayon grasp. When drawing the square, the children will be recognizing familiar two-dimensional shapes, as well as using correct top-to-bottom, left-to-right directionality for symbols.
The four-year old’s will be working on the letters I, U, and C. These activities will help the children learn to use correct top-to-bottom, left-to-right directionality for letters. They are also great for proper crayon grip to write and to practice using the helping hand to stabilize objects and paper. Name writing is important for children to recognize and name letters in their own name, as well as position the capital letters right side up.
December 18th – Christmas party for all classes (9:00 – 11:00)
December 19th – January 5th - Christmas Break
January 6th – Classes resume for Monday/Wednesday classes
January 7th - Classes resume for the Tuesday/Thursday classes
January 12th – Carstairs Playschool Board meeting 2pm
Christmas Party
We just wanted to let everybody know that the time for the Christmas party will be 9:00 – 11:00 on Wednesday, December 18th. Everybody is invited!! This includes parents, siblings, grandparents, friends, or whoever would like to see these cute little children sing some songs. As it is a busy morning for the teachers and the children, we are asking that ALL children be accompanied by an adult at the Christmas party.
I would like to let you know what Michelle and I have planned for the morning. We would like the parents to drop off your child at the playschool by 8:45. The children will then stay in the classroom with their classmates while the parents go to the church sanctuary and find themselves a seat. This year, we will be separating the age groups as it is very overwhelming for the children to all be in the playschool classroom at the same time. So we will be bringing the 3 year olds into the church library which is located in the hallway just outside the playschool classroom. If you have a very shy child, who may feel overwhelmed by all the activity, please feel free to stay with us up in the classroom. If any child is upset and does not want to participate in the singing, don’t worry – it is perfectly fine with us if they choose to sit and watch.
At 9:00, the 3 year old classes will be brought down to the sanctuary by me and Michelle. The children will then sing two Christmas songs. At 9:05, the 4 year old classes will be brought down to the sanctuary by the classroom EA’s and will line up at the sanctuary door. The 4 year olds will then sing two songs. After that, all classes will sing one Christmas song to the audience. Once all the classes have sung their last song, the children may go and sit with their parents.
We will then all proceed to the church gym for a Christmas party until 11:00. The children do not need to bring a snack to the party; however, we are looking for volunteers to provide food. If anyone is interested in donating fruit or treat trays, please contact Franca Young at 403 701 5330. Please note, all treats MUST BE NUT FREE.
Don’t forget your cameras, and we hope to see you all at the Christmas party!!
Because the Carstairs Playschool Society is a not for profit facility, we often rely on donations. Parents are not obligated to donate however it is very much appreciated when you can. We do, however, ask that you do no donate items that we have not put out a request for. As much as we appreciate it, there is not a lot of storage space and we have found in the past, that some items do not get used and it can quickly become overwhelming. Each month, the newsletter will include a list of items we are in need of.
The Carstairs Playschool uses a lot of various materials for crafts and we may be short of some items.
This month, I would be grateful for:
Pony beads (red, green, and white)
Green poster paper
Small green plates
Small white foam plates
Bars of soap
Reminders
Snacks must be peanut free. Please bring snacks in a lunch kit and please label all containers as we have a few juice cups that are the same.
Don't forget to follow us on Facebook.
There are a few items in lost and found, please take a look.
If you have any questions, please feel free to discuss them with myself or Michelle, or email me at carstairsplayschoolteacher@gmail.com, or you can phone the playschool at 403 816 1481.
We both wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Danielle and Michelle