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June14th- June 18th
The last week of school is upon us. I cannot believe how fast the school year went! Time flies when you are having fun.
Our end of the year celebration will be held on Wednesday, June 16th. Goodie-Bags will be disperse as well.
Thursday, June 17th is our last day with in-person learning
Friday, June 18th End of Year Zoom 9:45am
I want to take some time to say thank you so much for your continous support and dedeication this school year. This was no ordinally school year, yet we were able to come together and excel at giving your child lots of great preschool memories. They made friends, learned new concepts, conquered new things, and now they are off to kindergarten.This could not of happened without you, so from the bottom of my heart I thank you!!!! It was an honor being your child's pre-k teacher. Wishing them all the best and lots of success in the years to come.
Unit: Babies
For the next couple weeks our focus questions will be
- What do human babies need?
- What can we learn about animal babies?
- How do babies change?
In the first week, children establish their understanding of human babies by considering the question, "What do human babies need?" Activities in this week help children express what they already know and extend their learning through play, literature and discussion. Throughout this unit there are opportunies for children to discuss, write about nd learn what babies need. Next, we will investigate animal babies and focus on animal that spark a high interest to the students. They will express and demonstrate their learning in various ways,expand their vocabulary and develop curiosity and persistence.
Foundationl Text Focus:
- Everywhere Babies by Susan Meyers
- Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
Over in the Meadow by Ezra Jack Keats
When I Was Little: A Four-Year-Olds Memoir of her Yough by Jamie Lee Curtis
Important Reminders:
-If you have not done so already please e-mail me a picture of your child when s/he was a baby.
- School Closed May 28th-June 1st Memorial Day
Week of May 3rd- May 7th
Happy Birthday Nailah :)
This is our final week on our plant unit and we will conclude it with a virtual trip to The Botanical Gardens.
Also I wanted to take some time to wish all the mommies a very Happy Mother's Day. May your day be filled with some relaxation, and good food because you deserve that and more.
Week of April 26th- April 30thBirthday Shoutout: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARHAAN
Focus Question: What are some different kind of plants?
Vocabulary Focus: bush, cactus, evergreen, grass, herbs, tree, weeds, vegetables
Foundational Text: An Orange in January by Dianna Hutts Aston
Together we will plant our very own vegetable garden. They are doing such a wonderful job taking care of their plant we planted together. Everyday we check for growth and if they need watering.
Planting is such an amazing hands on activity because you can incorporate multiple subjects. For example following directions, sequence order, measuring for growth, labeling plant parts, and learning where different plants grow and why( ex. cactus grows in the dessert) We have been very busy! Try planting with your child at home, it is such a wonderful hands on activity.
Have a wonderful week
Ms.Machado
Ms.NatalieWeek of April 12th- April 16th
Welcome Back!!!! I am glad to see some of you utilize Seesaw over the break to keep your child engaged in learning. Awesome job!
Unit: Plants
Focus Question: What are plants?
This month we will focus all about plants. Each center throughout the classroom will have a focus on the unit.
Science: Students will get an opportunity to observe parts of a plant and how they grow.
Writing Center: practice writing and labeling parts of a plant
Blocks: let’s build a garden
Math: Grouping plants that are the same/different. How do you know they are the same? What makes them different?
Literacy: letter of the week Tt
Have a great week!
Pre-K6
Week of March 29th-March 31st
Important Announcements
School closed Thursday April 1st to Friday, April 9th for Easter Break. Classes will resume on Monday, April 12thPlease be mindful that arrival time begins at 8:30 and dismissal ends at 2:55. Please try your best to be on time.
Over the break please focus on increasing their fine motor skills, letter and number recognition. I will also post activities on Seesaw. These activities are meant to keep your child engaged over the Easter break but is not mandatory.
This is our last week on the water unit
Focus Questions: How does water help us? What would happen if we did not have any water?
Vocabulary Focus: wash, drink, sweat, clean, thirty, hydrate, food, fruits, beverages
Foundational Text: Water Can Be by Laura Purdie Salas
Math: Building Blocks Week 22 Have your child draw items of different sizes ( small, medium, large)
Family Engagement: Have your little one help you prepare dinner. Discuss how much water you may need to cook certain items and why. Also focus on what foods we eat that naturally has water in them like cucumbers, lettuce, watermelon, pineapple, etcI hope you all have a safe, wonderful break. If you do anything fun and exciting, please email me pictures so your child can share with the class when we get back from break. Once again I thank you for your on going support and dedication throughout this school year. We are truly blessed to have such amazing parents and students to work with.
All the best,
Ms.Machado
Ms.NatalieWeek of March 22nd- March 26th
Hello Spring!!!!!!
Focus Question:What happens when we put things in the water?
Vocabulary: absorb, dissolve, sink, float, saturate, repel, temperature
Foundational Text: Float by Daniel Miyares
Family Engagement: Try a "sink and float" experiment with your child. Gather an assortment of small items, predict which items will sink and which will float and test their theories by placing each item ino a container of water.
In class we will be conducting our own "sink and float" experiment, while making predictions along the way. We will also focus on what does it mean when something dissolves in the water. We will conduct experiments using sugar, salt, flour, oil and rice to make predictions on if the item or substance will dissolve in the water.
Letter Focus: Ss- S for Spring!
Hope you all have an amazing week. As always please feel feel to email me with any questions/comments you may have.
Ms. Machado
Ms.Natalie
Week of March 15th-March 20thImportant Announcements
Tuesday dismissal at 12pm. Please be on time
Wednesday March 17th: School Closed St.Patricks Day
Unit: Water
Focus Questions: What happens to water when it changes temperatures?
Vocabulary Focus: boil, condensation, evaporate, freeze, ice, liquid, melt, meteorologist, observe, precipitation, solid
Foundational Text: Rain! By Linda Ashman
Snow by Uri Shulevitz
This week we will learn all about the water cycle. Students will deepen their understanding of the process of evaporation( when water becomes hot enough to turn into steam, the steam goes into the air) condensation ( versus of evaporation. Water vapor or steam gets cold and changes back into liquid) and precipitation ( counts get heavy with water and it falls back to the earth / rain, snow, hail, etc).
Family Engagement: conduct your own water cycle experiments. For evaporation heat some water in a kettle or pot. Have your child watch closely and safely as the steam begins to form and rise.
Please continue to work on handwriting and cutting skills at home.
If you have any questions please email me.
Ms.Machado
Ms.Natalie
Week of March 8th- March 12th:
Unit: Water
Focus Question: Where can we find water?
Vocabulary Focus: beach, cloud, environment, faucet, fountain, lake, ocean, pond, snow, stream, weather
Foundational Text: Water Dance by Thomas Locker
Family Engagement: Create a paper boat with your child. If you cannot make a boat out of paper, help your child to draw one. Please have them bring their boats to school for show and tell.
This week we will learn about animals that live in/and around water. We will draw our focus to ponds, lake and ocean and the types of animals that you find in each. We will explore what life is like for these animals and how water helps them in their everyday life.
Science: Which Holds More?
Containers will be supplied ( short, thin, short, wide) students will determine which container holds more and how do they know? We will make predictions on which one they think will hold more followed by hands on experiment. Together we will chart the results.
Math: Practice writing the number 9. At home please have your child draw a picture with 9 items.
Letter focus: We will refocus our attention on Rr and introduce Ss as well.
Please continue to work on handwriting and cutting skills at home.
If you have any questions please email me.
Ms.Machado
Ms.NatalieWeek of March 1st-March 5th:
Unit: Light- This is our final week on the light unit
Focus Question: What are shadows?Vocabulary Focus: shadow, silhouette, weather, wavy, light, darkness
Foundational Text: Moonbear’s Shadow by Frank Asch
Supporting Text: Nothing Sticks Like a Shadow by Ann Tompart
Shadow by Suzy Lee
This week in the block area we will focus on building shadows by taping paper to the wall, and shining a flashlight on their structure they built using blocks. The focus will remain on what happens to light when it is being block by an object.
Students will also use blocks to build shadow letters. While using a flashlight to create shadows, how can they build structures that will produce a letter shadow?
Literacy: LIGHT
On a large piece of paper I will write the word light. Next, I will ask them what would happen if I changed the first letter of the word. Let’s make a list of all the new words we can make just by changing one letter (light, sight, might, night, eight, etc)
Math: Practice writing the number 8. At home please have your child draw a picture with 8 items.
Letter focus Rr
Please continue to work on handwriting and cutting skills at home.
If you have any questions please email me.
Ms.Machado
Ms.Natalie
Week of February 22nd- February 26th
Focus Question: How does light help us?
Vocabulary: batteries, day, eyes, eyesight, grow, night, melt, mirrior, reflection, solar
Foundational Text: All About Light by Lisa Trumbauer
Letter of the week: Qq
Week of February 17th-February 19th:Focus Question: What is darkness?
Vocabulary Focus: clouds, dark, diurnal, nocturnal, night, shade, sunglasses, transparent, translucentFoundational Text: Can’t You Sleep Little Bear? By Martin Waddell
Art: This week your little one will turn into your own little Van Gogh. Together we will respond to Van Gogh’s painting The Starry Night. What do you notice about the painting, what time of day does the painting take place? What do you think the weather is like in the painting? How do you know? How does the painting make you feel? What do you see in the picture? What might these color mean? What does the title of the painting tell us?
Next, they will be given an opportunity to create their own starry night painting.
Science: Diurnal vs Nocturnal: Animals that are awake during the day are diurnal and animals that are awake during the night are nocturnal. Together we will sort animals into these two categories.
Math: Supplies of translucent drinking cups in a variety of colors will be provided. Students will be given the opportunity to create patterns with cups while increasing their understanding of what translucent means.
We will also increase our pattern awareness while using sun, moon and stars.
All the best.
Ms.Machado
Week of February 8th- February 12th
School Closed Monday February 15th & Tuesday February 16th
Catholic Schools Week Continues
Monday February 8th - Sports Day: Students may come to school dressed in their favorite sports team clothing.
Tuesday February 9th - Math Game Day: In class, we will be paying lots of fun math games while increasing our mathematical concepts/skills.
New Unit: Light
Essential Question: How and why do we use different kinds of light?
Focus Question: What kinds of lights are around us?
Vocabulary Focus: candle, curve, electricity, fire, firefly, flame, flashlight, lamp, lantern, light bulb, moon, stars, street light, sun, traffic light.
Letter of the Week: Qq Practice with your child at home writing the letter of the week as well as letter sounds.
Math: This week math activities will focus around shape pictures, memory geometry, and compare games.
Literature Connections to help develop shape recognition:- Brown Rabbit’s Shape Book by Alan Baker
- Bear in a Square by Stella Blackstone
- What Is Square by Rebecca Kai Dotlich
- Village of Round and Square Houses by Ann Grifalconi
Ms. MachadoWeek of February 1st-February 5th
This is our final week on Transportation.
This week the focus question is: How do we stay safe when using transportation?Vocabulary Focus:emergency, seatbelt, speed, stop, traffic, yield, safety, car seat, traffic jam.
Foundational Text: Go! Go! Go! Stop! By Charlise Mericle Harper
Story Related Focus Questions
- This book is all about wheels. Can you think of some vehicles that do not have wheels?
- What do the transportation item mentioned in the story all have in common?
- Why do helicopters and airplane need wheels?
- What vehicles and things with wheels do you use?
This week is also the kick off to Catholic School Week. Each day is a different theme/activity. Please see the list that was sent home.
Monday 2/1 Sports Day. Your child may wear something related to sports and/or sports team.
Tuesday 2/2 Math Game Day
Wednesday 2/3 Writing Day Students will practice their writing skills by making Valentine Day cards for their friends.
Thursday 2/4- Letter Sound Bee Who knows all of the sound to their letters. Let’s have a letter sound off. This is a great way to promote and increase letter recognition and phonics awareness.
Friday 2/5 Disney Day- Your child may wear something Disney related. Please no costumes.If you have any questions please feel free to email me.
All the best.
Ms.Machado
Week of January 25th- January 29thFocus Question: Who operates the vehicles in my community?
Read Aloud: Harbor, Flying, Truck, School Bus by Donald Crews
Please read to your child every night, it is so important to build upon their critical thinking skills and cognitive skills as well.
Vocabulary Focus: airplane, airport, ambulance, barge, cement mixer, conductor, crossing guard, driver, EMT, engineer, fire engine, firefighter, harbor, helicopter, locomotive, mail carrier, operator, pilot, police officer, school bus, tugboat, train tracks.
Family Engagement: If you or anyone in your family is a community worker please share a video and/or picture of what your job entails (e.g. driver, police officer, EMT, crossing guard etc)
Art: Vehicle Shapes- While using a wide range of cutout shapes, ask your child to create a vehicle using these shapes. This activity Encourages shape identification, following multiple step directions, and increase their ability to stay organize in order to complete a task.
Letter Focus: P
Please be on time when picking up your child. Dismissal is at 2:55, promptly.
Keep the learning going at home with great websites such as PBSkids.org, ABCMouse.com and preschoolinsirations.com
Your ongoing support throughout this school year is very much appreciated. Thank you :)
As always please email me if you have any questions.
Ms.Machado
Ms.Natalie
Week of January 19th- January 22nd
Focus Questions: How are various modes of transportation similar and different?
Foundafional Text: What do Wheels Do All Day? By April Jones Prince
Vocabulary: axle, cargo, crutches, drive, engine, ferry, flu, mechanic, motor, propeller, ramp, roll, run, transport, tunnel, walk, walker, wheelchair.
Family Engagement:
Encourage your child to draw a picture explaining how they get to PreK. Children should bring their picture story to school to share with peers.
Letter Focus: O
Math activities this week will focus on: comparing quantities, measuring length to determine which vehicle is longer/ shorter and
Science Focus will include activities that will encourage students to make predictions and conduct experiments to test out their theories on ramps. What they are and how/ why they work.
Week of January 11th- January 15thUnit: Transportation
Welcome to a new unit of study .In these unit children have the opportunity to deepen their understanding of transportation items by the examination of trains, boats, cars, airplanes, buses, specialty vehicles and more. There are opportunities throughout the unit for us to tailor discussions and activities to reflect the children and communities.
Children begin the unit by considering the first focus question " What kinds of Transportation do I use and why?
Vocabulary for the week: bicycle, bus, car, express, fare, feet, helmet, keys, license plate, local, Metro Card, parachute, scooter, skateboard, stroller, subway, swim, taxi, train, transportation, truck, van, vehicle, wagon.
Family Engagement: Please contribute transportation related-items such as old Metro Cards, license plates, maps, etc., to add to the Dramatic Play area.
Literacy: The Bus for Us by Suzanne Bloom
If you choose to read this story to your child at home, the following are some questions you can ask. Tip: Always start off with concept questions because the answers are usually more straightforward and direct, and work your way down the list. Understanding where your child is in his/her ability to answer story related questions will give you a better understanding on what questions to ask to engage a higher level of thinking.
Recall Question: What does Tess ask over and over again?
What were some of the vehicles that drove past Tess and Gus before the bus came?
Skill Concept: Why do you think Gus looks sad just before the bus comes?
Gus and Tess take the bus to school. How did you get to pre-k today?
Strategic Thinking: Tess holds her ears when the fire engine drives past. Why?
Strategic Thinking: There is a picture of a skunk on the garbage truck. Why do you think that is there?
Extended Thinking: Us and Gus are rhyming words. What are some other words that rhyme with us and Gus?
Math: Building Blocks: Have your child make a group of 3. Label the group with its numeral.
It is very important to be on time when picking up your child at dismissal time no later than 2:55 pm.
Have a great week!
As always if you have any questions and/or concerns please send me an email cmachado@stbrendandsschoolbronx.org
Ms. Machado
Ms. Natalie
Week of: December 21st, 22nd and 23rd
Thursday, December 24th through Friday, January 1st school is closed. We will all be back in school on Monday, January 4th.Since it is a short week the focus will be on learning all about holidays that are celebrated during the month of December: Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah. Although the focus will be on exploring how each holidays are celebrated, it is equally important for the students to understand not everyone celebrate the same holidays if any at all, and that is okay. What matters most is spending quality family time together and what that may look like depending on your culture, and beliefs.
Family Engagement: Reading books together before bedtime every night
Reviewing numbers 1-20
Practice identifying letters and sounds
Practice writing first and last name
I want to take some time to wish you all the very best for the New Year. May 2021 bring you endless joy, prosperity, health & wealth.
Ms. Machado
Ms. Jessica
Ms. Natalie
Week of December 14th- December 18thWeek Two: Unit Where We Live
Focus Question: Where do people and animals live?
Vocabulary: bedroom, den, downstairs, hibernate, nest, pet, water, forest, farm, dessert
Foundational Text: A House for Hermit Crab, by Eric Carle. If you do not have this book at home, do not worry just click on the link provided https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UlGQUNLwAQ
Here are some key questions to consider asking your child:
Why did Hermit Crab need a new house? What are some of the things Hermit Crab used to decorate his house? Hermit Crab added many things to his home, which one do you like best? Why? When the Smaller Crab moved into Hermit Crab’s house she promised to be goof to his friends. How do you take good care of your friends?
Letter Focus: Ll
Math Focus: Have your child draw a shape with four straight sides of equal length. Ask your child about his or her drawing.
Have a great week!
Ms.Machado
Ms.Jessica
Ms.Natalie
Week of December 7th- December 11thThank you all for participating in our first virtual parent/ teacher conference. It was so nice to finally get some one on one time with you all to discuss all the wonderful things your child has been up to.
This week we start our 4th unit: Where We Live. This unit is designed to reflect the diverse places where people live in neighborhoods across New York City. Students will inquire and learn about the homes of animals, both pets living in homes and those animals that create their own homes.
We begin by students investigating themselves and the people important to them by considering the focus question, “Where do I live? And Where do my family members live?
Foundational Text: The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater. If you do not have this book at home, do not worry just click on the link provided https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhiTkZUlpQQ
During bedtime read the story together with your child. Here are some questions to consider asking your child to help guide them understand the meaning of the story:
How did the big orange splot get on Mr. Plumbean’s house? What did the neighbors want Mr. Plumbean to do about the splot? Why were the neighbors upset that Mr. Plumbean changed his house? What happened when the neighbors talked to Mr. Plumbean at night? Do you like the changes Mr. Plumbean made to his house? Why or why not?
Vocabulary: address, borough, city, far, home, near, neighborhood, roads, street.
Family Engagement:
Create your home or building out of a box! Use an empty shoebox, cereal box, anything you can think of that you can find inside of your home. Paint or color it the same color as your house/building. You can also cover it with construction paper if you don’t have paint. Make windows and doors. Put the number of your home to show your address.Letter Focus: Kk
Please continue to help your child at home with letter recognition and phonological awareness.
Math Focus: Ask your child to draw a rectangle, have your child tell about his or her drawing.
Have a fantastic week! If you have any questions comments, concerns please feel free to reach out to me.
All the best,
Ms. Machado
Week of December 1st- December 4th
Unit: All About Us
Focus Question: What makes my family important and uniqueFamily Engagement: Please share any favorite songs, customs, traditions you enjoy as a family.
Please record and post on Seesaw and/or email me.
Parent/ Teacher Zoom/ Phone Conferences: Friday 12/4/2020. See below for your time slot. If you need to make any changes, please reach out to me as soon as possible.
12:30-12:45PM- Arhaan Amelia
12:45-1:00PM- Cecilia Ivan
1:20-1:35PM- Nailah Valentina
1:40-1:55PM- Zaria Neriah
2:15-2:3OPM- Sam CarlaisbelWeek of November 23rd-November 25h
Unit: All About Us
Week Three: What makes my class important and unique?
Reminder: This Wednesday November 25th is a noon dismissal. Please arrive on time to pick up your child.
Thanksgiving Recess: School Closed from Thursday, November 26th through Monday, November 30th. School Resumes on Tuesday, December 1st.
Seesaw: I have sent you all an invitation to download our Seesaw app, if you have not done so please download. Your child may pick and choose what activities they would like to do on Seesaw. This is not mandatory at this time because we cover the same topic in class throughout the week. If your child is not feeling well and you choose to keep them home you can log into the Seesaw app for that day. By submitting a completed assignment, your child will be marked present for the day. If your child has attended school for the day you can still have them complete the activities on Seesaw because it is good practice, fun, and educational.
Letter of the Week: So far we have covered letters A-J. Because it is a short week we will not start a new letter however please take this time to go over letter recognition with your child. Thanksgiving recess is a great opportunity to practice on their handwriting skills.
Continual focus throughout the school year should be helping your child to recognize their first and last name in print, how to hold a pencil, recognizing numbers 1-10, increasing independence with dressing and undressing (bathroom skills, taking off/ putting on jackets independently).
Please arrive on time when picking up your child. Dismissal is at 2:55 sharp! Please try to get here 2-3 minutes before dismissal time.
I truly hope you have an amazing, fun-filled, safe, Thanksgiving break. From the bottom of my heart I thank you all for being so patient and understanding during these times. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!
Ms. Machado
Ms. Jessica
Ms. Natalie
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Week of November 16th- November 20th
Unit: All About Us
Week Two: What feelings do I have and why?
During small group students will be introduced to an interactive feelings chart. They will be able to match how they are feeling from an array of labeled pictures. This chart will become part of the morning routine but also available for them to access throughout the day as desired.
Foundational Text: The Feelings Book by Todd Parr, Friendshape by Amy Krouse,Grumpy Bird, Glad Monster, Sad Monster by Ed Emberley
Vocabulary Focus: afraid, angry, bored, brave, comfortable, excited, sad, scared, silly, strong, surprised, frustrated.
Letter of the Week:Jj
Math: Ask your child to draw you a rectangle. Have your child tell you about his or her drawing. Focus should be on: did they name the shape correctly, can your child tell you why this shape is a rectangle (it has four straight sides, each connecting at a corner that makes a right angle)
Important dates to remember: Thanksgiving Recess - School Closed from Thursday, November 26th through Monday, November 30th. School Resumes on Tuesday, December 1st.
Have an amazing week. As always please email me any questions, comments, concerns.
Ms. Machado
Ms. Jessica
Ms. Natalie
November 11th - School Closed - Veterans DayHello and Welcome to November where we now enter our 3rd unit of study: All About Us. This unit is so important because during your child’s pre-k years they begin to develop an awareness of themselves as a unique individual.
Essential Question: Who am I and Who are the people in my life?
Focus Question: What makes my family unique?
Vocabulary Words:
Mother, father, aunt, cousin, grand mother , grandfather, sister brother, family
Foundational Text:
This is It by Dania People Riley
The Many Colors
Stella Brings the family by Miriam B. Schiffer
I love Saturday'sLetter of the Week: Ii
All the best,
Ms.Machado
Ms. Jessica
Ms. NatalieLesson Plan: 11/2-11/6
Unit of Study: My Five Senses ; Week 4
Essential Question: Essential Question: How do we use our senses to explore, investigate and understand the world around us?
Focus Question: How do we use our sense of taste?
Student Objectives: We taste with our mouths and tongues.
Our sense of smell and taste work together.
Vocabulary: flavor, mouth, savory, sour, sweet, taste, taste buds, tongue
Foundational Text:
Thank you, Omu! by Oge MoraLetter Focus: H
Math Focus: This week we are focusing on counting and on numerals. Numerals can help children think more abstractly about numbers. It is important, however, to connect numerals to mathematical ideas and quantities, for example, by comparing small groups and making groups equal in number.
Math-at-Home: Ask your child to guess the number of any of the following items where you live: beds, rooms, windows, doors, clocks, stairs, and chairs. Write the total number of each thing next to its picture.
Have a great week,
Ms.MachadoLesson Plan 10/26-10/30
Unit of Study: My Five SensesFocus Question: How do we use our sense of smell?
Student Objectives: We use our nose to smell.
Vocabulary: aroma, nose, nostrils, smellFriday- Please send your child to school wearing orange and/or black. Please donate a pumpkin for our classroom.
Science: A Nose Knows: Guess the Smell Game: You can set up a fun and simple game for your child to play. Put six edible elements in small containers for your child to smell while wearing a blindfold. In the classroom, I specifically chose food and spices with strong aromas. Here are some examples: a lemon slice, coffee grounds, black pepper, onions, cilantro , cinnamon. maple syrup, oregano.
Letter Focus: Gg
Math: This week we will continue to build their counting skills. We practiced counting to 5 with understanding, as well as creating and identifying groups containing up to five items. We will continue to focus on- keeping one-to-one correspondence between the number words they say and the objects they count.
- Students will learn that the last number they counted tells you how many.
- Students will learn how to figure out if two groups are equal
Math At-Home:
Play board games that require players to count spaces as they move. Compare amounts of various items. For example, ask your child whether there are more forks or knives on the table or figure out whose name has more letters. Write each amount.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to send me an email.
Wishing you all an amazing week,
Ms.Machado
Week of: 10/19-10/23 Unit of Study: My Five Senses
Essential Question: How do we use our senses to explore, investigate and understand the world around us?
Focus Question: How do we use our sense of hearing?
Student Objectives: We use our ears to hear. We use our senses to learn about the people, places, objects, and environment around us. We experience and interact with the world differently when our senses, such as vision or hearing, are impaired.
Vocabulary: adventure, crunch, deaf, ears, hear, hearing aid, instruments, listen, loud, noise, predictions, quiet, sign language, sound, volume
Foundational Text:
Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp! by Wynton Marsalis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FjiOw1XdAg
Supporting Texts:
The Listening Walk by Paul Showers; illustrated by Aliki; (Read Aloud link below)
There’s A Drum in My Ear by Michelle Garcia Anderson; I Can Hear and Puedo oir by Julie Murray; and Apples by Gail Gibbons
Letter of the Week: Ff
Please review and practice handwriting with your little one at home.Math News: This week your child will continue to explore geometric shapes. Focus will be on practicing naming triangles, rectangles, and squares. We will also discuss the attributes of these shapes. Last we will go on a shape hunt to find examples of triangles, rectangles, and squares.
Math-at-Home: Let your child build shapes from straws, toothpicks, etc. Have your child name each shape and count it’s sides. This is such an important skill because it focuses on shape building, identification, as well as counting.
Please if possible donate a pumpkin for our classroom, thank you.October 13th- October 17th Unit of Study: My Five Senses
Children naturally use their senses to explore the world around them. With this unit your child will get the opportunity to develop a wide variety of skills by using his/her senses in hands on learning play.
Essential Question: How do we use our senses to explore, investigate and understand the world around us?Focus Questions: How do we use our sense of sight?
Student Objectives: There are five senses. They are smell, taste, touch, sight and hearing. We use our eyes to see.
We will be discussing how life might be different for people who do not see or hear well and how they communicate with the world around them.
Vocabulary: autumn, blind, Braille, dark, eyes, eyesight, fall, foliage, notice, observe, see, senses, view, vision, window
Foundational Text: Windows by Julia Denos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03gLzH2p8Pg
Supporting Text: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By Bill MartinJr./Eric Carle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-NlZH_HcOw
Letter Focus: Ee
Math: Shapes
Ask your child to find shapes around the house (T.V, Tablet, picture frame, wheels in bike or scooter etc.). Ask your child to find and count the sides and angles/corners and then name the shapes. Take a picture and tell me what shape did you find? How many sides does it have? I hope you have fun finding shapes at home.
PK.MATH.13. [NY-PK.G.2.] Names shapes regardless of size
Please send in a folder with your child’s name on it
Ms. Machado
10/5-10/9 Unit of Study: Welcome to Pre-k Focus Question: Who else is in my pre-K program?Student Outcomes: The teachers and other adults at my program keep me safe, care about me, and support my learning.
In my classroom, I use materials carefully and make choices about where I play and work.
Classroom rules and routines help me learn and stay safe.
Vocabulary: custodian, director/principal, helpful, job, nurse, administrative assistantFoundational Text: Night Job by Karen Hesse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcfZYkz2310
PK.SEL.2. Recognizes self as an individual having unique abilities, characteristics, feelings and interests
Level 1: Recall When does the dad in this story go to work? What is the dad’s job? What does he do?
Level 2: Skill/Concept The dad in this story is the school custodian. He keeps the building clean. What are some ways you help keep our classroom and building clean?
Who are the other people in our building that help keep it clean?
Math: This week, students will begin to explore geometry and spatial concepts. Activities will focus on naming familiar two-dimensional shapes ( circle and squares), matching shapes of the same size, and identifying attributes of a shape.
Math at Home: Display pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters for your child to examine. Ask your child to make stacks of coins that are the same shape and same size. Also, using one of each have your child arrange them in order from smallest to largest.
Letter Focus: D
Please continue to go over hand washing with your child.
Please be on time when picking up your child. Pick-up time is 2:55 sharp!
If you haven't done so already please send in and/or email me a family pictureImportant! Check your email in the next few weeks for a special code for your child in order for them to use the fun and education app called SeeSaw!
Reminder: School Closed on Monday October 12th
If you have any questions please feel free to send me an email. Have a wonderful week
Ms.Machado
9/28-10/2 Unit of Study: Welcome to Pre-k
Focus Question: Who are the people in my classroom community?
Student Outcomes: My family, my teachers*, and other children make up my classroom community; their backgrounds, thoughts, needs, ideas and abilities matter.
The teachers and other adults at my program keep me safe, care about me, and support my learning.
Vocabulary: Brilliant, classmates, difference, friends, peers, sharing, turn- taking, unique
PK.AC.5. Demonstrates a growing expressive vocabulary.
Foundational Text:
Chu’s First Day of School by Neil Gaiman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlzTQydoW9s
Letter Focus: CMath: Counting and producing small groups
Recognizing equal groups
At Home Math Tips: Have each member of the family count the items on his or her plate and then say how many there are. Benefit; this reinforces the connection between number words and actual items. The activity also provides practice with the sequence of number words.IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Your childs backpack should have nothing in it. We took everything out that we needed. If something is in it please leave it at home. All regular size backpacks, folders, jackets, clothes, sheets, lunch boxes, blankets and other personal items should have your child's name on them. Mask should be worn everyday, and if possible keep extras in their backpacks.
9/21-9/25: Unit 1 Welcome to Pre-KFocus Question: What do I bring to my classroom community?
Student Outcomes:
I am an important member of my classroom community; my thoughts, needs, ideas and abilities matter.
In my classroom, I use materials carefully and make choices about where I play and work.
Vocabulary:
angry, disappointed, embarrassed, emotions, excited, expressions, feelings, frustrated, passion, playground, proud, lonely, scared, silly
Foundational Text: Count on Me by Miguel Tanco
On Monday it rained by Cherly Kachenmeiser
Additional Text: The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
https://youtu.be/8Y0Hk-lJPd8
Family Engagement:
Please send in a family portrait and/or you can send it via email cmachado@stbrendanschoolbronx.org
Letter of the Week: Bb
Math
Students will work on counting, recognizing, and making small groups. Activities this week encourage children to observe amounts/ quantity.
At Home Math- Tip
Place your child's snack in several small groups, and ask: What group has three (or another amount).
Have a great week!
Week of September 14th-September 18th
Unit Topic: Welcome to Pre-K
Essential Question: What is Pre-K?
Vocabulary: Centers, classroom, library, science, teacher, welcome, materials, movement
During this week we will focus on:- Guiding children on the rug and going over Rug Rules
- Guiding students and modeling how to pick and change a center
- Hand washing procedure
- Daily schedule
Letter Focus: A
Books:
All are Welcome by Alexandra Penfold
The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin JR and John Archambault
At Home Math Tips:- Look around for things the can come in pairs, such as shoes and matching chairs
- Look for items with numerals such as clocks, telephone, radios bathroom scales.
- Establish a daily family routine
- Provide a time and place to study
- Assign responsibility for household chores
- Have a regular bedtime.
- Have meals together as a family.
Family Engagement: First day of school recall; share with your little one your memory of your time in preschool. Encourage them to share their experience with you.
Remote Parents: Please log onto to Seesaw for your child’s assignment.
Zoom Meeting: Check your email for our zoom meeting scheduled for Monday, 10am
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