Highway Department Field Trip

In the beginning of May we ventured to the Taylor County Highway Department to learn about all the machines that the men and women use to make sure our roads are kept up.  Mr. Rick showed us all sort of equipment and explained what each piece was used for.  We learned how to be safe around these big machines if we see them on the roads and to be sure to stay out of the way if we see them coming.  Our favorite part was hearing the L-O-U-D horn on the snowplow truck!  

Below you will find each class in front of the snowplow.  You can click on the image to enlarge it.  :)

M/W Class with the big snow plow.

T/TH Class at the Highway Dept.

May 2016

May is just around the corner!  I can't believe how fast the months continue to fly by.   I keep telling the kiddos they're almost ready for Kindergarten...most of them have decided they are going to stay back in Pre-K with me.  :)  The month of May is packed full of fun and exciting things.  Please remember to check the blog or the Classroom Newsletters each week to find dates, times and information about upcoming events and field trips.  Below you can find a brief description of events in May!

May 2-5

*Our theme this week is Mother's Day and Transportation.

*On Monday and Tuesday we will be making our moms some special Mother's Day gifts.  

*On Wednesday and Thursday we will focus more on Transportation as we take a field trip to the Taylor County Highway Department.  There, we will get to hop in some big machines and learn how the Highway Department keeps our roads safe and clean.  Please have your child dress in older clothing this day.

May 9-12

*Our theme this week is Farm.

*We will learn about farm animals and make some fun projects.  

*On Wednesday and Thursday, Beth from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board will be coming to school to read us a story and to make a special snack with us.  Beth will help the students learn how things that are grown by farmers are turned into the foods we eat.  Each child will get a copy of the book to take home with them!  

May 16-19

*Our theme this week is Caterpillars and Butterflies.

*We will learn about the life cycle of a butterfly through many different activities.  

*Students will also be introduced to the term "symmetry" as they work to create their very own butterfly projects.

*On Wednesday and Thursday of this week we will be going to the Kuse Nature Trail at 1:45 P.M. for our PBIS Scavenger Hunt.  Please send students to school with rain boots in case the trail is muddy and wet.

May 23-26

*Our theme this week is Bugs and Frogs.

*On Wednesday and Thursday we will be taking a trip to the school forest.  There, we will look for bugs, frogs, plants, colors, shapes, etc. as we walk to the pond.  We will explore the woods and the pond and will finish up back by the hall for a snack!  Please dress your child for "the woods".  You may also spray them with bug spray before sending them to school.  To learn more about the school forest, click the link! School Forest Information

May 30 - June 3

*There is NO SCHOOL for all grades on Monday, May 30th due to Memorial Day.

*Our theme this week is Goodbye Friends. 

*We will work on cleaning up our classroom and sending home projects and belongings.

*We will also make some Father's Day projects for our amazing dads!

*On Wednesday and Thursday morning, we will be taking our final field trip to the City Park for some fun at the park and a picnic lunch.  We will be walking to and from the park so please have your child wear tennis shoes!  More information will be coming home to inform you about bag lunches provided by the school.

April 2016

Welcome to April!  Hopefully soon we start to have more spring-like weather!  I am amazed at how fast the months are flying by.  It is hard to believe in a few short months these kiddos will be heading out my door and onto Kindergarten!  :)  We have a busy April, followed by an even busier May!!  Be sure to check the Classroom Newsletter to find dates, times and information about upcoming events and field trips.  Below you can find info for the month of April!

April 4-8: Pets

*We will be learning about pets this week.  We will talk about animals that make good pets and how to take care of these animals.  Students will get to share stories about their own pets or about a pet they wish they could have.

*Our letter is Xx.

*We will be reviewing number 8.

*Our field trip to the Medford Veterinary Clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, April 6th and Thursday, April 7th in the morning.  If you need to know specific times for the field trip, please contact me.

April 11-15: Seeds and Flowers & WOTYC

*We will be celebrating The Week of the Young Child (WOTYC).  Dress up days are as follows:

--Monday - Crazy Sock Day

--Tuesday - Sports Day

--Wednesday - Wear an Animal Day (wear a shirt with an animal on it)

--Thursday - Beach Day

--Friday - Wear your Favorite Color Day

*We will be learning about Seeds and Flowers. 

*Our letter is Uu.

*We will be reviewing number 9.

*On Wednesday and Thursday of this week we will be going to the MAES gym for a special presentation of Hairy and Company.

*Thursday, April 14th is Pre-K registration from 3:30-5:30 PM.  This is also the evening of the Beach Party- Pre-K Pot Luck Dinner and Dance.  The dinner will be from 5:00-5:30PM and the dance will be from 5:30-6:00PM in the MAES Commons/Cafeteria.  If your family hasn't sign up, but would like to please do as ASAP.

April 18-29: Oceans

*Oceans is a two week theme where we will be learning all about the world under the sea.  

*Our very last letter of the year will be Bb.

*We will be reviewing number 10.

*Ms. Brittany will have a sub on Wednesday, April 27th and Thursday, April 28th for PALS testing.  

March 2016

Hello,

Just like THAT, March is here!  Hopefully the weather will begin warming up and spring will be on its way!  We can hope, right?  :)  Below you will find more information about our March themes and other events that will be taking place.  Please remember that even though the temps may warm up, our playground is still covered in snow.  This means winter clothes are necessary for recess.  Please continue to send winter clothing until you hear otherwise.  Thanks!!

February 29 - March 4: Dr. Seuss and Rhyming

*This week we read many Dr. Seuss books and continued to talk about rhyming.  We made many fun projects including a Cat in the Hat headband and the Cat in the Hat.

*We learned about letter Rr.

*We reviewed number 4.

*The Swimming FBI slips were due on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.  

*Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences are from 3:45-6:30 PM on Thursday, March 3rd.  These conferences are only for those requested by a parent or teacher.

March 7-11: Zoo

*This week we will be learning about animals that live in a zoo and why we have zoos.

*We will be learning about letter Zz.

*We will be reviewing number 5.

*March's family project, The Rhyming Chart, is due back on Monday and Tuesday of this week.

March 14-18: St. Patrick's Day

*This week we be learning about St. Patrick's Day by making leprechaun projects and by talking about shamrocks and luck.  I wonder if that quick and quiet leprechaun will visit our classroom!?!?!

*We will be learning about letter Qq.

*We will be reviewing number 6.

*March's Families Being Involved workshop will be held on Friday, March 18th from 1:30-2:30 PM at the MASH pool!  Students and families are invited in for an hour of swimming and pool fun!  If your family signed up, you'll be receiving an informational sheet in your child's folder.

March 21 - April 1: Easter and Spring

*Easter will be a two week theme.  During these weeks we will make spring and Easter projects, play a fun Easter memory game, and share our own experiences about Easter.

*We will be learning about letter Ee.

*We will be reviewing numbers 7.

*Information about April's Families Being Involved workshop will be coming home and will be due back before Easter break.  We will be having a pot luck dinner and dance!

*There is NO SCHOOL for all students Friday, March 25th  - Tuesday, March 29th due to teacher inservice and Easter break.  School will resume on Wednesday, March 30th.  HAPPY EASTER!!!

Games Week

Recently we had Games Week in Pre-K.  During this time, we learned how to play numerous board games and worked on rule following, turn taking, being good sports and congratulating others when they won.  On Wednesday and Thursday of Games Week, we had older students come and play board games with us in the Media Room.  This was sure a lot of fun!

A Visit from the Dentist

On Wednesday and Thursday of last week, we had two special visitors from the Gelhaus Dental Clinic in Medford.  Dr. Sally and Dr. Ben brought in some fun activities to teach us about our teeth!  The students learned about the importance of brushing and flossing their teeth, knowing which foods and treats are better for our teeth than others, and what to expect at a visit to the dental office.  The Gelhaus Dental Clinic generously donated goodie bags to each student too!  What a great Valentine's treat!

With the sad news our town has received in the past few days, I wanted to take some time to provide a resource to help us, as adults, better understand how children cope with death. If you'd like more information, please visit Mr. Greget's blog: http://jgreget.blogspot.com/

With the sad news our town has received in the past few days, I wanted to take some time to provide a resource to help us, as adults, better understand how children cope with death.  If you'd like more information, please visit Mr. Greget's blog:  http://jgreget.blogspot.com/

Developmental Stages of Understanding Death

http://www.wscaweb.org/WSCALink_September2014#.Vq2folUrLnB

Developmental Stages of Understanding Death

Age	Concept of Death	Grief Response	Signs of Distress	Possible Interventions
0-2	May not understand death Will sense changes in the home	Irritability Will respond/react to emotions of adults	Regression Change in sleeping or eating patterns	Reestablishment of routine Comforting, holding
2-4	May see death as abandonment or punishment Death is reversible, not permanent May connect unrelated events to death	Very present oriented Aware of change	Regression Change in sleeping or eating patterns Bedwetting Insecurity Separation anxiety	Reestablishment of routine Comforting, holding Drawing Playing
4-7	Death is reversible, not permanent May feel responsible for the death “Magical thinking” May see death as contagious	Repetitive questioning May reenact death or the funeral during play Asks about loved one’s return	Regression Nightmares Change in sleeping or eating patterns Violent play Tries to take on the role of the person who died	Symbolic play Art and drawing Allow/encourage expression of feelings
7-11	Death as punishment Fears of bodily harm for themselves or others Starting to understand the finality of death	Questions about specific details Concerns about normalcy in the grieving process Some understanding of mourning Fears loss of other loved ones	Regression Problems in school Withdrawal from friends Change in sleeping or eating patterns Suicidal thoughts Concern with bodily harm	Answer questions honestly. Encourage expression of feelings Allow some alone time, but be available Symbolic play Talking
11-18	Death is universal, final and irreversible Understands possibility of own death	May try to care for others Depression Denial May want to talk to friends, rather than family.	Regression Intense anger or guilt Acting out Poor school performance Opposition/defiance	Encourage verbalization Encourage self-motivation Listen and be available Do not attempt to “fix” child.