news letter

March 29, 2012

Dear Parents,

As we approach the Easter season, the children are learning how much Jesus loves them.  We are telling the story from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.  The focus is on Easter, and God’s love.

The letter this week is E.  We made a lower case e using Play-Doh. This is a hard letter for the children to write.  We learned about some special animals; eagles and elephants.  We learned that people have cared for these animals by banning pesticides and making laws to protect them.  We also have been using the egg shape in the art area. We painted large eggs with condensed milk and paint.  We also have made some beautiful tissue paper collages on an egg shapes.  We counted eggs and matched them to sets 6-10.

On April 19^th, we are going on a field trip to Lincoln Park Zoo.  Please sign and return the permission slip.  If you desire to help on this field trip, please contact me as soon as possible.  This trip will be on the first Thursday that we are back from spring break.  Next Thursday, April 5^th, is a half day, and the beginning of spring break. There will be no after- school care that day.  School will start again on Monday, April 16^th.

Garden update:  we have lots of lettuce coming, and as of last count, 15 onions!

God’s Blessings,

                                                Linda Spike

March 22, 2012

Dear Parents,

During devotions this week, we are hearing some of Jesus’ parables, including the Good Shepherd.  We spoke each day about God’s love for us.  We found some eggs in the room, as we started to get ready for Easter.

The letter this week was R.  For the letter R, we read books about rabbits and rain and rainbows. We glued rose petals and ribbons at the art table.  The children also are hearing many rhyming words, as we work on puzzles of rhymes.  Please, whenever you can, rhyme with your child… even silly words help.  It helps to train the ear to hear the sounds of the words.  This prepares them for the phonic work that is done in kindergarten.

The children are excited that the lettuce they planted just last week, is beginning to grow.  Hopefully, the onions are soon to follow!

                                                God’s Blessings,

                                                Linda Spike

Class News

March 15, 2012

Dear Parents,

During devotions this week, we heard the story of how Jesus became a servant to show His love for others, by washing His disciples’ feet. We also talked about how we should be kind, to show God’s love to others.

We spent some time talking about kindness….how we could be kind. Some of the books we read were When I’m Kind and Kindness is. The children also learned about kangaroos. We heard about how a joey grows in his mother’s pouch. We also learned that a group of kangaroos is called a mob.

In math, we are matching sets to their numeral. This week, we had cups out with the numerals 5-10.  The children needed to place the correct amount of pompoms in each cup.

We are not forgetting to rhyme, as we read the book The Three Little Kittens and the poem, Old King Cole.  Please rhyme with your child.  It helps to develop the children’s ability to hear the different sounds of words. This will later help with phonics in kindergarten.

On March 30^th, there is no school.  If you desire a conference to discuss your child’s progress, please let me know.                         

God’s Blessings,

Mrs. Spike

March 8,2012

March 8, 2012

Dear Parents,

I want to thank all of you who took the time to bring your children to church on Sunday.  With the whole school singing, it sounded beautiful.  This week, the children heard the story of the widow’s mite and how God wants us to share all we have. 

During the week, we had some special activities.  On Monday, we heard a concert in church.  On Tuesday morning, the teachers switched classes.  Mr. Benedict, from seventh grade, came down and read Caps for Sale.  On Wednesday, our VIPs came to play with us.

Some new toys were out this week, as we played with trains.  The children made some beautiful collages with Mrs. Laura this week. 

To celebrate some of the many words that start with T, we went out and drew a tree.  We also practiced our cutting skills, as we cut out a T. The children also graphed their favorite train cars.  A hopper is more popular than an engine!

As the weather gets nicer, we will be outside more.  So please remember to dress your child appropriately.

                                                            God’s Blessings,

                                                            Linda Spike 

March 2, 2012

March 1, 2012

Dear Parents,

During devotions, we are working on the song Zacchaeus.  If you don’t remember the story, he was a tax collector who wanted to see Jesus, so he climbed up in a tree. The story tells that no matter what you are, or what you have done, Jesus still loves you.

Please remember that the children are singing in church on Sunday, at 11:00.  I hope to see you all there.

This week, the children have made boats and birdfeeders. We now have sand in our sensory table, and as one child said, “It’s like going to the beach!”  We glued buttons and beads to our B’s. The water table is out, also with boats for sailing.

Next week, is LUTHERAN SCHOOL’S WEEK.   Please check the school’s newsletter for all the special events.  On Monday, children should dress up.  On Tuesday, it is Crazy Hair and Clash Day, on Wednesday, it is Hawaiian Day, on Thursday, is Chapel Olympics…. and children should be in their chapel colors (see attachment) and on Friday, they may wear sports clothes. While in pre-kindergarten, the children are free to dress in what they want all year long; it is special for the rest of the school!

                                                God’s Blessings,

                                                Mrs. Spike