April 26, 2024
What We're Learning
This week we learned about letter Ww.
The Four Seasons
Our Nature All Around Us focus for this week was The Four Seasons. We learned about how our world changes with the seasons, and why. Since it's spring, we spent the most time learning about what happens in spring, like how some trees wake up and blossom.
Science with Ms. Wendy
Ms. Wendy built on our spring lesson by teaching the kids about insects. The kids learned about the different body parts of insects, then got to build an insect of their own.
Moving On
Can you believe we will begin our final unit next week? The second week's focus area will be Trying New Things. Is there is a culinary treat that your family enjoys that may be new to the rest of the kids? Over the years, I've had a Colombian mom come in and make us Arepas, another mom sent in a batch of biryani, and another sent us tamales. It's so great for the kids to experience the traditional foods their friends eat at home. Please let me know if you have something interesting to share.
What's Up Next
May 10th: Field Day
May 16th: Pre-K Promotion
April 19, 2024
What We're Learning
This week we learned about letter Vv.
Science with Ms. Wendy
This week, our Nature All Around Us focus has been The Weather. Ms. Wendy expanded on their learning by teaching them how rainbows form, then letting them create rainbows of their own.
2024 Mentor and Tutor Award
It came as no surprise that our own Ms. Wendy Welch won the LRSD 2024 Mentor and Tutor Award. It is so deserved. She is the best! When Teacher Appreciation Week rolls around, please remember that she is one of your child's teachers too!
Mömandpöp
Everyone had such a great time! If you haven't seen this comedy music duo perform yet, I recommend finding a show. Such a fun performance.
What's Up Next
April 20th: Mother/Son Event
May 10th: Field Day
May 16th: Pre-K Promotion
April 12, 2024
What We're Learning
This week we learned about letter Uu.
Kids in the Hall
Because Pre-K kids are not allowed to ride the school bus, we had to miss out on the field trip all the big kids went on this week. But that doesn't mean we had to miss out on the fun! We took full advantage of the empty halls and turned Fulbright into our own exciting play place. We had relay races, played bean bag toss, went bowling, and played Hide and Seek in the library. I heard two kids declare it The Best Day Ever.
Genius at the Board
I just want to share these pictures from this week's round of Genius at the Board. Carolyn has been our champion more than anyone else. She is the killer combination of smart, quick, and competitive. But as you can see, she's also a great sport. Khloe beat her to the final correct answer and the whole classroom erupted in cheers. I love how this low stakes competition is fostering good sportsmanship. I'm very proud of them all.
Ready for Their Close-Up
Please be sure to thank Ms. Izard for arranging this special photo session for our kids. I can't wait to see how the pictures come out. When they are ready, I will share the link to the website in case you'd like to purchase additional pictures. The graduation portrait is on us.
Mother-Son Event
There is still time to get tickets to Fulbright's Mother-Son event at Big Rock Fun Park. This fun day is for Moms or Mom figures and any sons, not just those who attend Fulbright.
Yearbook
Yearbooks are only $20 and they make such great keepsakes. You can purchase one online here.
What's Up Next
April 20th: Mother/Son Event
April 19th: Mömandpöp Concert
May 10th: Field Day
May 16th: Pre-K Promotion
April 5, 2024
What We're Learning
This week was all about the eclipse! We read a few books and watched lots of videos showing the kids exactly what will be happening on the big day. Then, the kids made model eclipses, special "sunglasses," and even dramatized an eclipse. I really hope they get to see it now, because they are READY!
Teddy Bear Picnic
It was a perfect day to enjoy our lunch outdoors. The kids really had fun. Thanks to everyone who sent in a blanket for the occasion.
Graduation Portraits
Graduation Portraits will be taken first thing Friday morning, April 12th. Please have your child dressed nicely and hair combed. We are very lucky to have photographer Darrick Wilson taking the pictures. A free portrait will be provided at graduation as our gift to you. If you would like to purchase additional pictures, a website will be available later.
What's Up Next
April 8th: Solar Eclipse: School will be closed
April 12th: Graduation Portraits
April 13th: Mother/Son Event
April 19th: Mömandpöp Concert
May 10th: Field Day
May 16th: Pre-K Promotion
March 29, 2024
What We're Learning
This week, we learned about the letter Tt.
Spring Break
Looks like everybody had a great time away from school last week. The kids shared their adventures in pictures and words!
Science with Ms. Wendy
Even when we try to stay safe, sometimes accidents happen. Ms. Wendy taught the kids about what happens when we get hurt. First, the kids practiced putting Band-Aids on imaginary wounds. After that, everyone got to pretend to be a doctor, splinting a broken bone.
Math
In Math this week, we worked on basic addition. The kids used different colors of teddy bear counters to practice adding small numbers.
Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
Please help me shower Ms. Olivia with signs of our appreciation on April 3rd, Paraprofessional Appreciation Day. She is so great with the kids and they all really love her!
Teddy Bear Picnic
Next week, we will review the last five letters learned. April 4th will be letter Tt review day, so we will have a Teddy Bear picnic. Your child is welcome to bring a teddy bear or other stuffed friend to enjoy lunch with us. If anyone could send a picnic blanket, that would be great!
What's Up Next
March 29th: RIF #2
April 3rd: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
April 4th: Teddy Bear Picnic
April 13th: Mother/Son Event
May 10th: Field Day
May 16th: Pre-K Promotion
March 15, 2024
What We're Learning
This week, we learned about the letter Ss.
Taking Care of Myself
As part of our Growing Up Healthy unit, this week we focused on Taking Care of Myself. Nurse Sanchez came in to teach the kids about oral hygiene and how we can keep our teeth healthy. They learned about how sugary foods cause cavities, and the importance of proper brushing and flossing. Later, we played a Healthy or Stealthy game, guessing which items were good or bad for our teeth. For every correct answer, the kids got to choose a prize: toothbrush, toothpaste, or floss.
Science with Ms. Wendy
Ms. Wendy used healthy foods to teach the kids about mass and density during a Sink or Float experiment. The kids predicted what would happen to each item, tested it, then recorded their results. As you can see, they loved it.
Teddy Bear Picnic
To make letter Tt a bit more memorable, we will have a Teddy Bear picnic on April 4th. Your child is welcome to bring a teddy bear or other stuffed friend to enjoy lunch with us. If anyone could send a picnic blanket, that would be great!
Goodbye Dhiyaa
We are all so sad that our sweet friend Dhiyaa is leaving us. Especially her BFF, Kaylie. We wish Dhiyaa and her family the best of luck in their new lives. Texas is lucky to get you!
What's Up Next
March 18th–March 22th: Spring Break (Students Do Not Attend)
March 29th: RIF #2
April 3rd: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
April 4th: Teddy Bear Picnic
April 13th: Mother/Son Event
May 10th: Field Day
May 16th: Pre-K Promotion
March 8, 2024
What We're Learning
This week, we learned about the letter Rr.
Eating the Rainbow
I no longer teach the Food Pyramid. Instead, I teach my kids the importance of "eating the rainbow." We learned about the health benefits packed into each color of food (green for the bones, red for the heart, etc.). Thanks to everyone who contributed healthy foods so the kids could complete the lesson by actually eating the rainbow. Almost everyone loved it.
Graphing the Rainbow
To build some math into the lesson, we thought about which part of the rainbow tasted best. First, everyone made their prediction of which color would be most popular in the room. Then, each child drew the food they liked best, added to our class graph, and read the data. Can you guess which color was the fan fav? Lots of good learning out of a bag or two of fruit! Thank you!
What's Up Next
March 9th: Bright Night (Adult Fundraiser for Fulbright’s PTA)
March 18th–March 22th: Spring Break (Students Do Not Attend)
March 29th: RIF #2
April 3rd: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
April 4th: Teddy Bear Picnic
April 13th: Mother/Son Event
May 10th: Field Day
May 16th: Pre-K Promotion
March 1, 2024
What We're Learning
This week, we learned about the letter Qq.
Growing Up Healthy
Our new unit is called Growing Up Healthy. Our first focus area has been Our Five Senses. We talked about how using our senses to remain aware helps us stay safe and healthy. We did lots of fun activities and experiments, including using our sense of touch to identify mystery objects, using our sense of hearing to identify mystery sounds, and having a Smelling Bee, identifying common products with only our sense of smell.
Science with Ms. Wendy
Ms. Wendy pulled it all together by conducting an experiment that used all five senses. The kids explored all the properties of Pop Rocks and recorded their findings on a data sheet.
The Wind in the Willows
Did you know that we read a chapter of a chapter book every day before nap? It's such a great way to introduce rich vocabulary and develop comprehension skills. We just finished the classic The Wind in the Willows. As a special treat, we got some snacks and watched the short Disney movie version. The kids really enjoyed it.
Peer Tutoring
At this point in the year, several kids have mastered all of their letters. I'm taking advantage of their expertise by enlisting them to help their friends learn. If your child is still working on learning letter names, I encourage you to find some time to review all letters up to Qq at home. You might enlist a sibling or even rely on a website such as ABC Mouse or Starfall. We also sent home a packet of educational materials you can use to get them ready for kindergarten. It'll be here before you know it!
Safety Town
A perfect way to build on your child's Growing Up Healthy knowledge is the summer program Safety Town. The kids will learn valuable skills for navigating our dangerous world. Topics include crossing the street, riding a bike, home safety, dogs, and "tricky people." Registration opens on Monday, March 4th and will fill up fast. If your child is really lucky, he or she will get to learn from the fabulous Gay Wyatt, a teaching legend.
Eating the Rainbow
Next week, our letter of the week will be letter Rr and our focus topic will be Eating Healthy. I'd like to combine them by letting the kids "eat the rainbow." I will send a sign up if you would like to contribute food for it.
What's Up Next
March 1st: Father/Daughter Dance
March 9th: Bright Night (Adult Fundraiser for Fulbright’s PTA)
March 18th–March 22th: Spring Break (Students Do Not Attend)
March 29th: RIF #2
April 3rd: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
April 4th: Teddy Bear Picnic
April 13th: Mother/Son Event
May 10th: Field Day
May 16th: Pre-K Promotion
February 23, 2024
What We're Learning
This week, we learned about the letter Pp.
Papa Pre-K's Pizzeria
To make letter Pp more fun, we opened a new pizzeria center. We introduced it by reading a few books about pizza, including The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza. We even watched the Pizza Throwing Championship on YouTube. The kids loved it!
The Little Red Fort
The next day, we read The Little Red Fort, which follows the pattern of The Little Red Hen books. The kids then had to draw up plans to make a fort of their own. Finally, everyone got to gather supplies and get busy building. It was just the right amount of chaos. Everyone had a blast.
Pirate Day
Science with Ms. Wendy
This week's lesson gave the kids an opportunity to practice with the science tools they learned about last week. They deepened their explorations of states of matter and chemical reactions. They even revisited a lesson on color mixing by blending red and blue food coloring to make cool purple lava in their lemon volcanoes.
Father - Daughter Dance
I encourage you to get your tickets for this special event for girls and their special dates: dads, father figures, or moms are welcome! There will be a DJ, sweet snacks, and a fun Barbie theme. Tickets are available through the PTA page of the Fulbright Website. Tickets will also be available on the day of the event, but they will go up from $20 to $25 at the door.
What's Up Next
March 1st: Father/Daughter Dance
March 9th: Bright Night (Adult Fundraiser for Fulbright’s PTA)
March 18th–March 22th: Spring Break (Students Do Not Attend)
March 29th: RIF #2
April 3rd: Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
April 4th: Teddy Bear Picnic
April 13th: Mother/Son Event
May 10th: Field Day
May 16th: Pre-K Promotion
February 16, 2024
What We're Learning
This week, we learned about the letter Oo.
Science with Ms. Wendy
This week's lesson focused on proper use of various science tools. The kids got to explore pipettes and tweezers as they combined liquids and solids to create a gas. After their exploration, they recorded their data like good scientists.
Valentine's Day
Thanks to Sia, Nicole, and all the parents and grands who helped make our Valentine's Day party a big success. The kids had a great time and felt the joy of sharing cards and treats with their friends. Thanks also to everyone who shared treats with me and Ms. Olivia! We are set on chocolate for the rest of the year!
Pirate Day
Next week, we will move on to letter Pp. To make it a little extra memorable, we'll have a fun Pirate Day on Thursday, February 22nd. No need to go out and buy a costume. Jeans and a bandanna will do the trick. Please, no swords. I've had kids in the past ask if they could dress as a princess instead. They still learn the letter sound, so that's fine by me.
What's Up Next
February 19th: Presidents' Day (Students Do Not Attend)
February 22nd: Pirate Day for the “Letter P”
March 1st: Father/Daughter Dance
March 9th: Bright Night (Adult Fundraiser for Fulbright’s PTA)
March 18th–March 22th: Spring Break (Students Do Not Attend)
March 29th: RIF #2
February 9, 2024
What We're Learning
This week, we learned about the letter Nn.
Not-A-Box
After reading the imagination packed book Not A Box, the kids put their imaginations to work coming up with some cool 3-D art projects. They worked hard, turning boxes into racecars, trains, even unicorns. It was a great jumping off place for learning about all sorts of things, from shapes to safety features of vehicles (two kids thought to include seatbelts in their racecars!) to body parts. This is the kind of project that can only be done a few kids at a time, so if your child hasn't done his or hers yet, don't worry. Everyone who wants to do one will get a chance. Thanks for sending in materials so the learning could happen.
Science with Ms. Wendy
During our Imagine It, Make It unit, we talk a lot about color. For this lesson, Ms. Wendy taught the kids what it takes to make a rainbow, and the difference between a primary color and a secondary color. The kids got to practice color mixing with red, blue, and yellow paints to see what colors they could create. Telling a child yellow and red makes orange isn't the same as letting them see it happen with their own eyes. What a great experience!
What's Up Next
February 14th: Pre-K Valentine’s Party (10:45-12:00) See last week's newsletter for details
February 15th & 16th: Parent Teacher Conferences
February 19th: Presidents' Day (Students Do Not Attend)
February 22nd: Pirate Day for the “Letter P”
March 1st: Father/Daughter Dance
March 9th: Bright Night (Adult Fundraiser for Fulbright’s PTA)
March 18th–March 22th: Spring Break (Students Do Not Attend)
March 29th: RIF #2
February 2, 2024
What We're Learning
This week, we learned about the letter Mm.
Mr. Matthew
Even though we've moved on to our Imagine It, Make It unit, we were so happy to have another visit from Mr. Matthew. He wasn't able to make it last week, but he made up for lost time, expanding on the kids' prior knowledge of animal habitats. Always a fascinating lesson from our friends at Pinnacle Mountain State Park.
Science with Ms. Wendy
The kids became engineers, using their imaginations to concoct whatever kind of structures they desired. Then, they used marshmallows and toothpicks to take their ideas from imagination to reality. The kids really got creative and had a great time. I was so impressed that no two structures looked alike. We had houses, tents, ladders, even a human!
Valentine's Day
Our Valentine's Day party will be at 10:45 on February 14th. We will have lunch before the party; plan for that as usual. Be on the lookout for a sign up from our awesome Room Reps, Sia and Nicole. The kids will get a chance to pass out Valentines to their friends on that day.
- PLEASE send twenty valentines for your child to pass to his or her friends.
- PLEASE have your child's name in the from space.
- PLEASE leave the to space blank. You will not need a class list of names.
- PLEASE have your valentines here by Tuesday, February 13.
- PLEASE remember that we have allergies in the room. If your child's valentine will include a treat, no gummy candies or nuts of any kind.
- You do not have to provide a fancy Valentine box. The kids will decorate bags to hold their valentines and treats.
What's Up Next
February 14th: Pre-K Valentine’s Party (10:45-12:00)
February 15th & 16th: Parent Teacher Conferences
February 19th: Presidents' Day (Students Do Not Attend)
February 22nd: Pirate Day for the “Letter P”
March 1st: Father/Daughter Dance
March 9th: Bright Night (Adult Fundraiser for Fulbright’s PTA)
March 18th–March 22th: Spring Break (Students Do Not Attend)
March 29th: RIF #2
January 26, 2024
What We're Learning
This week, we learned about the letter Ll.
Science with Ms. Wendy
Our Awesome Animals focus this week has been Animal Habitats. We read loads of books and watched some educational videos to help the kids learn about all sorts of habitats. To finish the theme out, they got some hands-on learning with Ms. Wendy, creating these fun 3-D polar bear habitats. They are so cute I have them displayed on the wall here, but I'll send them home in a few weeks.
Vets for Pets
To close our Awesome Animals unit, we opened a new center for the kids to try out their new knowledge.
Imagine It, Make It
Our next unit is a fun one: Imagine It, Make It. The kids will get messy with lots of art and creative projects. For one project, each child will need a box, any size or shape. Please send in at least one box (more would be even better!) by Tuesday, January 30. I would also like to set up a new center called The Imagination Station where the kids can let their creativity run wild. If you can, please send in any odds and ends that can be incorporated in a work of art. Ideas include, but certainly aren't limited to: buttons, fabric scraps, old newspapers or magazines, old greeting cards, clean plastic tubs and lids, wrapping paper, paper towel tubes (NOT toilet paper tubes; they aren't allowed), old small toys, etc.
What's Up Next
February 14th: Pre-K Valentine’s Party (10:45-12:00)
February 15th & 16th: Parent Teacher Conferences
February 19th: Presidents' Day (Students Do Not Attend)
February 22nd: Pirate Day for the “Letter P”
March 1st: Father/Daughter Dance
March 9th: Bright Night (Adult Fundraiser for Fulbright’s PTA)
March 18th–March 22th: Spring Break (Students Do Not Attend)
March 29th: RIF #2
January 12, 2024
New Newsletter
I can't seem to resist packing each newsletter with 100 pictures. It's your kids' fault; tell them to stop being so cute. After a little while, it bogs the page down and makes it slow to load. This new page should run more smoothly, for a while anyway. The original newsletter page is still active in case you ever want to refer to it, but I will use this page for the rest of the year.
What We're Learning
This week, we learned about the letter Kk.
Science with Ms. Wendy
As part of our new Awesome Animals unit, I taught the kids ways some animals stay warm in extreme cold (things like fur, shelter, and huddling). Then, Ms. Wendy came in and did an experiment to test out one animal strategy. She had the kids dip their fingers in a bowl of ice water and see how long they could stay there comfortably. Then, they repeated the task with the same finger, but only after giving it a protective layer of blubber (Crisco). Considering the weather forecast, this seems to be an especially well timed lesson.
Awesome Animals
Meet Mr. Matthew, park interpreter from Pinnacle Mountain. He is so great! All throughout our Awesome Animals unit, Mr. Matthew will be here to teach the kids (and me!) tons of interesting info about animals. This week, he brought a treasure trove of animal shells, bones, hides, and even entire preserved bodies. The kids were fascinated. I encourage you to take your child to the Pinnacle Mountain Visitor Center where they can experience even more of the cool stuff the Natural State has to offer.
What's Up Next
January 15th: MLK Day (Students Do Not Attend School)
February 14th: Pre-K Valentine’s Party (10:45-12:00)
February 15th & 16th: Parent Teacher Conferences
February 19th: Presidents' Day (Students Do Not Attend)
February 22nd: Pirate Day for the “Letter P”
March 1st: Father/Daughter Dance
March 9th: Bright Night (Adult Fundraiser for Fulbright’s PTA)
March 18th–March 22th: Spring Break (Students Do Not Attend)
March 29th: RIF #2