Panda News Archive

November 2006 News

October in the Panda class was filled with traditional autumn themes. We learned about trees, leaves, and pumpkins. After our field trip to Prospect Hill farm and the pumpkin patch we utilized our pumpkins for exploring math. We measured the circumference using a tape measure and we counted how many lines each pumpkin had. Our next math theme will be numerals: what they symbolize and how to write them. We will make numeral books, which will be brought home when they are complete.
The Pandas enjoy eating their way through the alphabet. Snack has become a part of the letter of the week whenever possible. Pretzels and popcorn were our favorites during “P” week. During “T” week, we enjoyed Tostitos and Teddy Grahams. In conjunction with this idea, we will begin cooking every other Thursday, where the Pandas will cook a snack beginning with the letter of the week. The Pandas have enjoyed our theme days including our Teddy Bear picnic and Pajama Day. Our brainstorming lists have become steadily longer. Our first list for Ff included six words, compared to our list for Bb that had twenty-six words. We are really getting the hang of thinking of words that begin with the letter of the week. We have also had many imaginative items brought in on Fridays for Show and Tell- thank you for your assistance in helping your child bring in an appropriate item.
We read Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? during the week that we studied Bb. Afterwards, we wrote and illustrated our own version called, White Ghost, White Ghost, by changing the characters within the story to fit our Halloween theme. We also compared Brown, Bear to Eric Carle’s version of Panda Bear, Panda Bear. Our favorite Halloween story was Big Pumpkin. It is one of my favorites also as the little bat saves the day by suggesting that all of the characters show cooperation and work together in order to get the witch’s large pumpkin off of the vine.
The Pandas are very excited about the “popcorn words” that we have learned thus far. They enthusiastically bring books to point out these familiar words. The words that we have covered include: a, an, and, I, is, the, we, have, here. You can assist your child by pointing out these words wherever you see them. They independently notice these words in our daily morning message and when they are looking at books.
Another favorite weekly activity is Best Buddies. We have worked cooperatively to make a variety of projects including autumn acrostic poems and portraits of each other. It is impressive to watch the children work cooperatively on their projects.
I appreciate all of the assistance with homework. The Pandas are proud of their work when they bring it in to me.
November will lend itself to the study of Native Americans, and Thanksgiving. We will discuss the things that we are thankful for.
I look forward to seeing all of you at conferences. Your continued involvement and support are appreciated. As always, if you have any concerns or questions feel free to contact me.

Adrienne