Happenings in the classroom...

Elisa, Yari, and Maria:

Colors all around! We will be reviewing the colors that we have learned in the past couple of weeks by mixing them together to make new ones. Mixing colors will be explored through paint, discussion, and a few favorite books such as, "Mouse Paint" and "White Rabbit's Color Book!" We look forward to another colorful month!

Meg and Marisa:

We have been studying our colors! We have completed orange, blue and yellow! When studying orange we discovered that mixing red and yellow makes orange! We had lots of fun making our own orange paint. When studying yellow, we painted yellow paper daffodils and added tissue paper for texture. We also painted yellow ducks that we counted in a row. We glued yellow feathers on them to make them soft like real ducks.

Natalie and Jennifer:

This month we been working on wrapping up our fall unit as well as continuing our weekly color theme. We also finished all prewriting and have started looking at the slphabet, one letter per week. We are learning words that begin with the letter A, the sound the letter A makes, and how to write letter A. We are incorporating science and math whenever we can, like the blue and yellow ice experiement and an introduction to measuring and graphing.

Natalie, Maria, and Judith:

We have been working on our color theme. For Halloween we made a black cat (gato negro) pinata. We are continuing with basic salutations in Spanish. Here are some of our new vocabulary words: Hola-Hello, Como estas?- How are you?, Muy bien gracias- I'm good, thanks!, Adios- Goodbye!, Nino- boy, Amigos-friends, Azul-Blue, Amarill- Yellow, Anaranjado- Orange, Rojo-Red, Verde-Green, Morado-Purple, Blanco- White, Negro- Black, Maron- Brown.

Notes from the office...

A BIG thank you to Minky Worden and Gordon Crovitz for opening up their home for the fall cocktail party. It was a wonderful evening and we hope you all enjoyed yourselves! If you are interested in hosting the spring cocktail party, please see Kevin or Debra.

Tuesday, November 4th is Parent/Teacher Conference Day. Conferences are 20 minutes and a sign up sheet is posted outside your child's classroom. School is closed but there will be childcare for your child during your conference.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUBS...The November Scholastic book club flyers were sent home in your child's message bag. If you are interested in ordering, please complete the order forms and return it with a check (made payable to SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB) by Wednesday, November 12th. You may now order online: www.scholastic.com/parentordering username: barclaystreet password: bookorders

Potty Talk... Overheard at BSS...

"Wow, yawns are contagious!" said by a girl after she yawned.

"Here's your soda, here's your beer!" said by a girl in the Dramatic Play area.

"This sweater is so cute...Just like me!"

"You see that? She snores just like my daddy!"

"I catch fish at whole foods" said while eating lunch and talking about fishing.

"I am an artist, but I can't do fancy things." Said while talking about a museum.

Teacher asked, "What does a hotdog taste like?" children respond in unison, "Chicken!"

November Birthdays

Elisa, Yari & Maria's Class:

Simone Raleigh - November 30th

Meg & Marisa's Class:

Emilio Scotti - November 21st

Katelyn Foley - November 30th

Natalie & Jennifer's Class:

Joseph Tracy - November 4th

Ava Wallis - November 14th

Nour Kastoun - November 25th

BABY ON THE WAY...

Congratulations JENNIFER INWRIGHT! Jennifer is expecting her first child February 12th, 2009!

Recipe Corner...

How to make BLUE pudding

1. Pour pudding mix into bowl

2. Add 2 cups of cold milk

3. Mix for 2 minutes with a wire whisk

4. Add several drops of BLUE food coloring to pudding

5. Mix food coloring and pudding together

6. Pour pudding into cups

7. Place in refirgerator for 5 minutes

8. Serve and Enjoy!

Picture Day...

Friday, November 14th... PICTURE DAY at the Barclay Street School.

All children will get their individual and class picture taken on November 14th. Please be on time...we will take the group shot first and then individuals.

9:00am-10:00am Natalie & Jennifer's Class

10:00am-11:00am Elisa & Yari's AM Class (arrive 9:45am)

11:00am-12:00pm Meg & Marisa's Class (arrive at 10:45)

1:15-1:45pm Elisa & Yari's PM Class (arrive 1pm)

Sounds of The Barclay Street School

"RED" (Tune: Are you Sleeping?)

R-E-D RED, R-E-D RED

I can spell RED, I can spell RED!

Fire trucks are RED

Stop signs are RED too

R-E-D, R-E-D

"Pretty Ladybug"

Ladybug has 1 black spot, 1 black spot, 1 black spot.

Ladybug has 1 black spot, Pretty ladybug!

Ladybug has 2 black spots, 2 black spots, 2 black spots.

Ladybug has 2 black spots, Pretty ladybug!

Ladybug has 3... (continue on through 5)

Routines for learning...

Activities to Encourage and Teach Giving

The Gift of Time

Not all families feel that they can donate money to worthy causes or even that giving money is the most effective way to help individuals or organizations. Sometimes, a more personal commitment of time to help those in need can be a meaningful way to teach children to be less selfish and to be more grateful. Help your child to see that one does not always have to be paid in order to do a service for others. Kindness and unselfishness can be nutured in children though example and encouragement. *TRY THIS: Volunteer at a local charity or soup kitchen and explain to your child how important it is to give back something of waht we have been given. Help children to think of their own volunteer projects- making craft items or toys for a hospital, doing yard work for an ederly neighbor, cleaning up a vacant lot near your home, or volunterring to watch and care for someone else's pet while she is on vacation. Work at a soup kitchen or civic organzization during the holidays or regularly. As a family, volunteer to be bell-ringers for the Salvation Army during the holidays.

"Pass-It-On Field Trip"

If you donate to a charity such as United Way or World Vision, discuss with your child the importance of sharing and supporting those who have experienced the tragedies of war, famine, and natural disasters. Even young children can understand the idea of the "Golden Rule"- that we help others because we realize how grateful we would be to receive such help in similar circumstances. *TRY THIS: WHen a child outgrows clothing and shoes, let them help pack their used items with other family clothes or household goods that are no longer needed, and take a family trip to Goodwill or Salvation Army. Ask the workers there to explain to your children what happens to the clothing and other household items and why it is important that the community support these organiziations.

Share the joy

Children exhibit much natural job and affection. Nowhere are those lovely, youthful qualities more appreciated than at nursing homes. *TRY THIS: If you already have friends or relatives at nursing homes, it is natural to take your children with you to visit and bring comfort to those living there. If your children are learning piano or other instruments, they can play for the residents. Not only will they find a willing audience for their hard work in learning their instruments, they will also experience the simple joy of bringing happiness to others through donation of a little time and effort.

Reading is Caring

Visit a nursing home. Children can read books to residents.

"Nudging" Questions

Lectures on caring, politeness, kindness, and so on rarely acocomplishes what parents intend- changes in behavior. A simple question repeated each day over a period of time can accomplish much in the way of letting your child know what you value about lecturing. Lecture on caring, politeness, kindness. *TRY THIS: Ask your child a question at dinner or when he/she comes home from school. A question such as, "Who were you especially nice to today?" or "Did you help anyone today?" At first the question may seem strange to the child. If there is no response or the child says, "No one," just move on to discussion of the day's events or the task at hand. Don't make a big deal of it. Ask again the next day. Soon the child will begin to notice their own kind of deeds or find ways to be more helpful or kind.

Reading and Discussing Children's Books

There are a number of children's books that depict story characters giving, being unselfish, and showing compassion. Reading these books together and discussing the themes can help children understand your values and beliefs.



	November 2008 Happenings in the classroom... Elisa, Yari, and Maria: Colors all around! We will be reviewing the colors that we have learned in the past couple of weeks by mixing them together to make new ones. Mixing colors will be explored through paint, discussion, and a few favorite books such as, "Mouse Paint" and "White Rabbit's Color Book!" We look forward to another colorful month! Meg and Marisa: We have been studying our colors! We have completed orange, blue and yellow! When studying orange we discovered that mixing red and yellow makes orange! We had lots of fun making our own orange paint. When studying yellow, we painted yellow paper daffodils and added tissue paper for texture. We also painted yellow ducks that we counted in a row. We glued yellow feathers on them to make them soft like real ducks. Natalie and Jennifer: This month we been working on wrapping up our fall unit as well as continuing our weekly color theme. We also finished all prewriting and have started looking at the slphabet, one letter per week. We are learning words that begin with the letter A, the sound the letter A makes, and how to write letter A. We are incorporating science and math whenever we can, like the blue and yellow ice experiement and an introduction to measuring and graphing. Natalie, Maria, and Judith: We have been working on our color theme. For Halloween we made a black cat (gato negro) pinata. We are continuing with basic salutations in Spanish. Here are some of our new vocabulary words: Hola-Hello, Como estas?- How are you?, Muy bien gracias- I'm good, thanks!, Adios- Goodbye!, Nino- boy, Amigos-friends, Azul-Blue, Amarill- Yellow, Anaranjado- Orange, Rojo-Red, Verde-Green, Morado-Purple, Blanco- White, Negro- Black, Maron- Brown. Notes from the office... A BIG thank you to Minky Worden and Gordon Crovitz for opening up their home for the fall cocktail party. It was a wonderful evening and we hope you all enjoyed yourselves! If you are interested in hosting the spring cocktail party, please see Kevin or Debra. Tuesday, November 4th is Parent/Teacher Conference Day. Conferences are 20 minutes and a sign up sheet is posted outside your child's classroom. School is closed but there will be childcare for your child during your conference. SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUBS...The November Scholastic book club flyers were sent home in your child's message bag. If you are interested in ordering, please complete the order forms and return it with a check (made payable to SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB) by Wednesday, November 12th. You may now order online: www.scholastic.com/parentordering username: barclaystreet password: bookorders Potty Talk... Overheard at BSS... "Wow, yawns are contagious!" said by a girl after she yawned. "Here's your soda, here's your beer!" said by a girl in the Dramatic Play area. "This sweater is so cute...Just like me!" "You see that? She snores just like my daddy!" "I catch fish at whole foods" said while eating lunch and talking about fishing. "I am an artist, but I can't do fancy things." Said while talking about a museum. Teacher asked, "What does a hotdog taste like?" children respond in unison, "Chicken!" November Birthdays Elisa, Yari & Maria's Class: Simone Raleigh - November 30th Meg & Marisa's Class: Emilio Scotti - November 21st Katelyn Foley - November 30th Natalie & Jennifer's Class: Joseph Tracy - November 4th Ava Wallis - November 14th Nour Kastoun - November 25th BABY ON THE WAY... Congratulations JENNIFER INWRIGHT! Jennifer is expecting her first child February 12th, 2009! Recipe Corner... How to make BLUE pudding 1. Pour pudding mix into bowl 2. Add 2 cups of cold milk 3. Mix for 2 minutes with a wire whisk 4. Add several drops of BLUE food coloring to pudding 5. Mix food coloring and pudding together 6. Pour pudding into cups 7. Place in refirgerator for 5 minutes 8. Serve and Enjoy! Picture Day... Friday, November 14th... PICTURE DAY at the Barclay Street School. All children will get their individual and class picture taken on November 14th. Please be on time...we will take the group shot first and then individuals. 9:00am-10:00am Natalie & Jennifer's Class 10:00am-11:00am Elisa & Yari's AM Class (arrive 9:45am) 11:00am-12:00pm Meg & Marisa's Class (arrive at 10:45) 1:15-1:45pm Elisa & Yari's PM Class (arrive 1pm) Sounds of The Barclay Street School "RED" (Tune: Are you Sleeping?) R-E-D RED, R-E-D RED I can spell RED, I can spell RED! Fire trucks are RED Stop signs are RED too R-E-D, R-E-D "Pretty Ladybug" Ladybug has 1 black spot, 1 black spot, 1 black spot. Ladybug has 1 black spot, Pretty ladybug! Ladybug has 2 black spots, 2 black spots, 2 black spots. Ladybug has 2 black spots, Pretty ladybug! Ladybug has 3... (continue on through 5) Routines for learning... Activities to Encourage and Teach Giving The Gift of Time Not all families feel that they can donate money to worthy causes or even that giving money is the most effective way to help individuals or organizations. Sometimes, a more personal commitment of time to help those in need can be a meaningful way to teach children to be less selfish and to be more grateful. Help your child to see that one does not always have to be paid in order to do a service for others. Kindness and unselfishness can be nutured in children though example and encouragement. TRY THIS: Volunteer at a local charity or soup kitchen and explain to your child how important it is to give back something of waht we have been given. Help children to think of their own volunteer projects- making craft items or toys for a hospital, doing yard work for an ederly neighbor, cleaning up a vacant lot near your home, or volunterring to watch and care for someone else's pet while she is on vacation. Work at a soup kitchen or civic organzization during the holidays or regularly. As a family, volunteer to be bell-ringers for the Salvation Army during the holidays. "Pass-It-On Field Trip"* If you donate to a charity such as United Way or World Vision, discuss with your child the importance of sharing and supporting those who have experienced the tragedies of war, famine, and natural disasters. Even young children can understand the idea of the "Golden Rule"- that we help others because we realize how grateful we would be to receive such help in similar circumstances. TRY THIS: WHen a child outgrows clothing and shoes, let them help pack their used items with other family clothes or household goods that are no longer needed, and take a family trip to Goodwill or Salvation Army. Ask the workers there to explain to your children what happens to the clothing and other household items and why it is important that the community support these organiziations. Share the joy* Children exhibit much natural job and affection. Nowhere are those lovely, youthful qualities more appreciated than at nursing homes. TRY THIS: If you already have friends or relatives at nursing homes, it is natural to take your children with you to visit and bring comfort to those living there. If your children are learning piano or other instruments, they can play for the residents. Not only will they find a willing audience for their hard work in learning their instruments, they will also experience the simple joy of bringing happiness to others through donation of a little time and effort. Reading is Caring* Visit a nursing home. Children can read books to residents. "Nudging" Questions Lectures on caring, politeness, kindness, and so on rarely acocomplishes what parents intend- changes in behavior. A simple question repeated each day over a period of time can accomplish much in the way of letting your child know what you value about lecturing. Lecture on caring, politeness, kindness. TRY THIS: Ask your child a question at dinner or when he/she comes home from school. A question such as, "Who were you especially nice to today?" or "Did you help anyone today?" At first the question may seem strange to the child. If there is no response or the child says, "No one," just move on to discussion of the day's events or the task at hand. Don't make a big deal of it. Ask again the next day. Soon the child will begin to notice their own kind of deeds or find ways to be more helpful or kind. Reading and Discussing Children's Books* There are a number of children's books that depict story characters giving, being unselfish, and showing compassion. Reading these books together and discussing the themes can help children understand your values and beliefs.