December Newsletter

Hello Parents and Caregivers!

Here are some highlights of what will take place in our classroom over the next few weeks as we approach the end of the term.

Language
We’ll be talking and reading about winter holidays in class. Please let us know if you have any holiday traditions, books, music, stories or recipes that you would like to share with our class. Thanks! We will continue to motivate writing in the classroom by giving the children various purposes for writing. This month, we will try writing seasonal letters and cards to each other in class. If you have any old cards or stationary you would like to donate, we would be very appreciative. Please continue to support your children’s phonemic awareness by encouraging them to find particular letters in stories, or looking in a picture dictionary for words beginning with the letter of the week.

Math
This month we will begin our unit on two-dimensional shapes. We will also review the math concepts that we have been working on this term: sorting, patterning and basic number sense. You can practice these concepts at home by:
- asking your child to help sort the laundry;
- making up sound or movement patterns (e.g., use low/high voice, jump/clap, etc.) or making patterns with items found around the house (e.g., buttons, toothpicks, cotton balls, cheerios);
- counting different daily, household items (i.e. how many socks in the laundry basket or how many peas on your plate, etc.)
- finding and describing two-dimensional shapes around you (e.g., the table is shaped like a rectangle because two sides are shorter and two sides are longer).


Parent-Teacher Interviews
Thank you to all of you who came to Parent-Teacher interviews! It was a fantastic opportunity to discuss your child’s learning, and to get to know the families better. We always welcome your questions and comments, and we look forward to our continued partnership throughout the school year.

Mitten Tree and Food Drive
As every year, our school is collecting new, unused winter mittens, gloves and hats during the month of December. These donations will be displayed on our Mitten Tree before being given to charity. If you have any items you would like to donate, please send them in! We are also collecting non-perishable food items.

Clothing
As the cold weather is approaching, please ensure your child has the appropriate outdoor winter clothing. Boots and snow pants are needed for cold weather. Label items like hats and mittens with your child’s name, as these items often get misplaced. Thank you for helping your children to learn how to dress themselves in their outdoor clothing. At home, encourage your child to try and put on their winter coats, snowpants, boots, hats and mittens independently. Assist your child using verbal instructions instead of doing it for them.

Thanks!
- The Kindergarten Team