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10/09/26

Dear Preschool Families,

We have had a wonderful two weeks in our classroom! The children are exploring new concepts, strengthening their communication skills, and working together every day. Here is a look at what we’ve been up to and what’s coming up next.

Creative Curriculum: Balls Study

We’re making great progress with our Balls Unit! The children have loved investigating different textures, sizes, and ways that balls bounce and roll.

As we progress through the Creative Curriculum, our upcoming focus will shift to deeper hands-on investigations:

• Investigation 3: Who uses balls?
  • We will explore how different community members, athletes, and workers use balls in their daily jobs and recreation.
  • Classroom activities: Sorting sports gear, matching balls to their corresponding activities or tools, and learning about teamwork.
• Investigation 4: What are balls made of?
  • Children will become young scientists as they examine the physical properties of various materials (rubber, plastic, foam, leather, and fabric).
  • Classroom activities: Comparing heavy vs. light balls, testing which materials float or sink, and measuring bounce heights across different surfaces.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) & Social Thinking

In our Second Step lessons, children are focusing on learning to verbalize their wants and needs. We are practicing clear communication skills, encouraging students to use strong, polite words when asking for help, sharing toys, or setting personal boundaries with peers.

Through our We Thinkers! social concepts with Dr. O, we are emphasizing body control and understanding what it means to be part of the “Group Plan” (the We).

• Group Plan vs. My Plan: Understanding how working together keeps the classroom safe and fun for everyone.
• Body in the Group: Keep your eyes, ears, and body turned toward our group activities so everyone stays connected. 

During the month of October, our whole school is focusing on the character trait of Integrity.

Literacy: Heggerty Phonemic Awareness

Our daily Heggerty Phonemic Awareness routines are paying off! The children’s foundational phonemic skills are becoming solidly solidified. Everyday drills include:

• Rhyming Recognition & Production: Identifying words that end with the same sounds.
• Onset Fluency: Isolating initial (beginning) sounds in familiar words.
• Blending & Segmenting: Combining individual syllables and sounds to form whole words, laying a strong groundwork for early reading!

Important Reminders & Updates

• NO SCHOOL: Please remember that there is no school on Monday and Tuesday. Enjoy the extended weekend with your families!
• Parent-Teacher Conferences: A huge thank you to everyone who signed up for conferences! It was wonderful to connect with each of you to celebrate your child’s growth and progress.

Have a restful and enjoyable long weekend! We can’t wait to welcome everyone back on Wednesday!

Warmly,

The Preschool Team