Newsletter Collecting Leaves

Dear Families

We began our study of Fall or Autumn this week. We went for a walk around the Lewelling grounds and found many signs of the season. We found red, yellow, orange, brown, gold and purple leaves. The wind was blowing and we saw leaves flying, twirling, swirling and blowing. We felt the wind push and pull us. We thought the flying leaves looked like birds.

We are learning several songs and poems about Fall. The song: Leaves Are Falling; the poems: Red Leaves, Yellow Leaves, One by One, Down, Down Yellow and Brown, and Who Has Seen the Wind? We have read both fiction and nonfiction books about Fall.

Your child has a special Fall Homework assignment this weekend. Take your child on a fall walk around your home or neighborhood. Use the attached sack to gather fall leaves. Please gather a variety of leaves in a variety of colors. See if you can find some red, yellow, orange, gold and brown leaves. Enjoy noticing the signs of fall with your child. Then place the leaves between magazines or a heavy book — like a phone book. When the leaves are pressed flat, put them in the bag and return them to school next week. We will observe them, sort them, make a book about them and use them to make leaf rubbings.

Each day a new child is taking the ABC Challenge: this means that they challenge themselves to read The ABC Sign Language and Phonics Song. They say each letter, make the sound of each letter and name the key phonics object for each letter. The children have all made amazing progress. Some children only missed one or two letters on their first try. They just need a little more practice. If your child is still progressing on learning all their letters and sounds, please continue to help them practice everyday at home. Thank you for being partners with us in teaching your child.

We have recess everyday. When the weather is cold and rainy be sure your child wears a warm coat and hat so he or she will be comfortable at recess. It is also a good idea to label items like coats, sweaters, hats, gloves or mittens. If your child has already lost a clothing item, please come and check out the lost and found. It is overflowing already.

Warmly,

Taken from Joyful Learning in a Child's Garden: Celebrate Language and Accelerate Literacy by
Becky Leber and Nellie Edge.