Week of March 27, 2023

Reminders 

Mark your calendars

    ~ Easter Recess March 31st –April 14^th

    ~ Students return Monday, April 17, 2023

    ~Please remember to send sleeping mats to school

    ~ PreK for All Dismissal at 2:45PM

 

~Always make sure to read the OLQM School Blog for additional information, located HERE!

~If you have any questions or concerns, you can email me at MrsHernandez@olqmnyc.org

I will do my best to answer at the end of the day.

 

Unit Topic:

Light 

Essential Question for the Unit:

How and why do we use different kinds of light? 

 

Focus Questions for this Week:

What are shadows? 

Focused Learning Activity for this Week

Who’s shadow is this?

The teacher will point student’s shadows out to them during outdoor time. They will show them how their shadows move in the same way and at the same time they do.  Students will be encouraged to watch their shadows as they move their bodies. They will be asked to pause and pose. The teacher will take pictures of the students and their shadows.  Students will then be able to match the classmate to their shadow and discuss what makes a shadow. 

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.SCI.9. [P-PS3-1.] Participates in an investigation to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface

The teacher will ask the following HOTS Questions;

What can you tell me about your shadow?

How are shadows made?

DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION

For all children to be successful, multiple entry points will be considered. The teacher will tailor instruction to the needs of each individual student. 

For example, 

•         Repeat directions

•         Extend time

•         Preview questions (if applicable)

•         Provide 1:1 support

•         Adapt materials

  

Foundational Text for the Week: 

Moonbear’s Shadow by Frank Asch 

The link to the foundational texts HERE!! 

Questions that will be asked throughout the week related to the foundational text: 

Level 1: Recall 

What was Bear doing when he first noticed his shadow? 

Why did Bear want to get rid of his shadow?

What are some of the ways Bear tried to get rid of his shadow?

  

Level 2: Skill/Concept 

What makes shadows? 

Why did Bear’s shadow move when bear moved?

Is it possible to get rid of a shadow? Why or why not?

 

Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Bear felt very annoyed when he could not get rid of his shadow. Are there things that make you feel annoyed? What are they? 

Bear talked to his shadow. Can shadows listen? Can shadows answer questions? Why or why not?

 

Level 4: Extended Thinking

When it was noon and the sun was high in the sky, Bear’s shadow was gone. Why? 

When can you see your shadow?

How can you make your shadow go away?

  

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- Students are invited to explore how they might use blocks and a flashlight to create shadow letters. 

Pretend Play- Students will be able to use flashlights for shadow play.

Art- Students will be invited to create sun catchers with tissue paper and paint. 

Science- Students will be able to use the light table to look at x-rays and an assortment of translucent objects.

Math- Students will be able to match shape manipulatives with their shadow.

Library- Students are invited to read books about our theme, light.

Writing- Students are invited to use a trace and draw projector

Sensory- Students will be able to play with their own individual containers of play-doh.

If there are any questions regarding the Pre-K for All program that cannot be answered by the office or classroom teacher, please feel free to contact the Help Line at 888-227-8175

 

 

Week of March 19, 2023

Reminders 

Mark your calendars

    ~ School Closed on Friday, March 24th

    ~ Easter Recess March 31st –April 14th

    ~Please remember to send sleeping mats to school

~ PreK for All Dismissal at 2:45PM

 

~Always make sure to read the OLQM School Blog for additional information, located HERE!

~If you have any questions or concerns, you can email me at MrsHernandez@olqmnyc.org

I will do my best to answer at the end of the day.

 

Unit Topic:

Light 

Essential Question for the Unit:

How and why do we use different kinds of light? 

 

Focus Questions for this Week:

What are shadows? 

Focused Learning Activity for this Week

The teacher will point student’s shadows out to them during outdoor time. They will show them how their shadows move in the same way and at the same time they do.  Students will be encouraged to watch their shadows as they move their bodies. They will be asked to pause and pose. The teacher will take pictures of the students and their shadows.  Students will then be able to match the classmate to their shadow and discuss what makes a shadow. 

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed:

PK.SCI.9. [P-PS3-1.] Participates in an investigation to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface

The teacher will ask the following HOTS Questions;

What can you tell me about your shadow?

How are shadows made?

DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION

For all children to be successful, multiple entry points will be considered. The teacher will tailor instruction to the needs of each individual student. 

For example,

 

•         Repeat directions

•         Extend time

•         Preview questions (if applicable)

•         Provide 1:1 support

•         Adapt materials

  

Foundational Text for the Week: 

Moonbear’s Shadow by Frank Asch 

The link to the foundational texts HERE!! 

Questions that will be asked throughout the week related to the foundational text: 

Level 1: Recall 

What was Bear doing when he first noticed his shadow? 

Why did Bear want to get rid of his shadow?

What are some of the ways Bear tried to get rid of his shadow?

  

Level 2: Skill/Concept 

What makes shadows? 

Why did Bear’s shadow move when bear moved?

Is it possible to get rid of a shadow? Why or why not?

 

Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Bear felt very annoyed when he could not get rid of his shadow. Are there things that make you feel annoyed? What are they? 

Bear talked to his shadow. Can shadows listen? Can shadows answer questions? Why or why not?

 

Level 4: Extended Thinking

When it was noon and the sun was high in the sky, Bear’s shadow was gone. Why? 

When can you see your shadow?

How can you make your shadow go away?

  

Lessons and activities for the week:

Blocks- Students are invited to explore how they might use blocks and a flashlight to create shadow letters. 

Pretend Play- Students will be able to use flashlights for shadow play.

Art- Students will be invited to create sun catchers with tissue paper and paint. 

Science- Students will be able to use the light table to look at x-rays and an assortment of translucent objects.

Math- Students will be able to match shape manipulatives with their shadow.

Library- Students are invited to read books about our theme, light.

Writing- Students are invited to use a trace and draw projector

Sensory- Students will be able to play with their own individual containers of play-doh.

 

🌞Week of March 13, 2023 🌞

Reminders

Mark your calendars 📅

 

• School Dismissal for all students in all grades will be at 2:45 PM

• Friday, March 17, 2023, St. Patrick's Day School is Closed All Grades All Classes.

• No Summer Programs will be offered this summer. 

Always make sure to read the OLQM School Blog for additional information, located HERE!

If you have any questions or concerns, you can email me at MrsHernandez@olqmnyc.org

I will do my best to answer at the end of the day.

 

Unit Topic:

Light 💡

 

Essential Question for the Unit:

How and why do we use different kinds of light?

 

Focus Questions for this Week:

How does light help us?

 

Focused Learning Activity for this Week 

Seeds Experiment

The teacher will invite the children to plant seeds. The teacher will place half of the planted seeds in an area that gets sunlight and the other half in an area that is dark. The children will be encouraged to predict which seeds are most likely to grow and why. The planted seeds will be monitored periodically. The teacher will refer to the children’s predictions to conclude the experiment. The children will be invited to discuss and graph the results.

 

Critical thinking questions/statements:

What do you think plants need to grow?

I wonder what would happen if plants do not get sunlight/to get sunlight ____? How do you know?

Which seeds are most likely to grow and why?

 

DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION

For all children to be successful, multiple entry points will be considered. The teacher will tailor instruction to the needs of each individual student.

 

For example,

•         Repeat directions

•         Extend time

•         Preview questions (if applicable)

•         Provide 1:1 support

•         Adapt materials

 

Foundational text for the week: 🕮

Kitten and the Night Watchman by John Sullivan

The link to the foundational texts HERE!! 

Questions that will be asked throughout the week related to the foundational text:

 

Level 1: Recall

What are some of the things the night watchman does at work? What does the night watchman find at work?

What does the night watchman do with the kitten he finds at work?

 

Level 2: Skill/Concept

When does the night watchman do his job?

When the night watchman starts working, it is sunny. What happens to the sun while the watchman is working?

 

Level 3: Strategic Thinking

The night watchman works at night. When do you think he sleeps? What would you think about working at night and sleeping during the day?

 

Level 4: Extended Thinking

What types of light help the night watchman do his job?

What types of light help you? What do they help you do?

 

Lesson and activities for the week:

Blocks- Students are invited to explore how they might use blocks and a flashlight to create shadow letters.

Pretend Play- Students will be able to use flashlights for shadow play inside a tent.

Art- The teacher will read the book Round Trip by Ann Jonas.  After reading the book, children will be provided with black and white paper to create a picture.  Children will be encouraged to cut or rip the paper and use glue to assemble the art. The teacher will use vocabulary words such as straight and wavy to describe the lines that they make. 

Science- Students will be able to use the light table to look at x-rays and an assortment of translucent objects.

Math- The teacher will supply translucent plastic drinking cups in a variety of colors. Children will be invited to create patterns with the cups. 

Library- Students are invited to read books about our theme, light.

Writing- The children will be invited to use a hole puncher to create letters on pieces of paper. The teacher will allow children to place the papers over the light table to explore the letters and light.

Sensory- The teacher will line the bottom of the sensory table with tin foil and add water as well as glass beads, containers, scoops, etc. The teacher will invite children to explore, sort, and enjoy.

 

If there are any questions regarding the Pre-K for All program that cannot be answered by the office or classroom teacher, please feel free to contact the Help Line at 888-227-8175

 

 🌞Week of March 6, 2023🌞 

Reminders 

Mark your calendars

 -School Dismissal for all students in all grades will be at 2:45 PM

 -On Thursday, March 9th - National Barbie Day!- Students may dress up as their favorite character. 

 -On Friday, March 10th - National Mario Day! - Student may dress up as their favorite character. 

 -A new end-of-year calendar will be sent home this week so that June will be a smooth month for your child's last days of school. 

 -No Summer Programs will be offered this Summer. 

 -Always make sure to read the OLQM School Blog for additional information, located HERE!

If you have any questions or concerns, you can email me at MrsHernandez@olqmnyc.org

I will do my best to answer at the end of the day. 

Unit Topic:

Light 💡

Essential Question for the Unit:

How and why do we use different kinds of light?

Focus Questions for this Week:

What is darkness?

Focused Learning Activity for the Week:

Pattern Activity

The teacher will provide translucent plastic drinking cups in a variety of colors. Children will be invited to create patterns with the cups on a light table.  The teacher will encourage children to duplicate AB and ABC patterns strips. 

The teacher will ask the following HOTS Questions:

How do you know something is a pattern?

Where do you see patterns? 

How did you figure out each pattern?

Pre-K Common Core Learning Standard Addressed: PK. MATH.9. [NY-PK.OA.2.] Duplicates and extends simple patterns using concrete objects (e.g., what comes next?) 

DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION

For all children to be successful, multiple entry points will be considered. The teacher will tailor instruction to the needs of each individual student. 

For example, 

       •         Repeat directions

       •         Extend time 

       •         Preview questions (if applicable)

       •         Provide 1:1 support 

       •         Adapt materials 

If children need help during Pattern Strips, then the teacher will help them start and verbalize an AB pattern, such as red/blue, red/blue, red/blue, and encourage them to keep going with (“extend”) the pattern. The teacher will review how a pattern’s core unit repeats.  

If children need a challenge during Pattern Strips, then the teacher will encourage them to make up their own patterns, or provide more difficult pattern strips. 

Foundational text for the week: 

Blackoutby John Rocco 

The link to the foundational texts HERE!!                                   

Questions that will be asked throughout the week related to the foundational text:

Level 1: Recall  

What did the family do when the lights went out? What did the family find on the roof? 

What did the family find on the street? 

Level 2: Skill/Concept 

Why did everyone stop what they were doing when the lights went out?

How do you think the kid felt at the very first second when the lights went out?

At first it seemed like the kid was very ____ about the lights going out. How do you think they felt about it later?

What did the kid do when the lights came back on? Why do you think they did that?  

Level 3: Strategic Thinking  

When the lights went out the family stayed inside for a bit, went up to the roof and hung out with their neighbors, went to the party on the street, and ate ice cream together. Which thing that they did sounds like the most fun to you? Why?

In this story, the lights went out at night. What do you think might have been different about this story if the lights went out during the day? Why? 

Level 4: Extended Thinking 

Do you prefer light or darkness? Why?

If you were home with your family or friends at night and the lights went out, what do you think the people in your family/your friends would say and do?

Lesson and activities for the week:

Blocks- Students are invited to explore how they might use blocks and a flashlight to create shadow letters.  

Pretend Play- Students will be able to use flashlights for shadow play inside a tent.   

Art- The teacher will read the book Round Trip by Ann Jonas.  After reading the book, children will be provided with black and white paper to create a picture.  Children will be encouraged to cut or rip the paper and use glue to assemble the art. The teacher will use vocabulary words such as straight and wavy to describe the lines that they make.  

 Science- Students will be able to use the light table to look at x-rays and an assortment of translucent objects.    

Math- The teacher will supply translucent plastic drinking cups in a variety of colors. Children will be invited to create patterns with the cups.

Library- Students are invited to read books about our theme, light.   

Writing- The children will be invited to use a hole puncher to create letters on pieces of paper. The teacher will allow children to place the papers over the light table to explore the letters and light. 

Sensory- The teacher will line the bottom of the sensory table with tin foil and add water as well as glass beads, containers, scoops, etc. The teacher will invite children to explore, sort, and enjoy.

As always, please make sure to read the OLQM school blog for additional updates and information HERE!!