UPKFA - 1 CLASS NEWS
Ms. Rosario

Student's Presentation on project - Sources of Water

           

                           

         


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UNIT OF WATER

This month we will be exploring “Water.” In this unit, children move from thinking critically about light, darkness and shadows to an exploration of the properties and uses of water. This unit provides opportunities for children to observe objects and phenomena in their environment with increasing complexity. Activities throughout the unit prompt children to learn about water through hands-on explorations and provide opportunities to observe water in their immediate environment. In the Water unit, children begin by considering where we can find water. Children will observe, discuss and explore water in their classrooms and throughout their environment such as bodies of water and weather. In the second week, children will focus on changes in water temperature. They will explore and observe ice and water at different temperatures and perform experiments with water and ice. In the third week, children will think about how objects are affected when they are placed in water. This will lead them to think critically about why some items float and some sink.

There are also opportunities in this unit to learn about substances that dissolve or expand in water (like salt and sponges). In the final week of the unit, children will have learning  experiences and do activities that encourage them to think about how water helps living things. Children will enjoy literature, engage in discussions around stories, and retell and act out stories they have read. Children will build on what they know about water through informational texts. They will explore new vocabulary words such as “hydrate” and “condensation” to continue to develop their language skills as they engage in scientific explorations and thinking.

This month, we will explore the following focus questions together:
What does water do?
Where can we find water?
What happens to water when it changes temperature?
What happens when we put things in water?
How does water help us?

Calendar Reminders:

• Monday, February 21 and Tuesday, February 22 - No School in honor of President's Day
• Friday, February 25 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - 11:15am Dismissal

Study for the Month
January/February

Unit 5:  Transportation

     In this unit, children read about and discuss what modes of transportation they use (including motorized vehicles, non-motorized vehicles and other modes like walking). Children begin to think about how different kinds of transportation are similar and different. This is an opportunity to compare and contrast the attributes of different modes of transportation; children can explore the science of how vehicles move according to their interest levels.  Children will also observe objects and phenomena in their environment with increasing complexity through hands-on activities in the classroom and in the community. Children will observe and explore vehicle operators such as bus drivers, conductors, taxi drivers, pilots, fire fighters, police officers, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and other community helpers.  Abstract ideas such as safety, traffic and rules will also be explored. Throughout the unit, various ways public transportation can be accessible to people with disabilities, for example, wheelchair ramps on buses and elevators in subway stations will be highlighted.  

This month, we will explore the following focus questions together:

How does my community use various modes of transportation?

What kinds of transportation do I use and why?

How are various modes of transportation similar and different?

Who operates the vehicles in my community?

How do we stay safe when using transportation?

December News
Unit of Study: Where We Live

This month we will be exploring “Where We Live.”  In our last unit, All About Us, children explored ideas of identity and belongings as they learned about themselves and the people around them.  In this unit, Where We Live, children move from inquiring and thinking critically about themselves, their classmates, and their family to the spaces that those people inhabit.  The children will develop a concept and awareness of the diversity of living environments and explore how New Yorkers live in many types of homes and buildings.  Additionally, in this unit children inquire and learn about the homes of animals, both pets living in homes with the children and those animals that create their own homes.

This month, we will explore the following focus questions together:

• Where do the people and animals around me?
• Where do I live?  Where do my family members live?
• Where do people and animals live?
• What types of homes do people in my city (NYC) live in?
• How do people and animals make home?

Important Dates:

December 3rd - parent teacher conferences- dismissal at 11:15 am

December 22nd -half day 

Winter Recess Starts December 23rd to January 2nd

January 3rd school resumes





    

Unit of Study:  My Senses

We are excited to begin our unit:  My Five Senses.  Pre-K children naturally use their senses to explore the world around them.  In our class, your child will have the opportunity to develop a wide variety of skills by using his/her senses in hands on learning and play.  In this unit we are working on developing children’s abilities to take in information about the world through sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch.  Children are active learners; they have been exploring their environment through their senses since birth.  We encourage the children to see themselves as scientists and to make observations and predictions using information that they take in through their senses.  We also use our senses to stay safe and will be talking about this throughout the study.  We will learn about being careful and remembering not to touch sharp objects, things that are hot or things that are very dirty and might make us sick. 

Family Engagement
 You can help with this!  Ask your child about some of the things outside of school or at home that are too dangerous to touch.  How do we use our sense of sight, smell and hearing to stay safe? Have your child respond in complete sentences. 
 

REMINDER:  October 28th is picture day!!

Welcome to PKFA - 1 Class News


   My name is Ms. Rosario and I will be child’s teacher.  My email is rrosario@saintgabrielschoolbronx.org.  The summer has drawn to a close, and another school year is about to begin.  I hope each and every one has had a relaxing summer. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as your child’s teacher in PreK and to tell you that I am looking forward to the pleasure of working together with your child and you.  I realize that teaching your child is a privilege, as well as a tremendous responsibility. I will do my best this year to ensure that each student has a motivating and safe learning experience in the classroom. However, I cannot do this alone. I need your help. We both need to be partners in the learning process. I will need your cooperation in order to make your child’s transition from home to school is successful every day. Please voice your concerns to me as soon as they come up. I will be sure to communicate mine with you. I would also like to know of any changes going on at home, which might affect your child’s behavior. A parent leaving on a business trip, illness, visiting relatives or a nightmare may show up in the classroom as tantrums, tears, excitement, or sadness. I can best help your child adjust if I know why he or she is feeling out of sorts. I consider parents to be members of our classroom family, and your support and involvement is vital to your child’s development.

PreK is the beginning of an amazing learning journey. My class will be a joyful and caring community of friends, a place where all children feel valued and can blossom socially, emotionally, physically, and academically. My goal is to provide a kind and nurturing environment, instill a love of learning and create a community of “happy” PreK students. This year we will be busy learning through hands-on activities, group work, and many creative projects. PreK is a fun and exciting place to make new friends and explore this amazing world.


Ms. Rosario


                         Theme for the Month-Unit 1: Welcome to School
                                            What will I learn and do in Pre-K?

                                            Family Engagement Activities
Have a conversation with your child about school. Ask him/her questions such as what school will be like? Will he/she be excited going to school and making new friends etc. Talk about the importance of following rules and making good choices.

Important dates: 

A friendly reminder that our Pre-K calendar does not always align with K-8. 
 

• Wednesday, September 8th - First day of school for Pre-K (Phase-in 9:40-11:10am)

• Thursday, September 9th - 2nd day for Pre-K (Phase-in 9:40 -11:10am)

• Friday, September 10 - Third day for Pre-K (Phase-in 8:10 -11:20 am)

• Monday, September 13th, Pre-K first full-day of school: 8:10 - 2:30 pm)