Happy December!

This month, we will learn about family culture. The students will learn about their heritage and cultural traditions through food, music, and celebrations. As they explore traditions, customs, and celebrations of various cultures, children begin to understand diversity to build comfortable and empathetic interactions with people from diverse backgrounds. PreK will begin "Reading Buddies" with 6^th graders for the month of December every Tuesday, before Music & Movement. The winter break is on the way. 

Important Dates & Reminders

• December 18th – Jan. 1st  : Winter Break/ School Holiday
• January 15th: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday/ Holiday
• Jan 25th: End of the 2nd Quarter/ 2hr early release/ AM preschools dismiss at 11 AM/ No PM preschools
• Jan 26th: Student holidays/ Professional workday

What are we learning?

• Learning goals in December
• Topic: Family Culture/Heritage

What Students Will Learn

• Our classroom community is made up of representatives from various countries and cultures
• All the cultures should be valued and respected.

Language Arts

• Tell about his/her drawing and writing
• Begin to identify story elements: characters, setting, and events

Numeracy

• Compare two objects for length, weight, volume
• Recognize and describe plane figures (circle, triangle, rectangle, square)
• Identify, copy, or extend simple patterns using a variety of materials

Social Studies

• Notice similarities and differences between people, places, or events

Science

• Investigate comparing common objects for length and mass

Learning Activities for Home

• Daily reading 10 mins/ draw a picture with caregivers
• Dress up your family’s traditional customs
• Cook a simple cultural food with the child
• Listen to your cultural songs and dance together
• Math practice- compare two objects at home for weight and lengths (short/tall, heavy/light)

Self-help and Advocacy

• I can wear my clothing. 
• I can say ‘Help me, please’ when needed. 
• I can wash my hands.

Shared Reading

• Home by Carson Ellis
• We’re Different, We’re the Same. by Bobbi Kates, Joe Mathieu
• Bee-Bim Bop by Linda Sue Park
• The Cazuela by Samantha R. Vamos
• If You Give Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff
• Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett
• Christmas Cheer for The Grouch Ladybug by Eric Carle

Health and Safety

• keep your child home when h/she has a fever, constant coughing, is exposed to COVID-19, is asymptomatic, or has any other sickness: Fever equal to/ greater than 100.4 F/ Vomiting/ Diarrhea/ shortness of breath, fatigue, feverish and chill, etc.

Transportation

• If a student’s bus is delayed, contact the Transportation Office at 703-446-2150.  For any concerns after hours (after 5:30 p.m.), contact Safety and Security at 571-423-2000.

Colder Weather = Warmer Clothes

• Please send students with jackets/sweatshirts for school. The weather turns colder over the next few weeks and we finally welcome some winter temps. We still plan to maximize our time outside. Students will be more comfortable if they wear the right attire. Thank you in advance for helping your child stay warm!