Welcome to the 2nd quarter of the school year, where we will learn about family, culture, and the Winter Season. During the second quarter, children construct an understanding of the theme, Who I am in My Family. Children begin their inquiry into this theme by understanding families and that they are a part of a family. In this topic, children learn families have similarities and differences and can change over time. We will begin with ‘Family’: family members and relationship to self this month. We will also incorporate the theme of Thanksgiving.

Important Dates & Reminders

• November 3rd: The end of 1st Quarter/ Early release day/ AM preschools dismiss at 11 am/ No PM preschools
• November 6 ~ 7th: Election Day/ Professional work days/ Student holidays
• November 22nd to 24th: Thanksgiving break/ Student Holidays
• December 18th – Jan. 1st: Winter Break/Student Holidays

What are we learning?

Themes

• Family

What Students Will Learn

• We will learn to share information about our own families.
• We will learn about similarities and differences between families.

Language Arts

• Begin to engage in creative dramatics
• Begin to identify and name some upper and lowercase letters of the alphabet

Numeracy

• Tell how many are in a given set of 10 or fewer objects
• Recognize and select numerals to represent numbers 1-10
• Begin to understand the terms more, fewer, and same

Social Studies

• Begin to understand self and family as well as being members of a diverse community

Science

•  Investigate sequences according to size (large, medium, small)

Learning Activities for Home

• Daily reading 10 mins/ draw a picture with caregivers
• Create your own family tree and discuss the relationship to each family member
• Math practice- gather two sets of objects (1-5) and discuss which set has fewer, more, or the same
• Play outside- create a hunting list and do a nature hunt; measure and sequence the items by size (small, medium, large)
• Self-help and –advocacy
  • I can wear my clothing.
    • Let your child practice dressing and undressing a jacket, hat, mittens, and pair of shoes
  • I can ask for help and explain what I need with “Can I __?”.
    • When your child reaches out to you for something, let your child imitate and say “Help me,” or “Can I ___?”

Shared Reading

• The Family Book by Todd Parr
• Me and My Family Tree by Joan Sweeney
• Families by Shelley Rotner & Sheila M. Kelly
• Joshua’s Night Whispers by Angela Johnson
• The Relative Came by Cynthia Rylant
• Give Thanks for Each Day by Steve Metzger

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.

Attendance

• Please call the attendance line, if your child is absent.
• Attendance line: 703-660-2929