This week was full of planting, looking at trees, apples … lots of vegetation! What a great way to get ready for fall. We planted our chrysanthemums last week and have been learning to take care of them. This week we planted carrot seeds inside the classroom and read <em>“The Carrot Seed.”</em> We re-potted our African Violets in the house area, and even planted apple seeds. Next week if the kids still want to get their hands in dirt, we’ll see about planting some bulbs outside (feel free to send some in if you have extra).  On Friday, the children made <strong>apple sauce</strong>. This involved washing, cutting, cooking, and smashing apples. It was great! I hope you all got to try some.

<a href="http://413.rayblogs.org/files/carrotseed.jpg" title="Direct link to file"></a>

<a href="http://413.rayblogs.org/files/carrotseed.jpg" title="Direct link to file"><img src="http://413.rayblogs.org/files/carrotseed.jpg" alt="carrotseed.jpg" height="128" width="99" /></a>

I think the highlight of the week was when the city’s chipper truck came by while we were on the playground. Mr. Pearson, the man whose job it is to cut down low-hanging branches and put them in to be chopped for mulch, explained to us how his tools and the truck work. It was great watching him work. As we went inside, we sang the tree song: “The Green Grass Grows All Around” (see songs list).

<a href="http://413.rayblogs.org/files/img_2546.JPG" title="Direct link to file"></a>

<a href="http://413.rayblogs.org/files/img_2546.JPG" title="Direct link to file"><img src="http://413.rayblogs.org/files/img_2546.JPG" alt="Chipper Truck" height="128" width="170" /></a>

Thanks to everyone who came to Open House this week. Some of the things we talked about:  why play for children is vital to lifelong learning (see article on blogroll about play from American Pediatric Association), Parent Advisory Committee for tuition-based prek parents (see PAC page), Learning Nights, CHECK YOUR MAILBOXES DAILY, field trips, older buddies, snacks, clothing in school, lending library.
<ul>
	<li>Some important notes: on days when Ray is closed for professional development but our classroom is open, there is no hot lunch. You must send a bag lunch.</li>
	<li>Help your child sign in in the morning, but please do not hold their hand, make dots, or  have them re-write it "better." The writing process is gradual and we want them to have ownership of their signatures, regardless of how they look.</li>
	<li><strong>Bike-riding Saturdays:</strong> bring your child and their bike to Nichols Park on Saturday mornings at 10:00-11:00 so we can all see each others' bike and riding ability. I will be there when I can.</li>
	<li>Make sure tuition payment is on time.</li>
	<li><strong>Library:</strong> Use the plastic bag provided for your child's Ray School Library book each week. You can also sign books out from our classroom. The signout sheet is on top of the cubby. Please keep classroom books only 1 day. Sign it back in when you return it. All books can be returned to the basket by the back door.</li>
</ul>
<strong>Next Week </strong>

This next week we’ll continue to learn more about trucks, trees, planting, and even make some zucchini bread using zucchini harvested from the garden. We’ll also start sewing our pillows, do some fun painting, watch leaves turning and falling, learn about how different weights fall, start making books, and see what else comes our way to learn about.

I would like to do more with children learning about their initials. We started doing this as we were reading your letters. Please work with your child on learning them.  Younger children will probably just get the first letter of their first name, and that's fine. This teaches the children about their most important letters, making an important association between alphabet and themselves, as well as reinforcing the concept of first/middle/last.

Feel free to stop by or stay late in the morning.

<strong>Weekly Schedule:</strong>
Monday: Spanish 9:50-10:20
Library 10:20-11:00

Tuesday: Spanish 10:20-11:00
Gym 11:00-11:40

Wednesday: 4th/5th Grade buddies 11:45-12:30

Thursdays: Art 9:15-10:00
Spanish 10:20-11:00

Fridays: Open (we are negotiating to get music on this day)

<strong>Snacks</strong>

We decided at Open House that we would ask the parents doing sheets during the week to bring in snacks for that week. Please bring in enough for 20 children for each day. This sounds like a lot, but they don't eat very much. A few crackers, pretzels, some apples or other fruit will hold them until lunch. Some favorites are: rice cakes and cream cheese, carrots, granola bars, cereal bars, pretzels, crackers, healthy cookies, fruit, etc. We have two children with food allergies: one can't have dairy or nuts, the other can't have dairy or soy. If you get snacks with dairy or nuts, see if you can pick up a few items that don't for these two children.  <strong>Please avoid bringing in peanut butter, peanuts, popcorn </strong>(choke-food)<strong>, food with a lot of sugar, such as cookies or cupcakes.</strong> We'll have sweet treats occasionally at birthdays and other celebrations.

<strong>Reminders</strong>
<ul>
	<li>Please send in your trip forms and play money. We have to buy tickets this week.</li>
	<li>Please make sure your child is dressed for play outside. The weather changes a lot from day to day and we don’t have extra sweaters or jackets for them to wear. As we move into boot weather, you can send in a pair of slippers to keep in the classroom. PLEASE PUT YOUR CHILD'S NAME ON EVERYTHING! Taking clothes off in the cubby can get pretty chaotic and we can't always remember who belongs to what.</li>
	<li>RECYCLE! Save those toilet paper/paper towel/wrapping paper rolls! We'll use them for constructions and art projects in the classroom.</li>
	<li>Remember to have extra clothing for your child in their box. Please include: pants, shirt, underwear, and socks.</li>
</ul>
<strong>Wish List
</strong>
<ul>
	<li>Clothing: girls underwear, socks, gloves/mittens, jackets/sweaters</li>
	<li>Tubes (toilet paper, paper towel, wrapping paper, etc.)</li>
	<li>Homey stuff for our house area, especially things reflecting your family's culture</li>
	<li>bulbs to plant</li>
	<li>cool-looking leaves and other things from nature</li>
</ul>