MAT MAN/HANDWRITING WITHOUT TEARS
If you're not familiar with our friend, Mat Man, he is a tool developed by Handwriting Without Tears (a program that uses multi sensory methods and allows the child to learn at their own pace). Mat Man helps children to learn body awareness, sequencing, draw a person or self portrait, and aids with handwriting preparedness. He even has his own song. Ask your child to sing it to you, or you can find it on YouTube. It's pretty catchy.
Next year, the children will build upon this knowledge using the H.W.T. program in the Half Notes room.
The picture of Mat Man below was a joint effort. Each child had a turn to make a different body part (with their own marker).
The Quarter Notes have also been introduced to wooden tiles that will assist them in early handwritting skills. When a crayon is put into the negative space of a tile, the children follow the curves or zig zags. We've already had some classmates recognize letters and numbers from these tools. One child made a spiral and said, "It looks like a 6!" 😂
I wrote each child's name on composition paper and laminated it. Everyone seemed to enjoy trying to write their own name. Wiping the washable marker off with a damp cloth is pretty fun too. These sheets will be available for practicing throughout the year.
We colored fall construction paper leaves and glued the words, Autumn, leaves, are, falling, and down onto them. I then laminated the leaves. A modern take on the wax paper craft we all did as kids.
We've been singing, Five Little Pumpkins. We made a 5 little pumpkin craft to decorate our bulletin board for Halloween. This is the last week there will be 5 Quarter Notes. We will welcome a new student next Tuesday.
*Please let me know if you would like to bring underwear in for your child. It's ok to have accidents. Let me know if you are interested and bring in a few extra changes of clothing and socks. They will definitely need them!
*If your child will still be wearing pulls ups, please make sure they have the velcro tabs on the sides. This type of pull up helps the children take a quick bathroom break instead of having to remove pants and shoes. This is especially helpful during times of transition. Thank you!
Mandarin: Mrs. Mei taught us to say how old we are. Practiced counting and saying short phrases.
Music and Violin: Ms. Lisa taught us some Halloween songs for Spooky Suzuki. We had fun pretending we were bats with our scarves. Quarter Notes made their violin mats (tape for rest and playing feet positions). Ms. Lisa sang a song about the parts of the violin and bow. Each child's right hand was stamped with a bow and their left hand with a violin stamp. She also collected the boxes. Thank you!
Sports: Warm up exercises. Quarter Notes practiced throwing and kicking footballs. Cool down yoga.
* PLEASE NOTE: WE ARE OFF MONDAY, OCTOBER 12TH.
😊 Enjoy your weekend! 😊
Alison Dressler
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