Hello all,

“All About ME Week” was simply outstanding! The second week of the 2017-2018 school year was such a great one; we simply cannot wait to see what the rest of the year has in store! Read on below to learn all about the fun that was had and learning that took place!

After having a phenomenal first week of school, the students returned to PPA ready to get right to work on Monday! Seeing that the theme for the week was “All About ME”, the students spent the entire week getting to know their friends (and teachers) by discussing what makes them unique and what makes them similar to their friends. The students’ homework assignment to create an “All About ME” poster really helped everyone learn about each other! Throughout the week, the students took turns coming up in front of their classmates and telling (or sharing) all about their poster. By the end of the week, the teachers had strung together the AMAZING “All About ME” posters to be displayed throughout the classroom. As you can see, the students (and families) of PPA did such a fabulous job on these posters.

 

 

After story time and morning meeting each morning, the students headed off to their morning activity stations.  In small groups, the students worked and played around the classroom.  While working in their morning stations, the students were called over by the head teachers to begin their morning work.  Each activity that the students worked on throughout the week related back to the theme of the week – “All About ME”.

On Monday, the students created an “All About ME” inspired name sign!  The students worked their hand muscles and practiced identifying the letters in their name by squeezing glitter glue into each letter!  Since it is the policy of PPA to never publish a photograph of a student revealing his/her name, the photos have been edited accordingly. Here is how the completed “All About ME” name signs turned out!

 

 

 

During the afternoons of “All About ME Week”, the students practiced an activity known to PPA as “Charting”. Charting is something the students do each day during morning meeting to help practice very important mathematical skills including counting and comparing number values, organizing data, recognizing and writing numbers and more! Throughout the week, the students charted about everything including their hair color, age, gender, hometown, and favorite food! In order to complete the charts, the teachers asked each student the question.  Once each student responded and a tally was added to the board to represent their answer.  Once all the students had answered the question, the students counted the tallies and practiced identifying and writing the numbers.  Take a look below to see the results from Wednesday’s Age Chart!

 

 

For their morning work on Tuesday, the students spent the day learning about their ages!  Using assorted materials, each child was asked to count out various materials matching their age to add to their number.  For instance, a three year old might have selected THREE jewels, THREE pom-poms, THREE buttons, and more to add to their number three art project!  Take a look to see how this fun counting project turned out!

 

 

For their morning work on Wednesday (and Thursday), the students were asked to bring in a family photograph. This photograph would be used to help them construct a PPA student family portrait. Using crayons, the students began drawing and their family portraits started coming to life. The family portraits were so incredible that they will be kept at school to be displayed on a clothesline in the classroom so everyone at PPA can see them! Be sure to take a look at your family on your next visit to PPA!

 

 

In the afternoon on Wednesday (and Thursday), the PPA students had music class where they sang along to a few classroom favorites including “Five Little Ducks” and “Apples and Bananas”. Seeing that the students of PPA are such a sensational bunch, the teachers taught them a song called, “I Am Special”.  You will probably hear your child singing the song at home soon!

 

I Am Special Song

Sung to the tune of “Frère Jacques”

I am special.

I am special.

Do you see? 

Do you see?

I am very special.

I am very special.

(point inward) I love me!

(point inward) I love me!

 

For their morning work on Thursday, the students created an art project which would help decorate the classroom!  The students used paint, glitter, gems and sequins to decorate and design their very own star!   Seeing that it was “All About ME Week” at PPA, a week where the students discuss and share all about their-amazing-selves, the teachers posed the questions – “What Makes You A Shining Star?  What Makes You So Special?”  One by one, the students came up to decorate their star as well as answer the question.  Needless to say, their answers were excellent!  Be sure to take a look at all of the Super Star bulletin board on your next visit to PPA!

 

 

The students created another bulletin board on Friday!  This time, the students used watercolor paint, Popsicle sticks and gems to decorate and design their very own butterfly which was added to a whole-class butterfly!  The board highlighted a very important and true saying, “We are each unique and beautiful but together we are a MaStErPiEcE!”  Please sure to take a peek on your next day in! 🙂

 

 

Friday afternoon wrapped up with another awesome music class! The students rehearsed their “I am Special” song from earlier in the week but also had a blast playing the “All About ME” Hokey Pokey. In the game, the students were asked to listen carefully to figure out what part of themselves to put in. The students put their green eyes in, took their green eyes out! They put their brown hair in, took their brown hair out! It was quite a silly way to play an old classic and learn about ourselves in the process!

Wow! What a great week “All About ME Week” was. The 2017-2018 school year is bound to be a fabulous one! As always, thank you for reading and we will see you next week!

-PPA

Reminders:

If you have not done so already, please send in a family photo + the All About Me Poster next week.

Upcoming School Events:

Back to School Night

Wednesday, September 27th  (7:00-8:00 p.m.)

This is a parent only event where the school-wide curricular goals, policies and procedures will be discussed. Please try to make arrangements to have at least one parent attend.

PPA Pumpkin Picking and Decorating Party

Friday, September 29th  (2:00-3:00 p.m.)

All PPA students and parents are welcome to attend this event.  Two Day students and families should arrive at 2:00 p.m.

Aftercare is not available.