Nursery Class: 05/04/14

This week we will start our Nursery Rhymes unit. Learning nursery rhymes is important because they improve language, cognitive, physical and social development. Children develop mouth and tongue muscles by speaking the rhymes and increase memory and recall skills. Hearing nursery rhymes helps children learn how sounds are put together to make words and sentences, and children begin to understand the rhythm and inflection of language. All of these components of nursery rhymes aid a child in learning language.

Rhymes are fun activities for children and because they are short, children are able to pay attention and enjoy the experience. Memorizing rhymes enable a child to understand the rules and patterns of language. When a child recognizes the way people use words and sentences, they are much more able to read. Nursery rhymes also foster creativity because hearing or acting them out puts pictures and ideas along with the words, which enables children to use their imagination. If rhymes are not used on a regular basis, it will be more difficult for children to gain literacy skills such as reading and speaking, and it may also stunt creativity. Doing nursery rhymes with your children allows them to grow and develop.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/info_8385845_importance-nursery-rhymes-learn-language.html#ixzz30nTUNQLW

Rhymes are an important part of childhood. Their rich language and their rhythms, soothed us and inspired us as we were growing up. As a parent today, it it important to pass on this valuable resource to our children. Take the time to share your favorite rhymes with your children and watch the learning begin.

SKILLS TAUGHT

Language Skills – Rhymes help children learn word endings and their controlled meter aids children in their beginning reading efforts.
Thinking Skills – Rhymes help our brains recall words and facts, thus leading to early success.
Music Skills - Rhymes help children learn songs easier.
Literature – Nursery rhymes bring classic literature to children at an early age.
Creativity - Rhymes enable children to start making up their own rhymes when they are preschoolers.
Self-esteem – Children gain pride and confidence in themselves when they learn how to anticipate the final words in a rhyme.

http://www.preschoolexpress.com/learning-station09/learning-with-nursery-rhymes-april.shtml

In Math we will work with positional words. Please practice this words at home: behind, in front of, under, next to, on , between, in.

IMPORTANT SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS

SPRING GENERAL ASSEMBLY - The General Assembly of parents that will be held on Saturday, May 17, beginning at 9:00 a.m. in the Cafeteria. We are required to have a quorum of one-third of our parents present in order for the meeting to be considered legal and for any decisions made at the General Assembly to be binding. We have 325 parents listed as members of the school association, so we need to have at least 108 parents in attendance (although only one parent per family can vote, both parents can be counted for quorum). We need for YOU to attend! Your ideas and your votes are important for the school. The school will provide supervision and activities for children during the General Assembly (from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.) Dr. Jay Ketterer, Discovery School’s new Head of School will be present at the Assembly.

DISCOVERY GOES GREEN- Thank you for all of you who have participated in green activities during April.

-Congratulations to the 2nd grade classes for bringing the most material for the Recycling Drive. They will celebrate with the environmental science students by having an "earthly" snack on Tuesday.

-Also, a large thank you goes out to all the families that sponsored plants for the Greening Our Campus activity. The students had lots of fun getting dirty, using their "green thumbs" to plant their bushes. We planted 65 bushes and more are to come in the next few weeks. Our campus is definitely looking greener!

DPTO FUN RUN AND CARNIVAL – The DPTO will be hosting their traditional events this Saturday, May 10. The FUN RUN begins at 7:30 a.m. followed by the traditional breakfast, and the CARNIVAL will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We hope all our school community will mark their calendars and support the DPTO by attending and having a great family time!

DISCOVERY ZONE – Our Summer camp is back! Join us and allow your children to have a fun-filled three weeks at the beginning of their summer. Spread the word among family and friends and get special discounts!

CHRONICLES OF DISCOVERY GALA – SURVEY - If you attended the Gala, please complete the following survey to help the school grow and improve:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/7TKDQ32

WEEK OF MAY 5-9