Hi There!!
Today marks the start of the Lunar New Year, the year of the “Rooster”. This morning the children learned a bit about Chinese culture, beliefs and traditions. They enjoyed listening to Chinese music, did our own variation of the “Lion Dance” and tasted tasty eggrolls. It was lots of fun. See you next week.
Gong Hey Fat Choy (Happy New Year)
The children had a wonderful time celebrating the Chinese New Year in their pajamas. One of the Chinese traditions on this day is to have lots of food with family and friends. We honored that tradition by having Chinese Vegetable Egg Rolls (As some of the children called them, Chinese Tacos). The children helped prepare them by cutting up the vegetables and rolling the egg rolls for a teacher to cook. Ask your child what they thought of this cooking activity and how it tasted to them. Red Envelopes are a monetary gift. The red symbolizes Luck while the money is to stop the child from getting older. Thank you, Sophie for sharing Red Envelopes and chocolate money with us. The oranges symbolize happiness and prosperity.
Monday, Is Arts Alive and Music Class.
We read A Happy Chinese New Year while wearing our pajamas this morning and passed out lucky red envelopes (with two treats of starburst). We also watched a 4 minute video, Fortune Tails; The Story of Chinese New Year and learned why the color red is so popular, why fireworks are used and why they bang drums. All to scare a monster of an ancient story (to scare away bad spirits ) and to bring good fortune. We also made our own Chinese drums.
This morning during Montessori work time the children worked with their counting skills to a number past 30. This number was different for each child who worked with the Dominoes. The children had to copy a pattern of blank dominoes making sure they connected the dominoes together by the same number of dots on the previous domino. Once they made their pattern they transferred the dots to their paper, counted the total and wrote the amount. Not only is this lesson great for counting skills, It’s great for the visual skills too.
Dance class is tomorrow. This class begins at 9:30.
We will be celebrating Chinese New Year tomorrow by wearing pajamas to school. Please keep in mind that we will be going outside play and safe shoes are encouraged.
Book orders are due tomorrow.
The children enjoyed looking at pictures of China. We saw pictures of food, animas, eating utensils, and buildings and structures. The children were surprised to learn that The Great Wall Of China can be seen from outer space!
We had a great time playing bucket toss in Jumpbunch class. Coach Leon brought in buckets, and bean bags for the children to practice tossing from different distances.
REMINDER
PAJAMA DAY IS TOMORROW!
