December+curriculum+&+activities

Theme: 5 Senses
Formation using Handwriting without Tears (HWT)- C-Big C curve O-Big C Curve keep going Q-Big C curve keep going, little line U-Big line down, turn, big line
 * Letters**: C, O, Q and U

Learn Words that start with the letter- see what words you can find that are related to the holidays!
 * Letter Sounds**

Related to 5 senses. Smelling to see if children can name food/liquid. Used touch to review letters by writing them on our hands/back. Listening to animal and environmental sounds and naming. Students will be drawing a picture to add to their book that represent one of the 5 senses. Tasting and smelling many favors of jello.
 * Vocabulary**

Letter C-Lots of great C foods/Holiday-Christmas Letter O-ornaments-It's a surprise!!! Letter Q-christmas Quilt Letter U-(seen in lower case form with Q) Many holiday projects as well!
 * Classroom Activities**

Red and green review
 * Colors**:

Diamond Triangle
 * Shape**:

Letter C-Read __If You Give a Cat A Cupcake__ by Laura Numeroff AM Class __Cookies Week__ by Cindy Ward and Tomie dePaola (also related to animals) PM Class Letter O- __Jolly Olly Octopus__ by Tony Mitten/Guy Parker Rees - both classes
 * Nursery Rhymes, Poems, Stories and Songs**:

Counting to 12-Please continue to practice-slowly go higher as your child is able-add two more numbers once consistently counting to goal number Number groups/sets to 4 for morning students. Add one more as you become comfortable that your child knows how to take up to 4. Afternoon students now playing go fish with Cluster cards up to 8. The children can identify rods up to 8. Introducing queen card with the letter Q. Practice is important-count out crackers, pretzels-Have your child take a set number such as 3 cookies, 5 pretzels-Watch to be sure they know to stop without you cueing. Pattern has changed to AAABAAAB. Afternoon children are catching on quickly. Practice with colored blocks, foods (ex pretzel, pretzel, cracker) anything you can find. Have your child continue ABAB if that is where they are most comfortable.
 * Numbers**:

Can your child answer these questions: What is your name (give first and last name)? How old are you? What is your father's/mother's name? What are sibling's names?
 * Social Emotional**

Students are doing many beginning HWT activities with both classroom teachers and our OT Miss Deb. Children are using the HWT magnet boards and chalk boards for wet, dry, try when new letter is introduced. Mat Man has been introduced to assist with increasing children's body awareness. Introduction to Sign Language: Ring, Ring, Ring the Bells-afternoon students- __Our class was video taped doing our sign song and will be part of the Christmas video being put together for the school__.
 * Fine motor**:

Students introduced to Infocus and Apple I Pad- Currently watching/interacting with turn taking. Listening and watching stories through RIF, Reading is Fundamental, on Infocus machine. Watch animal clips available on internet to see a variety of animals in action.
 * Technology**

Short month due to vacation. Take some time to review this months curriculum during vacation. Can your child name the letters covered this month? Know the sound? Name some words? Review shapes and colors covered so far. If need activities or guidance to help your child, please email or call.
 * Review**