October+2011+Newsletter

Denver Public Schools Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment ECE Newsletter October 2011  Dear Parents, It’s hard to believe it is fall already. We have been discussing autumn changes and have been “noticing” about nature items in circle. This exercise helps build children’s vocabulary and observational skills. Please encourage your child to send in any natural objects they find (fall leaves, acorns, seed pods, etc).

We have several important dates coming up:

Thursday, October 13th - __Buster the Bus__ Safety presentation

<span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Weeks of October 17th and 24th - __Parent – Teacher Conferences;__ Sign up attached, return by Monday, October 10th.

<span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Tuesday, October 25th - Field Trip to __Berry Patch Farms__ <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">We will leave school at 9:15 and return by 1:30. There is a sign up on the classroom door for parent volunteers to accompany us. Siblings may not attend. Children will need comfortable shoes and warm clothing. ECE provides both lunch and admission. Do NOT send money.

<span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Friday, October 28th 11:45a.m.-12:15p.m. - __Craft Party__ in the classroom <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Please join us in a craft and refreshments. Sign up to bring a treat if you would like to.

<span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Monday, October 31st and Tuesday, November 1st - No School __Fall Break__

<span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Friday, November 4th - NO ECE __Staff Development__

<span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Wednesday, November 9th – No ECE __CPR/First Aid Staff Training__

<span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Friday, November 11th - No School __Veteran’s Day__

<span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Thursday, November 22nd - 9:00- 9:30 a.m. __Bagels and Books Parent Meeting__ <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Please come to the classroom to eat bagels and read with your child. Then attend a short informational session on how to enrich your child’s reading experience.

<span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">November 23rd-25th - No School __Thanksgiving Break__

<span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Here is a fun (and practical) song the children love to sing: <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">__Twinkle twinkle traffic light (tune of Twinkle little star)__ <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Twinkle twinkle traffic light <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Shining on the corner bright <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Red means stop <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Green means go <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Yellow means wait, even when you’re late <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Twinkle twinkle traffic light <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Shining on the corner bright

<span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">The following is a recipe for Silly Putty which we made in ECE last month. It is an amazing kitchen science project and great for developing fine motor skills. <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">In a large container combine: <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">1 1/2 cups warm water <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">2 cups white glue <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">In second, smaller container, combine: <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">1 1/3 cups warm water <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">3 tsp. Borax (found in the laundry section of your grocery, non-toxic and good for cleaning too!) <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">* Mix ingredients in each container thoroughly. <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">* Pour contents of smaller container in to large container. <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">* Gently lift and turn mixture until only about a tablespoon of liquid is left. <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Putty will be sticky for a moment or two. <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Let excess liquid drip off then it will be ready. <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Play with it for awhile and then color it with markers and/or cut it with scissors.

<span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Thank you for sharing your children with us, <span style="font-family: Cambria,Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span class="Normal__Char" style="font-family: 'Freestyle Script',Arial; font-size: 14pt;">Ms. Che and Mrs. A