CLNL+March+2012

**Olga Iris Guzmán - Principal**  **-**
 * = **Public School 228 Queens**
 * Early Childhood Magnet School of the Arts**
 * 32-65 93rd Street**
 * East Elmhurst, N.Y. 11369**
 * (718) 899-5799 • Fax (718) 899-7323**


 * “The Little School with a Heart”**

= = ||
 * Diana Rodriguez –Assistant Principal I.A.**


 * Parent Curriculum Newsletter **
 * ** March 2012 ISSUE ** || Book Fair and Storytelling Month  ||


 * == **PreK** == || **//__ READING __//****// : //** **Pre-K is on the go with our next theme…Let’s Move! The children will be reading books, poems and rhymes and singing songs about the different ways that people, animals and vehicles move.**
 * //__ WRITING __//****// : //** **We are so proud of the Pre-K children and how they are all writing their names (reminder: only the first letter of the name should be capitalized). The children are matching capital and lower case letters and writing letters.**
 * //__ Music __//****// : //Did you know that you can create an instrument from a tin can? That’s just what some Pre-K children are doing! We are also using tambourines, triangles, rhythm sticks, bells and maracas.**
 * //__ MATH __//**** : ** **Pre-K children are always counting… We count how many children are in class today, we count how many blocks we used to create a road and we count how many days until St. Patrick’s Day.**
 * //__ TECHNOLOGY __//****// : // Pre-K loves Starfall.com. There they find a wide variety of educational activities that reinforce early reading and math skills. We hope the children visit this website at home with you.**
 * //__ Social studies __//****// : // You should see the Pre-K childrens’ table manners during our family style breakfast and lunch. The children take turns setting the tables. The children serve themselves and try their best to keep the table and floor clean and tidy.**
 * //__ LIBRARY __//****// : //PK students are enjoying their visits to the library!**
 * //__ PHYSICAL ED. & HEALTH __//****// : // Exercise and healthy habits are a part of our daily routines in Pre-K. We start our day by washing our hands and stretching and marching. We do our best to stay fit and germ free.**
 * //__ SCIENCE __//**//__ : __// **Spring is just around the corner! Right now March is acting like a lion, but Pre-K will be on the look out for signs of spring.** ||


 * == **Kindergarten** == || **//__ READING __//****// : // Reading Unit 6 (Continued): Learning About Ourselves and Our World: This month we will continue to explore nonfiction topics. Through the reading of nonfiction books, we will learn important facts, expand our vocabulary, and share all this information in partnerships and groups. **
 * //__ WRITING __//****// : // Unit 7 - All About Books – This month we will write about topics we feel we know well and are experts on. Our goal is to write by gathering and organizing information and developing facts. We will learn about (and include) features of non-fiction textbooks in our books.**
 * //__ Music: __//** **Composer is Prokofiev and the music is Peter and the Wolf. Our songs are the nursery rhymes – Mary, Humpty Dumpty, Jack & Jill, etc. Bells -- Bluebird and the game is Hokey, Pokey.**
 * //__ MATH __//**** : During this unit, we will learn to: measure time, explore 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional shapes, review the value of coins and solve addition and subtractions stories.**
 * //__ SCIENCE __//****// : //** **We will observe, describe and sort objects and materials by their properties, and we will begin to learn about animals.**
 * //__ Social STUDIES __//**** : This month, we will discover seasonal weather changes and how they affect people and the environment. We will identify different habitats and their characteristics.**
 * //__ LIBRARY __//****// : //Kindergarten will begin their March journey as they participate in Pajama Day, Storytelling and the Book Fair!**
 * //__ TECHNOLOGY __//****: We will work more independently as we self-monitor our progress and advance across reading levels, sight word recognition, and second language learning. We will continue to work on web-based programs such as Raz-Kids and Samson’s Classroom to reinforce our reading skills. Students in our bilingual transitional classrooms have also begun to explore the program “Little Pim”, designed to help us develop our literacy skills in Spanish.**
 * //__ PHYSYCAL ED. & HEALTH __//****__ : __** **We will prepare for the arrival of spring by discussing changes in the weather and how to dress appropriately. We will take part in shared readings to learn about the coming season. We will continue to participate in movement activities that will reinforce coordination, taking turns and working together as a group.** ||


 * == **First Grade** == || **//__ READING __//****// : // In Reading Workshop, first graders are studying characters by dramatizing them and deepening reading comprehension in Reading Clubs. **
 * //__ WRITING __//****// : // In Writing Workshop, we are learning that good writers use other authors as mentors in order to learn those authors' style and use it in their own writing. We will study the author Ezra Jack Keats as a mentor for the students in First Grade. **
 * //__ Music __//****// : // The composer is Prokofiev. For our music, we are reviewing the scores of Peter and the Wolf, and the Cinderella Ballet. Xylophones – Mary Had a Little Lamb. Songs – Review the National Anthem, and learn the PS 228 song; for games: 7-up.**
 * //__ MATH __//****// : //** **We begin this month with Unit 6 in Math and end the month in Unit 7. Unit 6 relates with Fact Families and learning the relationships numbers have. Unit 7 relates to shapes, symmetry and learning about shape attributes.**
 * //__ Science __//****// : // We will observe and explore solids, liquids and gases to see the changes that occur.**
 * //__ SOCIAL STUDIES __//****// : // We learn about different communities and how they change over time. We learn about how communities have rules and laws. We also learn to tell the difference between different communities such as school, cultural, religious, and geographic.**
 * //__ LIBRARY __//****// : //First Graders are excited to participate in Pajama Day, Storytelling and the Book Fair!**
 * //__ TECHNOLOGY __//****// : // We use Raz-Kids during our AIS and reading workshop time. We practice Samson’s Classroom during AIS and word study and we practice our everyday math games in partnerships during math to enhance their math skills.**
 * //__ PHYSYCAL ED. & HEALTH __//****// : // We continue practicing gross motor development by running in place, doing jumping jacks, skipping, and jumping rope. We practice the qualities needed to be a part of a team and taking turns.** ||

- **Patterns in counting, doubles and halves.** - **Extending complements of 10** - **Collecting data, frequency tables and graphing** - **Middle value (median) of a set of data** - **Fractions, multiplication and division** - **People make choices about earning, spending and saving money** - **The development of goods sold to consumers** - **Services in our communities** - **Countries trade and move goods** - **Women’s History Month** - **Dr. Seuss’ birthday** - **St. Patrick’s Day** - **Beginning of Spring** - **Passover/Easter**
 * == **Second Grade** == || **//__ READING __//****// : // Fairy tales and folktales: Students will read and recount fairy tales, fables and folktales from diverse cultures and determine their central message, lesson or moral.**
 * //__ WRITING __//****// : // Writing adaptations of familiar fairy tales and folktales: Students will write narratives in which they recount an event or short sequence of events, including details to describe actions, thoughts and feelings.**
 * //__ Music: __// The composer of the month is Prokofiev. We will review the scores for Peter and the Wolf and Cinderella. We will also review the PS 228 song and our Listen and Move games.****//__ MATH __//.: At the beginning of the month, we will be taking a mid-term examination to review skills from units 1-6.**
 * Unit 7 Objectives:**
 * //__ SCIENCE __//****// : // We will observe and explore the effects of gravity; an inclined plane/ramp on rolling objects; and magnets.**
 * //__ SOCIAL STUDIES __//****// : // Unit Objectives:**
 * We will also discuss the following topics this month:**
 * //__ LIBRARY __//****// : //Second Graders are returning participants in Pajama Day, Storytelling and the Book Fair!**
 * //__ TechnolOGY __//****// : // We will continue practicing our online reading program www.raz-kids.com and, to enhance their spelling, science, math and social studies skills, students will work on these sites: [|www.samsonclassroom.com] and __[|www.uptowneducation.com]__. We will also be exploring websites to read and create our own fairy tales online.**
 * //__ PHYSICAL ED. & HEALTH __//****// : // Students will be exercising their muscles through games and as spring approaches we will be able to do more playground activities outdoors.** ||


 * WE ARE DEDICATED TO THE SUCCESS OF ALL OUR CHILDREN. **


 * Please note that you may find the Parent Curriculum Newsletter at ps__228q.wikispaces.com__ every month.**