Santa and His Helpers

Santa and His Helpers is a story we made together.  It is so funny.  We enjoyed working on it and hope you like it too.
(Due to technical difficulties, click on the link to read it.  After Storybird moderates the story, all parties will be able to read it here.)
http://storybird.com/books/santa-and-his-helpers/

 A note from Mrs. Lee:

Can you believe that our 100th day of school will be on  Friday, January 25th? I am sure you and your child have been brainstorming what 100 items they would like to collect for their free-standing project board. After making a decision, s/he should count, arrange and display the items in an interesting way. Your child should write the title and the numbers from 1-100 near each item. Displays can be brought in anytime before Thursday, January 24th.
The Kindergarten grade level will also celebrate this monumental day with a snack party. More information will be given in January.

The thing I like best about this holiday season is that it gives me an opportunity to tell all of you how much you mean to me. Mahalo nui loa for being such special and supportive parents who have managed to make our year wonderful. I hope your home is bright with love and joy at this time of the year!  Thank you for the great memories in 2012!
Wishing you and your family good health, love, and happiness in 2013!

Tidbits to remember:

• Thursday, January 3rd - Return to school.
• Thursday January 3rd - Myohoji Temple Field Trip Consent Forms due. Chaperones are appreciated!
• Monday, January 7th - Library books due.

A hui hou,
Mrs. Lee

Who is Santa?

Santa is about the spirit of giving, putting smiles on little people's faces, and bringing joy and hope to their lives.  It is wonderful that this magic is kept alive in the home as long as possible.  When your child realizes the truth, your household might change, and you will long to have those magical days back again. Listen as our keiki share their ideas about who Santa is.

Customize your own picture collage A note from Mrs. Lee:   Mahalo to our Room Parents for organizing a wonderful event following our Winter Program. There were so many exciting activities for the children to participate in.   What child doesn't love to decorate cookies, especially holiday ones? Now that they have mastered the techniques of decorating cookies, you can have more fun at home during the holiday break decorating your own cut out cookies!   The grab bag game with a 'left and right' switch twist was hilarious. But they were all tickled to receive a little gift to remember this day.   The potluck was simple and filled with great food.  The leftover fruits, noodles, and pizza were given to the Office Staff who enjoyed it immensely. Thank you for bringing all the delicious food.   Having you attend our class event made it a memorable day for your child!! They love these special times with their parents.   I appreciate your thoughtfulness in remembering me with the Christmas tree with all those gorgeous homemade ornaments that will be keepsakes. It is a great way to share the holiday spirit with the children.  The holiday gift is also much appreciated and will be opened at Christmas.   If you and your child wish to share holiday goodie bags with their classmates, please bring them in by Thursday, December 13th.  All goodie bags will be sent home in the blue recyclable bag on Friday.    Dates to remember: Monday, December 10th - Library books due. Wednesday, December 12th - Last day for Fort Gakuen Thursday, December 13th - Deadline for those who wish to share goodie bags. Friday, December 14th - 11:30am, Early dismissal. No after school care.  Please pick up your child from our classroom. Cheers, Mrs. Lee       

Gingerbread Children

Gingerbread Baby, by Jan Brett is a delightful story about a spirited and bouncy Gingerbread Baby created by Matti in his kitchen in a Swiss village. This 'baby' was chased by many people and animals, including Mother, Father, cats, dogs, goats, villagers, etc. The Gingerbread Baby was able to stay just out of reach from being caught, but finally ended up in the best home he could ever ask for.
This story was a perfect introduction for a literature based activity creating gingerbread children.


Gingerbread Children - slideshows


If your child wishes to decorate and print a Gingerbread House of their own, click here.

A note from Mrs. Lee:
 It is hard to believe that December is upon us! Can you also believe that we've been in school for 75 days?  Time just flies by!

All the keiki are confident skip counting by 10's.  However, please continue to practice skip counting by 2's and 5's with your child whenever possible.  It takes time for them to master these math skills and practice makes perfect.

Mahalo nui loa for the generous donations received for the Lokahi Tree-Laulima Giving Program the Preschool and Kindergarten classes have chosen this holiday season.  There is still another week to take the opportunity to brighten these needy families' holidays. All donations are truly appreciated!

There will be no Book Sharing for the month of December.  It will resume in January.

Dates to remember:

• Monday - Friday, December 3rd-7th - Collection of canned goods by the 7th Grade Paramitas Promoters
• Monday, December 3rd - Library Books due.
• Wednesday, December 5th - Bodhi Day Service.  Please dress your child in appropriate attire.
• Friday, December 7th - Donations for the Lokahi Tree-Laulima Giving Program due.
• Friday, December 7th -  Winter Program
• 8:00 - The Kindergarteners are asked to be in their classrooms.
• 8:30 - The PreK and K Winter Program in the Social Hall begins.The K classes will be the 3rd group of performers on stage.
• 9:30 - The class activity, cookie decorating, and Potluck will commence.
• Attire - Girls: Party dress, Boys: Collared shirt with long pants/jeans.

Cheers,
Mrs. Lee

Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for all the good things we are lucky to have.  We wish to share our thoughts at this time of year along with some pictures of our turkey cookies.

Free scrapbook made with Smilebox   A note from Mrs. Lee:   Please remember: Monday, November 26th - Library books due Wednesday, November 28th - Book Share due Thursday, November 29th - Deadline for each child is asked to bring in a 7"x10" piece of Christmas wrap for a class activity.   Thanksgiving words of wisdom: Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.Theodore Roosevelt   Happy Turkey Day to you and your families, Mrs. Lee   

Potpourri

Have you wondered what we do in some of our other classes? Watch this slideshow with a collection of pictures taken in Music, Drama, Computer class, and at lunch!
If you have trouble viewing this show, click on this link.
http://www.photoshow.com/watch/QS2HG2KE

 

A note from Mrs. Lee:

Mahalo for all the canned goods that will be donated at the Thanksgiving Service in the Temple.  Prior to bringing the cans to the Temple, the Kindergarten classes will be sorting and graphing the various types of canned goods. This should be loads of fun because there will be over 80 cans of soups, vegetables, fruits, meats, etc. Photos of this activity will be shared!

Many thanks for all the empty Campbell soup cans brought in for our Christmas project.  I didn't know so many people liked to drink soup, mm good!

The annual Winter Program is scheduled for Friday, December 7th in the Hall beginning at 8:30 a.m. You may want to arrive early as parking is sometimes a challenge. All parents are invited to our K-1 class for some holiday events after the program. The activities include: creating a gingerbread house picture frame, decorating a holiday cookie, and a potluck luncheon.  Hope to see everyone!

The students will be learning to count from 1-100, as well as skip counting by 2's, 5's, and 10's in the coming weeks. Look for a hundreds chart in your child's school folder next week which will help as they practice counting. Have fun with your child while practicing this math skill!

Please take note of the following:

• Friday, November 16th - Parent-Teacher Conferences
• Monday, November 19th - Presentation of Learning, 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the K-1 classroom.
• Monday, November 19th - Library Books due
• Wednesday, November 21st - Thanksgiving Service in the Temple.  Please have your child dressed appropriately, i.e. girls - dresses or tops with pants or skirts, boys - collared shirts and long pants.
• Thursday and Friday, November 22nd-23rd - Thanksgiving Day, No School
• Wednesday, November 28th - November Book Share due

Happy Thanksgiving,
Mrs. Lee

Thanksgiving

We are excited to show you what we have learned in school.  Hope you are able to attend our second Presentation of Learning!!!! It will be exciting!

Invite card customized with Smilebox   The Pilgrims were very brave people who left England many years ago. They were helped by the Native Americans who taught them how to plant, hunt, and fish.  We have created and written about these people from the past.  Drop by our classroom and we'll show you our work. 

Native Americans - slideshows

A note from Mrs. Lee:

K-1 is collecting empty Campbell Soup cans (10-1/2 or 11-1/2 ounce size) for our Christmas project.  We have a need for at least 6 more soup cans.  Mahalo.

Dates to Remember:

• Friday, November 9th - Living Art Marine Center Field Trip.  Attire - HMS t-shirt, shorts or pants, and athletic shoes with socks.
• Monday, November 12th - Veterans Day, No School.
• Tuesday through Thursday, November 13-15 - Donation of canned goods.
• Thursday, November 15th - RSVP for Presentation of Learning. 
• Friday, November 16th - Parent-Teacher Conferences.  Emails were sent out a few weeks ago regarding your scheduled conference time.
• Monday, November 19th - Presentation of Learning in K-1.
• Wednesday, November 28th - November Book Share due.

Have a Happy Veterans Day weekend,
Mrs. Lee

It's Spooktacular

Halloween was the best day in school.  It was fun to walk around at the parade and show everyone our costumes. Then, the party began!!!!  We played 'Pin the Tail' on this scary black cat. There was Halloween music and lots of dancing.  Finally, we created cookies that looked like spiders. They tasted really good! We can't wait for the next exciting day like this.

Customize your own free picture collage A note from Mrs. Lee:   Mahalo for the generous Halloween goodie bags shared with the students. Everyone was jumping about and thrilled to receive all the treats.  Aren't you glad this celebration only occurs once a year?   Please remember: Monday, November 5th - Library books due Tuesday, November 6th - Election Day, No school Thursday, November 8th - Japanese homework due Friday, November 9th - Living Art Marine Center field trip.  Please have your child wear the HMS t-shirt, shorts or long pants, and athletic shoes with socks.  A sunscreen rub down is suggested. Tuesday - Thursday, November 13-15th - Thanksgiving Canned Goods Donations - 2 canned goods per child Have a safe weekend, Mrs. Lee