Here in the Galaxy Room, we are studying holiday traditions from around the world. We would like to encourage all students to realize that various people and cultures from around the world have different holidays and traditions that they celebrate and that we can all love and accept one another despite those differences. We have already covered Kwanza, The Solstice, and are currently discussing the history and traditions of Hannukkah. Next, we will move on to St. Lucia's Day, The Posadas, and Christmas. Our holiday program will be December 18th @ 3pm and you are all welcome to attend and invite friends and families as well.

Here in the Galaxy Room we are studying North America. We have been learning to identify all the continents by name and location and cardinal directions. The students have been learning to create their own compass rose, and reading maps of our school, our classroom, our neighborhood and the landmarks on the North, South, East and West side of each. This helps them in the process of understanding maps, directions and locations. We are also learning the various biomes of North America, and the plants, and animals of each. In the upcoming week we will continue to learn about the history of North America, more specifically, the United States of America. How it originated, the Native people of America and their culture and way of life. We will focus specifically on the Pilgrim voyage and early settlement in America and their relations with the Wampanoag tribe, Squanto and the first Thanksgiving. In afternoon kindergarten, we will also be incorporating more about Early America, the thirteen colonies, Louis and Clark expedition, and Louisiana Purchase. As a class, we are learning traditional songs about America, the history of the songs, and the composers. We will be learning to identify significant states (those of significance to each of us, and of course New York, Washington D.C., Florida, California, The Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, etc.) If there is a state in which friends or relatives live, or that your child remembers visiting on vacation, be sure to let us know so we can make mention of this in our discussions and mark it on our map!!

Hello Galaxy Room Families! This week we are 'blasting off' into our space unit!! We will be studying the solar system and all that it consists of. We will also begin our study of Vincent Van Gogh and Sebastian Bach. We will review the letter sound 'Tt'. Everyone may plan to bring an item from home beginning with the 't' sound and present it to the class on Friday. At home, you could reinforce these things by: taking a moment to look up at the stars, moon, etc. and just open up discussion about space; look up some of Van Gogh's works of art on line; listen to some of Bach's music; create your very own 't' collage from magazines and such; create a letter t on dark paper with glue, then salt on top. If you don't have time for any of these, be sure to talk about these topics in the car and try to find out what they've learned. All students may not open up at first, but keep asking, and eventually they will tell! Remember, if it is important to you, it will be important to them. Also, we've been learning to dance to music with our rhythym sticks. Ask your child to demonstrate rhythym sticks with their 'pretend rhythym sticks' (fingers) and teach you some of the songs!!

Here in the Galaxy Room we are really 'Blasting Off' in the new school year! We are currently studying the human body beginning with body parts, facial parts and now the skeleton too! Mr. Bones is our new friend who is visiting our room right now so that the students can have the opportunity to view a skeleton and identify its bones and compare them to the structure of their own body. They will have the opportunity to take apart and assemble a small skeleton. We have some nifty slogans to help them remember all the bones as well. We also began learning about Picasso and some of his work this week. S is our sound of the week and share day will be Friday so bring something that begins with SSSSSSSS. Have fun!

July 12th

This week we are going to the Water Park at Loose Park on Friday! Details are soon to come check your child's folder on Wednesday. Last week we had a great time learning about the ocean and on Friday we had two special snacks. Thank you Ms. Shawna for the sea shell/ sand dollar treat, and Sophia's parents for the Sea of Jello. Hope the weekend went swimmingly and see you tomorrow.

GALAXY ROOM NEWS WEEKS OF MAY 11-22

Due to a change in my father’s illness Friday was my last regular day for this school year, I will see you all for the fall term. I truly have enjoyed all the children and will greatly miss those who will be continuing own next year at other schools. I know that they will do great wherever they go.
We have had many exciting adventures the last two weeks. Cowboy Bob came and spoke to us about his marathons on the North Pole & Antarctica. He showed us pictures & let us try on some of the layers he had to wear, including the boots with a 3-inch sole. We cannot wait for him to come back next year and tell us about his adventures on the other continents.
The children did such a great job performing the hula at International day and their displays were fantastic. We learned a lot.
We have had many Celebrations of Life this last couple of weeks. We celebrated Ian & Joshua turning 3 years old last Thursday and Friday and will celebrate Maren turning 3 years old on Tuesday.
This week is Spirit Week with a different item for each day, Tuesday-Crazy Socks, Wednesday-Wacky Hair and Thursday-Favorite Book -please bring one of your favorite books to read with your friends.
The end of this school year is coming to a close quickly, be sure to take home your child’s Grass Head that is in the classroom window and clean out your cubbies this week. Please turn in all library books by Thursday, May 28.
The school will be closed the 1st week of June to clean & prepare for the summer term. June 8th will be the first day of the summer term. Everyone will be receiving end of year reports and updates by the beginning of summer term look for them in the mail or by e-mail. If you do not receive, one please let me know. If there are, any questions during the summer please feel free to call or e-mail.
I have taken our classroom’s believed stuffed elephant Elmer with me and will be sending pictures & postcards from our adventures in Colorado. Encourage your child to practice their writing skills this summer by sending letters to me. I have left my parent’s address with Ms. Sara.
Here is a list of the events happening in the last few weeks of school:

May 25th - No school - (Memorial Day)
May 26th - Maren’s COL @ 3pm
May 27th - Ladybug release & presentation by Powel Gardens @ Global
May 29th - 1/2 Day-Last Day of School Picnic at Westwood Park @ 12
Food @ 12, activities start @ 1pm & field day @ 1:30pm
June 1-5th - No School Teacher In-service/work day (Private childcare avail. see sign in board)

Have a fantastic summer,
Ms. Mel
Ms. Lora
Galaxy Room

GALAXY ROOM NEWS WEEK OF MAY 4-8

This week we had a pared-down Cinco de Mayo festival with chips & salsa, read about Antarctica and penguins, worked on Mother’s day gifts, and practiced for international day.
The children are doing great with the Fish & Poi song but please still practice at home. I will send home/attach the lyrics and hand movements for the song.
I cannot believe how fast the end of the year is coming. Lora & I have talked to the children some about the changes that will be happening for the summer and fall. As some of you know, Ms. Lora will be leaving us at the end of this school year. She will be pursuing her Elementary Montessori credtianial with the KCMO school district. Ms. Sara from the toddler room will be our new assistant. Many of the children already know her from her work in after care, toddler room and as a substitute in our room. I will be taking a leave of absence this summer to spend time with my father who is ill. I will be with the children until June 15th & will be returning for the fall semester. We have a great Montessori trained teacher who has been working with middle school students but is trained in primary as well, named Libby, and she will be the lead teacher for the summer. Some of the children may be feeling many emotions at this time of year. If your child seems sad, just listening and helping to give them the words for their feelings is important. We will have many friends moving on to new schools this summer and in the fall. We will also have many new friends joining us.
Please be sure to check your child’s cubbie and bring in at least one full change of clothes labeled including socks & underwear. If you are spring-cleaning and happen to have outgrown shorts, dresses and pants both for girls & boys we could use a few for the extra clothes box. Some of the items seem to have not made it back and others the children have outgrown.
International Day will be at noon on Friday the 22nd. You can bring in your displays in the morning when you drop your children off.

Here is a list of the events happening in the last few weeks of school:

May 19th –Board Mtg. -6pm-All are welcome
May 22nd- International Day 12 pm in Fillmore chapel
May 25th- No school - (Memorial Day)
May 29th –1/2 Day-Last Day of School Picnic at Westwood Park @ 12


Happy Mother’s Day!!!!!

Ms. Mel
Ms. Lora
Galaxy Room