math

In math we have now learned our doubles facts, the plus and minus one facts, plus and minus zero facts and a number minus itself facts.  We are moving on to the plus and minus two facts with the three facts to soon follow.  We are also counting by ones, twos, fives and tens and well as learning odd and even numbers and telling time. 

Christmas

This week we continue to study and celebrate the miracle of Christmas and what Christ means to the Christmas season and to us. We are also looking at other countries and cultures to compare how they celebrate this time of year.

The children are oh so excited about the programs that they will be performing here and toward the time off as they anticipate the arrival of "Santa". As my own children begin to mature and wonder about the reality of Santa I always assured them that Santa was a very real person and that it was someone who loved them very much. It kept their fantasy alive a few more years while at the same time always telling them the truth.

I pray that you and your family truly celebrate the reality of the birth of our Savior and the love that was shown to us as God himself became man in order to restore our relationship to Him for all eternity.

In Christ love,

Johnny

Spelling words.

Below are the spelling and sight words for that we will be working on for the next two weeks.  This is list seven of fifteen we will hve this year.

In Christ,
Johnny

1.    that

2.   this
3.   my 
4.   one
5.   so
6.   as
7.   pink

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Each year I am blessed as I am allowed to enjoy the excitement and energy of young children; to watch as they anticipate Christmas and the coming of Santa.  I am also encouraged by five year olds who understand the reason for the season.  I am also priviledged to guide children into furthur understanding that Jesus Christ was and is the greatest gift of all time and that without Him there is no hope.  Thank you for entrusting your children to me.

In Christ,

Johnny

Happy Thanksgiving

As I look back on my life the things I appreciate the most are the times I spent with my family and the things I regret most are those times I should have spent more time with them and didn't.  I urge you to take as much time as possible for your family this Thanksgiving.  You and your children will always be grateful for those times and you will never regret them when looking back.

In Christ,

Johnny

What's Happening

On Friday, Nov. 2, we had a fantastic day in the park.  I have to admit that I was a little leery about being there all day but the kids never once said they were ready to go.  In fact, when one child asked when we were going, I asked her if she was ready and she quickly replied, "NO". 

Last week we began painting our "indian" costumes.  The kids are very excited and looking forward to our feast this Friday.  And of course we are all looking forward to the following week when we are out for the holiday.

This week also ends our food drive for the hungry.  Thus far we have won two of the three weeks for most items brought.

Enough for now.

In Christ,

Johnny

Music Appreciation: "Harvest Song"

Today the Kindergarten class participated in some music appreciation when they listened to "Harvest Song" from Douglas Moore's film score "Farm Journal." First we talked about what harvest means and why we think of it so much in the Fall season. We then observed some elements of a harvest and the Fall season in the painting "Landscape with Cypresses" by Vincent Van Gogh. While listening to the music, the students got to act out different actions people might do at harvest time.

Listen to other "Harvest" music and talk about what this season would have been like for us if we lived in a different time when we were gathering in our own food. The song below is "Traditional Harvest Song" from Romania.