Thanks to all of the families who came out to celebrate with us today. The students performed one fingerplay and one song and did an excellent job.

I feel so blessed to work with such caring families and kids. I look forward to seeing everyone in the fall!

Love,

Miss Rebecca

Your school age child can earn a FREE book this summer, from Barnes and Noble!

Here’s How It Works:

1. Kids read any eight (8) books of their own choosing.

2. Kids use the Summer Reading Journal to tell us their favorite part of each book. A parent/guardian signs the journal when it’s complete. You can also get a Spanish-language Reading Journal.

3. Children bring their completed Reading Journal to a Barnes & Noble store between May 26th & September 7th, 2009.

4. B&N will give them a coupon for a FREE book, from a list of titles.

Here is the website for the downloads:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/

Enjoy,

Rebecca

Well, I hope all of you moms enjoyed our preschool’s Mother’s Day tea today as much as I did! It was wonderful to see the children presenting moms with that special gift, card and flower. And they did a fine job with the food too.

Our menu included:

Potato and Dandelion Green Quiche

Spanish Rice

Tofu Squares

Wildflower Salad (with freshly picked violets and dandelions)

Mulberry Muffins

Acai Mango Zinger Tea, sweetened with White grape peach juice

Thanks to all of you moms out there for taking care of us!

Hugs,

Rebecca Wolf

My Mommy Cuddles Me

My mommy cuddles me
kisses me, hugs me and misses me
pampers me, praises me, always
amazes me

Washes my clothes for me,
tickles my toes for me,
giggles and talks with me,
and also goes on walks with me,
Says “sweet dreams” to me,
Sings sweet songs to me,
I am glad she belongs to me.

I would like to do a week long summer camp for ages 5 - 7 this year. If you are interested in enrolling your child, please e-mail me or leave a reply below. It would also be helpful to know what dates will not work for you so I can schedule something quickly.

I am envisioning an assortment of literacy, music, arts and crafts, nature and science, and lots of play. The camp will run from 9:00 - 12 noon and will cost $20/day. You’re welcome to bring your child for all 5 days or select specific days to attend.

UPDATE: This camp is a definite go for August 17 - 21st. There may be another session offered during July 6-10th if there is enough interest, so speak up if you are.

Enjoy the warmer weather!

Rebecca Wolf

Thank you to everyone who took the time to fill out the survey. Due to the scheduling of some important home repairs, the preschool program will not run through the summer months. Our last class will be June 17th.

Fall sessions will resume September 14th and registration is only a phone call (or e-mail) away.

Rebecca, who is eagerly awaiting warmer weather!

For you homeschooling teachers, Learning A-Z is holding an Open House so you can test drive their products for free! Just go to this URL to register: http://www.learninga-z.com/special/openhouse/index.html

Explore and sample thousands of downloadable resources, from reading and writing to vocabulary and science. The Reading A-Z program uses the same guided reading levels that I use, so it makes it easy to find books that are at just the right level for your reader at home.

A few posts ago, I also mentioned that the deadline for ordering Learning A-Z products is quickly approaching this weekend. If you buy through the Homeschooler’s Co-op, you receive a substantial discount.

Enjoy,

Rebecca

I’ve seen magnetic paint you can use to make any surface magnetic. This paint comes in handy for making a wall or regular chalkboard or dry erase board something you can use for magnetic letter work.

But this Idea Paint turns any wall or surface into a white board! And the company is giving out free samples at: http://www.ideapaint.com/get-a-sample.aspx

I’m wondering how it’ll work on stucco!

Enjoy,

Rebecca

In case you didn’t see the gaping hole in my kitchen ceiling last week, we have a major leak in the upstairs bathroom that needs to be fixed before we can use it again. After talking with the carpenter, we realized that there will be considerable clean-up involved after the initial work of repairing the broken bathroom pipes on Monday and Tuesday this week. I don’t want to put any of my students in a hazardous situation, so I have decided to cancel all classes this week to ensure that we have adequate time to fix and clean everything after the carpenters finish on Tuesday evening. This includes tutoring, Spanish, preschool, and Readers’ Circle classes.

Consider it our “Spring Vacation” this week and enjoy our (hopefully) last round of snow for the season!

I apologize for the inconvenience of this home repair, but I will make it up to you! Next week, I will have a big surprise ready and waiting outside for my preschool students (they’re gonna’ LOVE it). Please dress your child in outside play clothes for Monday and Wednesday’s classes next week!

See you on April 13th and thanks for your patience and understanding! If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at 935-7131.

Rebecca Wolf
SibleyCenter.com

P.S. If you’re looking for something fun to do this week, check out the Calendar at http://rochester.kidsoutandabout.com

I just joined the Homeschool Buyers’ Co-op at https://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org

They sell a lot of big ticket items which I don’t particularly buy or need, but I did happen to see something exciting in their most recent newsletter. Here’s a snippet from them:

Members save on ANY of the SIX titles included in the Learning A-Z suite of online programs — Reading A-Z.com, Writing A-Z.com, Vocabulary A-Z.com, RAZ-Kids.com, Reading-Tutors.com, and even their newest addition - Science A-Z.com!  Members can choose one program or all of them.  Try one today - love it - and come back tomorrow for another title.  We are pleased to have these award-winning titles NOW AVAILABLE to Co-op members at volume discount pricing!

I have seen the books at Reading A-Z.com and even used them when I was teaching in the public schools. The price is for a one year subscription and you can download and print out thousands of books, lesson plans and other supporting materials for about $6 a month. The books are leveled from kindergarten up to sixth grade.

But don’t take my word for it, check out the free sample books yourself at: http://www.readinga-z.com/ If you like what you see, you can join the co-op for free and save on the regular retail price. Joining the co-op is a win-win situation because 1) it doesn’t cost you anything, and 2) the larger our co-op group, the more buying power we have to get the same deals that big school districts get.

Enjoy,

Rebecca Wolf

The preschool children are studying farm animals now. We read the fable “Town Mouse and Country Mouse” and discussed differences between the country and the city.

We are working on farm nomenclature cards, pretend farm play, and animal sounds. You are welcome to join me on a picnic to Springdale Farm on Wednesday, March 25th after class. The farm is in Brockport and free to the public.

Next month, Springdale will be holding a Sheep Shearing Festival, too:

Saturday, Apr. 25:  Sheep Shearing Festival

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Highlights include sheep shearing and wool cleaning and dyeing demonstrations. Alongside the sheep, children, too, can be “sheared” with free haircuts for kids ages four to 12. More festival favorites include temporary tattoos, musical entertainment, plant sales, robotic milking center tours and children’s crafts.

Admission is $5.00 for adults (ages 12-62), $4.00 for youth (ages 3-11) and seniors (age 63+), and children ages two and under are free.

Enjoy,

Rebecca Wolf