Disney II Preschool News!
Room 102: Preschool for All
Ms. Wang lwang1@cps.edu
Quarter 3, Week 8: March 19-23, 2012
Our Class News
Our big Cc activity this week included creating our own capes! But before we did, we talked
about who wore capes. The popular vote was Superman and Batman, and other Superheroes,
but we also discovered that magicians, vampires and witches wore capes too! But we were quick
to point out that their capes were mostly black whereas other Superhero capes were color and
usually had a symbol on it. We learned that long, long time ago, people wore capes as a jacket.
After examining some capes worn by non-superheroes, we inferred that people probably wore
these capes to keep warm, like Little Red Riding Hood. But back to Superheroes: I learned that
many of our friends know a lot about them! “Superheroes help save people, like if I was
dangling from the window, a superhero swoops in and saves me so I don’t get hurt”,
“Superheroes keep people and kittens safe”, “Superheroes fight the bad guys and always wins.”
We then discussed about special super powers that Superheroes have and most liked and
wanted Superman’s powers of x-ray vision, flying, speed and strength! When asked what
Superpower they would like, many answered with flying! Students were then challenged to
create a Superhero name for themselves, as well as a super power that they can use to help
people. One student named herself Super Princess with the power of giving kisses! Another
student named himself Super Kid who can do everything and anything! I think this applies to
every child!
In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, we made lucky 4-leaf clovers using our hands! We discussed
what a shamrock and 4-leaf clovers and looked at many pictures of them. (We are also learning
that if we want to learn more or get information about a certain subject, we can use the
internet! We have been using Google as a primary search engine in researching things). We also
discussed how St. Patrick’s Day originally started in a country called Ireland. When asked what
country we live in, students unanimously shouted, “Chicago!”  They weren’t surprised when
they were corrected: “Oh duh, right. I knew that!”  We also learned that we don’t have to be
Irish to wear green and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. On that note, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Sight Words
For those students who have started sight words, I hope it is going well! Many have been
reporting back to me that they are practicing their words with their mommies and daddies –
Great! I’m so glad to hear that the flashcards are being well used. Keep in mind that there are
other ways to reinforce memorizing these words. For example, you can build a Sight Words
Word Wall, where they can copy the word on cards and post them up. They can also go on a
Sight Words hunt in a book and see if they find any know! Keep up the great work!
PTA Used Book & Media Sale
Thanks to those who have already donated gently used books! We would greatly appreciate
more donations. Please deposit donations in the box set up in the school's main entrance. Sale
will be held on June 2, 2012.
DISNEY II PTA STUDENT VOLUNTEER DAY 4/18
Mark your calendars for this non-attendance day and watch for information to sign-up. Disney II
will be sending a select group of students to the Irving Park Community Food Pantry and a larger
group to Three Brothers Community Gardens. Contact Renee Linnemeyer at renegirard@aol.com
if you are interested in helping plan or volunteer at this event designed to teach our students
about giving back to the community.
Coming Up in Science/Writing…
In part of our Homes unit, we will draw, label and write things in our home. We will also discuss
the different rooms in our homes (4 basic rooms: bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living area)
and take the type identifying the function of each room and what items we would find in them.
Students will be encouraged to take a picture with the people that they live with in their favorite
room. You can send this picture via email (preferred) at lwang1@cps.edu, or print it out and
bring it in. We will then share it with our friends.
Coming Up in Math…
We will start Math Assessments this week. Students will be assessed on number identification,
number writing, number ordering, verbal counting, analyzing a graph, measurement, pattern,
story problems and shapes. In other words, many of the same skills we have been studying all
year! The only difference is that the goals have been set a bit higher. Results will be shared with
you at the upcoming Parent-Teacher Conference and will be documented in your child’s Progress
Report.
Coming Up in Literacy…
We will finish up on Literacy Assessments, where each child is assessed on letter identification
(upper-case and lower-case), letter sound recognition, name writing and alphabet writing. Older
Preschool students (those who will be entering Kindergarten this fall) will be assessed in
additional skills next week via the STEP Assessment.
In class, we have started learning how to segment, or sound out, CVC words. (CVC = Consonant
Vowel Consonant word. For example, c-a-t, d-o-g, p-i-g, etc). This is a strategy beginner
readers use to read a simple word. There are many ways to practice it and at Disney II, we like
to “tap it out” with our fingers. You child may have shown you that the first sound is shown by
tapping the index finger to the thumb; second sound is by tapping middle finger to thumb; third
sound is by tapping fourth finger to thumb. When we blend the letters together to make a word,
we brush our thumbs under the three fingers (For visualization, ask me when you see me! This
is better explained by showing then describing in words!) Most students are ready to implement
this skill. If you are unsure whether or child is ready, do not hesitate to ask me. Not all children
are (especially the younger preschoolers), and that is ok! This student will focus on
strengthening their Letter Identification and Sound Recognition.
Letter of the Week: Kk
We will learn what Kk looks like, sounds like and identify words that begin with Kk, such as king,
kiwi, koala, kangaroo, key, kick, Korea, and kites.
At home, continue reviewing the letters Gg, Mm, Tt, Ff, Nn, Hh, Aa, Pp, Zz, Bb, Ii, Ss, Dd, Vv, Ll,
Ww, Oo, Rr, Gg, Jj, and Cc.
What We’ve Been Reading!
“Some we’ve planned on reading, Some we read together, Many times we read it, We’ll know the story better!”
The Fat Cat Sat on the Mat by Nurit Karlin
I Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
Green Shamrocks
by Eve Bunting
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Clover
Cupcake
by Lucille Colandro
By Charise Harper
Tina Cocolina: Queen of the Cupcakes
Super Hero
by Pablo Cartayo
by E. C. Graham
Reminders
3/17 (Sat): St. Patrick’s Day
3/23 (Fri): Disney II Spirit Day – Wear your grade level color (Preschool is light blue)
Save the Dates!
3/26 (Mon): Local School Council (LSC) Candidate Forum in Cafeteria at 5pm
3/28 & 3/29 (Wed & Thurs): STEP Assessments.
3/29 (Thurs): Parent Academy from 5–7pm.
4/2 (Mon) to 4/6 (Fri): Spring Break – No School.
4/8 (Sun): Easter
4/9 (Mon): Classes Resume.
4/11 (Wed): PTA Parent Coffee
4/13 (Fri): Disney II Professional Development – No School.
End of 3rd Quarter.
4/16 (Mon): Scholastic April Book Club Orders Due.
Order online at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs Class Activation Code: HDLL9.
4/18 (Wed): Parent-Teacher Conferences – No School.
(Additional information and sign-up times will be distributed soon).
4/20 (Fri): Spirit Day – Pick your favorite decade and dress up in its style!
Thank You to…
Cloth Sheets: Maggie Knox, Trey Nguyen, Xavier Murphy
Sewing Experts: Carolyn Hackleman, Ellen Cruz
Magazines/Catalogs: Maggie Knox
Toilet roll tubes: Ben Connell, Reese Bradley, Sara Yousif, Ginevra Kellogg, Heaven WrightPagan, Trey Nguyen, Ellis Birkner, Janiyah Johnson, Chloe Campa, Johan Thomas, Maggie Knox,
Luca Hackleman, Mark Fitzgerald
Egg cartons: Eren Mutlu
Cereal Boxes: Ben Connell, Eren Mutlu, Sara Yousif, Abigail Machuca, Trey Nguyen, Liam
Kendrick
Rice: Ellis Birkner
Craft Sticks: Reese Bradley
Box Tops/Campbells Soup Can Labels: Ginevra Kellogg, Maggie Knox
Classroom Volunteers: Allison Mutlu, Georgina Bautista, Jen Knox, Linda Ascencio, Jessica
Arroyo, Maria Ariza
Mystery Reader: Jessica Arroyo
We Need…
Below are items that will be used for activities. If you have some, please consider sharing. It is greatly appreciated – Thank you!
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Baby wipes
Empty plastic bottles (please rinse and dry and include the cap)
Magazines/Catalogs (related to Homes, Houses, Living, etc, a plus!)
Toilet roll tubes (the paper rolls leftover from toilet paper)
Empty packaged goods boxes (aka your recyclables!)
Box Tops & Campbell’s Soup Can Labels