This week we explored the sound for /S/. The children made bright and beautiful snakes. They painted interesting patterns on their snakes and followed with a colorful and contracting background. They all came out unique and interesting to look at. The children were very proud to show off their work. We played a fun game where the children got to go on a hunt for something that starts with /S/. I set items around the room and each child got a turn looking for their item. I gave hints for them to figure out what item they needed to find. They had so much fun and they were learning in the process. We followed with coloring and cutting items that start with /S/. For science, we made slime. This is always a fun experiment because the children can see the change happen right away. They get to see a chemical reaction as the glue (the polymer) and the borax (activator) come together to create something new with the chemical change, giving us SLIME. They had so much fun playing with the slime they created. For /S/ inspired art, we did Scribble Art. This was so much fun. We talked about how sometimes art can be random. Some of the children already knew what random meant. I was impressed. We talked about how art can start out random and unpredictable and then we can add detail and care to the randomness. We started with a "scribble" with a black crayon. This was the ‘random’, creating the wild lines. Then, the children colored in the spaces between the lines. As they carefully colored between the lines, they thought about what colors they like together (complimentary colors). The students were so proud of their finished work and loved how everyone produced something so different. So, if your child is at home scribbling and looking at their work like it's a masterpiece, they aren't regressing, they are just channeling their inner artist. We also embraced Fall and talked about what we love about the season. We had to dig deep into our memory to reflect on what a cool fall day felt like with all this uncomfortable heat we have had. We, however, were able to come up with some great ideas to write about.. The children did colorful illustrations and wrote about what they love most about the fall. We also explored lots of autumn themed books. For art, the children painted Fall trees with beautiful backgrounds. We started with a handprint going up the arm to create a nice solid tree and trunk. The children practiced control with the paint brush to create colorful fall leaves. We followed with beautiful backgrounds. They got to choose bright blue for a daytime setting, or warm yellow, orange or purple for a beautiful sunset. They all came out very different and beautiful. Have a wonderful weekend,
TK - Ms. Kristine
TK - Ms. Kristine
TK - Ms. Kristine
We have stayed busy over the past few weeks in TK, even though we have had shorter work weeks with the holidays. The children come in tired, but they love to come to school to play and get their work done. 9/22 - 9/24 Last week we worked on the sound for /B/. The children made beautiful blue or black birds and decorated them with bright feathers. They painted their birds along with a contracting background to make each bird colorful and original. Some friends used buttons for eyes, making them extra fun. We also made breaded, blue bracelets. They had so much fun making their beautiful bracelets while making patterns with the different shades of blue. TK loves to make jewelry because it's so fun to wear them home. To conclude, the children colored and cut pictures of /B/ items and placed them on a Big B. 9/28 - 10/1 This week we worked on the sound for /H/. We made happy homes out of various shapes and, of course, the letter H is hidden in the art. The children used the rubbing technique to add a little texture to their home (the H), with crayon. They followed with adding shapes for the door and the window and roof. Once they built their beautiful and original home, they added the landscape. Every home needs some landscape to make it welcoming and pretty. We ended up with a row of beautiful houses that were picture perfect. We concluded with coloring and cutting items that start with /H/ to place on their big H. Their fine motor skills are really improving along with their confidence. To welcome the new month, the children made their October calendar. They practiced tracing their numbers and made fall art. They got to use legos to stamp paint ears of corn and cut out fun eyes to make the corn come to life. They came out very cute and the children were excited to take them home. Have a wonderful weekend,
TK - Ms. Kristine
Week of Sept 7 We introduced the sound for /M/. Remember, we are exploring the alphabet phonetically, not in alphabetical order. The children practiced isolating the sound in words and we all brainstormed words that begin with /M/. We played a game with cards that have pictures of items that start with /M/. We identified all the items and played guessing games and rhyming games to get everyone involved. We followed by making a cute ‘M is for Mouse', where the children had a hidden M in their mouse picture. They painted their background, creating bright and original artwork. We also colored and cut /M/ pictures and placed them on a big M. Last week, we advanced in our place value pocket chart as we reached our 10th day of school. This pocket chart helps us count our days in school with a straw for each day. As we reach every 10th day, we bundle them together and call the bundle a 'ten'. As we move further along, we will be able to count our days in school by tens. We also explored magnets, to stay in the /M/ theme. The students had so much fun using the magnets to make things move without touching them. Of course, they called it "Magic". For literature we read "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie". The children followed by making a story retelling wheel. We also read fun books like Mouse Mess, Move Over Rover and Mouse Paint. . Week of Sept. 14 We had a fun and busy time this week in TK. We have been together 16 days, and we are really feeling closer as a group. I hope this brings a more relaxed and comfortable environment for everyone. With the holidays here, and shorter work weeks, we will focus on maintaining that connection and keeping up with our routine when we are together. In class we worked on the sound for /P/. We made fun penguins, beautiful peacocks, and purple and pink picture frames, decorated with puzzle pieces to place pictures of the children playing .(Say that three times). Everyone was so proud of their framed pictures. We also colored and cut pictures of things that start with /P/.. For sensory and fine motor development, we practiced picking up pompops with tweezers and placed them in small trays. We also did lots of fun puzzles. For /P/ week, we had to make playdough. The children learned the science term ‘mixture’. We talked about how two or more things can be mixed together and become something new. The children thought it was amazing that playdough could be made so easily. For math, we practiced making patterns with geometric shapes. The kids had fun with the stickers.
TK - Ms. Kristine
Dear Families
We had a great second week of school. We have stayed busy and we have continued to practice daily routines that support responsibility and independence. This will be an ongoing theme throughout the year as we encourage our students to be proud and self-sufficient. I have really enjoyed getting to know your children so far, and witness everyone's individual personalities and special qualities. I am looking forward to what I know will be an amazing school year. This week we worked on the sound for "A". Everyone knows the letter A, so it is a nice start and it coordinates with our beginning of the year 'Apple Theme'. However, from next week on, we will be exploring the alphabet phonetically. This means the letters will be introduced out of order. We do it this way because some sounds are easier to hear and isolate than others. We will do a letter a week and review all past letters as we move through the alphabet. Our goal is for the children to have a strong connection with each letter's sound, along with the letter's name. We plan to make the alphabet journey fun and educational. For A we made A is for Alligator. The students assembled fun alligators and cut out teeth to make it look fierce. In preparation for our alligators, we also painted a blue background to make each alligator “pop”. We also colored and cut out pictures of items that start with A and glued them on a big A. This supported our fine motor skills as we explored more things with the "A" sound. The children make their first calendar this week for September. We will make a calendar on the first of each month, or the closest school day. They practice number writing and they get to make seasonal art for the top. They have so much pride when doing this activity. I love hearing about who gets to hang theirs up at home. For art, we painted apples with stencils. Once our apples were dry, we built baskets around them to make very adorable, rustic apple baskets. We also painted and assembled an apple that was hidden in an A and made out of craft sticks. The children couldn't wait to take them home. You will be hearing about a lot of things that we are making, but not everything will be going home right away. Some things go home right away, so hang in the room for a bit and some things will go in their portfolios that will go home at the end of the year. Everything goes home eventually. Reminders for a successful TK day: WATER BOTTLES: Please send a clean and full water bottle to school each day. We want our children hydrated at all times. CHANGE OF CLOTHES: If you have not sent a change of clothes yet, please do so. And if dirty clothes go home, please send a replacement. SNACKS: Please send an AM and a PM snack each day. LUNCH: Please send lunch daily or sign your child up for hot lunch on days you choose. I think we have had a great start so far. Thank you for your kindness and support as we all adjust to the new school year. Have a wonderful weekend, Ms Kristine
TK - Ms. Kristine
Dear Parents, Welcome to TK! My name is Miss Kristine, and I am so excited for the 2026-2027 school year at The Hebrew Academy. I know we will have an exciting year full of discovery, growth, and lots of fun. I am a graduate of California State University, Fullerton where I earned my B.S. in Child Development with a focus in Education. I entered the public school system right away, teaching Kindergarten and 1st grade until my husband and I decided to start a family. Once my daughters were ready for me to get back to what I love, I began teaching again. Over the past 12 years, I have worked in private schools, ranging from Pre-Kindergarten up to 3rd grade. I love this age the most and understand how important a good foundation is for the years to come. My goal is to make sure our children are ready for Kindergarten socially, emotionally and academically. I want to encourage independence, self-awareness, and confidence so that we have kind, considerate, and happy children who are ready to take on whatever comes their way. Academically, I want every child to grow and advance comfortably and naturally, but with strong encouragement, so they are able to meet their full potential. My greatest happiness is to witness a child make connections, have their “light bulb” moments, and see their pride and confidence grow. Followed is the general outline of study for the year: The Reading curriculum is Phonics-Based, as we explore the alphabet and begin word building. In Literature, we focus on the classics as well as some popular books followed by fun activities that build on story re-telling and comprehension. Creative writing is introduced right away, starting with every child's level of comfort. In Mathematics, I use a Montessori approach to build a strong foundation. We focus on developing the association between quantity and numerals, basic math operations, place value, and geometric shapes. For Science, we will study the seasons, the water cycle, states of matter, basic geography, insect lifecycles, plant lifecycles, and general discovery supported by the scientific method (develop hypotheses, test, and compare). Art and Music are a big part of each and every day, incorporated in all areas of study. Fine and gross motor development will be strengthened as we work daily on projects and activities. Again, this is a general outline of study, but I approach each year organically, allowing the students to explore and add what brings excitement and interest to the class. I love working as a team and as a community where we all have the same wishes and goals - success and happiness for all our children. I am so happy to know this is the culture of the Hebrew Academy. Thank you for the opportunity to teach your children and be a part of their next school year! Sincerely, Miss Kristine
