February 28th, was the 3rd Sunday of Lent!

Last week read Hongkham's Story from the country of Laos. The children are absolutely enthralled in these stories. They are so excited to bring their money and put it in the rice bowl! They have been so happy and proud to bring the floss and toothpaste. 

Thank you to the seventh grade students that came into our classroom to gather our tooth paste and thank the children for their efforts in Almsgiving! 

This week we'll read Odette's Story from the country of Rwanda. this week we are collecting toothbrushes!

Last week we made a cell out of jello, apricots, and chopped dates. The cytoplasm was jello that is contained by the cell membrane which was the saran wrap. A dried apricot played the part of the nucleus (the brains of the cell) and the vacuoles were made of chopped dates (the storage tanks of the cell). When all said and done were eaten by the children.

This week we are working more on the organs in our body and their function. There is a little science project with each organ which we will be doing.

Sound of the week "o" as in ostrich, otter, olive, octagon, octopus, ox, optical lens, offering, October, officer, etc. 

Math~ introduction of the 100 Bead Chain w/number arrows. 

Language~ continue with metal insets, froebel pinning, writing tray with lid.

Geography~ the animals from 7 continents.

Science~ the human body

Sensorial~ thermic tablets, rough and smooth boards, sound cylinders.

Practical life~ introduce wood polishing, and silver polishing.

Have a wonderful week,

Ms Karen and Ms Lois

February 21st was the 2nd Sunday of Lent!
Burying the Alleluia is a tradition I learned from "Sister Mary Rose Bingham" who is a Nationally Recognized Formation Leader with CGSUSA. I feel so fortunate to have her as my Formation Leader.
The first day of Lent, we roll up that beautiful Alleluia like a scroll, tie it with a purple ribbon, and tuck it away. We do not sing or say the word "Alleluia" for the duration of Lent. Alleluia is an Easter word! We put it away so to speak, and when we reclaim it on Easter Sunday, how joyful it feels to let it roll of our tongues. After forty days of quiet, we are practically bursting with Alleluia. :) Physically burying the word reminds us that joy always follows suffering. We must wait for it, but it will come.

This week in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd we will read "Psalm 23".  We have been getting to know the Good Shepherd and have come to love Him so much. A long time ago a shepherd boy wrote a song to the Good Shepherd. We call it a psalm. Let us listen to this beautiful psalm by David.

The children are having a wonderful time giving their change to the Rice Bowl! They have also taken a huge part in the Almsgiving by bringing the floss last week. This week we are collecting toothpaste!

I am sad to say one of our students is leaving this week. I am sure you all know the family of Jacob Jackson Lee have found a home in Bellevue,  which is a very long commute. We are extremely happy for them; however, we are going to miss our classmate "Jacob".  His last day at OLF will be Thursday the 25th of February! We are having a Good-Bye circle on Thursday.

Sound of the week "n" as in nest, nickel, nose, nail, nap, etc.

Have a wonderful week,
Ms Karen & Ms Lois

Welcome back from Winter break & President's Day!

Almsgiving~ Lenten Service Project
As a school, we want to encourage everyone to add-in a small bit of service to their week. we want to encourage the students to do an additional chore at home to earn money and/or to use their own money to buy a small item that is needed by homeless shelters. Each week, we will be collecting these items as classes and assembling them in the trophy cases. These will serve as a visible sign of our Mercy in Motion.

This week we are collecting floss, please send with your child by Friday! Also this week we are focussing on learning about the country of Columbia, (option for the poor).

We will begin our unit on "The Human Body," starting with the Cell.  This unit will include the organs in our body, circulatory system and skeletal system. We will also discuss Nutrition!
Nutrients:
1. To provide materials for building, repairing, and maintaining body cells.
2. To regulate body process.
3. To provide energy.
The body uses the energy from food to carry on it's functions. Main groups of nutrients are:
1.Carbohydrates        4. Minerals
2. Fats                        5. Vitamins
3. Proteins                  6. Water

The children will also learn how to make Lanterns, to end the Chinese New Year February 22nd with a Lantern Festival.

Thank you to Jennifer Lee Jackson, Jessica Andrews, Heidi, Jennifer Marston, and Amy LaRubbio, for the wonderful Valentine's Day Party.

Have a wonderful week,
Ms Karen and Ms Lois

This week in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd we will be discussing the meaning of Lent. The children will hear Lent is a time of preparation. A 40-day journey of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving beginning on Ash Wednesday, helps us deepen our relationship with Christ.

We are also participating in the CRS Rice Bowl. This information went out in the packets on Thursday. We will have a Rice bowl on our prayer table during our Lenten journey. 

Mrs Burdett will come into our classroom on Ash Wednesday to place the ashes on our foreheads. We'll talk about this with the children Monday and Tuesday to prepare them for this journey. 

Monday is the Chinese New Year! We will learn about distinctive cultures and customs, and celebrate this special festival through the books I have acquired  from my students during my years of teaching. this celebration begins on February 8th and last for 15 days. Today in the Good Shepherd Preschool we will be cleaning our classroom to get rid of the old and bring in the new. Tomorrow when the children arrive there will be many Chinese Lanterns hanging above our heads. We will learn more upon our return from winter break. 

Our Valentine's Day Party will begin at 10:00am to11:00am on Tuesday the 9th. All the preschool children are invited to the party. 

We will begin our Lenten journey on Wednesday!

School is closed Thursday for optional conferences. Friday winter break, Monday President's Day, Tuesday winter break. 

Today is Frankie Arya's Birthday! Happy Birthday Frankie!

Have a wonderful week,
Ms Karen 

       Happy Catholic Schools Week!

This week in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd our presentation will be the Parable of the Good Shepherd. On our prayer table we have the statue of the Good Shepherd lovingly carrying a sheep on his shoulders. He knows every sheep by their name and they know his voice and follow him. They will not follow a strangers voice. 

This is such a wonderful story for the children to hear. During the presentation there are moments of quiet so the children may ponder and respond. It is wonderful to see them sitting there wondering about the sheep.

Tuesday~ Groundhog Day!

Wednesday~ Grand Parents are welcome to join us for the morning and follow their grandchild around the room and listen to their little voice. We look forward to seeing you!

Thursday~ Pajama Day and lots of stories. Please send your child's favorite book with them.

Friday~ Crazy hair day and wear blue.

Please send all your empty cereal boxes this week. 

Have a wonderful week,

Ms Karen