THE MARCH TOM-TOM
SEPTEMBER 2024-2025 NURSERY SCHOOL:
Registration forms for school of 2024-2025 were emailed to you. If you have not received one, please let us know and we will resend. Should you have any questions please call the office at 781-3900, and we will get you all set up. A $200.00 registration fee is required to hold your child’s spot. Act now!
THINK SUMMER!
Enroll your child now for a summer of fun at BIG CHIEF DAY CAMP! Call the office at 781-3900 now for a registration form!
SUMMER CAMP EMPLOYMENT!
Applications are now being accepted for camp. Are you going to be home this summer? Would you like to send your child to camp? Join the Big Chief Summer Staff, and have a great time! Call Luanne.
REMINDER: FULL-DAY PARENTS:
Please remember to return your child’s sheet and blanket each week for resting at nap time every FRIDAY AT PICK-UP TIME!!!!
**REMINDER NO GRAPES OR BLUEBERRIES (CHOKING HAZARDS)
PROGRAM:
MISS JEANNINE’S CLASS:
Theme: Continuing our nursery rhymes and our winter book. Three little kittens and Jack be Nimble. Introducing Spring and St. Patrick’s Day.
Language Arts: Reading spring books, singing nursery rhymes. Acting out our story.
Art: Making kittens, finger-painting Shamrocks, and making flowers.
Physical: Running in the field with balls and playing in the sandbox.
Science: Going on nature walks; looking for blooming flowers, birds, and other signs of spring.
Social Skills: Talking about the things we find on our nature walks.
Music: Bear Hunt, exercise and movement and parachute fun.
MISS JENNA’S CLASS:
Theme: Working on our nursery rhymes, and St. Patrick’s Day
Language Arts: Starting “Humpty Dumpty,” and “Itsy Bitsy spider.”
Social Skills: Practicing putting on our shoes by ourselves. Continuing with out hats and coats. Wiping our noses by ourselves and washing our hands without assistance.
Art: Working on our Humpty Dumpty and Itsy-Bitsy spider projects. Using the color green to make a shamrock.
Music: Using movement and songs to enhance our gross motor skills. Using parachutes, scarves, beanbags, and instruments.
Science: Going on nature walks on the warmer days to feed the birds and visit Lily and her friends. Talking about shapes, such as circles and triangles.
MISS ALEXANDRIA’S CLASS:
Theme: Continuing nursery rhymes, winter, and St. Patrick’s Day
Language Arts: Continuing “Hickory Dickory Dock,” “Jack Be Nimble” and “Hey Diddle-Diddle.
Social Skills: Talking about the cold weather, continue to practice putting on and taking off our coats. Lining up behind on another and taking turns. Continue working on wiping our noses and washing our hands.
Art: Painting a clock, Jack Be Nimble and Hey Diddle-Diddle. Painting with the color green to make a shamrock.
Math: Continue comparing small and large with clover leaves. Matching colors around the room.
Music: Marching, parachute fun and freeze dancing, using instruments and scarves.
Physical: Going in and out of our tunnel. Going outside when we can to observe the weather and visit our animals. Playing jumping games and pretending to be Jack jumping over the candlestick. Continuing to work on our lacing. Continue playing with playdough to work on fine motor skills.
MISS ELISA’S CLASS:
Theme: Feelings, windy days, and St. Patrick’s Day and Three little pigs.
Language Arts: Starting our book on the Three little pigs and feelings book. Stories will include “Three little pigs,” “Today I Feel Silly,” “The Windy Day, “Llama, Llama mad at mama” plus other books related to our theme.
Science: Running in the field with streamers on a windy day; blowing bubbles, visiting the animals outside; feeding the birds outside and hunting for any signs of bulbs we planted in the fall.
Physical: Bean bag games, parachute activities, play outside as often as possible and balance beam in the block area.
Art: Water colors, collages, finger painting and other art mediums to complete our Three little pigs and feelings book. Easel painting; mixing yellow and blue to make green for St. Patrick’s Day. Begin to learn how to use scissors.
Blocks: Balance beam, creating shapes, ramps and tunnels.
Music: “If You Are Happy” and instruments.
Cooking: Making fruit salad, scrambled eggs, smoothies and oatmeal.
MISS ANDREA’S CLASS:
Theme: Continue working on our story “Goldie locks and the three bears” preparing our classroom to learn about community helpers: We are learning about firefighters, mail carriers, doctors, Vets, dentist and police officers. We will also work on windy March days and St. Patrick’s Day.
Art: We will be making our own individual firetrucks, doctors’ medical bag, police badge and mail carrier’s bag. We will also make a cardboard vehicle, firetruck, mail truck and a police car that we can get into. Making a Shamrock with the color green.
Outdoor Sand box: The children will play with trucks and I am going to be a police officer.
Language Arts: “Little Fireman,” “Mail carriers at work,” “Our police.,” “Pete the cat,” “Firetrucks in action,” “Dr. Green, Seven little postmen,” and “The great Leprechaun chase.”
Block Area: Building our own houses in our own community. Making roads and highways along with parking lots. Building fire and police stations.
Math: Sorting blocks and vehicles, size seriating-small- medium-large.
Science: Taking our pinwheels and streamers outside in the wind to see how they work.
Physical: Creative movement with the parachute and scarves. Bean bag activities. Toss the bean bag into small, medium and large containers.
Fine Motor Skills: Lacing cards and cutting activities.
Music: “Hurry, Hurry drive the Firetruck.”
Cooking: Porridge, Irish soda bread, Fire truck snack and shamrock cookies.
Parents,
We are starting our unit on Community helpers. On March 14th, we will be learning about Veterinarians, on that day your child may bring in their favorite stuffed animal. Please be sure to label the stuffed animal.
Thank you, Ms. Andrea
MISS PATTI’S CLASS:
Theme: Continuing transportation, land, sea & air. St Patrick’s Day and Three Billy Goats Gruff. Spring.
Language Arts: Here are some samples of books that we will read and discuss
- Cars, Cars, Cars by Grace Maccarone
- And the cars go by William Bee
- Boats Float by George Lyon
- Boats Go by Steve Light
- Boat book by Gail Gibbons
- Planes Go by Steve Light
- Planes by Ann Rockwell
- Fly by Nathan Clement
- Trains Run by George Ella Lyon
- Train by Elisha Cooper
We will also be acting out “The Three Billy Goats Gruff”
Art: Finishing and designing our class mural. Making a train, boats and airplanes to hang on our mural. Cutting and decorating Shamrocks. Practice cutting/using glue and easel painting. Making a spring egg.
Block Area: Making a train, boat, and planes with different blocks. Creating canals, rivers and seas. Making an airport and train station.
Housekeeping: Making a train, boat and an airplane. Going on trips, packing to go to the airport. Talking about safe travels and visiting a Big Chief bus.
Science: Sink and float, observing March winds and the beginning of spring and making playdough.
Music/Movement: Train, boat and airplane songs using scarves, parachutes and bean bags. Learning different dances such as the Chicken Dance, music and movement related to our theme. Irish music for St. Patrick’s Day.
Cooking: Making Irish soda bread.
Parents,
This month we are continuing with transportation, we are discussing and learning about trains. While on winter break, if you could take your child on a train ride that would be great! Discuss and show them how you have to:
- Drive to the train station in your car.
- Buy a train ticket at the ticket machine/booth.
- Go up the escalator/stairs to get on the train.
- How to stay safe on the platform.
- Decide if you want to sit facing forward or backwards.
- Take a short ride.
- It would be a wonderful beginning for them to learn about trains.
- Share a picture of this experience. The children love to tell stories of their experiences.
Then off to water transportation.
Over the vacation or on a weekend take a drive down to Freeport. Look at all the different types of boats (Fishing, Party, Sports etc.…) There are also a couple of boat stores to go inside and look at boats. Take pictures, get catalogues do a little write-up.
Then off to air transportation.
Go to the Aviation Museum in Garden City on Museum Row. On Rte. 110 is Republic Airport that has a lot of small planes to look at and watch take off and land. (Park in the Stew Leanard’s parking lot). Please take a picture of the experience.
We welcome any ideas and comments. Remember to ask your child a lot of questions, make them think about the difference between the different types of transportation and different types of vehicles under one heading. How are they different and how they are the same? Please send in your pictures and write ups on Monday the 26th or Tuesday the 27th.
We would greatly appreciate this.
Thank you, Ms. Luanne &
Miss Patti
Theme: Starting, land, sea & air, and cars. St Patrick’s Day and The Three little pigs.
Language Arts: Here are some samples of books that we will read and discuss
- Cars, Cars, Cars by Grace Maccarone
- Twinkle – Twinkle little car by Kate Dopirak
- And the cars go by William Bee
- Boats Float by George Lyon
- Boats Go by Steve Light
- Boats by Patricia Hubbard
- Boat book by Gail Gibbons
- Planes Go by Steve Light
- Planes by Ann Rockwell
- Fly by Nathan Clement
- Trains Run by George Ella Lyon
- Train by Elisha Cooper
- Snakes on a Train by Kathryn Dennis
We will also be acting out “The Three Billy Goats Gruff”
Art: Making a train, boats, cars, and airplanes to hang on our mural. Cutting and decorating Shamrocks. Practice cutting/using glue and easel painting.
Block Area: Making a train, boat, and planes with different blocks. Creating canals, rivers, and seas. Making an airport and train station.
Housekeeping: Making a train, boat, and an airplane. Going on trips, packing to go to the airport. Talking about safe travels and visiting a Big Chief bus.
Science: Sink and float, observing March winds and the beginning of spring and making playdough.
Music/Movement: Train, boat and airplane songs using scarves, parachutes, and bean bags. Learning different dances such as the Chicken Dance, music and movement related to our theme. Irish music for St. Patrick’s Day.
Cooking: Making Irish soda bread.
Parents,
This month we are continuing with transportation, we are discussing and learning about trains. While on winter break, if you could take your child on a train ride that would be great! Discuss and show them how you have to:
- Drive to the train station in your car.
- Buy a train ticket at the ticket machine/booth.
- Go up the escalator/stairs to get on the train.
- How to stay safe on the platform.
- Decide if you want to sit facing forward or backwards.
- Take a short ride.
- It would be a wonderful beginning for them to learn about trains.
- Share a picture of this experience. The children love to tell stories of their experiences.
Then off to water transportation. Please take a photo of the experience and send it in.
Over the vacation or on a weekend take a drive down to Freeport. Look at all the different types of boats (Fishing, Party, Sports etc.…) There are also a couple of boat stores to go inside and look at boats. Take pictures, get catalogues do a little write-up.
Then off to air transportation.
Go to the Aviation Museum in Garden City on Museum Row. On Rte. 110 is Republic Airport that has a lot of small planes to look at and watch take off and land. (Park in the Stew Leanard’s parking lot).
We welcome any ideas and comments. Remember to ask your child a lot of questions, make them think about the difference between the different types of transportation and different types of vehicles under one heading. How are they different and how they are the same? Please send in your pictures and write ups on Monday the 26th or Tuesday the 27th.
We would greatly appreciate this.
Thank you, Ms. Luanne &
Mr. Andrey
PRE-KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM:
MISS KATYA
Theme: Continuing hibernation. Starting Multi culture, we will be covering a unit on various cultures this month. In our learning centers we will be exploring the music, dance, clothing, traditions, architecture, foods and languages of different countries. (Italy, Asia, Germany, France, India, Ireland and Africa, Greece and USA).
Art: Batiking (India), African painting (Africa) Drip Painting and Monet paintings (France), Oriental Fans (Asia), Masquerade mask (Italy), Cuckoo Clocks (Germany), Greek Vase (Greece) and a Flag (USA) and making passports to show what countries we have visited. Make bears, bats, snakes out of tube socks. Make penguins and ice bergs.
House Area: Make hibernation play, work on addresses and phone numbers. Pretend to open up restaurants to go with the countries. French Bistro, Italian pizzeria, and Chinese restaurant.
Cooking: Making pancakes for winter breakfast. Tastings from other countries, LoMein (China), pizza (Italy), African Sweet Toast (Africa), Black Forest Pudding (Germany), and Crepes, and Apple pie (USA).
Language Arts: Finishing up with Curious George. Next will be The Old Lady who swallowed…. Reading books about different countries.
Science: Experiments relating to the wind. Air, Air Everywhere, No So Thin Air Trick, and Fly a kite.
Blocks: Build caves for hibernation, bat caves and bear dens and snake tunnels. Building African villages and the Taj Mahal from India, building the Eiffel Tower, tall building for USA, Parthenon for Greece and other buildings from France and The Great Wall of China and Statue of Liberty (USA).
Math: Introducing new games: such as UNO, Zingo, rhyming match game, go fish, chutes and ladders Candyland and Dominos. Reviewing all math skills, number at the concept level. Then we will be starting all over again to make sure all the children comprehend.
Pre-Reading and Listening Comprehension:
Doing various activities to develop better skills. Work on Comprehension. Working on Instructional language, writing and alphabet games such as alphabet bingo and upper- and lower-case match game.
Music: The children will be listening to music from the various countries we are learning about.
Dear Parents,
In the month of March, we will be exploring various cultures from around the world through music, art, cooking architecture etc.
It would be great if you could send in a note with your child stating your family’s heritage. Should you have any music or clothing that is associated with said culture, it would be greatly appreciated.
8 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD PLAY BOARD GAMES REGULARLY.
1. Board game playing increases brain function
This activity is a wonderful exercise for brain. Because playing stimulates brain areas that are responsible for complex thought and memory formation for both – kids and adults, it assists in practicing essential cognitive skills, such as problem solving and decision making.
Board game playing also reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and for elderly people helps to keep mind sharp. There are many benefits for young ones, as well. Board games are known to be good for kids’ mental growth, also for making teens more intelligent.
2. It brings laughter and decreases stress
Laughter it’s like a “side effect” of board game playing, and it is one of the vital ingredients for creativity and enjoyable learning experience. Also, laughing and having a good time in general helps to decrease stress, so that explains why studies have found that game board playing has the ability to reduce stress (according to an online survey by RealNetworks, Inc., 53 percent people play for the stress relief).
3. Board game playing creates more happiness
Playing board games triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. Perceived as a positive emotion, “happy hormones” has the power to improve conscious and unconscious mind functions, leaving person feeling cheerful, compassionate, and ultimately content.
4. It brings people closer and strengthens relationships
Does anyone play board game alone? No. Obviously. Board game playing foundation is – cooperation. It blooms when it’s “handled” by teamwork. It brings strangers, old friends, co-workers together… It doesn’t truly matter if either it’s about making new connections, exploring hobby with same “crime partners” in the adored game, or having pleasant evening with loved ones – board game playing is the perfect way to spend time in a nice company and strengthen bonds with other human-beings.
5. It reminds what it’s like to live in a real world (kind of)
One of the most amazing benefits of board games playing is that such traditional plays pull people out of the digital world. Board games engage in activities that do not involve staring at a smartphone, tablet, or computer screen. (And we need more of that, nowadays!)
6. Playing board game lowers blood pressure
Along with reducing stress, laughing, and increasing “happy hormones,” board games can be effective when maintaining blood pressure. It is believed that the release of endorphins provokes muscles to relax and blood starts to circulate much more easily, which likely lowers blood pressure. (High blood pressure is associated with higher risk of artery damage, heart disease and even stroke.)
7. It teaches how to set goals and be patient
Winning takes strategy and patience. And in happy environment these things are learned in a stress-free, adventurous way that, undoubtedly, is beneficial for teens, and as well for the adults.
8. Board games enhance creativity and self-confidence Playing board games is a perfect opportunity to connect and open up, it also helps to display a creative side of personality in non-intrusive or arrogant way, which can be very beneficial for the “quiet types.” Board games are amazing tool for shy children and timid adults. Playing pushes, them to develop a stronger sense of creativity and individuality that lead to a greater self-esteem and fulfilling feeling of being included and “noticed.”
8 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD PLAY BOARD GAMES REGULARLY.
1. Board game playing increases brain function
This activity is a wonderful exercise for brain. Because playing stimulates brain areas that are responsible for complex thought and memory formation for both – kids and adults, it assists in practicing essential cognitive skills, such as problem solving and decision making.
Board game playing also reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and for elderly people helps to keep mind sharp. There are many benefits for young ones, as well. Board games are known to be good for kids’ mental growth, also for making teens more intelligent.
2. It brings laughter and decreases stress
Laughter it’s like a “side effect” of board game playing, and it is one of the vital ingredients for creativity and enjoyable learning experience. Also, laughing and having a good time in general helps to decrease stress, so that explains why studies have found that game board playing has the ability to reduce stress (according to an online survey by RealNetworks, Inc., 53 percent people play for the stress relief).
3. Board game playing creates more happiness
Playing board games triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. Perceived as a positive emotion, “happy hormones” has the power to improve conscious and unconscious mind functions, leaving person feeling cheerful, compassionate and ultimately content.
4. It brings people closer and strengthens relationships
Does anyone play board game alone? No. Obviously. Board game playing foundation is – cooperation. It blooms when it’s “handled” by teamwork. It brings strangers, old friends, co-workers together… It doesn’t truly matter if either it’s about making new connections, exploring hobby with same “crime partners” in the adored game, or having pleasant evening with loved ones – board game playing is the perfect way to spend time in a nice company and strengthen bonds with other human-beings.
5. It reminds what it’s like to live in a real world (kind of)
One of the most amazing benefits of board games playing is that such traditional plays pull people out of the digital world. Board games engage in activities that do not involve staring at a smartphone, tablet or computer screen. (And we need more of that, nowadays!)
6. Playing board game lowers blood pressure
Along with reducing stress, laughing and increasing “happy hormones”, board games can be effective when maintaining blood pressure. It is believed that the release of endorphins provokes muscles to relax and blood starts to circulate much more easily, which likely lowers blood pressure. (High blood pressure is associated with higher risk of artery damage, heart disease and even stroke.)
7. It teaches how to set goals and be patient
Winning takes strategy and patience. And in happy environment these things are learned in a stress-free, adventurous way that, undoubtedly, is beneficial for teens, and as well for the adults.
8. Board games enhance creativity and self-confidence
Playing board games is a perfect opportunity to connect and open up, it also helps to display a creative side of personality in non-intrusive or arrogant way, which can be very beneficial for the “quiet types”. Board games are amazing tool for shy children and timid adults. Playing pushes, them to develop a stronger sense of creativity and individuality that lead to a greater self-esteem and fulfilling feeling of being included and “noticed”.