Ms. Erin's News

October News

Going camping was so much fun! We enjoyed fishing, rowing a boat, and sitting around a pretend campfire.
We also really enjoyed our preschool class picnic in the Blackwell Pavilion.

During the month of October, we will continue discussing the forest and the different animals that make it their home. We will also discuss pumpkins, spiders, and the feelings of "scared," "safe," and "happy."

Our books of the week are:
Sept. 29-Oct. 2: Looking for a Moose, by Phyllis Root and Randy Cecil
Oct. 6-10: Raccoon Tune, by Nancy Shaw and Howard Fine AND/OR Raccoon on his Own, by Jim Arnosky
Oct. 13-17: A Very Busy Spider, by Eric Carle
Oct. 20-24: Bear Gets Scared, by Karma Wilson
Oct. 27-31: Skeleton Hiccups, by Marjory Cuyler and SD Schindler

Our Letters for the week are:
Sept. 29-Oct. 2: T
Oct. 6-10: A
Oct. 13-17: Review
Oct. 20-24: D
Oct. 27-31: S

During the month of October, we are planning on visiting a pumpkin patch, carving our own pumpkin in the classroom, and planting some pumpkin seeds. (Maybe those will grow too!!!)

Reminders:
Wed. Oct. 15th: Early Release

September News

During the month of September (2-26) we are focusing on 2 themes: Picnic and Camping.

Picnic Books:
Pig Picnic, by Patricia Hubbel
The Best Picnic Ever, by Clare Jarrett

Camping Books:
Maisy Goes Camping, by Lucy Cousins AND
When We Go Camping, by Margriet Ruurs
Just Me and My Dad, by Mercer Mayer

Letters of the week:
Sept. 2-5: Review
Sept. 8-12: Pp
Sept. 15-19: Review
Sept. 22-26: Cc

The children will have the opportunity to go on pretend picnics and campouts. We will also discuss the supplies/equipment needed for each activity, food and food groups, and forest animals.

If your family has any pictures from a picnic or campout, please feel free to share them with the class.

Important Dates:
Tuesday, September 16th is an Early Release Day. Dismissal will be @ 12:10. (11:00 for half day kiddos).

Friday, September 26th: Preschool Picnic Lunch. Be sure to let me know if your child will be having a sack lunch from the cafeteria or if he/she will be bringing a lunch from home.

September Updates
On Tuesday, Sept. 9th we had watermelon for snack and then planted the watermelon seeds. We are closely monitoring our plants in hopes that they will sprout.
WOW!!! After about a week, our watermelon seeds have sprouted! the children are so excited about how much they are growing!

On Friday, Sept. 12th we had a Pizza Party for letter P. Thanks to Cristina (Sebastian's Mom) for providing the pizza and sharing her idea!!

On Monday, September 22 we went on a hike. We walked through a "forest" and collected nature objects. We saw a spider, leaves, flowers, pine cones, and big and small sticks. We heard birds and an airplane. The next day, we made a collage with our nature objects.

We had a wonderful picnic lunch on Friday, Sept. 26th. We made our picnic very special by eating lunch in Blackwell's outdoor pavillion. The children enjoyed special lunches, watermelon and pineapple, and some really cute ant cupcakes. After we ate, we colored with sidewalk chalk and had fun with our friends.

Meet Ms. Erin

Hi! My name is Erin Griffin. I am originally from Tampa, Florida.
After high school I moved to Greenville, SC to attend Furman University. I obtained a Bachelor's degree in Special Education and Elementary Education. Right after college I moved to New York City. I obtained a Master's degree in Special Education at New York University. I loved New York so much that I stayed for 4 years. I taught at an inclusive preschool on the upper east side of Manhattan. In July 2002, my husband and I moved to Atlanta, GA. This is my 7th year at Blackwell and my 10th year teaching special needs preschoolers. I can't imagine a better job!

I enjoy several things in my spare time. One of which is running. I have successfully completed 1 half marathon, several 10K's and countless 5K's. I also labored my way through the Vancouver Marathon in May 2006. In addition to running I also enjoy swimming and riding my bike.
My other interests are cooking, trying new neighborhood restaurants, traveling, and hanging out with my friends.