Learning through Play by Christina Figgins, Preschool Teacher/Director
When starting preschool as a Sea Star at Hope we begin by learning rules and routine; the way we learn these are through fun songs and games. When it’s time to clean-up, one child (the “special helper” of the day) gets to inform the kids by banging a lollipop drum. Then we all sing the clean-up song together. To get the kids to put away the toys Mrs. Olson and Mrs. Figgins must be very creative in coming up with games like, “who can pick up the most duplos” or “let’s all put away 10 toys.” The sillier we get the more fun we have completing these tasks.
There are a lot of sensory materials available to help the learning process. We often have play dough on the table when the kids first arrive. We will put out different kinds of tools or manipulatives to use with it. One day we made cakes with the play dough and put candles on the top. The kids sang to each other, counted the candles and then pretended to blow them out. Most wished for a trip to Disneyland, or maybe that was just Mrs. Figgins.
Each month we have a theme and right now it is “Pets.” So we have a Veterinary Clinic set up with a receptionist area and a pet care area. The kids use note pads, calculators and cash registers to check in very sick pets. There is a lot of money exchanged during this procedure. I have overheard some of the ailments that the pets have come in for: a cat that was throwing up grass, a dog’s leg that fell off, a cat that swallowed another cat, and a snake that lost its arms. We have our top Sea Star Veterinarian’s working on these serious cases.
One of the biggest lessons that the preschoolers are learning is getting along with each other and having the tools necessary for it. We have all gotten quite comfortable with each other and sometimes manners like waiting for a turn are forgotten. The teachers remind the kids to get the yellow timer (large 3 minute egg timer) and wait for a turn. Sometimes frustrations still arise and then there are “friendship chairs” for the kids to talk to each other and resolve the problem, while a teacher is nearby to mediate.
And last but not least, the most important part of our time together is learning the love and grace of God. Our chapel theme is “the fruits of the spirit.” These fruits are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We sing this song and we work on these daily.
It may look like we are just playing, but we’re working on some pretty major life lessons!
Calendar of Events – Click Here
Oct. 17 – 26: Standardized Testing 1-8 Grades
Tues. 10/18: 4:00 – 10:00 PM WA D.C. Fundraiser at Mioposto
Wed. 10/19: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Grade 5 – God to the Rescue: God Makes a Way
Fri. 10/21: Free Dress Day
Mon. 10/24: All Grade School Picture Day
Wed. 10/26: 8:40 AM Chapel led by Pastor Peter – Reformation / 12:00 Dismiss, ESC “XTRA” Open
Chapel Talk Sheets – Click Here
PIP Opportunities – Click Here
Visit SignUpGenius and search by pth@hopeseattle.org. Orange Ruler Fun Run help needed!
PTH Hosted Fall Frolic – November 5
PTH invites Hope Lutheran Church and School families to their all school fall frolic celebration! Saturday, November 5, 4:30 to 7:30 PM at the West Seattle Christian Gym.
Featuring activities for all ages: games, crafts, face painting, pizza & cider, contests, and more!
Admission is just $10 per child (ages 3 and up) and includes five (5) activity tickets. Accompanied adults and kids under 3 are free! Presale tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event at Will Call – download order form here. Admission tickets may also be purchased at the door on the night of the event; however they will only include two (2) activity tickets. Additional activity tickets will be available for sale during the event for $1 each.
School Athletic Calendar of Events – Click Here
School Clubs – Click Here
Box Tops Treasure Chest Campaign Continues
Box Tops are on many products most of us already buy including cereal, Kleenex, some baking mixes, etc. Fill up a collection sheet, bring it in to the office and your child can pick a prize out of the treasure chest. Thanks for your help in this important ongoing fundraiser for Hope! Additional sheets will be sent home next week.
Join us for scrumptious Italian food, Tuesday, October 18, at Mioposto, 4-10pm!
What better way to warm up on a blustery Fall evening than to grab fabulous grub with friends and support our 7/8 graders. Mioposto has generously offered a percentage of the night’s proceeds for our 7/8 grade Washington DC Enrichment program. If you’re unable to eat in, consider take-out and if you want to beat the crowd take advantage of their Happy Hour menu from 4-6:00. There will also be a raffle with great prizes: UrbanSitters, Funky Jane’s and Menashe Jewelry certificates plus much more.
Hope Church & Youth Events – Click Here
Seattle Lutheran High School Open House – Thursday, October 20, 2016, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
At Seattle Lutheran High School we provide high-quality academics, in a safe and loving environment, that help develop strong leaders in our community and globally. Please join us for our Open House which will feature a tour of the facility, as well as interaction with Seattle Lutheran’s faulty, administration and students. Enter through the gymnasium which is located on Genesee Street at 41st Avenue S.W. For more information visit our website at www.seattlelutheran.org or contact Rachel Bigliardi at 206-937-7722 or rbigliardi@seattlelutheran.org
West Seattle Cheerleader Mini Cheer Camp
The WSHS Cheerleaders will be holding a Mini Cheer Camp Friday, November 11 in the West Seattle High School Gym from 10:00am to 1:00pm. K-5th grade kids will have a great time learning fun cheers and making crafts with the Westside cheerleaders. Campers will receive a tee shirt, pom poms, official team hair bow, picture of themselves with the cheerleader AND perform as an honorary West Seattle Cheerleader at an upcoming home basketball game!
The cost of this camp is $60. Registration paperwork and payment are due by October 27th to be guaranteed a t shirt the day of camp. Those who register after the 27th will receive items at the basketball game performance. Space is limited so register early to ensure your spot.
Contact Melinda Fredricks at wshsminicheercamp@gmail.com if you have any questions.
