Marketing News:
If you haven't already signed up for the Elf Club, sign up sheets are at the front desk. Don't miss out on the chance to get a jump start on your holiday shopping or grab an adult dinner.
Upcoming Events:
Friday, November 20th, Elf Club
Friday, November 20th, Elf Club
"Food 'a Plenty" 5:30- 9:00 p.m.
Monday and Tuesday, November 23rd and 24th
Harvest Friendship Feast
Sign up sheets will be postedclassroom doors
Thursday and Friday, November 26th and 27th
Thanksgiving Holiday, Closed Completely
Friday, December 4th, Elf Club,
"Traditions of the Season" 5:30- 9:00 p.m.
Speech Weekly Notes from Ms. Stacy Torrence
This is a snapshot of what we worked on this week! I was very excited to see some young children using new signs, the teachers implementing the visual schedules, and the children working on difficult language concepts. Such “smart cookies” we have at Bright Beginnings!
Toddlers and young 2’s
We began by reading a “Noisy Story” to practice our speech sounds. Noisy Stories are simple stories that very young children can “read” because they are asked to make a specific sound in a repetitive manner. We read Noisy Stories about riding the bus and going to the zoo. Animals such as snakes were trying to “ride” the bus and the children pretended to be snakes and make /s/ sounds. We worked on /s/, /f/, /l/, /z/, and /r/. They did an amazing job. Next we worked on using “I want” strips as a visual tool to work on speaking in 3 word sentences. The children were able to choose specific colored balls but had to say and point to the strip using 3-4 words. For example, “I want red ball” and of course we had to add our sign for please as well. Speaking of sign language, we worked on the following signs “More”, “ball”, “please” and “want”. We also introduced Becca Bunny to work on specific language concepts. This week we focused on identifying shapes.
Older 2’s
We also read “Noisy Stories” and focused on sound bombardment of /f/, /s/, /z/ /l/, and /r/. We also categorized animals that live at the zoo. They were able to “read” the story with little help from me. We also used 4-5 word sentences and played with our ball toy. The children had to give sentences of at least 4 -5words to choose a specific colored ball and hammer. Next we also read language concepts books and the children help read the story by placing a shape sticker on Becca Bunny. They also used “big kid” sentences and described the story to their friends.
3’s and 4’s
We focused on comparatives/superlatives this week. For example, we introduced Buddy Bear and focused on using correct grammar by using comparatives and superlatives in sentences. For example, the first cave is dark, the second cave was darker, and the last cave was the darkest. This is a very hard language concept and I was really impressed with how the children did when introduced to comparatives/superlatives. We completed the language groups by making dogs that were folded to be long, longer, and longest. We worked on the following comparatives/superlatives:
short, shorter, shortest
large, larger, largest
scary, scarier, scariest
happy, happier, happiest
high, higher, highest
low, lower, lowest
good, better, best
Flu Season Updates:
For current information on the H1N1 virus please consult the CDC website: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/.
Unfortunately, the November 7th H1N1 vaccination clinic was postponed. We know that you all are concerned about the spread of this virus. We have implemented the recommendations that we've received from the CDC. At this time, we are recommending that children with family members who are sick remain at home.
This Week at Bright Beginnings Mill Creek...
The Penguin and Sea Turtle Classes 
Welcome back for another wonderful, wild, week of fun and learning! We had a new little Penguin join our class and his name is Brennan! All of our little Penguins and Sea Turtles are doing a great job. We learned that Matthew's favorite color is yellow! Frank's loves to help out his friends when they are upset by saying, "Be Happy!"
This week's hits were shapes, colors, and reviewing the words "Hello" and "Good Bye" in Spanish. For art we did finger painting, shaving cream art, and we even mixed different paint's to make a new color! We worked on our fine motor skills by building a big tower, then knocking it down! We made the best sounds you have ever heard, in the gross motor room at music time.
Make sure you check out all of our artwork that we have around! We were very busy this week! So we will see you next time!
Ms. Danielle and Ms. Erin
The Starfish Class
We practiced keeping water systems healthy by simulating a ocean habitat and removing items that do not belong (i.e. trash)! We painted with bubble wrap, shaving cream, and sand. We ended the week with two mystery texture experiments! In literature, we started decorating our own alphabet books. In our studies of humanities and social awareness, we will be focusing on friendship. In art, we made friendship bracelets and a friendship wreath. We also continued to learn some ballet positions!
Ms. Victoria
The Seal Class
Hello again from the Seal room! This week we have done a lot of fun activities and learned a number of cool things. This week we heard the story of "Little Red Riding Hood." From the story we learned that we do not talk to strangers and some of the animals that live in a forest. We also reviewed Jack and Jill rhyme and fire drills. We talked about using words, gentle hands with our friends, and using the potty. I want to also mention what a great job the Seals are continuing to do on using their manners at snack and lunch time! Keep it up Seals! Gregory did a great job helping his friend up when she fell down!
Some of the games we played were; follow the leader, tag, building with Legos, and basketball (shooting the ball). In addition, we pretended we were going to grandma's house. We had to pack for the trip and then we had to drive there. We also made a road and pretended we were in the cars the children were driving on the road.
Some of the fun art activities we have been doing that helps with fine motor development is finger painting and drawing with crayons. We also made turkeys with their hands and bubble wrap paintings. We also have been experimenting with textures and the feel of shaving cream and other materials used to make their face pictures. It has been a fun week! I hope everyone has a great weekend and see you next week!
Ms. Cheri
This week has been a touching experience for the Dolphin class! We have done lots of things with textures like sandpaper and bubble wrap (even painting with in)! We also did some finger-painting and shaving cream art! Exploring has been a huge part of this week since we've explored the seven continents, as well as the letter "X." To top it all off, we've been having a lot of fun with our puppets. Thank you so much parents for bringing in the socks and gloves to make those puppets possible!
This class has been amazing at bringing things in to help your kids have lots of fun, even when given short notice. In order to give you a little more preparation, I've made a wish list for November and December. They are both short but will help so much! For November, we need beads, pasta, and rice by the end of the month! For December we need wrapping paper, ornaments to decorate (preferably balls), and wax paper.
Decorative items are always appreciated as well! Please do not feel like you have to bring these things in, we just wanted to throw out some materials that we will be using during the holiday season. Thanks for your help!
In math, we used pattern blocks, color mixing, learned about the forest environment for Project Green, guessed textures and used the feeling box.
In letter's time we read aloud and talked about plot and characters, searched for "X" around our room, wrote in journals and learned "Marry Had a Little Lamb."
In art, we did finger-painting, made brown turkeys from our mixed paint, made fall trees, painted with bubble wrap and did shaving cream art!
In Social Studies, we talked about all seven of the continents, identified our own and found them on the map. In humanities, we focused on puppets again! We finished our sock and finger puppets and put on a puppet show!
We truly had a blast in the Dolphin class this week! Thank you so much for your help and support! Without our parents, this class would not be the strong, intelligent, hard working class that it is!
Ms. Kimberly
The Walrus and Octopus Classes
Hello!
This week was a little wet, but it did not stop the Walrus and Octopus classes one bit! Our Pre-K classes have come together to make one wonderful class! The students practiced harder patterns this week by adding more colors and by adding more of a single color to their pattern. Last week I challenged the students to write a sentence and they did a great job and seemed to really enjoy it! This week are sentence was "Today is Wednesday." The "w" can be tricky, but everyone did great! They are doing a great job with their lower case letters and remembering their period at the end! Our fantastic speech therapist, Ms. Stacey, came this week and worked with the students on long, longer, and longest, which included a great activity for the children. The Ready Reader "In My Pocket," was a great hit as well!
This class does not mind getting a little messy, especially when it comes to painting with our hands! We made some colorful turkeys this week using our fingers for its feathers and head, which will be on display in the hallway.
For our project green this week we discussed flooding. The students understand how great rain and water is but that sometimes when there is too much, it can cause some major damage. We had a great time exploring animals that had horns and animals that have antlers, and the differences between them.
Everyone is really plugging along. I am sure everyone has already met Ms. Jennifer, but if not, she is the lovely lady that will be co-teaching with me. It has been wonderful for everyone having another set of hands in the classroom!
Have a great weekend!
Ms. Ryland
Check out some of our favorite moments from our Halloween Parties!
How cute is the ladybug!
Ms. Kimberly's class has a great party with lots of yummy treats! Thank you parents for all of your help!
Frank dressed up as a pumpkin!
Our Firefighters, Batman, and Snow White did a great job performing their songs for all of our parents and friends! 
Ms. Ryland's class had some great costumes too, including several superheroes and one very peppy chearleader!
We had a great time at Halloween! Thank you everyone who was able to attend and celebrate with us!
Have a good weekend!
434-823-7129
1645 Park Ridge Drive