Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

You may have noticed a little extra sparkle and twinkling lights in the Preschool lately! The children have been incredibly excited about the upcoming event that is Christmas! As is tradition, the week of the Christmas pageant, Mrs Bowden puts up our Christmas tree with the help of our Preschool children.

 

What is Christmas?

We had a think about what Christmas is and what comes to mind when we think about or hear that word. Here are some of the children’s responses:

 

The Nativity…

We examined the children’s thoughts and ideas and decided to share with them the story of the First Christmas. We retold the story using wooden Nativity figures. The children delighted in the retelling of the story and being involved in the story telling process.

The story provided lots of conversation and we discussed aspects and words of the story that the children were not familiar with such as carpenter, inn, stable, manger and wise. Here’s a snapshot of one of our discussions:

What does it mean to be wise?

Anna – to think

Max – to be old

Jack B – to be clever

Molly – to know lots of things

Sienna – they learn

Sam – they are very old

Oliver – there’s some stuff they don’t know yet

 

After listening to the story the children were asked to reflect on their understanding of Christmas. We asked them to think about the first discussions we had about Christmas and their ideas and compare them with the knowledge and understanding that they have now. We talked about how there is much more to Christmas than just presents! It is a time to be kind and share love. Here are the children’s thoughts:

Christmas is about:

Liam – God created baby Jesus

Lauren – celebrating baby Jesus’ birthday

Georgia – the angel and baby Jesus

Amelie – when they were looking for a place to live

Charlotte H – Jesus getting born

Eden – baby Jesus lying in a manger

Bronte – the Christmas star

Max – sharing

Oliver – family

Lauren – caring for each other

Anna – caring

Jack – helping people

Eden – spreading love

Gianna – being kind

Amelie – its not all about presents

Gracie – helping someone

Evie – God, the man who made people

Judah – God is Jesus. Three people in one God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit

Sam – its about celebrating everyone

Siena – celebrating Jesus’ birthday

Jesse – Christmas is about Jesus, we have to give him lots of presents. I was talking at home about Jesus.

Sophie – you can’t see God. You know he’s there, he is everywhere

Gianna – hugs and kisses

Ollie – caring about about Christmas

 

The children have loved talking about baby Jesus so we asked them what gift would they have brought to the first Christmas. Here are their responses:

The children have enjoyed exploring our Christmas Writer’s Workshop provocation. Many of the children have created books about their interpretations of Christmas. It was wonderful to also see so much peer learning as they:

• discussed their ideas
• noticed words using initial sounds
• helped each other spell and recognise words
• identified words
• shared their books with each other and provided constructive feedback to their peers

 

 

 

The children have also been very busy working hard on their Christmas presents, decorations and Christmas cards!

 

Just some reminders for the remainder of the year:

• Whole School Christmas Concert is Wednesday 28th November. Children are to wear a Christmas Santa hat and Christmas clothing. Sausage sizzle commences at 5.30pm. Children are to meet in the Preschool at 5.45pm for the concert to begin at 6pm.
• Children have their final visit to the Reception classes coming up next week (Week 8)
• During the last session on the Thursday 6th December (9.00am-10.00am), children will be dropped off to their classes, to spend time with their classmates and teacher. This visit will coincide with a parent ‘meet and greet’ session in the Mercy Hall for all parents with Mr Cowan. In this parent session, you will be given further information regarding curriculum and expectations associated with school. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions, meet other families and chat with teachers.
• Our picnic tea celebration evening is also on this day (6th December) starting at 5.30pm at the Dora Gild Park at Clarence Gardens. The children can wear the same outfit they have worn for the school concert. The children will sing a few songs and be presented with their certificates. Just a reminder parents are responsible for all children and we ask that siblings sit with their parents while the preschool children perform and receive their certificates
• Preschool finishes at 3.15 on Wednesday 12th of December.

 

Have a fabulous week!