Dear parents,

During the last couple of days, the temperature dropped enormously. It really feels like winter now. Due to the 4 days New Year’s break coming soon, we have a short week; we don’t have enough time to cover each subject completely. We will continue them next week. I wish you and your family an awesome New Year’s break.

For phonics class, I introduced the letter “W”, and the related words including: wagon, window, watermelon, web and water.

For math class, we worked on prepositions including over, under, behind, in front of, on and off. We finished the exercises in the book, but there was some confusion between over and under. We will work on them more next week.

For art and crafts class, we made free-style paintings. We used marbles as tracks. The kids basically used straw to blow air however they wished. They were patient and waited for their turns. It was very interesting to watch them finish this project.

For social studies class this week, we started a new unit “Nature”. I introduced the four seasons to my kids for the first time. Also, we read a short story about the “The Life Cycle of Pumpkins”. Now, they know the four basic things plants need to grow, which are sunlight, soil, air and water.

Dear parents,

I hope that you and your family had a very Merry X’Mas! This is the happiest X’Mas that I’ve ever had! God sent my husband and I the most precious gift; our son Theodore. Theo is going to meet us in two more months. The bun is almost ready; we both can’t wait to see him!!!

Tuesday, Tree House Cinema played “Charlie Brown’s First X’Mas” and “Shrek Hall X’Mas” for our kids. They loved them so much.

For phonics class, I introduced the letter “V”, and the related words including: van, vine, vinegar, and violin.
For math class, we worked on sizes between big and small. This is an easy concept for all of them. We only worked on exercises for a short time, so we moved on to extra worksheets.

For art and crafts class, we made "Hand prints of Rudolph the Reindeer”. First, I traced each of their handprints. Then, I asked them to cut it carefully around the edges. Jason and August decided to cut through the middle. After a big mess, we started to decorate them. We used pipe cleaners, pon pons, and googly eyes to decorate them.

For social studies class this week, I introduced “Sea Animals”. The kids were very curious about some rare animals like hammerhead sharks and sting rays.


Individual comments:


Leetrue drank water without any reminders this week. He worked independently on his art project this week.

Jason was not co-operative on Tuesday while we were working on arts and crafts. First, he cut the handprint I traced for him through the middle. Then, he squeezed out so much glue on anything that he used. And you know August; he copies Jason when he does something different than others.

August talked about Teacher Peter being Santa Clause last Friday; when ever we talk about Santa. He repeatedly mentioned Teacher Peter giving him a gift.

Jae told us her parents like to eat clams and crabs. The other day, Jae and Casper got into a little tiff. She got angry and then she made him sad. I reminded them to talk to each other (be civilized), because they are not animals.

Casper really loves the cartoons we watched on Wednesday. You could hear his laughter from far away. Casper had a great appetite this week. He was the first one to finish his food two times in a row this week.

Christine seemed a little weak on Tuesday when she came to school. After a warm welcoming, she recovered. She didn’t finish her art project last week. So, I asked her to bring the pieces home and finish it.

Theresa likes to play with my markers with Christine to imitate my actions as a teacher. They showed us how to read our calendar and dates.

Dear parents,

Christmas is the merriest holiday that the kids are looking forward to. Although we don’t have snow or real pine trees in Taiwan, we have kids sing X’mas carols, put up plastic Xmas tree, and receive lots of gifts ( from parents) That and much more. Don’t forget to join us this Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the city library by Jien Guo.

For phonics class, I introduced the letter “U”, and the related words including: umpire, untie, umbrella, up and upside down.

For math class, we continued working on patterns. We practiced more samples with the color teddy bears and little “fishies”. I also printed extra worksheets for them to practice more.

For art and crafts class, we made “Winter Wreaths”. First, we cut out the middle of the plates and used them as the rings of the wreaths. Then, they colored the plates with any color that they chose. Lastly, the kids cut the winter picture patterns such as mittens, scarves, boots, hats and snow flakes.

For social studies class this week, I introduced a new set of insects such as praying mantises, bees, ladybugs, flies, mosquitoes, and caterpillars.
I also taught them about spiders and worms. The kids were so involved with the insects. They shared their stories with everyone.

Individual comments:


August was playing around with a pair scissors in his hands during Art and crafts class this week. I asked him to take a time out in front of everybody and reminded them that it’s very dangerous to play around with scissors. August associates the word “up” with an elevator…he came up with that on his own.

Christine finally recovered from her cold. We were so glad that she returned to school on Wednesday.

Leetrue spaces out a lot, even when he drinks water (he was busy looking at others without drinking his water). But, he tried very hard during rehearsal. He sings out loudly and does the movements well.

Theresa seemed to enjoy making arts and crafts this week. She was able to finish cutting her patterns in a short time and to decorate them nicely on her own.

Jae and Theresa are superstars on stage. They both keep big smiles while they are singing and dancing. I couldn’t take my eyes off of them while we were singing. Jae can’t wait to bring her stocking home to hang it in her room.

Casper is sort of getting the idea of a X’mas now. This is going to be his first show in public, and I know that he can do it.

Jason improved quite a lot in math patterns after many exercises. He at least tried to think about his answers before he shouts out a random answer.

Dear parents,

For phonics class, I introduced the letter “t”, and the related words including: tail, table, toes, turtle and tooth brush. I was surprised that they knew more words that were not on our list in our phonics book, such as teacher, Theresa, tiger and so on.

For math class, we worked on patterns. For example: Red car, black car, red car, black car. What comes next in this pattern? We practiced many extra samples on the white board. For Jason, Casper, and August learning patterns was more challenging.

For motor skills class, we cut out ornaments into different shapes and pasted them onto the Christmas tree.

For art and crafts class, we made Christmas stockings with construction paper. First, the kids had to choose paint for their stockings: yellow, red, or green. Then, they had to shoe lace the two stockings together.

For social studies class this week, we started a new unit: animals. The kids were really happy to see a large poster of animals. I introduced about 12 common animals that they should know. Their favorite animals are penguins, hippos and elephants. Next week, we will move on to insects.

Individual comments:

Jason had a hard time staying focused these last few days. He and August had trouble learning patterns in math. I will play more math games that are related to patterns some time this week.

August didn’t follow the directions while we were working on the Christmas tree. He almost cut out the Christmas tree instead of the ornaments.

Casper was a little naughty this week. He purposely sings and talks when he isn’t suppose to. I guess that he is seeking attention from other kids. Casper had a good appetite yesterday; he even asked for second bowl!

Jae and Christine excelled on the patterns this week. They both picked up the concept right away after we worked on a few questions in the book.

Christine was so shy while we were having rehearsal yesterday. She was quiet and didn’t want to sing in front of the others.

Theresa did the same thing as Christine during rehearsal yesterday. She stood there without opening her mouth. I guess they were both scared of the audience. STAGE FRIGHT!

Leetrue got caught throwing vegetables under the table the other day. He picked the vegetables out of his mouth, and then threw them under the table. I told that him if he ever does it again, I will get him another bowl of vegetables.

Dear parents,

We had “Career Day” on Tuesday. This was the first time we added this event to our calendar at Tree House. I would like to give a special thanks to our guests: Lauren’s mom, Ethan’s dad, Rain’s dad and Marcus’s dad who gave us presentations about their careers.

For phonics class, I introduced the letter “S”, and the related words including: S-s sun, suitcase, sandwich, socks, and snake.

For math class, we are continuing to work on the number sequencing, first, middle and last. The kids worked on their own after I helped them with one exercise. They had to circle the first one, then color the middle one or circle the middle one, and finally color the last one.

For motor skills class, we did a scissor skills practice on Santa Clause’s face. They had to cut Santa’s face, beard, and hat. Then, they had to put the parts in position, like in the pictures next to it.

For art and crafts class, we did two important tasks for this month. First, each of them made their ornaments to put up in our Christmas tree in the front yard. They had the choices of a gingerbread man, a gift, a snowman, an angel, or a Christmas tree to pick from. Second, the kids wrote letters to Santa. They each told me what they wanted for Christmas this year.

We are learning many Christmas songs and rhymes. “Santa Clause is Coming to Town”, “Here is Santa”, “Five little Christmas bells”, and “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth”

Individual comments:

August brought a new water bottle on Monday. He accidentally dropped it on the floor and broke the top off. It was sad that he only had it for two days.

Casper was so much in love with the color red this week. He colored so many things in red this week.

Jae finished her “I am a Good Stick Chart” this week and received a Dora gift from me.

Leetrue was so excited to return to school this week. He shared all his stories of Singapore. He also brought Christmas candies to share with his classmates.

Christine surprised me by saying “bless you”, after she heard me sneeze. I thought that that was so sweet, so I wanted to share that with you. I heard that Christine’s mom isn’t feeling well these couple of days. I hope she’ll recover soon.


Theresa is always enthusiastic when it comes to singing. She sings and moves along with the tempo.


Jason chose the gingerbread man as his ornament to put on the Christmas tree. While he was cutting it out, he cut out its arm. So, he has a gingerbread man with only one arm left. Jason also got me a tiny yellow flower off the street. Thank you!