February 20-24

Popcorn words: had, bad, and, get.  We talked about the short a vowel sound and short e sound by reading some easy reader books that the Kindergarteners got to bring home. We have been HUGE jumps with learning our sight words!

President’s Day:  We started our week by celebrating President’s Day on Monday.  We learned about President Lincoln and President Washington and why we celebrate them. The students received their own easy readers and also got write with a  quill/feather (what the presidents used to write) and sort coins.

Math:  In math this week we focused on groups that were greater than or less than. We were also introduced to math mountains and tiny tumblers, using them as another way to show partners.  We brought out the number tiles and bears this week to play the unknown partner game, working on number partners for 7- we would hide some of the tools from our partner so they could determine the missing partner! Such as 1 and 6, 3 and 4, etc. Friday was a fun math game day!!! We reviewed our math concepts of the week together!   We do more exploring in Chapter 4 next week.

Writer’s Workshop:  This week we created our first how-to booklet together as we wrote the steps to make a sight word bottle shaker! The water bottles worked out perfectly this week, thanks for sending them in! First we took our word list words and wrote them on colored paper, next we put them inside our bottles, last we added colorful beads, confetti and pom poms to finally shake it up and read! They brought these home this week! We then got to start a booklet all by ourselves of something we know how to do and can teach others! The kinders did a great job of independently planning and writing the steps to their book!  We used transitional words, first, then, last to tell our steps in order. We used capital letters to begin our step and a period to end our sentences. We also checked for spaces in between our words. I was so proud of my how-to book writers! We will take Monday and Tuesday next week to wrap up and celebrate how-to’s! Then we will begin non-fiction writing on Wednesday! This is a popular genre of writing in kindergarten! 

Reader’s Workshop: This week we learned about a new reading strategy buddy, Picturing Penguin.  Picturing Penguin teaches us to picture the words that we are reading in our mind.  We practiced this all week by listening to a read-aloud where I wouldn’t show the pictures right away. We had to make a picture in our mind of what we thought it might look like and the compared it to what the illustrator drew.  They are becoming amazing readers!!  I am so proud of them!!!

New Play Station:  For free choice time we have a new station set up where we can use our imaginations to play post office…we can mail letters, write letters, sell stamps, etc. It has been a BIG hit this week! 

 

Mystery Reader: On Friday, Kaitlyn lit up when her Nana, Grandpa and Mom walked into the classroom! Her Nana and Grandpa traveled from across the state to surprise her!!! It was a BIG surprise! She read us a sweet story and then stayed around to get to know our classroom a little better! Thanks!!

Handwriting: The kinders have completed all their letters upper and lowercase in their Handwriting without Tears books with proper formation! These books will come home this week for your reference! Feel free to finish any pages your child may have missed when they were gone or ones we skipped over! We will be reviewing and practicing writing all our letters without looking this week to prepare for a letter writing assessment of upper and lowercase letters! They’re doing great! Look for our practice sheets to come home to look over!

Birthday Celebration: We celebrated Brinley on Friday!!! She turned 6 officially on Saturday! I hope she had a special day! We loved celebrating with her Friday by enjoying these delicious bakery sprinkle cupcakes with gumballs on top!! What a special treat! Thanks Brinley!! Yum!!!

Upcoming Dates:

• Monday, Feb. 27…Steam, BRING TAKE HOME BOOK,
• Tuesday, Feb. 28…PE, Library, BRING LIBRARY BOOK. Literacy Homework Due- Hot Cocco Mugs!!!! Turn in for a treat!!!
• Wednesday, March 1…Music, BRING TAKE HOME BOOK and WORD LIST and Math Homework and New Literacy Homework to come home this Wed.
• Thursday, March 2…Art, BRING TAKE HOME BOOK.  Dress Dr. Seuss-ish!!! – Wear Red, white and black or dress like your favorite character!!!  Dr. Seuss’ B-Day!!
• Friday, March 3…Steam.
• Friday, March 10…Early Release Day – 12:15 p.m.
• Monday, March 13 – Wednesday, March 15…PT Conferences.
• Friday, March 17…Wear Green, St. Patrick’s Day.
• Thursday, March 30…All K P.J. Day!!  Wear your P.J.’s or comfies!!

More pics of the week…

 

Popcorn Words: who, not, map.

Valentine Party:  We started our week off with our fun Valentine Party! Big shout out to my amazing party planner’s Mrs. Bottrell and Mrs. Banach!!! Thank you to the amazing volunteers who helped by volunteering their time or giving supplies.  The Kindergarteners had a blast!!

Social Studies:  We started a new social studies, geography unit by reading the book,  Me On the Map.  The Kindergarteners are learning about the different parts of a map.  The Kindergarteners will continue to work on this next week as well.  We will explore our own classroom, bedroom and begin to make our own Me On the Map books.  A Social Studies Homework came home Wednesday.  The Kindergarteners are asked to complete a map of their bedroom.  This homework is due Monday, February 20. 

Math: This week we continued working in Unit 4. We worked on making teen numbers, telling math stories, and showing unknown partners using different material.  The Kindergarteners are really starting to become experts at reading our math sentences. On Friday they enjoyed our fun Math centers practicing the weeks math skills by playing some fun math games.  They created and solved addition equations with candy hearts, measured items with candy hearts, rolled a dice to subtract hearts and played race to fill a cup by spinning a number spinner! We had SO much fun practicing our math skills!

Writer’s Workshop: This week we continued to work on our How-To writing.  We used the 6 box frame to sequence our ideas in order… How to get ready for recess, and how to make a snowman in a snow globe were our how-to creations this week! We had fun actually creating the snowman globe craft first and then wrote our steps to teach someone else! Next week, I will introduce “How-to” writing booklets to the students! Please send in an empty plastic, recyclable water bottle or a few extras if you could by Monday for a writing project!!! 

Reader’s Workshop: We are continuing to build on our reading stamina and using our reading strategies. We have been able to stay in one spot, read our books quietly, read the whole time and get started right away…all of the steps of being a “super star reader!” When we are reading during this time we use our blue book boxes and have a collection of sight word books, books of our choice and good fit books inside it to pick from. Good fit books are books that are at your child’s reading level.  We added a new reading strategy Kit-Cat Connector.  Kit-Cat connector teaches us to make connections to what we read.  Making connections to books by making connections of experiences we have had, other books we have read and to the world around us.

5th Grade Buddies:  We got to visit with our 5th grade buddies from Mr. Gort’s class on Valentine’s Day!!! We went to their classroom to exchange Valentine cards that we had made for each other!! We then had some computer time together!

Mystery Reader:  Friday we were treated to Mrs. Blodgett, Ellery’s Grandma as our Mystery Reader.  Ellery gave her grandma a big hug when she saw her come through the door!!! She read us the best book about kindness, Have you Filled a Bucket Today? 

This was a sweet story that taught us how to be a bucket filler by doing something kind or saying something kind to each other! We practiced this throughout the day and we will continue to reinforce this great story in our classroom everyday! Thanks for reading to us!

Conferences: Everyone should have received a  conference appointment paper last week. Please let me know if this time does not work for you so that we can reschedule. I am excited to share with you the progress your child has made!! Spring conferences will be Monday, March 13 – Wednesday, March 15.

DUE:  EMPTY WATER/POP BOTTLE DUE MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20.  We will be making a special sight word bottle on Monday as part of our How-To writing series.  If you have not sent in an empty water/pop bottle thank you!   PLEASE send one in on Monday. Please send a couple of extra bottles in if you have some spares lying around!!! 

Spring:  Our Spring like weather has brought the great melt to our playground.  It is now VERY wet and muddy on our playground.  Please continue to send boots or even an extra set of pants or socks in your child’s backpack.  As much as we try to remind our Kindergarteners to stay away from the “lakes/puddles” and muddy areas it is something that does happen sometimes. They have been pretty great about listening to the playground rules and staying dry.   We are definitely LOVING these sunny days!!!

Upcoming Dates:

• Monday, Feb. 20…ART, EMPTY WATER/POP BOTTLE DUE!!!  My Bedroom map homework due.  Bring Take Home Book AND WORD LIST!!!. Presidents Day.
• Tuesday, Feb. 21,  STEAM AND LIBRARY.  BRING LIBRARY BOOK.
• Wednesday, Feb. 22…PE , Bring Take Home Book.  Homework Due.
• Thursday, Feb. 23…MUSIC , Bring Take Home Book.
• Friday, Feb. 24…ART, CELEBRATE BRINLEY’s Birthday!!
• Saturday, Feb. 25…Father/Daughter Dance.
• Monday, February 27… Literacy Hot Cocco Mug paper due- on or before! Great job to those who have finished it and turned it in! New lit homework coming in March!
• Thursday, March 2…Dr. Seuss’ B-Day!  Dress Seuss-ish!!
• Friday, March 10…Early Dismissal (12:15) Day.
• Monday, March 13 – Wednesday, March 15…Spring Conferences.   Spring Book Fair.
• Thursday, March 16…Our Class Book Fair Purchase Day.
• Friday, March 31 – Friday, April 7…Spring Break, NO SCHOOL!

Your kinder is picking up so many of their sight words! They’re all so motivated and determined to advance lists each week. I am so proud of each of them! Please remember retention is key and of course reading the words in context is the ultimate goal!

Today I asked the class to work on reading the previous word lists to our amazing mom volunteer! They did great, but a few had a hard time recalling words on the previous lists. If your child comes home today with a lower list at the front of their page protector please turn your focus back on these words! They were not able to advance word lists this week! I kept them at their same color to really work on retaining all the old words. If you feel your child needs more of a challenge, have them work on spelling their words in full sentences at home!

Next week please remember to bring your word lists back on Monday!!! We will do word list check in on Monday, not Wednesday next week! (This is just for one week).

Thanks again!! Keep the practicing fun!!

 

 

 

February 7-10…

Popcorn words: how, now.  We explored the “ow” sound in these words!

Math: This week in math we explored Unit 4.   We are continuing to talk about teen numbers as a group of ten and extra ones. We created teen numbers this week by coloring in our base ten blocks and looked closely at the different ways to write teen equations (ex. 10+1=11 and 11=10+1). We also told math stories, addition and subtraction.  We’re all doing well with counting by 1′s and 10′s to 100 and on from a given number! It was a fun week in math!The test will came home with your kinder this week. They all did very well! A cover sheet was attached to show you how they performed on each specific math concept.  Let me know if you have any questions.

Writing: We have started a new unit….How To writing!  This is a very fun unit of writing.  It allows the kids to show us what they know all about and teach others how to do something.  They get to become experts!  We started this unit off this week by brainstorming different things we could teach someone to do…make cookies, shoot a basket, paint a picture, were just a few of their many ideas! This week we explored the 6 box step plan of how-to writing. We began writing our own How to make a valentine. We then followed our how to steps afterward to create a Valentine to give to our 5th grade buddies next week! We will continue How to writing next week and explore creating these more on our own using other types of writing plans.  We are off to a great start!

Readers’s Workshop:  This week we focused on getting back to what reading back to back should look and sound like.  The students also practiced their reading stamina.  We achieved 6 minutes and we were going strong….Wooohooo! It can be very challenging for a Kindergartener to keep themselves quiet, stay in one spot, look at a book the whole time, and not talk to their partner….our goal next week will be to add to our reading stamina time and focus on using all of the reading strategy buddies as we read.

Take Home Books:  The kinders really are enjoying reading and choosing books to read at home.  Parents, thank you for your help and support by allowing your kinder the opportunity to read to you, practice their strategies and sight words, as well as instilling in them the pride and responsibility of being a reader.  A HUGE thank you to many parent volunteers who have committed their time!   We could not do this without your help and support.  The kinders are so eager and proud; thanks to you our families, both at home and volunteers at school!  Thank you!!

Book It Calendar:  A new monthly calendar arrived home with your child last week.  Be sure to log all their wonderful reading each day!  Reading the TAKE HOME books counts!!  Return your completed January calendar if you still have it! 

100 Day’s Smarter:  We had so much fun celebrating being in school for 100 days!!!  The collections were AWESOME!!  Thanks so much for supporting your Kindergartener with these projects!

Mystery Reader:  Kayler was grinning ear to ear when she saw her mom, Mrs. Wiersma walk through the door to be our Mystery Reader!!  We loved listening to their families favorite, Corduroy. Thanks so much for coming!!! We sure love our readers! Please be sure to sign up online if you haven’t already to read to us! Or e-mail me for another day/time.

Valentine’s Party:  A BIG THANK YOU to all of the amazing volunteers who are helping to put the Valentines Party together!!! Big thanks to Mrs. Banach and Mrs. Bottrell for their planning!!! Thank you for the party supplies and volunteering to help at our party on Monday, February 13.  The Kindergarteners are VERY EXCITED about our upcoming party!!!  If you are a volunteer please be at our classroom at 1:40 p.m. to help set up and prepare.

Explorer of the Jungle: Another round of explorer of the jungle began Friday! This time your child will be traveling home with the estimation jar! They need to select a number and an item to fill the jar with. They will return the jar the next day for their classmates to make guesses about the best guess/estimate for how many are in the jar? Look for this jar and binder inside a bag to come home with your kinder over the next month! Have fun!

BOX TOPS:  Due: Feb. 28. A new form was sent home today or you can pick up one from the main office.  Thanks for collecting!

Upcoming Dates:

• Monday, February 13…MUSIC, Our Class Valentine Party, 1:50 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  *Volunteers please come at 1:40 p.m. to help set up and prepare.  NO TAKE HOME BOOKS TODAY!! FINN M.’S Birthday!!!
• Tuesday, February 14…ART,  LIBRARY, BRING LIBRARY BOOK.  Valentine’s Day- WEAR V’DAY COLORS!!!
• Wednesday, February 15…STEAM, BRING A Empty Water Bottle Due (12 or 15 oz.).   BRING TAKE HOME BOOK AND WORD LIST!!
• Thursday, February 16…PE, BRING TAKE HOME BOOK.
• Friday, February 17…MUSIC
• Saturday, February 25…Father/Daughter Dance.
• Friday, March 7…Early Release Day, 12:15 Dismissal
• March 13-15…Parent Teacher Conferences.  A confirmation slip with your date and time will come home MONDAY!!! LOOK FOR THIS AND E-MAIL ME IF THE DAY/TIME DOESN’T WORK! THANKS!

 

A February book order came home with your child a week or so ago! I am extending the orders until tomorrow! If you would like to place a order please do so online or send in with your child by tomorrow, Friday, 2/10.  I will be submitting the order after school so please have all orders in by tomorrow at 4pm. 

There are many great books this month at great prices! It is a great way to strengthen your child’s love of reading and earn class points for our room! 

To order online click here- https://orders.scholastic.com/LDP3T

Happy Reading! 

 

 

 

Woohooo I can’t believe the 100th day of Kindergarten is already here!!! Tomorrow, please send your child with their 100th day collection of 100 things. They can display it however they would like! They will all get a chance to share their collection with the class and the collection will be sent home tomorrow. We have a day filled with fun themed 100 day activities!! We are 100 Days Smarter!!! 

 

 

January 30 – February 3

Popcorn Words: with, big

Math: We took our Unit 3 test on Thursday!  This will be coming home next week.  We will be starting Unit 4.  This lesson will begin with adding one to make 10 and making partners of 10.

Writer’s Workshop: We finished our small moment story writing and will be starting a new unit….How To writing! This is a very fun unit of writing. It allows the kids to show us what they know all about and teach others how to do something.   One of our How-To’s  we will be making is a sight word bottle….PLEASE SEND IN AN EMPTY WATER BOTTLE (12 or 16 oz.) by Wednesday, Feb. 15.

Readers Workshop:   The students have been practicing their reading stamina. We started off at a very quick 1 minute 30 seconds and were able to get up to 8 minutes by the end of the week…..wohoooo! It can be very challenging for a Kindergartener to keep themselves quiet, stay in one spot, look at a book the whole time, and not talk to their partner.  We have also been practicing using our reading strategy buddies to help us be better readers.   The Kindergarteners love reporting on how each buddy helps us practice being our best reader we can be.  I am so excited to see how they have progressed as readers.

Groundhogs Day:  We had so much fun learning about what Groundhogs Day was all about.  On Wednesday, Feb. 2…groundhogs day the Kindergarteners learned that YES Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow and that we would have 6 more weeks of winter! They loved watching a video on facts about groundhogs and the groundhogs day origination.  We enjoyed a yummy dessert of chocolate pudding and a teddy graham that represented a groundhog sticking his head out of the ground.  The Kindergartners loved it!!

Upcoming Dates:

• Monday, Feb. 6…NO SCHOOL
• Tuesday, Feb. 7…MUSIC, Library…BE SURE TO RETURN YOUR LIBRARY BOOK.
• Wednesday, Feb. 8…ART, 100 Days of School Celebration & 100 DAY COLLECTIONS DUE!  BRING TAKE HOME BOOK AND RAINBOW WORD LIST. MATH HOMEWORK DUE. 
• Thursday, Feb. 9 …STEAM, BRING TAKE HOME BOOK.
• Friday, Feb. 10…PE, Popcorn Friday. AND CELEBRATE TANNER’S BIRTHDAY!!!
• Monday, Feb. 13…Our Classroom Valentine’s Party 1:50 – 3:00 p.m. CELEBRATE FINN M.’S BIRTHDAY!
• Wednesday, Feb. 15…WATER BOTTLES DUE (12 or 15 oz.-empty)
• Saturday, Feb. 25…Father/Daughter Dance.

 WOHOOOO!!! Just a reminder, our pizza party writing celebration is with Mrs. Stutz’s class tomorrow! 

If your child would prefer to order a lunch from school they may do so instead.

Milk will also be available to order as well. But please let them know ahead of time if they are to order.

We will have carrots, dessert and bottled water for them to have along with their pizza. Thanks to the wonderful parents that I had donate this time! 🙂

Also.. tonight your child came home with a February Homework challenge- they have the month of Feb. to complete and color each activity on the paper. If they return the challenge when it’s accomplished they will receive a small prize! They have until the end of the month to do so! This will now be the literacy homework for the month. We will in addition have one simple math homework sheet.

Math homework– please tonight help your child in finishing the back side of the “Loop and Count” sheet that is coming home- we did the front in class. This will be a great review for tomorrow when we take the chapter 3 math test inside our “offices”!

One more reminder, Valentine’s were due today! No worries if they didn’t make it today, they can come anytime the rest of this week. Let me know if you need a new class names sheet! We’re just taking turns delivering them over the next couple of weeks until Valentine’s! They’re SO excited!!!!

Thanks so much!!