Posted by jstutz1 | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on October 13, 2018
10/8 – 10/12
Color Words: Black, white. The kindergartners explored all objects black and white. Adding more crayons to their pencil boxes that included the white crayon! They were so excited!! They LOVE new tools! I couldn’t resist giving out a fun black and white snack….OREOS! Our classroom was filled with oreo cookie monsters! They also enjoyed making an adorable panda bear craft where they used a fork to make the fur of the panda bear. They turned out adorable!!
Popcorn Words: be, me, we, will. The kindergartners found these words in our daily messages, emergent reader books and wrote them in their journals.
Math: This week we wrapped up our Unit 1 in Math. The Kindergartners explored shapes that have straight lines and no straight lines. They sorted objects as a whole group into these two categories. The kinders also completed a series of dot-to-dot pictures in their Math workbooks. We also worked on finding groups of objects of a given number. The kinders had the most fun making pictures using shapes. They loved using our magnetic shapes and making works of art together. We will be having our first Math test next week.
Writers Workshop: We are doing so well with exploring deeper how to tell stories using pictures and then adding details, labels, and words to complete our story. This week we focused on what it is like when we go to specials. First, picturing in our minds what it looks like in each special, who is there, who the teacher is, what it looks like. Then we sketched our pictures and added labels and a sentence to complete our writing. We are focusing on adding true details to our pictures. Drawing only what we really see and what really has happened. We are becoming GREAT illustrators and authors!
Handwriting: This week we started to work on counterclockwise letters (a, c, d, e, f, g, o, q ). The kindergartners have a new handwriting booklet they are working on these letters with. We explore making these letters on chalkboards, on paper and even imaginary write them using our fingers only.
Readers Workshop: The Kindergartners are really doing a great job of building their reading habits. This week we learned how to read books 3 different ways. We can read books by looking at pictures and telling a story, reading words we know and reading stories we already know. The kinders practiced these skills each day during readers workshop. They used the emergent reader books that we practice as a whole group during our literacy time each day. We also added another tool to help us organize how to look at our books each day, a reading mat (a file folder with green and red dots). The kinders organize their books into a pile first on the red dot side and then look/read a book all the way through and then place it on the green side of their mat. They read through their pile of books fully and then start again. The kinders also got their own reading buddy this week. Learning how to read back to back privately during readers workshop time. Also, sitting side by side to share a favorite part in a book. The kinders are doing a GREAT job during this time in our day. It has been so amazing to see their excitement each time they pick up a book and explore what’s inside. Hearing them tell themselves a story and really focus on the mini-lesson that is taught to them each day. I am SO PROUD of them!
Literacy: We have started to work in small groups this week to practice our literacy skills. Kinders worked with me and our para-pro Mrs. Richter or Mrs. Elders to work on our letter ID, letter sounds, stretching words, rhyming, and other reading skills. Any extra practice at home with sight words, letter ID and letter sound practice is always a GREAT support. Mastering these skills helps your kinder grow in their reading ability. We will continue to work in small groups and large groups each day to build our literacy skills.
Headphones Needed: Our STEAM teacher, Mrs. Totten is asking that your kinder bring in headphones (the type you can plug into a computer) to keep at school to use during STEAM class throughout the year. These headphones do not need to be fancy. Often they can be found at Five Below, where you can purchase them for under $5.00. If you could please send in a pair of headphones marked with your child’s name by Nov. 1 it would be greatly appreciated. If you cannot send in headphones we do have extra for them to use.
November Parent Teacher Conferences: Please be sure to complete this survey as soon as possible. This survey will help us schedule your kinders conference. The survey closed Oct. 19 at 11:59 p.m. I can’t wait to share your kindergartner’s progress with you!
Upcoming Dates:
- Monday, Oct. 15…STEAM, LIBRARY, Be sure to bring your library book today.
- Tuesday, Oct. 16…MUSIC
- Wednesday, Oct. 17…GYM
- Thursday, Oct. 18…ART
- Friday, Oct. 19…STEAM, Wear Orange.
- Tuesday, Oct. 23…Turkey Trot (for those who signed up)
- Tuesday, Oct. 30…School Picture Retakes. Please return the original picture package on this day.
- Wednesday, Oct. 31…Fall Class Party and Parade 10:15-11:30 a.m. The kindergarten parade will take place at 10:15 a.m. Our classroom party will begin after the parade, about 10:30 a.m. *Note the time change of our party. If you plan to attend please be sure to have your background form completed. The form can be completed by click on this Background Form
- Your kinder is welcome to wear their costume on this day. If they wish to change into at school please send it in a bag for them to change into it. Please do not include weapons of any type with costumes. No scary, gory make-up or masks will be allowed. Please email me if you have any questions.
