December 19, 2014

CHRISTMAS CONCERT NIGHT
 (THANK YOU FOR THE PICTURE MRS. GALLANT)

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!

YOU ARE ALL BLESSINGS TO ME

Concert Tonight!

Concert tonight at Woolwich Central School! Come one-come all~it is going to be such a fun time and they have been working so hard on their songs!

Things you may want to know:

Please be here by 6:15pm. 

Drop off your student in the cafeteria~You can take their coats or leave them in the cafeteria for pick up after the show.

Get a good seat! We are up first.

After they have finished singing I will make sure I get them to you.

You can choose to stay for the rest of the time (you can't find better entertainment) or you can scoop your little bundle away and home for the night.

See you tonight!!!

December 12, 2014

Dear Families,

We have been having so much fun continuing to learn about the solar system this week! How exciting!

Books Read: My Book of Planets, Good Night Moon ABC, Space, The Moon Book, Berenstain Bears on the Moon, Starry, Starry Night

During writing time they are; visualizing places and people to write about, adding words (letters) to their pictures, rehearsing what they want to say about what they wrote, using their "storyteller voice", take turns sharing their ideas and writing with partners, going back into their writing pieces and revising what they have written by changing or adding to what they wrote and continuing to build up their confidence as writers. 

Animated Alphabet is our approach to phonemic awareness and spelling. The letters are taught through a multi sensory approach of music, dance, characters and signs which help the students hold onto that information. The characters we learned this week were; Gilda Goose and Crazy Camel

In math we learned a new game called "Monster Squeeze" (their homework for the weekend is to teach you how to play!), discussing volume using the rice table and geometry using the geo boards, working with teen numbers, formation of numbers, making pictures to match the number written, addition and subtraction practice and continuing our calendar routines. Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observations, tracking the number of days we have been in school and days of the week.

We are learning about the Woolwich Way! The Woolwich Way is made up of 6 qualities that will help us to be the best we can be! (Courtesy- I can use good manners, Compassion-I can help others, Respect- I can treat others kindly, Honesty-I can tell the truth, Responsibility- I can take care of myself and my stuff, Quality- I can do my best even when things are hard)

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday December 16th- Christmas Concert-6:30 WCS

Friday December 19- A VERY low-key “Party”. The students are allowed to bring their pajamas to change into here at school. We also will have some healthy snacks, so if you are interested in sending in a healthy snack or juice or cups or plates, let me know at ssample@rsu1.org

December 20-January 1- Vacation-Enjoy family and friends! (My eldest is getting married New Year's Eve and my middle is coming home on leave before moving to Germany). Blessings all!

December 5, 2014

Happy December! 

Dear Families,

We have been having so much fun learning about the solar system this week! We know what makes day and night and that the sun is our closest star. How exciting!

Books Read: Out In Space, Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System, Stars! Stars! stars!, Eight Spinning Planets, Good Night Moon, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, There's No Place Like Space, Sun: Our Nearest Star, What Makes Day and Night?

During writing time they are; visualizing places and people to write about, adding words (letters) to their pictures, rehearsing what they want to say about what they wrote, take turns sharing their ideas and writing with partners, going back into their writing pieces and revising what they have written by changing or adding to what they wrote and continuing to build up their confidence as writers. We are ALL writers!

Animated Alphabet is our approach to phonemic awareness and spelling. The letters are taught through a multi sensory approach of music, dance, characters and signs which help the students hold onto that information. The characters we learned this week were; Baby Barnaby and Gilda Goose.

In math we are working with teen numbers, playing games with partners, formation of numbers, making pictures to match the number written, addition and subtraction practice, a fun game called "roll and record" where we collect data and start thinking about probability and continuing our calendar routines. Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observations, tracking the number of days we have been in school and days of the week.

We are learning about the Woolwich Way! The Woolwich Way is made up of 6 qualities that will help us to be the best we can be! (Courtesy- I can use good manners, Compassion-I can help others, Respect- I can treat others kindly, Honesty-I can tell the truth, Responsibility- I can take care of myself and my stuff, Quality- I can do my best even when things are hard)

Upcoming Events:

December 16- Christmas Concert 6:30 at WCS

December 19- A VERY low-key “Party”. The students are allowed to bring their pajamas to change into here at school. We also will have some healthy snacks, so if you are interested in sending in a healthy snack or juice or cups or plates, let me know at ssample@rsu1.org

December 22-January 2- Vacation~Enjoy Family and Friends! (My eldest is getting married New Year's Eve and my middle will be home on leave to be a part of the festivities. Blessings everywhere!)

November 21, 2014

Dear Families,

It was so nice to touch base with so many of you at conferences last week. What great progress we are making! Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I hope you get to enjoy time spent with family and friends. 

Books Read: One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims, The Night Before Thanksgiving, T is for Turkey, Clifford's Thanksgiving, Arthur's Thanksgiving

During writing time they are starting to; visualize places and people to write about, add words (letters) to their pictures, rehearse what they want to say about what they wrote, take turns sharing their ideas and writing with partners, going back into their writing pieces and revise what they have written by changing or adding to what they wrote and continuing to build up their confidence as writers. We are ALL writers!

Animated Alphabet is our approach to phonemic awareness and spelling. The letters are taught through a multi sensory approach of music, dance, characters and signs which help the students hold onto that information. The characters we learned this week were; Kimmy Kangaroo and Farley Fox.

In math we are working with teen numbers, recognizing teen numbers through movement, formation of numbers, addition and subtraction practice and continuing our calendar routines. Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observations, tracking the number of days we have been in school and days of the week. 

We are learning about the Woolwich Way! The Woolwich Way is made up of 6 qualities that will help us to be the best we can be! (Courtesy- I can use good manners, Compassion-I can help others, Respect- I can treat others kindly, Honesty-I can tell the truth, Responsibility- I can take care of myself and my stuff, Quality- I can do my best even when things are hard)

Items needed: Tissues, Plastic forks and spoons

Upcoming Events: 

November 26, 27, 28 No School for Thanksgiving Break

Wonderful Conferences and a Ponder...

Hello~

It was so wonderful to meet with most of you for parent/teacher conference this week. It is such a busy time of the year but all so worth it. I absolutely love to talk about your children and am reminded how vitally important our communication is in terms of your children. I do not take it lightly. 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. (I am traveling to help celebrate my Aunt's 102nd birthday). 

I have attached a link below and actually cried the first time I read it (and the second...). It speaks to how important all of this really is. Thank you all!



http://missnightmutters.com/2014/11/dear-parent-about-that-kid.html

November 7, 2014

                             

Dear Families,

First snow storm of the year! So much fun playing and creating in the snow!

In science we are learning about the amazing world of bats.

Books Read: Stellaluna, Bats at Night, Bat Loves the Night, Baby Bat's Lullaby, Bats Day and Night

During writing time they are starting to; visualize places and people to write about, add words (letters) to their pictures, rehearse what they want to say about what they wrote, take turns sharing their ideas and writing with partners and show movement in their drawings for a fun effect. We talked a lot this week about being BRAVE writers and adding more and more letters to our words and words to our sentences. Editing our favorite piece for sharing and publication is a slow and important process. I am so proud of all the children and their willingness to continue working when it gets hard!

Animated Alphabet is our approach to phonemic awareness and spelling. The letters are taught through a multi sensory approach of music, dance, characters and signs which help the students hold onto that information. The character we learned this week was Jenny Jaguar.

In math we are getting to know numbers 0-30, sorting, using math manipulatives, identifying shapes by feel, reviewed spatial vocabulary and concepts (top, below, between, next to, around, over, under, left, right), and continuing our calendar routines. Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observations, tracking the number of days we have been in school and days of the week. 

We are learning about the Woolwich Way! The Woolwich Way is made up of 6 qualities that will help us to be the best we can be! (Courtesy- I can use good manners, Compassion-I can help others, Respect- I can treat others kindly, Honesty-I can tell the truth, Responsibility- I can take care of myself and my stuff, Quality- I can do my best even when things are hard)

Upcoming Events: 

November 11- No School- Veteran's Day- Thank you for your service to our country! 

My Middle Son- Patrick-US army

November 13 & 14 Parent/Teacher Conferences- Can't wait to see you there!

November 26,27,28 No School- Thanksgiving Break

October 31, 2014

Dear Families,

Happy Halloween!!! Don't forget to set your clocks back on Sunday!

In science we are learning about the life cycle of a pumpkin.

We have spent the majority of the week on assessments and will continue that into next week. Please sign up for parent/teacher conferences if you haven't already!

Books Read: Big Pumpkin, Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat,  Click, Clack, Boo!,  Miss Smith and the Haunted Library, and Froggy's Halloween

During writing time they are starting to; visualize places and people to write about, add words (letters) to their pictures, rehearse what they want to say about what they wrote, take turns sharing their ideas and writing with partners and show movement in their drawings for a fun effect. We talked a lot this week about being BRAVE writers and adding more and more letters to our words and words to our sentences.

Animated Alphabet is our approach to phonemic awareness and spelling. The letters are taught through a multi sensory approach of music, dance, characters and signs which help the students hold onto that information. The character we learned this week was; Arnie Aardvark.

In math we are getting to know numbers 0-30, sorting, using math manipulatives, played oral counting games, played a game called "Spin a Number" to reinforce counting and reading numbers 1-10, recognized patterns through a pattern search activity and continuing our calendar routines. Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observations, tracking the number of days we have been in school and days of the week. 

We are learning about the Woolwich Way! The Woolwich Way is made up of 6 qualities that will help us to be the best we can be! (Courtesy- I can use good manners, Compassion-I can help others, Respect- I can treat others kindly, Honesty-I can tell the truth, Responsibility- I can take care of myself and my stuff, Quality- I can do my best even when things are hard)

Upcoming Events: 

November 11- No School-Veteran's Day

November 13&14 Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 26,27,28- Thanksgiving Break

THANK YOU to all who sent in snacks for today! Have a great Halloween!!!

Week of October 20,2014

                                                                                              (Leaf Man activity)

Dear Families,

In science we are learning about the changes we see in fall and the life cycle of a pumpkin.

Books Read: The Biggest Pumpkin Ever, When The Leaf Blew In, Autumn's First Leaf, Pumpkin Patch Puppy, The Silly Scarecrow

This is a week of such growth in our writing time. When it is time to stop writing, the children groan and are not wanting to stop at all. I love their enthusiasm! During writing time they are starting to; visualize places and people to write about, add words (letters) to their pictures, rehearse what they want to say about what they wrote, take turns sharing their ideas and writing with partners and show movement in their drawings for a fun effect. We discussed and practiced beginning, middle, end in stories. We talked a lot this week about being BRAVE writers and adding more and more letters to our words and words to our sentences.

Animated Alphabet is our approach to phonemic awareness and spelling. The letters are taught through a multi sensory approach of music, dance, characters and signs which help the students hold onto that information. The characters we learned this week were Rosie Raccoon and Hippy Hippo.

In math we are getting to know numbers 0-30, sorting, using math manipulatives, identifying shapes by feel, reviewed spatial vocabulary and concepts (top, below, between, next to, around, over, under, left, right), and continuing our calendar routines. Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observations, tracking the number of days we have been in school and days of the week. 

We are learning about the Woolwich Way! The Woolwich Way is made up of 6 qualities that will help us to be the best we can be! (Courtesy- I can use good manners, Compassion-I can help others, Respect- I can treat others kindly, Honesty-I can tell the truth, Responsibility- I can take care of myself and my stuff, Quality- I can do my best even when things are hard)

Upcoming Events: 

November 13 & 14 Parent/Teacher Conferences-1/2 days of school for students. PLEASE sign up for conferences if you haven't already!

Week of October 17, 2014

It has been a fun filled week here at Woolwich Central School! Fire Safety and a visit from our local fire fighters are always a big hit for the children! I heard stories of the open house at the fire station as well. The bouncy house sounds like it was a lot of fun.

In science we are learning about the changes we see in fall and in social studies we are learning all about fire safety

Books Read: Alphabet Rescue,  Clifford The Fire House Dog, Firehouse!, Fire Fighters, Curious George at the Fire Station

During writing time they are starting to; visualize places and people to write about, add words (letters) to their pictures, rehearse what they want to say about what they wrote, take turns sharing their ideas and writing with partners and show movement in their drawings for a fun effect. We talked a lot this week about being BRAVE writers and adding more and more letters to our words and words to our sentences.

Animated Alphabet is our approach to phonemic awareness and spelling. The letters are taught through a multi sensory approach of music, dance, characters and signs which help the students hold onto that information. The character we learned this week was; Timmy Tiger and Sadie Seal.

In math we are getting to know numbers 0-30, sorting, using math manipulatives, identifying shapes by feel, reviewed spatial vocabulary and concepts (top, below, between, next to, around, over, under, left, right), and continuing our calendar routines. Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observations, tracking the number of days we have been in school and days of the week. 

We are learning about the Woolwich Way! The Woolwich Way is made up of 6 qualities that will help us to be the best we can be! (Courtesy- I can use good manners, Compassion-I can help others, Respect- I can treat others kindly, Honesty-I can tell the truth, Responsibility- I can take care of myself and my stuff, Quality- I can do my best even when things are hard)

Items we could use in our classroom:

 Clorox Wipes, Tissues

Upcoming Events: 

October 31- End of 1st Quarter

November 13 & 14 Parent/Teacher Conferences-1/2 day of school for students 

November 26-28 Thanksgiving Break

October 3, 2014

Dear Families,

In science we are learning about the life cycle of the butterfly and have begun our apple unit. We got to visit our Wildcat Orchard with the Green Team and Mrs. Harrington-it was awesome!

2 new songs we have learned- “There was a fruit upon a tree and apple was it's name-o (sung to the tune of B-i-n-g-o) and Wiggle the Worm song, “Wiggle's on my head, Wiggles on my head, oh no he's on the go, Wiggle's on my head.”

Books Read: The Apple Pie Tree, Mr. Brown's Magnificent Apple Tree, Big Red Apple, Johnny Appleseed, Apple Trouble, Apple Countdown

Animated Alphabet is our approach to phonemic awareness and spelling. The letters are taught through a multi sensory approach of music, dance, characters and signs which help the students hold onto that information. The characters we learned this week are; Actress Annie and Daisy Dragon.

In math we are getting to know numbers 0-10, sorting, getting to know money by practicing coin comparisons, creating a graph, comparing heights, and continuing our calendar routines. Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observations, tracking the number of days we have been in school and days of the week.

We are learning about the Woolwich Way! The Woolwich Way is made up of 6 qualities that will help us to be the best we can be! (Courtesy- I can use good manners, Compassion-I can help others, Respect- I can treat others kindly, Honesty-I can tell the truth, Responsibility- I can take care of myself and my stuff, Quality- I can do my best even when things are hard)

Upcoming Events:

October 7- Rocky Ridge Apple Orchard- (Please send in permission slip if you have not already)

October 9- Walk toy School Day-(Please sign and return permission slip on Monday)

October 10- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Inservice

October 13- NO SCHOOL- Columbus Day

September 26, 2014

Dear Families,

We followed the adventures of the Very Hungry Caterpillar on Tuesday by eating a huge, healthy fruit salad. THANK YOU to all who sent in fruit! It was delicious!!! (I posted pictures on Mrssampleskindergarten.blogspot.com)

In science we are learning about the life cycle of the butterfly.

Books Read: Butterfly Express, Crunching Munching Caterpillar, Gotta Go! Gotta Go! Don't Be Silly, Mrs. Millie, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and a variety of Eric Carle books.

Animated Alphabet is our approach to phonemic awareness and spelling. The letters are taught through a multi sensory approach of music, dance, characters and signs which help the students hold onto that information. The characters we learned this week are; Mimi Mermaid and Max the Ox/Felix Fox.

In math we are getting to know numbers, introducing volume, comparing sizes, patterns with color and continuing our calendar routines. Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observations, tracking the number of days we have been in school and days of the week.

We are learning about the Woolwich Way! The Woolwich Way is made up of 6 qualities that will help us to be the best we can be! (Courtesy- I can use good manners, Compassion-I can help others, Respect- I can treat others kindly, Honesty-I can tell the truth, Responsibility- I can take care of myself and my stuff, Quality- I can do my best even when things are hard)

Upcoming Events:

October 7- Rocky Ridge Apple Orchard- (Please send back permission slip included today)

October 9- Walk to school day- (Information coming soon!)

October 10- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Inservice

October 13- NO SCHOOL- Columbus Day

Very Hungry Caterpillar Fruit Salad

We enjoyed our Very Hungry Caterpillar fruit salad today! The children and their families each sent in a portion of what the Very Hungry Caterpillar ate and we mixed all of the ingredients together for a huge and healthy snack.

On Monday he ate through 1 apple.

On Tuesday he ate through 2 pears.

On Wednesday he ate through 3 plums.

On Thursday he ate through 4 strawberries.

On Friday he ate through 5 oranges.

We have truly enjoyed spending so much time enjoying and going deeper into this story.

Thank you so much for the donations that made our celebration so special!

Praying Mantis Story

                                           Our Amazing Praying Mantis

                         by Mrs. Sample’s Kindergarten

We found the praying mantis on the soccer field.

He crawled on Mrs. Sample’s arm! 

We couldn’t see him very well in the grass. He is camouflaged. 

His face has two antennas. 

His feet were sharp like claws. He wouldn’t let Mrs. Sample go. 

We couldn’t touch him because we might hurt him and our fingers have germs and oils that might hurt him. 

We let him go over the fence so he wouldn’t get stepped on. 

We hope we see him again!

Week of September 15th

Dear Families,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SETH!

A paper copy of this newsletter comes home on Fridays, but the blog has more than just what comes home. Visit mrssampleskindergarten.blogspot.com for pictures of quality work and fun happenings that you won't see anywhere else! We found a very cool praying mantis on one of our nature hikes. He was amazing! 

To clarify, folders only come home on Friday unless there is important information that needs to get home to you sooner! 

Books Read: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, A Caterpillar's Wish, Butterfly Suits, I'm a Caterpillar, Butterfly Life Cycle and a variety of Eric Carle books.

Animated Alphabet is our approach to phonemic awareness and spelling. The letters are taught through a multi sensory approach of music, dance, characters and signs which help the students hold onto that information. The character we learned this week was Ollie Ostrich. 

In math we are getting to know numbers, introducing attributes and sorting, multisensory counting, counting backwards, patterns and continuing our calendar routines. Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observations, tracking the number of days we have been in school and days of the week.

We are learning about the Woolwich Way! The Woolwich Way is made up of 6 qualities that will help us to be the best we can be! (Courtesy- I can use good manners, Compassion-I can help others, Respect- I can treat others kindly, Honesty-I can tell the truth, Responsibility- I can take care of myself and my stuff, Quality- I can do my best even when things are hard)

Upcoming Events:

Sept. 23-Very Hungry Caterpillar Fruit Salad Day (please see attached)

October 9- Walk to school day- (more details coming soon!)

October 10- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Inservice

October 13 - NO SCHOOL- Columbus Day

Our caterpillars have all come out of chrysalis! Yeah! We ended up with 4 perfect monarch butterflies. 3 males and 1 female.


How did we know if it was a boy or a girl? On the back of their open wings are two black dots if it is a boy. Those dots aren't there is it is a girl!

Dear Families,

Books Read: The Very Hungry Caterpillar,  Harold and the Purple Crayon, Miss Bindergarten Stays Home From Kindergarten, Have You Filled A Bucket Today?

We became scientists and used our observational skills to observe our monarch caterpillars in their container. Just in time! They decided to go into chrysalis and are working on their next adventure! (At the end of today 2 butterflies came out of chrysalis and we let them go!)

Animated Alphabet is our approach to phonemic awareness and spelling. The letters are taught through a multi sensory approach of music, dance, characters and signs which help the students hold onto that information. The characters we learned this week are; Polly Panda and Uncle Upton.

In math we are getting to know numbers, introducing measurement comparisons, multisensory counting, patterns and continuing our calendar routines. Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observations, tracking the number of days we have been in school and days of the week.

We are learning about the Woolwich Way! The Woolwich Way is made up of 6 qualities that will help us to be the best we can be! (Courtesy- I can use good manners, Compassion-I can help others, Respect- I can treat others kindly, Honesty-I can tell the truth, Responsibility- I can take care of myself and my stuff, Quality- I can do my best even when things are hard)

Upcoming Events:

September 17- Open House at WCS

October 10- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Inservice

October 13- NO SCHOOL- Columbus Day

Our First Amazing Week!

WOW! What a fantastic first week of Kindergarten! I am so impressed by the way we are blending together as a community. We are learning our schedule, classroom expectations and how to be a good friend. Our word for this week has been-Responsibility-

All of the students will be assessed this week and next in the areas of reading and writing. These assessments are fun for them and act more as a game then stressful work. They will probably be tired and hot this afternoon when they come home but know that they have spent 4 days adjusting to a new schedule and a whole new life. Exciting!

You have noticed a flurry of paperwork coming home. Please take time to fill it all out and send it back to me. Having updated addresses, telephone numbers and other important information is the key to keeping your child as safe as I possibly can. Thank you!

The best way to get in touch with me is through email at sample@rsu1.org. I check my email a few times a day and I will do my level best to get back to you as soon as I check it. I feel like too much information is better than too little.

Our specials are: Monday-Art
                           Tuesday- PE (if you haven't sent in sneakers to keep at school, please do)
                           Wednesday- Guidance
                           Thursday- Music
                           Friday-Library (Please help your child keep his/her library book in a safe place and      enjoy spending time reading with them.) Books are due back the following Friday.

I will try to add to this blog each week as well as when there is any special event going on. When I receive your paperwork about publishing pictures, I will know who I can and cannot publish on here. It is my first year using a blog and will be interested in how you like it. Paper copies will come home as well.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Sarah~

Welcome To Kindergarten!

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer up to this point with lots more fun and adventure to come! I thought you might like to have an overview of what our school day is going to look like and what supplies you will need as you enter Kindergarten.

School begins at 8:40 am every day except Wednesdays. All schools in RSU1 have a late start on Wednesdays and we begin that school day at 9:40.

The bus schedule is usually in the newspaper in August. If you have any questions about busing, please contact our front office.

We have a snack in the morning and again at the end of the day. Please send in healthy snacks and drinks in a lunchbox labeled with your child's name. Breakfast and lunch are available every day.

PLEASE make sure I know where to send your child at the end of the day. If there is a change of plans for after school please send a note, send me an email or call Betsy at the front desk. My main goal is the safety of your child. Please help me do that!

Supplies:

***Back pack (labeled with name)
*** lunch box (labeled with name)
***(thick)markers and 2 glue sticks- these will go into the community supply so you will not need to label these!
***a 2-pocket folder for home/school communication (labeled with name)
*** head phones (for use with iPads. We find the head phones stay better than ear buds- but that is up to your family to decide) (labeled with name)
***a pair of sneakers that will stay at school and only be used for P.E.
In the past, some parents have sent a change of clothes in for those unforeseen mishaps. If you do this, a large ziplock bag labeled with your child's name works very well.

As the year goes on, we will need other supplies (Lysol wipes, tissues, paper products) but I will address those needs as we progress through the year!

We will be having a bus run on August 25th at 1:00. We will all meet at school and the children will ride the bus, go to their classroom and visit the cafeteria for a snack. They can bring their supplies on that day if it would make the backpack a little lighter! I hope you all can make it!

If you need to contact me:
ssample@rsu1.org
or
(207) 443-9739
or
mrssampleskindergarten.blogspot.com