March 10, 2017

Hello Families!

This week we have continued our weather observations at a deeper level and trying to decide if the weather outside is a lion or a lamb as the old saying goes. Some days have been both and that realization has led to many scientific conversations between the students. They are acute observers!

Reading/Writing: We have continued to enjoy more Dr. Seuss books this week as well as some stories related to weather. The difference between fiction and non-fiction has been discussed. We have also been working in our interactive writing block where each student helps in the writing and illustrating of a class book. We are all author and illustrators! We have now finished four books and they have been added to our classroom library for us all to enjoy. In writing we are also continuing the How-To unit where it is their responsibility to teach someone else how to do something step-by-step. Some of the books written have been quite humorous, especially when the students realize steps have been left out of the process! They are enjoying this unit very much.

Math: Combinations of 10, graphing data, identifying, comparing and creating various shapes, working with teen numbers, analyzing solutions to problems presented in word problems, and continuing our calendar routines. We are all surprised that today is the 111 day of school!

Assessment: Assessments in every area are being conducted at this point and students are working harder than ever in order to get them done. I dislike the amount of "testing" I need to do, but in the end it does show me (and you) the incredible growth in your children. I am so proud of them!

Upcoming Events:
March 17- 2nd trimester ends
March 24- Report cards home
March 30 & 31- Parent/ Teacher Conferences
April 17-21 April Vacation

March 3, 2017

Happy March!

We have had a very busy Dr. Seuss week here in Kindergarten! All the stripes and crazy socks makes celebrating Dr. Seuss that much more fun! Our 8th grade reading buddies came down and we spent time with a S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering, math) activity where we tried to build structures using plastic cups and index cards. We recorded our findings and had so much fun!

In writing we have been working in a new unit of writing. We will be creating books that teach people how to do something (eg. How to Build a Snowman, How to Make a Sandwich, How to Brush My Teeth). It is harder than you think to organize the steps in doing something. We also have begun making a few class books to add to our library. Writing together is also a great way to learn reading and writing skills.

We wrote a personal thank you letter to our community reader and we also wrote letters to our pen pals in Pittston. We also visited the 6th grade and were treated to good food and books at their Dr. Seuss Cafe! 

In math we have been using dice to play a probability game, working with shapes, using teen numbers, finding combinations of 10 and continuing our calendar activities. 

It is a good time of the year for reminders about having an extra set of dry clothes for your child. They can leave them in their backpack or in their cubby. There is nothing worse than getting wet or muddy and sitting in them for the rest of the day. 

Upcoming Events:

March 17- 2nd Trimester Ends

March 24- Report Cards Home

March 30 & 31 Parent/Teacher Conferences