October 28, 2016

Dear Families,

Happy rainy Friday! PLEASE no costumes to school on Monday! Thank you~

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

During writing time they are starting to; visualize places and people to write about, tell their story across pages, 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 showing 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 characters this week were Arnie Aardvark and Jenny Jaguar.

In math we are getting to know numbers 0-31, sorting, using math manipulatives, identifying shapes around us, putting together is addition and taking apart is subtraction 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 8- No School/Professional Development

November 11- No School- Veterans Day (Thank you for all who have served) 

October 21, 2016

Dear Families,

We have been learning about fire safety this week and we were joined by the Woolwich Fire Department on Monday. We learned about the fire truck and how to keep safe. Some students were unsure if they their family has an outside meeting place if they have to evacuate their house. Do you have one? Have you practiced your escape route with your family? Have you changed the batteries in your smoke detectors lately? I care a lot about you all and want you to stay safe!!!

Books Read: Firehouse, Curious George at the Fire Station, Clifford the Firehouse Dog, My Fire Engine

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 characters we learned this week were; Sadie Seal and Rosie Raccoon.

In math we are getting to know numbers 0-30, sorting, using math manipulatives, identifying shapes, 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 8- No School
November 11- No School-Veteran's Day-Thank you!

October 14, 2016

Dear Families,

In science we are learning about the changes we see in fall. We have also had 13 monarch caterpillars come out of chrysalis and we have set them free!!! Wow! Never have we had so many successful hatches~

Books Read: Johnny Appleseed,  When The Leaf Blew In, Autumn's First Leaf,  Apples and Pumpkins, Yes We Can!

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 characters we met this week were Daisy Dragon and Timmy Tiger.

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 8- No School- Professional Development for teachers

November 11- No School- Veteran's Day

September 30, 2016

Dear Families,

A huge THANK YOU for those who traveled to Rocky Ridge apple orchard with us this week. It was so much fun and the sadness they felt in the rain on Tuesday was turned into smiles and enthusiasm on our sunny trip! I hope you heard all about it! 

We made applesauce on Friday with the apples we bought at Rocky Ridge and after lots of turning and squishing, we ate the delicious treat! I hope you found the apple core I sent home with the attached instructions for planting your own apple tree. 

In science we are learning about the life cycle of the butterfly and have begun our apple unit. We currently have 10 caterpillars in chrysalis, 5 caterpillars still munching and we have let one butterfly start his journey to Mexico. We have learned so much about the caterpillar life cycle!

Books Read: Big, Red Apple, There Was An Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly, Wiggle's Apple Book

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; Max the Ox/ Felix Fox and Actress Annie.

In math we are getting to know numbers 0-10, sorting, discussing a graph, using math manipulatives, finger counting, working with shapes 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- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Inservice

October 10- NO SCHOOL- Columbus Day

September 23, 2016

Dear Families,

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. We also acted out the Very Hungry Caterpillar story with props and ate a fruit salad that had all of the yummy fruit in it that the caterpillar ate through. 

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 have learned about so far are; Polly Panda, Uncle Upton, Ollie Ostrich, and Mimi Mermaid.

In math we are getting to know numbers, introducing attributes and sorting, 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 27- Rocky Ridge Field Trip (29th is the rain date)

October 7- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Inservice

October 10- NO SCHOOL- Columbus Day

September 9, 2016

Dear Families,

It has been a very busy week. We are continuing our procedures and community building. The only special we have not been involved with yet is art, and we will have that on Monday. Today we traveled to library and we were able to sign a book out to take home. Please make sure it comes back by next Friday (or before) and that when it is not being read there is a safe place to keep it. One other detail I forgot to mention in my opening letter is that folders come home on Fridays with student's work from the week, this newsletter and other pieces of information.

Books Read: The Little Engine That Could, Have You Filled a Bucket Today?, I Like Myself, I'm your Bus.

In math we are getting to know numbers, introducing attributes of shapes, sorting, graphing birthdays, and our calendar routines. Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observation, tracking the number of days we have been in school and the days  of the week.

 Many reading and writing assessments have taken place these first few days of school. We will begin a more structured approach to reading and writing beginning next week. 

A huge THANK YOU to Millie's mom for bringing in a monarch caterpillar to observe. I have been unable to find any in my faithful spots. We also ordered some monarch caterpillars in the mail, but they are still too small for us to see. 

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 15- Picture Day and Open House!

First 2 Days!

WOW! What a fantastic first two days 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 2 full 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 ssample@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 this blog. Paper copies will come home as well.

Have a wonderful long weekend!

Sarah~