April 7, 2017

Dear Families,

Happy April! Looks like some sure signs of spring out there! Thank you to all who came to parent/ teacher conferences last week. It is so important to talk face to face every now and again. An update on me...I did miss the bottom step at school two weeks ago and am suffering from a severe sprained ankle/foot. The process will be a slow heal and I am trying to miss as little school time as I can. I am on crutches and have finally been able to be in an air cast. Thank you for all of your kind words of support during this difficult time. The learning will go on! 

Books Read: A wide variety of weather, spring and Easter books

During writing time they are; writing to Pittston pen pals, visualizing places and people to write about, adding words (letters) to their pictures, rehearsing what they want to say about what they wrote, taking turns sharing their ideas and writing with partners, adding spaces between words and punctuation at the end of a sentence, 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. We have been writing words and sentences using our characters.

In math we are working with two digit numbers, measurement, addition and subtraction practice, counting and number recognition, solving number stories, 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. Also assessment for report cards.

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: 

April 17-21 Vacation

May 17 & 18 NO SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ONLY

May 19 Professional Development Day

May 29 Memorial Day- No School

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

February 10, 2017

Hello All!

What an interesting weather week we have had! I hope you are all safe and sound after this last storm!

With our day off from school, 100's Day is now on February 14th along with Valentine's Day. It will be a fun-filled day for sure!

Reminders:

Please help your child create a 100th day collection: a collection (counted at home) that can be safely brought into school and presented in a show and share format. Past collections have included; stickers, pasta necklaces, 100 Pokemon cards, 100 rubber bands, a 100 piece puzzle, 100 buttons~ the sky is the limit!

I have sent home a list of all the student’s names if you choose to make Valentine’s cards for our celebration. If you would like to send in a special snack to be enjoyed by the children for that day, please email me and let me know! 

Upcoming Events:

February 20-24 February Vacation~Enjoy!

Thank you~Sarah

February 3, 2017

Happy February!

Dear Families,

BRAVO for the musical performance Tuesday night! They were magnificent!

So sorry the groundhog saw his shadow, but we really have been quite fortunate in the weather department so far! 

Books Read: Snow Friends, Warm in Winter, I'm A Little Snowman, The Snowy Day, The Snow Child, Snowballs

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. 

Our pen pal letters from our Piston friends have started! We will be writing back and forth for the remainder of the year and then in June we will be meeting them in real life and having a fun visit!

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 learned this week were; Yakety Yak and Vinnie Vulture.

In math we are working with two digit numbers, formation of numbers, addition and subtraction practice, describing patterns, measurement activities, counting and number recognition, solving number stories, 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: 

February 13- 100 Day of School Celebration (if no more snow days occur)

February 14- Valentine's Day

February 20-24 February Break

January 20, 2017

We have finished an author study of Jan Brett and jumped into many different versions of The Gingerbread Man. I have sent home some “homework” that should be a lot of fun! I attached a note explaining what I would like you to do with your giant gingerbread person. The sky is the limit! Please send the finished Gingerbread Baby, Boy, Man, Woman, Girl in as soon as they are finished so we can enjoy them!

Books Read: The Gingerbread Baby, Gingerbread Friends,The Gingerbread Girl and many, many versions of the traditional Gingerbread Boy/Man.

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. Our learning target is: "I can write my story so my partner can read it." We also wrote a personal letter to Jan Brett and we are excited to get a letter back from her soon!

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; Abe the Skating Hare and Sheriff Shad.

In math we are working with teen numbers, formation of numbers, building hexagons, calculator practice, addition and subtraction practice, describing patterns, counting and number recognition  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: 

January 31- Kindergarten Concert 6:00 @ WCS

January 30- School wide pajama day
January 31- School wide Twin day
February 1- Wacky hair day
February 2- Dress as a celebrity
February 3- School colors day

January 6, 2017

Dear Families,

The happiest of New Years to you! It will be a wonderful year. 

We have started an author study of Jan Brett. Her stories and illustrations are perfect for this time of the year! 

Books Read: The Mitten, The Hat, Hedgie's Surprise and also another version of The Mitten which was written by AlvinTresselt. We spent time comparing and contrasting the two versions of the story as well as predicting, sequencing, and retelling the events. 

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, telling a story across pages, taking 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;  Old Joe Crow and Leaping Eve.

In math we are working with teen numbers, formation of numbers, making pictures to match the number written, addition and subtraction practice, describing patterns, counting and number recognition through graphing , introduction to calculators 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: 

Monday January 16- Martin Luther King Jr. Day- No School

Tuesday January 31- Kindergarten concert- 6pm