June 2, 2017

Dear Families,

Pen Pals from Pittston School visited us today~ SO FUN! Our 8th grade book buddies also spent their last session with us as they get ready to head to Washington DC. Plus the lovely weather allowed us to spend a great deal of time outside! Along with summer weather comes summer/ beach/ coastal Maine studies.

Wow! I can't believe we are wrapping up our Kindergarten year together! Assessments are going to be key for the next weeks. 

As we experienced a "summer" day this past week, it reminded me to remind you about the importance of sunscreen. As our skin becomes re-introduced to the sun, we want to be sure we are safe! Please either slather sun block on your child before they come in to school or you could send in a tube (with their name clearly stated) and I am happy to apply it before they venture outside. The same with bug spray~

Books Read: One Morning in Maine, Rainbow Fish, Rainbow Fish and the Big Blue Whale, Make Way for Ducklings and Fun Dog, Sun Dog, and Thunder Cake (I have included the recipe for thunder cake in their folders this week-yum!) 

During writing time they are; thinking of ways to write that will persuade people to do certain things, or not do certain things, 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. 

In math we are working with two digit numbers, formation of numbers, 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. 

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: 

June 20- Last School Day at WCS 1/2 day~ Dismissal at 11:50

REMEMBER!!!!!

                                

                         PLEASE REMEMBER

There is NO SCHOOL for Kindergarten students on Wednesday and Thursday May 17 & 18 due to incoming kindergarten screening.

There is NO SCHOOL for ALL students on Friday May 19th due to a District-wide Professional Development day.

Enjoy your extra time and the upcoming beautiful weather!

May 5, 2017

Dear Families,

This week has been a mix of egg layers, farm life and plants. Always a busy time of year. So many hands-on experiences and excitement of 1st grade looms close!

May 17 & 18 NO SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ONLY (KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ARE INVOLVED WITH KINDERGARTEN SCREENING)

Books Read:We have spent the week reading many, many versions of The Little Red Hen and comparing and contrasting each version.

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 getting familiar with our 1-110 number grid and playing fun “I Spy” games trying to find out the number, playing with standard and nonstandard measurement, working with two digit numbers, formation of numbers, 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. 

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: 

May 17 & 18 NO SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ONLY (KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ARE INVOLVED WITH KINDERGARTEN SCREENING)

May 19- Professional Development~ NO SCHOOL!

May 26- Field Trip to Morris Farm (more details to follow)

May 29- No School- Memorial Day

April 28, 2017

Dear Families,

We learned a BIG word this week! Oviparous. Animals that lay eggs and hatch from eggs.

Books Read: What Hatches From an Egg, Chickens aren't The Only Ones, First The Egg, Chick Life Cycle, Egg to Robin, Sea Turtles, Frog Life Cycles, One Tiny Turtle

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 using calculators, playing with standard and nonstandard measurement, working with two digit numbers, formation of numbers, 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. 

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: 

May 17 & 18   NO SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS ONLY (KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS ARE INVOLVED WITH KINDERGARTEN SCREENING)

May 26-  Field Trip to Morris Farm ~More details to come!

May 29- Memorial Day-No School

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