March 23, 2018

Happy Spring Everyone!

This past week has been a whirlwind trying to finish last minute assignments and assessments. Your children have been amazing with our changes in schedule and activity. I am proud of them all and am encouraging all of you to please sign up for a conference with me next week! If you are unsure how to use the online system, please call the front office. They will add you in!

There is a pair of snow pants missing...size 7- Roebuck & Co bib snow pants. If they inadvertently ended up at your house, please send them back in~ Also, any spare clothes children have worn home that belong to the school please return them as well. This is a great time of year to put out a reminder about spare clothing. Spring is very messy and if I have no spare clothes left students have to sit in wet and uncomfortable clothing. I am sending home all clothing before April vacation.

TOYS have worn out their welcome at school. It has been a trying last few weeks as toys are coming in more and more frequently. Bigger and louder and really distracting. We need to please keep all toys at home for the remainder of the year. We may have a "toy day" that the children may earn but I will tell you that the week before it happens. Please help me...keep ALL toys at home.

Supplies: Thank you for sending in markers for your student. If you haven't, please do or if it is a hardship, please let me know. Also...if anyone would like to donate a package of plastic Easter eggs I would REALLY appreciate it. I need a few packs so any would be welcomed! They will not be returned so if they are special Easter bunny eggs please keep them! Thank you so much!

Upcoming Events:
March 23- Report cards home
March 29 & 30- Parent/ Teacher conferences. 1/2 Day of school
April 16-20- April Vacation
May 16 & 17- NO SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN ONLY (Screening for next year's class-oh my!)

March 16, 2018

Dear Families,

It sure has been a wild weather week. The storms have helped deepen the student's understanding about lion and lamb differences in the weather.

This week has been spent finishing up (most) assessments for report cards. The children are working hard and doing quality work to show all they know and have learned. I am VERY proud of them all. I can't believe that Monday will begin our final trimester of the kindergarten year. Seems like we just started!

We have come to the end of our marker supply and unfortunately I need to ask for your help. Please send in a box of magic markers with your student on Monday. If they would like to keep them in a pencil case in their mailboxes that would be great. We have obviously been doing a lot of writing and activities requiring our year supply! If this is a hardship, please let me know. Thank you!

Upcoming Events:
Friday March 16- Grades Close
Friday March 23- Report cards go home
Thursday & Friday March 29 & 30- Parent/Teacher conferences- Look for the sign up coming soon!
April 16-20 April Vacation

March 2, 2018

Happy March, Everyone!

We have had a very busy Dr. Seuss week here in Kindergarten! All the stripes and crazy socks and hair, and reading all of these shirts makes celebrating Dr. Seuss that much more fun! Our 7th 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! We also visited the 6th grade and were treated to good food and books at their Dr. Seuss Cafe!

In writing we have been working on finishing our narrative unit and introducing a new unit of writing. We will be creating books that teach people how to do something (examples: 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. Writing together is a great way to learn reading and writing skills.

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; Irving Turtle and Vinnie Vulture.

 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 16- 2nd Trimester Ends

March 23- Report Cards Home

March 29 & 30 Parent/Teacher Conferences

April 16-20 Vacation

February 9, 2018

Dear Families,

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

Kindergarten is going to attempt to collect 100 non perishable food items to celebrate our 100th day of school. If you would like to and are able would you send in a couple of boxes of pasta or soup or any other items like that? Thanks so much!



Reminders:
I have sent home a list of all the student’s names for a second week 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 19-23 February Vacation~Enjoy!

Thank you~Sarah

February 2, 2018

        Happy February! He made his decision, so let's enjoy 6 more weeks of winter!!!

Dear Families,

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

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. 

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 learned this week was; Ike and his  Bike.

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, exploring capacity and weight balance, and continuing our calendar routines. Our routines at calendar time include; counting to the calendar number of the day, weather observations, temperature data collection, 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)

I have attached a list of names of the students in our classroom for Valentine Card writing. We will be having a small party on the 14th and if you are interested in sending in a treat, please let me know. Our 100 Day celebration doesn't require you to do anything-it will be an in school activity-based day. If you have not sent in Gingerbread projects, please do! 

Upcoming Events: 

February 14- Valentine's Day Party

February 15- 100 Day of School Celebration (if no more snow days occur)

February 19- 23 February Break

January 26, 2018

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; Leaping Eve and Winkie Walrus

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: 

Thursday February 1st- Kindergarten Concert 6:00 @ WCS Cafetorium

January 12, 2018

Dear Families,

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

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

Books Read: The Mitten, The Hat, The Umbrella, The Turnip, Cinders 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 finishing up the unit on pattern books. The children have been very excited to create these books as the structure of the writing matches where many of the students are reading at this time of the year. Each book spotlights at least one sight word we are working on. It all ties together very nicely.  

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; Chauncy Chipmunk and Old Joe Crow.

In math we are working with teen numbers, formation of numbers, making pictures to match the number written, addition and subtraction practice, graphing our favorite colors, shapes by feel, 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 15- Martin Luther King Jr. Day- No School

Friday January 26- YES SCHOOL. The professional day has been canceled in an attempt to increase our days in school.