December 16, 2016

Dear Families,

Thank you for bundling up your little people! We will go outside as long as the temperature is above 10 degrees including wind chill.

Books Read: Countdown To Christmas, Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear!, The Wild Christmas Reindeer, The Night Before Christmas, Arthur's Christmas

During writing time they are; using patterns like-"I like" and "I see" to make books to share with their friends. The pattern of language and staying on one topic while exploring this kind of writing are the key concepts.

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; Woody Woodchuck and Ichabod Ichthyosaurus.

In math we are discussing volume and capacity using the rice table and weight using the pan balance, working with teen numbers, formation of numbers, making pictures to match the number written, addition and subtraction practice 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:

Wednesday December 21-We will be having some fun with the story, The Polar Express. The students are allowed to bring their pajamas to change into here at school. They also may bring a special stuffed animal as long as it can fit inside their backpack.

Thursday December 22- A VERY low-key “Party”-NO GIFTS- We also will have some healthy snacks, so if you are interested in sending in a healthy snack or juice or cups or plates, let me know at ssample@rsu1.org

December 23-January 3- Vacation-Enjoy family and friends! (My middle son will not be home from his overseas mission until summer, but will be able to spend time with my other children and my two granddaughters.)  Blessings all!

December 9, 2016

Dear Families,

PLEASE know that students go out every day as long as the temperature is above 10 degrees. Snow pants, boots, hat, mittens and warm clothing are super important in keeping your child safe and warm. Please help in sending those things in. Also, if your student doesn't have an extra set of clothing at school, that would be a comfort on days when they have gotten wet by the snow. Who wants to sit in cold, wet clothes? Slippers or an extra set of shoes may also be a welcome addition so they aren't clomping around in their oversized, wet boots~we thank you!

Books Read: Poor Pluto, Berenstain Bears on the Moon, Good Night Moon ABC, Star Wars Solar System, several non-fiction texts featuring our different planets in the solar system. 

During writing time we are finishing our unit~ writing pattern books. Books like; I like..., I see..., I can...., I go to......    These are helping to build stamina in both reading and writing as beginning readers are often first successful reading books with a consistent, repetitive pattern throughout. Although this is a short unit, it is going to be a powerful one!

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 are Nellie Newt and Lou Lou Moose

In math we are working with teen numbers, telling number stories, measurement,  formation of numbers, making pictures to match the number written, addition and subtraction practice 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: 

December 9- Report cards home

December 21- Pajama and Polar Express Day and Winter Celebration Party! Students can BRING pajamas in to change into here at school. They can also bring in a stuffed animal if the wish. Make sure it will fit in their backpack. If you would like to send in a small, healthy snack for us to share, please let me know via email or note!!! Thank you~

December 23-January 2-  Christmas Vacation

December 2, 2016

Dear Families,

We have been having so much fun learning about the solar system this week! We know what makes day and night and that the sun is our closest star. How exciting!

Books Read: Out In Space, Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System, Stars! Stars! stars!, Eight Spinning Planets, Good Night Moon, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, There's No Place Like Space, Sun: Our Nearest Star, What Makes Day and Night?

During writing time we are working on a new unit~ writing pattern books. Books like; I like..., I see..., I can....    These are helping to build stamina in both reading and writing as beginning readers are often first successful reading books with a consistent, repetitive pattern throughout. Although this is a short unit, it is going to be a powerful one!

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 are Ellie Elephant and Thick Thorny Thing.

In math we are working with teen numbers, playing games with partners, formation of numbers, making pictures to match the number written, addition and subtraction practice 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: 

December 9- Report cards home

December 23-January 2-  Christmas Vacation

November 18, 2016

We had a wonderful Grandparent's Day celebration today!!!

THANK YOU

Upcoming Events: 

Monday and Tuesday November 21 & 22- 1/2 Days of School and Parent/ Teacher Conferences. PLEASE sign up if you haven't already done so~

Wed., Thurs. & Fri. November 23, 24, 25- Thanksgiving Break

Enjoy family and know you are all a blessing to me!

November 4, 2016

Dear Families,

Welcome November! What beautiful weather we have had! It is so nice to be able to continue our treks outside on these beautiful fall days. We have been taking the role of scientist as we spend time observing the season using all of our senses. 

A bit of help that I need... please assist your child by making sure there are no toys or other distractions in their backpacks or pockets. We have had many instances of students "giving, trading, sharing, lending" items and we honestly don't have the time for those distractions in our day. I really need your help with this and I thank you in advance. 
A turkey project is coming home with your child today. Have fun creating together and please send it back in when finished~

If you have not signed up for conferences yet, please do. I can't wait to talk about your student's first trimester of kindergarten. 

We are continuing to tell stories across pages in our writing blocks. Sharing work with partners and adding details  has added to our good work!

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 this week were; Kimmy Kangaroo and Farley Fox

In math we are working with teen numbers, recognizing teen numbers through movement, formation of numbers, addition and subtraction practice 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- Veterans Day- No School

November 21&22- Parent Teacher Conferences (Please sign up)

November 23,24,25 No School for Thanksgiving Break

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!