December 15, 2017

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!, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, 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; Nellie Newt and Lou Lou Moose

In math we are 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:

Friday December 22-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. Also 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 2- Vacation-Enjoy family and friends! (My middle son will be home from Germany to visit! I will also be able to spend time with my other children and my three grandchildren.)  Blessings all!

November 13, 2017

Dear Families,

Wow! I am struggling with getting back on track after all of these disruptions to school this month! I REALLY like structure and I need to get back to it as soon as possible! Today is my aunt's 105th birthday and she is still keeping herself and her life organized, so here is my feeble attempt!

PLEASE: Sign up for conferences if you have not yet. I want to see you all and share about your child's progress thus far in Kindergarten. 

PLEASE: Send in your turkey family project as soon as it is finished. Those that have arrived so far are spectacular!

The picture book tally sheet that is attached to this newsletter is for you to fill out at home for each picture book  you  read with your child in the month of November. Please go back in time if you would like and continue to the end of the month. Then send the forms back in so we can add to our classroom total and to our whole school total. It will be fun to see how many picture books we can read in November! 

A final reminder: as the weather is cooling down and the snow has arrived, remember we go outside on days above 10 degrees and as long as it isn't rain or ice. Fresh air is so important and I ask you to help me by sending your child with warm clothing and to make sure they have an extra set of clothing in case of emergency. 

Thank you! Sarah~

October 27, 2017

Dear Families,

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

In science we are learning about the changes we see in fall and the life cycle of a pumpkin. We also are delving into bats and owls!

Books Read: The Biggest Pumpkin Ever, When The Leaf Blew In, Autumn's First Leaf, Pumpkin Patch Puppy, The Silly Scarecrow, Stellaluna

During writing time they are starting to; add details to enhance their illustrations, 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 Kimmy Kangaroo and Farley Fox.

In math we are getting to know numbers 0-31, sorting, using math manipulatives, identifying shapes around us, sorting, describing, and comparing objects,  putting together is addition and taking apart is subtraction, 10 frame 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 9- Professional Development- NO SCHOOL

November 10- No School Veteran's Day Observed

November 11-Veterans Day (Thank you for all who have served)
November 20&21 1/2 Days of school- Parent/Teacher Conferences
November 22-24- NO SCHOOL- Thanksgiving Break

October 13, 2017

Our firetruck snack! YUM!

Dear Families,

We have been learning about fire safety this week and we were joined by the Woolwich Fire Department on Tuesday as they shared their knowledge with us about safety. We learned about the fire truck and how to keep safe. Some students were unsure if 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 Rosie Raccoon and.Hippy Hippo.

In math we are getting to know numbers 0-30, sorting, using math manipulatives, identifying and describing triangles, reviewing spatial vocabulary and concepts (top, below, between, next to, around, over, under, left, right), dot cards, five frames, addition is "putting together"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 9- Professional Inservice- No School
November 10- No School-Veteran's Day Observed-Thank you to all families who have served our great country!

September 29, 2017

Dear Families,

A huge THANK YOU for those who traveled to Rocky Ridge Apple Orchard with us this week. We picked an apple to eat, went for a hay ride and chose a little pumpkin to get creative with next week, and we had a yummy donut and cool glass of apple juice. The weather was perfect and the children were awesome guests of the orchard! It was so much fun and I hope you heard all about it! 

We will make applesauce next week with the apples we bought at Rocky Ridge and they will bring home an apple core with the attached instructions for planting your own apple tree.Look for that next week.  

In science we are learning about the life cycle of the butterfly and have begun our apple unit. We currently have 4 caterpillars in chrysalis, 5 caterpillars still munching and we have let four butterfly start his journey to Mexico. We have learned so much about the caterpillar life cycle!

Books Read: Big, Red Apple, Johnny Appleseed, Mr. Brown's Magnificent Apple Tree

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;  Actress Annie and Daisy Dragon.

In math we are getting to know numbers 0-10, sorting, discussing a graph, using math manipulatives, five frames, shape patterns, describing 2-D 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 6- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Inservice

October 9- NO SCHOOL- Columbus Day

September 22, 2017

Dear Families,

PLEASE be on the lookout for the field trip permission slips in your student's folder for our upcoming trip to Rocky Ridge Orchard. Remember to include the $5 and signed permission slip on Monday.  Thank you for those earbuds/headphones that came in this week. We will hopefully be starting next week with some guided technology practice. Also a huge shout out for all the classroom supplies that arrived! 

In science we continue to learn about the life cycle of the butterfly. We currently have 10 caterpillars still munching and we have let four butterflies start their journey to Mexico. The one on the bulletin board and the lost one (found on Curious George) were both perfectly fine when they made their grand entrance! We have learned so much about the caterpillar life cycle!

Books Read: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Busy Spider, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, and many other Eric Carle favorites!

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; Mimi Mermaid and Max the Ox/ Felix Fox.

In math we are getting to know numbers 0-10, sorting, discussing a graph, using math manipulatives, using 5 frames, practicing with quick looks at collections of dots, 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 still 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 29- Field trip Rocky Ridge- Please return $ and permission slip

October 6- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Inservice

October 9- NO SCHOOL- Columbus Day

September 15, 2017

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.

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).

ITEM NEEDED: Each student is being asked to provide either earphones or earbuds for use with or Chromebook time. I will place them  in an individual bag with your student's name on it. They will be kept at school for daily/bi-daily work. Thank you so much!

Other~ Some have asked about things they can donate to the classroom and the following are items we are in need of all year long; plastic spoons,  hand sanitizer, tissues, and extra snacks to keep on hand in case someone forgets theirs. Again, thank you!

Upcoming Events:

TBD- Rocky Ridge Field Trip 

October 6- NO SCHOOL- Teacher Inservice

October 9- NO SCHOOL- Columbus Day