Hello!
It was wonderful seeing all of you last night.  Thank you so much for coming!

During Reading Workshop we learned that Good Readers...

• Talk to their reading buddy!
• Discuss their favorite part of the story with their reading buddy.
• Notice action in the story.
• Can disagree with their reading buddy.
• Always look at the cover and think..."what will the book be about?"

Shared reading is 10 to 15 minutes in our day when the whole class reads together. Quite often the reading is familiar Nursery Rhymes or poems, or memorable texts. We read the same piece each day, and by the end of the week the students are “reading” it on their own.  This week, our shared reading was a poem about an Apple Tree.  A copy was sent home today.  Please have your child practice reading it with you!

During Writing Workshop we learned that Good Writers...

• Add action to their story!
• Do their best to stretch out the sounds they hear in words.
• Make choices about the tools they use!

During Math we learned that Good Mathematicians...

• Play games!  We learned a new game called Pop. 
• Practice writing numbers to 10.
• Visit the computer lab to use Dreambox.

Word Study Centers:  Each group worked on sorting Capital letters, Lowercase letters and numbers.
Students finished their All About Books and completed an apple craft.  The game/puzzle center included activities that focused on Beginning Sounds and Rhyming.  We also practiced counting the syllables in everyone's name.  Try it out at home!

Social Studies/Science - We celebrated Johnny Appleseed's birthday!  We read about his adventures and completed some fun activities.  Our 2nd Steps lessons involved using our attent-a-scope to focus on listening to specific directions. Please review the Home Link with your child.  The activity is optional!

Hello!
We had a busy week in Kindergarten.  Please remember to return library books by Monday!  Also, please have your child wear sneakers to school for Gym on Wednesday and Friday.  We will continue to have 2 snacks.  Please pack your child's snack outside of his/her lunch box.  

During Reading Workshop we learned that Good Readers...

• Point to the pictures to help tell the story.
• Look at the details of the picture to help figure out the story.
• Notice action in the pictures!

Our Shared Readings this week were Jack and Jill and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.  The class did a wonderful job!  I was very impressed.

During Writing Workshop we learned that Good Writers...

• Think about people in their lives that they can write about - like parents, siblings, and friends.
• Think about places they have been that they can write about - like playgrounds, beaches and homes.  
• Do their best to add labels to their stories.

In Math we learned that Good Mathematicians...

• Use math racks to make combinations of 5 and 10.
• Use manipulatives to count and represent quantities.
• Use the Smartboard to play math games!

Word Study Centers:  Students have been working in small groups to practice sorting concept cards.  They have also practiced cutting and pasting their sort into their Word Study notebook.  We continue to practice our "Center" routine.  Students visit two literacy based centers each day.  Activities include -  games/puzzles, big books, phonics and writing. 

Social Studies: This week, we reviewed our expectations for listening - Eyes Watching, Ears Listening, Voice Quiet, and Body Still.  We played a game called Follow, follow.   When I say "follow, follow" the students listen for a direction and follow it.  Please review the "Home Link" with your child.  The activity is OPTIONAL.

Science: We enjoyed planting Mustard Greens in the school Garden.  Our 4th grade buddies joined us for the fun! 

Have a great weekend!  I look forward to seeing you at Open House on Thursday.   

Everyone survived their first full week of full day kindergarten!  Some highlights from the week include:

• Our first Whole School meeting where we learned about the World Language program. 
• Attending Music, Gym, Art, and Library!  Please don't forget to return library books to school.
• Fire drill practice - we learned to exit the building quickly and quietly.  We talked about how it's okay to cover your ears, since the alarm is so loud.

During Reading Workshop we learned that Good Readers...

• Read from books in bin, and take care of the classroom books.
• Turn and talk with their reading buddy about what is happening in the story.
• Look at the cover, and think..."What will the book be about?"

Shared reading is 10 to 15 minutes in our day when the whole class reads together. Quite often the reading is familiar Nursery Rhymes or poems, or memorable texts. We read the same piece each day, and by the end of the week the students are “reading” it on their own. Our shared reading this week was Jack be Nimble.  A copy of the nursery rhyme should be in your child's folder.  Please practice it at home!

In Writing Workshop we learned that Good Writers...

• Independently retrieve and use their writing tools.
• Brainstorm an idea and then write.
• Add to the picture, add to the words, start a new story!

During Math we learned that good Mathematicians...

• Study the numbers one to ten.
• Practice rote counting, as well as look at combinations of numbers up to 5.

Word Study Centers:  Students have been working in small groups with me to practice sorting concept cards.  They have also practiced cutting and pasting their sort into their Word Study notebook.  We are still practicing our "Center" routine.  Students visit two literacy based centers each day.

Social Studies: We began using the district's 2nd Steps program to teach strong listening skills.  We learned that in order to be a good listener you have to have  - Eyes Watching, Ears Listening, Voice Quiet, and Body Still. 

Homework:  Please read with your child for 15 minutes each night!

REMINDERS:

• There is no school on Monday!
• Please send in an Art Smock if you haven't already.
• Please send two snacks packed outside of your child's lunch box...even if they are buying lunch!
• Book orders are due on September 19th. 
• Open House is September 27th. 

Hello Families!
We had another exciting week in Kindergarten.  We wrote and shared stories during Writing Workshop.  Students did a fantastic job decorating the heart for their writing folder!  During Reading Workshop, we read and talked about stories.  Students practiced turning and talking with their reading buddy.  Whole Body Listening Larry - (a paper puppet) visited our classroom and explained that good listeners listen with their ears, eyes, hands, feet, brain and heart!  We continued to practice Kindergarten routines and procedures so that we can create a happy and safe learning environment.

 Just some friendly reminders:

·         Full day Kindergarten begins on Monday!

·         If you haven’t already, send in an Art Smock. ** We have Art on MondayJ please clearly write your child’s name on the front. 

·         Send in a change of clothes and socks in a Ziploc bag.  These are for playground accidents (like splashing in puddles) not just bathroom accidentsJ

·         If your child finished his writing workshop heart please send it back to school!

·         Please pack two nutritious snacks outside of your child’s lunch box each day.  Sometimes they are unsure of what to eat during snack, and start eating their sandwich instead of a small snack.

·         Picture day is Wednesday, September 12^th.  Please send in picture forms/money.

·         If you haven’t already, please send in $7.00 for “Let’s Find Out.”

·         Open House is Thursday, September 27th from 8:10-8:40.