Field Trip and Reminders!

Hello!

Just a friendly reminder that our field trip to the Stamford Nature Center is this Friday. Make sure to dress your child appropriately. Sneakers and comfortable clothes would be the best.  If it's raining, please have your child wear a raincoat!

Also, children need to bring a disposable lunch, clearly marked with their name on the outside.  All items must be able to be recycled or put in the garbage.

Please be sure to apply sunblock to your child before they come to school. Do not send them with their own sunblock (I am not allowed to apply it). If possible, please apply bug spray as well.

We are looking forward to a great trip!

 

FIELD DAY - Wednesday, June 5th - 9:30-11:00.  Writing share and picnic lunch to follow - a note will be sent home with more information.

 

During Reading Workshop we learned that Readers Get to Know the Characters!

• We read the Pigeon books by Mo Willems
• Look at the title and cover to get information about the character.
• Look at the pictures and think about what the character might be feeling.
• Think of words to describe the Pigeon - silly, loud, annoying, babyish.

This week in Writers Workshop we learned that writers write to change a person’s mind (persuasive writing)!  We used our persuasive writing to create posters for Mrs. Bleakley. During this time we discussed:

• writers use capital letters
• writers use end punctuation
• writers write every sound they hear
• writers illustrate to match their words

MATH: We began our unit on graphing...
Using the Smart Board, students graphed their favorite Mo Willems character and their favorite type of pattern block.  We discussed the graph using words like; fewer, more, same, etc. They also worked to complete their own graphs. 

SCIENCE:  The ladybugs have been released into our garden. Unfortunately, some of the Ladybug Lands started developing mold, so we had to release them a little earlier than planned.

SOCIAL STUDIES:  We reviewed being a good listener - eyes watching, body still, mouth quiet.  We also talked about our upcoming Field Trip to the nature center!

REMINDER: 
May 24th - Field Trip to the Stamford Nature Centers.  Please pack a fully disposable lunch!


SUMMER BIRTHDAYS
If your child has a summer birthday and we won’t be here to celebrate, please let me know and we can set up a day and time to celebrate in the classroom.

Have a Happy Mother's Day!

Enjoy the cards, plants and necklaces!  Your child worked very hard to create these special gifts!

During Reading Workshop we learned that readers are Retelling Rockstars!  We discussed

• 3 stars for including characters, actions, and feelings
• 2 stars for including the characters and actions
• 1 star for including the characters

During Writing Workshop writers need to use their tools to stretch out words...

• The alphabet chart
• The word wall and word family posters
• Sight word rings

MATH: We continued our study on measurement

• standard and nonstandard units of measure
• height, length & width
• weight and capacity
• measuring around the room using a variety of measurement tools

SCIENCE:  We continued to observe and record data in our ladybug journals.  Ask your child about his/her observations!  We talked about the different parts of a plant and what plants need to grow.  We hope you enjoy the plants that came home today!
***  Please read the directions attached to the plants in the black, plastic pot.

SUMMER BIRTHDAYS
If your child has a summer birthday and won’t be here to celebrate, please let me know.  We can set up a day and time to celebrate in the classroom:)

We are growing in Kindergarten!

We had a very busy week in Kindergarten! 

• We enjoyed the beautiful weather and visited the outdoor garden.  We noticed that the lettuce seeds we planted in the fall have grown to be "super" tall.  We also planted seeds in containers and will be watching them grow in the classroom. A special thanks for our parent volunteers!
• My mom came in as a special guest and planted Marigold seeds with the class. 
• We put Ladybug Larva into our Ladybug Land containers.  Each student has a journal to record his/her observations as the Larva change into Pupa, and then finally adult Ladybugs. 

During Reading Workshop we learned that good readers read poetry!  They...

• use charts to remember their word attack strategies
• help their partners solve tricky words
• read poems with partners to practice reading smoothly and with expression
• pay attention to punctuation

During Writing Workshop we learned that good readers write informational books...

• write like a scientist to record observations
• think about their observation and then put it into words
• add detail to illustrations to give the reader more information

In Math we have been studying measurement. 

• standard and nonstandard units of measure
• height. length & width
• weight
• capacity
• measuring around the room using a variety of measurement tools

Social Studies/Science

• 2nd steps - empathy and compassion
• Ladybugs - stages of the lifecycle
• Plants - parts of a plant and what they need to grow