Happy Weekend!

It was so nice seeing all of you at Open House last night!  Thank you so much for coming.  The kids enjoyed sharing the letters that you wrote during Morning Meetings.

Friendly Reminders:
If you haven't done so already, please remember to register all of your Emergency Information into ASPEN.

Library books are due on Monday!

During Reading Workshop we learned that readers...

• Look closely at the character, his/her actions, and notice how the character is feeling.
• Notice trouble in the story and pay attention to how the trouble gets solved.
• Notice sight words and patterns in their books.
• Talk to their buddy about what is happening in the story.

**Everyone received new sight words this week.  A list of their new words was sent home on Wednesday.

Our Shared Reading was The Apple Tree.  We found sight words within the poem and a copy was sent home today.

During Writing Workshop we learned that writers...

• Fix and Fancy Up their writing!
• Add to the pictures and add to the words.
• Publish their stories!
• Celebrate and share their success.

During Math we learned that mathematicians...

• Use the math rack to explore numbers and counting.
• Use manipulatives to demonstrate and explain their thinking.
• Count with 1:1 correspondence.
• Describe and match objects based on attributes.
• Use Dreambox - an adaptive, online math program.

Social Studies - Being part of a community.  Handling tricky feelings and/or situations with friends.  Reviewed how to use the peace place. 

We read again with our 2nd grade buddies - what fun! 

During Reading Workshop we learned that readers...

• Notice patterns and think - are there any repeating parts?
• Look closely at the title, cover, and pictures and think - how do the pages go together?
• Don't whip through books really quickly!  They use their finger to search out all the important things on a page.
• Look back at the pages and think - what was the most important part in the story?
• Look closely at the pictures and think - who is the character and what is he/she doing?

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 Humpty Dumpty.  A copy was sent home today.  Students underlined the sight word the and decorated the nursery rhyme.  Please have your child practice reading it with you!

During Writing Workshop we learned that writers...Use all their tools to label their stories and stretch out words to write them.

• Use their alphabet chart to help with letter sounds!
• Look at the Word Wall for names of friends and sight words.
• Look at their word ring to spell sight words.
• Look around the room for words that they know.

During Math Workshop we learned...some new games!

• Button Match-Up - buttons match if at least one thing is the same.  Describe the similarity to your partner.
• Shape Match-Up - shapes match if at least one attribute is the same.  Describe the attribute to your partner.
• Counting Jar - count quantities in a jar and represent the same number with different manipulatives. 

Social Studies:  2nd Steps and community.

Handwriting:  Names and letter Ll.

REMINDER:
Please be sure you have updated/entered your student’s information in ASPEN. This is VERY important!

Open House is Thursday from 7:00pm - 7:30pm.

This week in Kindergarten!

We had a fantastic five days in Kindergarten!  We survived the heat and everyone smiled for picture day:)

During Reading Workshop we learned that Readers...

• Point to the pictures to help tell the story.
• Look at the details of the picture to help figure out the story.
• Notice how all the pages go together.
• Look for sight words in their reading.
• Read with their 2nd grade buddies!

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 Hey Diddle, Diddle.  A copy was sent home today.  Students underlined the sight word the and decorated the nursery rhyme.  Please have your child practice reading it with you!

During Writing Workshop we learned that...

• When you're done, you've only just begun!
• Writers add to the picture, add to the words, and start a new story.
• Writers are independent workers!
• Share their writing with a buddy.

In Math we learned that Mathematicians...

• Use manipulatives to sort based on certain attributes, and to count and represent certain quantities.
• Count and analyze data about the class, such as how many students buy lunch and how many students bring lunch.
• Explain their math thinking, such as how and why they count a certain way.

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 magnetic letters.

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.  We also learned about Kimochis and discussed various strategies for handling feelings.

REMINDERS:
Please read with your child each night.

Any sight word activities can be returned to school for recognition.

We have gym on MONDAY!  Please have your child wear sneakers.

Open House is Thursday the 26th at 7:00pm.

During Reading Workshop we learned that Good Readers...

• Read from books in bins, 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 a familiar Nursery Rhyme or poem, or memorable text. 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 and Jill.  A copy of the nursery rhyme should be in your child's folder.  Feel free to 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/draw their story.
• Add to the picture, add to the words, start a new story!

During Math we began a unit called Who is in School Today?  We practiced:

• Counting to take attendance
• Creating a set with the same number
• Our calendar routine - looking at the date and counting they days that we have been in school.

Word Study Centers:  Students have been working in small groups with me to practice sorting concept cards.  We are still practicing our "Centers" 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.  Any "Home Links" from 2nd Steps are optional, but I send them so that you are aware of what your child is learning in class.

REMINDERS:

Please read with your child for 15 minutes each night.

Picture day is Wednesday morning!

Library books must be returned by Thursday (Day F).  You can return them sooner.