Hornet Herald
Principal's Newsletter: A DIVE into the HIVE
Here's the Lineup
- The Importance of Read–Alouds [and some book suggestions]
- Kindergarten Spotlight [including a resource to use at home]
- October Calendar
- Inspirational Quote
The Importance of Read Alouds
One of my favorite memories from seventh grade English class is compiled from a series of moments when Mr. Kuehn would open a pre-selected novel and begin reading. His tone and use of dynamics captured our attention, and for approximately ten minutes, we were right in the midst of the action. Sure, we all knew how to read and decode unknown words, but hearing him read made us better readers. Listening to the written language helped us grow our vocabulary and overall comprehension of text. If this simple act helped us embrace the written language at the ripe old age of twelve, think how much more our elementary students will gain.
Studies have shown that young children enjoy the sound of language even before they learn that letters, placed in a particular order, form a word, and words, set in a specific order, create a meaningful sentence. When we read books aloud to children, their imagination is stimulated, and their understanding of the world around them grows exponentially. Reading aloud develops the language and listening skills necessary to help children understand the written word. When children discover the rhythm and melody of language, learning to read becomes natural.
Even after children learn to read independently, read alouds are still highly beneficial, as I learned first hand. By selecting and reading stories that grab your child's interests, yet are beyond their current reading level, you hold the ability to stretch their understanding and motivate reading improvement.
Tonight, create some time in your child's bedtime schedule for a read-aloud. For older children, you may decide to take turns reading. Below are some book suggestions, but a quick visit to the public library will provide a large assortment of exciting titles and topics!
Mr. Popper's Penguins by Florence & Richard Atwater
Ramona series by Beverly Cleary
Mercy Watson series by Kate DiCamillo
KINDERGARTEN SPOTLIGHT: Expectations & Resources
OCTOBER Calendar: SAVE the Date
- Tuesday, October 12th – Picture Day [SMILE]
- Thursday, October 14th – 19th Kintegra DENTAL Bus
- Friday, October 15th – PINK OUT Day
- Monday, October 18th – NC Check-ins ELA [grades 3-5]
- Wednesday, October 20th – Early Release Day, Dismissal @ 11 am
- Thursday, October 21st – NC Check-ins SCIENCE [Grade 5] & RTA [Grade 4-select students]
- Monday, October 25th – NC Check-ins MATH [grades 3-5]
- RED RIBBON WEEK – October 25 - 29
Tuesday, October 26th – Too BRIGHT for Drugs [wear NEON colors & crazy, loud socks]
Thursday, October 28th – Be on a Drug-free Team! [wear your favorite team or school shirt]
Friday, October 29th – Drugs can be Scary, but YOU don't have to Be [dress as your favorite book character]
- Wednesday, October 27th – TEACHER WORKDAY– no school for students
- Wednesday. October 27th – Conferences
- Thursday, October 28th – Conferences [late night]
- Monday, November 1st – Conferences
- Wednesday, November 3rd – Conferences
- Thursday, November 4th – Conferences [late night]
- Thursday, November 11th – Veteran's Day [NO SCHOOL]
- Friday, November 12th – Holiday Pictures [Carolina Photography]