Kindergarten
September 23rd
Reading
In reading this week, we discussed how to choose the right book for us. We learned that we can look at the cover, predict what the story might be about, and think, "Would this book interest me?" Then, instead of continuing to pick books from a bins of books on our table we got our our bin to shop for books. Students got to pick five different books to keep in their personal book bin. They did a fantastic job choosing books! The next couple days, we learned how to take care of our books and how to help keep independent and partner reading flowing smoothly. Students are great at monitoring each other by giving quiet signals or pointing at a book to encourage students who are talking or not reading to get back to work.
Phonics Stations
Math
We started our "Counting 0-10" unit this week. We worked on numbers 0-5. Not only did we practice counting objects, we learned how to properly write the numbers. Occasionally, we write our numbers backwards (especially 5) which is normal at this age, but we are working to correct this over time. We also learned a little bit about subitizing. This is the ability to quickly identify the number of items in a small set without counting. It is important to have the ability to count each object one at a time as well as quickly recognizing a set. Some examples of when we can begin to subtilize instead of counting are noticing the number dots on dice or the number of fingers someone holds up.
Writing
We continued to focus on adding labels to our pictures. I think many students were surprised at their ability to sound out words independently. We talked about how it does not need to be perfect; they just need to try their best. It is okay to skip letters we cannot identify, or we can just write the first letter we hear in the word. Sometimes students get so overwhelmed by the task of writing that they can give up or ask for help before trying. Please keep encouraging your child to write the sounds they hear in the word. If that is only the first and last sound in the word that is a fantastic start to writing!
Library
We went to the library on Thursday (not our normal day) because we did not have school on Friday. If your child did not get a new library book on Thursday, he/she can bring their book Monday and check-out a new book.
Dismissal Line (AM)
In order to keep the dismissal line moving as smoothly and quickly as possible, please wait in your car. I will bring the children to the first three cars in the line. When the line moves forward, I will bring the next three children. If you would like to meet your child at the door, please feel free to park in the lot.
Picture Day Form
Tuesday, September 27th is picture day! The order forms arrived at my classroom on Thursday afternoon, so they did not make it into the morning class' Friday Folders. The afternoon class should have them in their Friday Folders (except for the two folders that were left in student mailboxes). I will make sure the forms go home on Monday. Please keep an eye out for these forms, so that you can return them on Tuesday for pictures.
Character Day
On Thursday, it was Character Day! We checked our envelope on the bulletin board to find out what act of kindness we were challenged to complete that day. It said, put post-it notes with kind words on the lockers of another class. We decided to put the notes on the 6th grade lockers. We haven't met our 6th grade buddies yet, but we are excited to meet them soon. It was fun drawing pictures and writing notes with kind words (Have a great day! I love you! You rock!) Then, we went down and quietly taped the note to their lockers. We hope the special notes made their day! We enjoyed the challenge and felt good leaving positive notes for other students!