Mrs. Crooks's Kindergarten News
2017-2018 Volume 1
Welcome
I would like to take a moment to welcome to kindergarten in room 227. I am so excited to work with you and your child this year.
About Me
This will be my twenty-fourth year teaching. I have worked both as a Special Educator and general educator. I graduated from Towson University with a BS in Early Childhood Education. I received my Masters’ Degree in Special Education from Loyola University. I have my advanced certification in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Reading.
I have been married for 15 years and have a son, Colby, who just started fifth grade. I had a busy summer traveling to Ocean City, New York City, going to the pool, visiting with friends and families, and going on many local adventures.
English Language Arts (ELA)
The kindergarten ELA program is dividing into different components. Below is a description of each component and what your child will be learning the upcoming week.
This week we will complete Week 2 in Start Smart. It is a three week review of basic skills, getting to know each other, and getting to know classroom routines and procedures.
Daily Message
Using a friendly letter format students will locate skills that they are learning in class.
This week in Daily Message we will be getting to know the five parts of a friendly letter (heading, greeting, body, closing, and signature) during the Daily Message.
Word Work
During this component of ELA students will learn new phonics skills, practice handwriting, and learn sight words.
This week in Word Work will be reviewing the letters Ii, Jj, Kk, Ll, Mm, Nn, Oo, Pp, Qq, and Rr and locating them in a variety of print. identifying the number of words in a sentence, and finding rhyming words in poems.
Wonders Comprehension
During this component students will be introduced to new concepts and build background, oral language, and vocabulary.
This week in Wonders Comprehension the students will review the concepts of print (top to bottom and left to right, the parts of a book, and listening skills.
Center Time
During Center Time students have opportunities to apply new skills and review learned skills independently while the teacher is working with small groups.
This week in Center Time the students will be completing several activities with their name.
Writing
During the Writing component the students will be practicing their writing skills through shared writing, writer's workshop, content related writing, responsive writing, and/or journal writing.
This week in writing the students will be completing and illustrate sentences about themselves and fall.
Math
Unit 1: Counting and the Number System
Unit Overview:
Throughout the school year, students will utilize common classroom routines to reinforce mathematical understanding. These routines include taking attendance, using the calendar to count and to keep track of time and events, counting sets of objects such as counting jar activities, and collecting and discussing data about the class; finding objects that share one attribute; using attributes to sort a group of objects and comparing how objects are the same and different. Students will construct, describe and extend repeating patterns and determine what comes next in a repeating pattern. Students are also introduced to some of the materials they will be using to explore mathematics in the math curriculum: Snap cubes, pattern blocks, Geoblocks, color tiles and Geoboards.
Big Ideas/Enduring Understandings:
The following skills and concepts are the “big ideas” that are developed in this theme:
• Counting, Quantity, and Cardinality
o Arrange and compare sets using one-to-one correspondence
o Count by ones
o Compare quantities
o Build sets to five
o Match numerals to sets
o Develop conservation of number, cardinality, and instant recognition of quantities
• Sort, classify, represent, and interpret data
• Identify and describe two-dimensional shapes
o Match like shapes
o Group the shapes by attributes
o Correctly name shapes
Essential Questions:
- How are numbers represented?
Numbers can represent quantity, position, and relationships. - What are efficient ways to count?
Counting finds out the answer to “how many” in objects/sets, and the method depends on the size of the quantity being counted.
What are the attributes of two-dimensional shapes?
Two-dimensional objects can be described, classified, sorted, and analyzed by their attributes.
- What do good problem solvers do?
Mathematical problem solvers apply a variety of strategies and methods to solve problem situations and can support their solutions with reasons and evidence
This week in math the students will be introduced to the Attendance and Calendar Routines. They will explore some of the math tools they will use all year long - pattern blocks, Geoblocks, and connecting Cubes.
Content
Conscious Discipline
It is a way of organizing our classroom around the concept of a School
Family, where each member learns the skills needed to successfully manage life tasks such as learning, handling frustration, communicating effectively, being sensitive to peoples’ needs and getting along with others.
BIG Voice
In our class, we work hard each day to set limits respectfully. Your child is learning that he/she must teach others how to treat him/her. Assertiveness promotes respect and helps us set healthy boundaries that are essential for all relationships. If someone is doing something that we do not like we leanred to use our Big Voice and say Stop..... I don't like it.
Wish You Well
We are learning how to show care for one another. If someone is out we send the well wishes. One of our classroom jobs is to make a Well Wisher card for the student(s) who are out.
Specials
Monday - Art
Tuesday - Music
Wednesday - P.E.
Thursday - Dance
Friday - Library
Home Activities
Star Student
Scholastic Book Order
I will be placing our first book order on Friday, September 22nd. Below you will find a direct link to the book club. The class code is HWCWH .
Volunteer Training
Birthday Celebration
2017-2018
Kindergarten Birthday Celebration
Birthdays will be celebrated once a month in the classroom. Our designated birthday days are listed below. Parents will coordinate a small activity to share with the class.
There may be NO food brought into the classroom, as per Baltimore County Public School Policy!!
August/September 29th
October 27th
November 30th
December 15th
January 26th
February 23rd
March 28th
April 27th
May 24th
June/July TBD
Important Dates
- 09/21 - School Closed (Rosh Hashanah)
- 09/22 - PTA Social
Contact Information
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Here is my contact information:
Lynn Crooks: lcrooks@bcps.org
West Towson Phone: 410-887-3869
Assignment Book/ Take Home Folder: write a note in either
**I will try to get back to you as soon as possible, but sometimes I am unable to, so please allow me 24 hours to respond.