Mrs. Crooks's Kindergarten News
2016-2017 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-third 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 13 years and have a son, Colby, who just started fourth 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 begin 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 Aa, Bb, Cc, Dd, Ee, and Ff, 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.
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.
Specials
Monday - Art
Tuesday - Music
Wednesday - P.E.
Thursday - Library
Friday - Dance
Home Activities
Star Student
Scholastic Book Order
I will be placing our first book order on Friday, September 9th. Below you will find a direct link to the book club. The class code is HWCWH .
Volunteer Training
Birthday Celebration
Important Dates
- 09/05 - School Closed (Labor Day)
- 09/12 - School Closed (Professional Development Day)
- 09/13 - Back To School Night (7PM)
- 09/14 - PTA Meeting in the library (7PM)
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.