Caldwell Kinders
January Newsletter
Happy New Year!
Winter Party 2015
Our Favorite Gingerbread Stories!
Gingerbread Word Hunt
Gingerbread Picture Frames
Gingerbread Number Bingo
Catching our Gingerbread Man!
Gingerbread Day Fun!
Gingerbread Day Fun!
Units of Study & Special Activities
This month we are learning that readers are teachers. Our essential questions for this unit are:
How can I become the kind of reader who can teach myself and others about how to read?
Why is it important to reflect and celebrate about our learning?
How have I grown as a reader?
How can we use everything we know about reading to support each other as a reading community?
Why do we use everything we know about reading to support each other as a reading community?
- How can readers think and talk to support each other toward new understandings?
We will continue to practice our independent reading, buddy reading, and working in small groups. Word study groups will continue to challenge us on our individual academic levels. Jan Brett books will lead us on the journey to teach one another how to be great readers! Look for our quarter 3 star words in your child's red folder this week! The attached paper gave creative ways to practice these words at home!
Writer's Workshop:
We are continuing to practice our narrative stories! We try each day to add more detail, start with capital letters, end with punctuation, and write about things happening to us. We will also begin how-to writing later this month.
Everyday Mathematics:
We are finishing up Unit 4 and diving into Unit 5 this month. The At Home Activities booklet will be coming home this week. You will have several weeks to complete as many activities as possible. Students will be learning about calculators, two-digit numbers, order of daily events, measurement, and much more! We are also looking forward to celebrating our 100th day of school. This day will be packed with math fun as we explore Kindergarten with the number 100!
100th Day Project
Dear Kindergarten Families,
We will be celebrating the 100th day of Kindergarten on Monday, January 25th! THIS IS A CHANGE from our student calendars. For this exciting milestone, we have planned many hands-on learning experiences. One of which, we could use your help from home!
Please help you child to compile a collection of 100 things. The collection should be small enough to fit into the bag provided. All 100 objects should be the same. For example, you child could bring 100 pennies, 100 pebbles, 100 cotton balls, or 100 paperclips. Be creative!
After gathering 100 things, help your child think of three clues that describe his or her collection. Then, have your child write the clues on the paper that will be in their red folder (closer to our 100th date). The kids will get to share their clues with the class to see if anyone can guess what is in the bag.
Please send the collection to school no later than Thursday, January 21st. It will be kept at school for a few days. Thank you for you assistance in making our 100th Day celebration an exciting, learning experience.
Thanks for your help!
Miss Caldwell
R.E.D. Folder Books! Read Every Day!
This week I am sending home RED Folder books! They are located in the back of your child's red folder with a reading log! Their folder will have a book at your child’s “just right” reading level. Please do not be alarmed from time to time if the book is too easy for your reader. Rereading familiar texts, gaining confidence, and learning to LOVE reading is part of the process! Remember, reading is more than just the words! We focus on comprehension, fluency, and decoding strategies to determine our "best fit" levels!
Before break students were tested for a current reading level. This test assesses accuracy, fluency, and comprehension. I have given your child an “instructional” reading level. Kindergarten levels are A through D. We assess regularly in our guided reading groups and will move them to the next level when they have mastered the skills we are working on at their current level.
Your RED folder reading book is to read at home with your child during the week. You may record this on their reading log. Please keep the reading log in their folder as I will read with them and award them stickers! Encourage your child to read it to you. Support them through tricky words or misunderstandings. I also included a list of great comprehension questions to ask when they are finished reading.
I will read with your child when they return their book! I will teach them how to “shop” for new "good fit" books every week. It may take a couple days to exchange books as I work my way through reading with every child. You can also use these books as a standard for good fit books from your local library! I hope you enjoy listening your child read to you, and watching his or her progress! Have fun reading!
Looking to volunteer in our classroom??
We're using VolunteerSpot (the leading online Sign-up and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming Sign-ups.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see our Sign-Up on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/1taycQ
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on VolunteerSpot.
Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.
Thank you!
Important Dates:
January 5th: First Day for Students
January 7th: Happy Birthday Hannah!
January 8th: All Pro Dads @ 7:00-8:15 - Happy Birthday Isaac!
January 13th: Happy Birthday Ashton!
January 13th: Chaucie's Place Parent Program 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Stony Creek Elementary
January 18th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day - NO SCHOOL (unless we need a snow day before then)
January 20th: Early Release Day @ 2:55
January 22: Happy Birthday Mrs. Newcomb!
January 25th: HAPPY 100th DAY OF SCHOOL!
January 29th: Movie Night from 6:00-8:00 p.m
Class Dojo
Scholastic Books for January
Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub
One-Time Class Activation Code: LLBVP
Dear Families,
Good news! This month's Scholastic Reading Club flyers are ready for you to explore with your child. Children read more when they choose their own books, so I encourage you to look at the flyers together. Each flyer is filled with grade-specific, affordable titles.
Place your order online at scholastic.com/readingclub. Ordering online is the easiest way to ensure I get your order on time. Also, there are more books to choose from as well as teacher recommendations.
Remember, for every book you order, our class earns FREE Books and supplies...and we have our eye on some new additions.
Thank you for your support!
PS: Books make wonderful gifts! Please let me know if your order includes a gift, and I will contact you when it arrives.
Ordering online is fast and easy:
- VISIT scholastic.com/readingclub
- ENTER the one-time Class Activation Code (top of this letter)
- SHOP from a carefully curated selection of the best books and value packs
- SUBMIT your order and earn FREE Books for our classroom
- All book orders will be shipped to our classroom so we can celebrate the joy of reading together!
Contact Miss Caldwell
Email: lauren_caldwell@nobl.k12.in.us
Location: 3025 Westfield Road, Noblesville, IN, United States
Phone: 317.773.2914
Twitter: @llcaldwell27