Play, Learn, and Grow in 4K
November 2
Literacy Learning
We have also been exploring books during our read aloud with the focus of listening key points within the story like: who are the characters, how are the characters feeling and where does the story take place. Children also have the opportunity to explore books independently. During this time children are learning how to handle books, where the cover is, how to turn the pages gently and how to put them away in our classroom library.
Math Learning
The past few weeks we have been doing various activities with dice. These activities help to grow the ability to subitize. Subitizing is the ability to 'see' a small amount of objects (specifically 1-5 for 4Kers) and know how many there are without counting. Subitizing is a fundamental skill in the development of number sense. I encourage you to play lots of broad games with dice and counting at home!
We want children to learn that:
there are a certain number of dots in the pattern or arrangement;
five is more than four, four is more then three, etc;
five counters, no matter how arranged, still retains the same
numerical quantity;
the associated oral name for a set of five things is five
We also introduced patterning this week. We learned that a pattern is something that is repeated, or has a repeating part.
Jackets, Hats and Mittens... Oh my!
In addition to all the learning that occurs in 4K, it is very important that your child learns how to be independent with his/her self-help skills. With the weather getting colder, everyone is now wearing coats to school. Even though most 4Kers are able to get themselves dressed to go outside, I have noticed there are quite a few children who are struggling to be independent when getting ready for recess. The biggest area of difficulty seems to be students being able to zip their own coats. If your child is not able to zip his/her own coat, then be sure that you are giving your child plenty of opportunities to practice this skill at home. (If you are the one that is zipping your child's coat at home, then your child will have trouble zipping his/her own coat at school.) The other area of difficulty seems to be putting on gloves. If your child is not able to get the fingers into the correct places in his/her gloves even after much practice at home, then you should consider having your child wear mittens to school. It will also be important for you to consider your child's self-help skills when you are choosing new winter coats, snow pants and boots - your child should be able to independently put on and take off any items he/she wears to school (That includes shoes! If your child cannot tie shoes, then consider choosing slip-on or velcro shoes that they can get on and off independently.)
Classroom Volunteers
I have shared a link below to the classroom volunteer calendar. Assisting in the classroom is a great way to get involved and to learn what your child's school day is like. You can choose to stay for the whole class session or if it works better for your schedule you can just stop by to be a special story time reader. While in the classroom I may have a special project for you or I may just have you interacting and playing with the kids. Please sign up for a date and time that works best for you.
Before your first time volunteering you have to complete a background check with the school district. Here is a link for the background check:
School District of Waukesha Background Check
I look forward to and appreciate any time you can share!
Important Dates
Friday, November 9- Parent-Teacher Conferences 12:30-4:00
No School: November 21-23