This week in the kindergarten classroom, kids learned about Johnny Appleseed and created many projects devoted to the apple! Kids loved listening to the story of Johnny Appleseed, and we discussed what a Tall Tale means (making a little story big with a lot of make believe details). We also read (and thoroughly enjoyed) Ten Apples Up on Top then made pictures with ten apples stacked on our heads like the characters in the story. All of the pictures came out so good that I will put them on display outside our classroom next week.
Earlier in the week, I finished DIBELS with the class. Kids were assessed on letter names and the results will be discussed during Fall conferences. Reminders for the conference date and time you signed up for are in the Friday Folders this week. There are some who haven't signed up, but there are still time slots available. Either stop by to sign up outside my door, or drop me an email so I can discuss available times with you!
In Fundations, our letter of the week is "m" and we wrote about many topics that begin with this letter, such as, "monkey," "mouse," and "marble." Have kids be on the look out for words that start with "m" at home!
In math, we continued to look at sorting and kids sorted coins into muffin tins. Kids also explored patterns using sound, motion, and colors. I would create a pattern clapping, stomping, talking, and the kinder kids were awesome at mimicking my pattern! Next week, we will further explore patterns using the Smart Board.
In reading, we learned two new sight words, "play," and "with" using the book Play Time. Copies of this book are included in their Friday Folders to add to their home book bags. We also added a new poem to our Poetry Folders that uses color words. Children also created books inspired by one of our classroom's favorite books, Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten. This book is included in their Friday Folders and took them a couple days to complete as they really put a lot of effort into each page! Besides illustrating, children filled in the blank on each page that focuses on beginning letter sounds.
We all continue to work on classroom behavior, so please discuss with your kid what times are appropriate play times. Our day is so busy that any time spent on correcting this behavior takes away from valuable learning time, so please help me by discussing this with your kid! I have certainly seen some improvements, but we need to keep up the hard work and get to be even better students!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Week of September 20th-24th
This week in the classroom, kids learned more about what it means to be respectful, responsible, and to make good choices. They listened to books about the subjects and then we had a discussion. If you haven't already, please talk about what this can mean at home and how they can show how to be respectful and responsible at home. If your kid came home on Thursday with red, green, or black fingers, don't worry! Their fingers were used to make fingerprint apples on the first poem in their poetry folders. Every week kids will learn a new poem and at the end of the year, these folders go home for kids to read and enjoy.
In Fundations, the letter of the week was "n," and children used their fingers to skywrite "n" and later write on worksheets. Have them look for the letter "n" at home, and ask them if they can come up with any words that start with the letter "n."
In math, children explored sorting in many different ways! First, Mrs. Lawrence played a sorting game with the kids. She would come up with a rule on how to sort the kids, and they would have to guess the rule. They loved this game! Kids also sorted keys and zippers in class and we discussed all the ways they sorted. Some sorted by color, others by size, type, and many other ways. It was great to see kids applying those thinking skills to math!
In reading, we worked on a new Sight Word Reader book titled Ride On! We picture walked the book then used our fingers to frame the words while we read. A copy of this book will be included in their Friday Folders to be added to their home library. Every week we will add a new book. Last week, the first book (Farm Friends) was sent home in a large bag. This bag is to keep all the books that go home together to be a stay at home book bag. From now on, the books will be sent home in their folders. They will need to be cut and assembled before read, and the kids may need help on the order. There are letters in the bottom of every page to help with order. You just need scissors and a stapler to make these books and start filling those book bags!
In writing, we continue to work on the description genre and kids described a "nest," "nickel," "number 8," among other topics that started with the letter of the week, "n."
Johnny Appleseed's birthday is coming up on the 26th of September, so many activities for the rest of the month will be about the apple. Kids will create apple books, talk about the seasons, and learn about this historical figure in class.
In Fundations, the letter of the week was "n," and children used their fingers to skywrite "n" and later write on worksheets. Have them look for the letter "n" at home, and ask them if they can come up with any words that start with the letter "n."
In math, children explored sorting in many different ways! First, Mrs. Lawrence played a sorting game with the kids. She would come up with a rule on how to sort the kids, and they would have to guess the rule. They loved this game! Kids also sorted keys and zippers in class and we discussed all the ways they sorted. Some sorted by color, others by size, type, and many other ways. It was great to see kids applying those thinking skills to math!
In reading, we worked on a new Sight Word Reader book titled Ride On! We picture walked the book then used our fingers to frame the words while we read. A copy of this book will be included in their Friday Folders to be added to their home library. Every week we will add a new book. Last week, the first book (Farm Friends) was sent home in a large bag. This bag is to keep all the books that go home together to be a stay at home book bag. From now on, the books will be sent home in their folders. They will need to be cut and assembled before read, and the kids may need help on the order. There are letters in the bottom of every page to help with order. You just need scissors and a stapler to make these books and start filling those book bags!
In writing, we continue to work on the description genre and kids described a "nest," "nickel," "number 8," among other topics that started with the letter of the week, "n."
Johnny Appleseed's birthday is coming up on the 26th of September, so many activities for the rest of the month will be about the apple. Kids will create apple books, talk about the seasons, and learn about this historical figure in class.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Week of September 13th-17th
This week we continued to work on literacy center rotations and behavior. Kids are getting much better at staying on task and using their time wisely! I would like to thank all the parents who have volunteered thus far because they have been so patient and understanding in the classroom as our class is learning how to make good choices. Kids worked on a lot of projects this week during centers and some are in various degrees of completion. I included all their work this week into their Friday Folders. If kids are looking for something to do this weekend, there should be some projects they were unable to finish in class as an optional project. As always, any classroom work sent home will not be graded since it is guided and modeled, so we create as a group and not as an individual.
In Fundations, we introduced the letter "f" and had children practice writing this letter on worksheets and in their writing notebooks with subjects that begin with "f," like "flag," "frog," and "firetruck." The kids enjoyed the story about Echo having to find dinner. Ask them if they remember the story and what Echo's problem/solution was and where the story took place.
In math, we talked about numbers and where we see them in the room. We learned a fun number poem together that teaches kids how to write the numbers 1 through 9. We will continue to practice this poem so that soon kids can sing a few lines at home! Next week, we will start to discuss ways we can sort objects. Attached to all the folders is a card with the students Everyday Math login information. Please feel free to take advantage of this service anytime!
In reading, we continued to work with the alphabet. We created little books together titled "Farm Friends." This is the first book in a series that will help kids learn sight words. In this story, the sight words are "I" and "see." The books will go home Friday in a large Ziploc bag so that these can become their book bags at home. Every week, students will get a new book to create at home in this sight word series and they can build their own little library of books!We also worked with the nursery rhymes Little Miss Muffet and Hickory Dickory Dock. Learning nursery rhymes is great for fluency so have kids practice saying them at home! Next week, we will continue to learn more nursery rhymes as well as introduce a poetry folder.
I also sent home a Scholastic Book catalog. I set up the online service so that ordering books is easier than ever for parents. Attached to the catalog is the step-by-step information on how to order online. The classroom library earns extra money for books for all the order placed online! Please let me know if you have any questions about this. If you are unable/prefer the paper form of ordering, that still works! The deadline for order forms is September 30th.
In Fundations, we introduced the letter "f" and had children practice writing this letter on worksheets and in their writing notebooks with subjects that begin with "f," like "flag," "frog," and "firetruck." The kids enjoyed the story about Echo having to find dinner. Ask them if they remember the story and what Echo's problem/solution was and where the story took place.
In math, we talked about numbers and where we see them in the room. We learned a fun number poem together that teaches kids how to write the numbers 1 through 9. We will continue to practice this poem so that soon kids can sing a few lines at home! Next week, we will start to discuss ways we can sort objects. Attached to all the folders is a card with the students Everyday Math login information. Please feel free to take advantage of this service anytime!
In reading, we continued to work with the alphabet. We created little books together titled "Farm Friends." This is the first book in a series that will help kids learn sight words. In this story, the sight words are "I" and "see." The books will go home Friday in a large Ziploc bag so that these can become their book bags at home. Every week, students will get a new book to create at home in this sight word series and they can build their own little library of books!We also worked with the nursery rhymes Little Miss Muffet and Hickory Dickory Dock. Learning nursery rhymes is great for fluency so have kids practice saying them at home! Next week, we will continue to learn more nursery rhymes as well as introduce a poetry folder.
I also sent home a Scholastic Book catalog. I set up the online service so that ordering books is easier than ever for parents. Attached to the catalog is the step-by-step information on how to order online. The classroom library earns extra money for books for all the order placed online! Please let me know if you have any questions about this. If you are unable/prefer the paper form of ordering, that still works! The deadline for order forms is September 30th.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Week of September 6th-10th
This week the kindergarten class started their literacy centers and group names have an under the sea theme of jellyfish, seahorse, turtle, and crab. As I mentioned last week during the Back-to-School night, members in groups will change as I constantly assess student's reading levels so that the group is a good fit for your kid! These centers include a listening center/independent work, writing, parent volunteer, and guided reading.
In the classroom, we are working on using positive talk and outlook so that all days are good days. Please work with me on helping kids know that they should always do their best, and that we never want to use the word "can't" because all kids "can!"
In Fundations, we introduced the letter "b" and children practiced writing this letter all week long in addition to more practice with the letter "t." We used dry erase boards and socks as erasers so that all kids could practice writing these letters again and again. The handwriting of names has improved greatly! All kids must have worked hard on the homework last weekend. Please keep having them practice their names at home so that it gets easier and won't be a struggle for them in the classroom.
In math, we explored the concept of zero by singing Five Little Monkeys and eating pretzels! I believe all the kids really enjoyed this surprise treat. Next week, we will look closer at numbers and where we see them in our everyday lives to improve number sense.
In reading and writing, we worked with the alphabet and started building that groundwork for reading with letter sounds. Next week, we will continue to look at letter sounds and the words for colors. Kids are currently working on descriptive writing with topics so far of apple, dog, and ball.
In the classroom, we are working on using positive talk and outlook so that all days are good days. Please work with me on helping kids know that they should always do their best, and that we never want to use the word "can't" because all kids "can!"
In Fundations, we introduced the letter "b" and children practiced writing this letter all week long in addition to more practice with the letter "t." We used dry erase boards and socks as erasers so that all kids could practice writing these letters again and again. The handwriting of names has improved greatly! All kids must have worked hard on the homework last weekend. Please keep having them practice their names at home so that it gets easier and won't be a struggle for them in the classroom.
In math, we explored the concept of zero by singing Five Little Monkeys and eating pretzels! I believe all the kids really enjoyed this surprise treat. Next week, we will look closer at numbers and where we see them in our everyday lives to improve number sense.
In reading and writing, we worked with the alphabet and started building that groundwork for reading with letter sounds. Next week, we will continue to look at letter sounds and the words for colors. Kids are currently working on descriptive writing with topics so far of apple, dog, and ball.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
This second week in kindergarten was very busy as kids practiced center rotations and learned more about what it means to be in school. They all seem to be adjusting well to their time in school and are learning fast our classroom routines and rules. Many kids earned Pride Bucks this week, as they showed positive behavior on the carpet and in the hallway. I see many making new friends and I hope that even with a large class, kids will see this as an opportunity to make new friends, learn, and grow from each other!
In Fundations, kids met Echo the Owl and made him proud when they echoed our first letter sound /t/. Then we practiced writing it together. We will continue to practice writing T and exploring new letters. In reading, I read many fun stories to the children and I'm interested to see which was their favorite by the handy poll on this page. Next week, we will start guided reading for our literacy block. In math, we explored pattern blocks and some new shape words. I introduced octagon, trapezoid, and rhombus, and we will continue to practice these shapes. When you see these shapes in the world around them outside of school, be sure to point them out and have them practice. A good example are stop signs! We also worked on pairing strips of paper cut to different lengths. As children found their pair (from another student), they learned something interesting about the other person and hopefully made a new friend or two. In writing, we began to fill out our Year in Kindergarten books. Each month, children will illustrate a page and fill in the blank about something special that month. At the end of the year, these books will go home and show all the incredible progress they made! Next week, we will begin their guided writing groups and start descriptive writing together.
I want to send out a big thank you to all the parents who have signed up to volunteer, help with parties/party supplies, and/or were able to find the time to make Back-to-School Night tonight. I feel very fortunate as a first time teacher to have such giving and kind parents! If ever your volunteer time needs to change for the following month, or if suddenly you can/want to volunteer, please let me know. Also, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns- Your child's success and happiness in the classroom is a priority to me!
In Fundations, kids met Echo the Owl and made him proud when they echoed our first letter sound /t/. Then we practiced writing it together. We will continue to practice writing T and exploring new letters. In reading, I read many fun stories to the children and I'm interested to see which was their favorite by the handy poll on this page. Next week, we will start guided reading for our literacy block. In math, we explored pattern blocks and some new shape words. I introduced octagon, trapezoid, and rhombus, and we will continue to practice these shapes. When you see these shapes in the world around them outside of school, be sure to point them out and have them practice. A good example are stop signs! We also worked on pairing strips of paper cut to different lengths. As children found their pair (from another student), they learned something interesting about the other person and hopefully made a new friend or two. In writing, we began to fill out our Year in Kindergarten books. Each month, children will illustrate a page and fill in the blank about something special that month. At the end of the year, these books will go home and show all the incredible progress they made! Next week, we will begin their guided writing groups and start descriptive writing together.
I want to send out a big thank you to all the parents who have signed up to volunteer, help with parties/party supplies, and/or were able to find the time to make Back-to-School Night tonight. I feel very fortunate as a first time teacher to have such giving and kind parents! If ever your volunteer time needs to change for the following month, or if suddenly you can/want to volunteer, please let me know. Also, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns- Your child's success and happiness in the classroom is a priority to me!
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