Kinder News 2.5

Kinder News
Volume 2 - Issue 5
Friday September 26, 2008

Weekly Happenings
•Apples: This week we began our study of apples. We will continue learning about apples, in a variety of subject areas, in the coming weeks.
oMath: We sorted apples by color and size. We tasted the apples, then graphed our favorite tasting apples.
oScience: We made a chart about the things we think we know about apples, and what we’d like to learn. We made a large pictorial of an apple and it’s parts. Then students cut and pasted labels onto their own personal apple, labeling the parts (stem, core, meat, skin, seeds). Ask your child which part of the apple you do not eat.
oSocial Studies: We learned about a family owned apple farm and all of the roles that members of a family participate in to help it run smoothly.
•Literacy Centers: This week we began our weekly Literacy Center rotations. Each week 5 literacy centers will be introduced, and through a daily rotation, students will have the chance to complete all reading and writing related tasks. This week students explored magnetic letters, completed a matching exercise with colors, completed the book Paint Ponies, completed name puzzles, and practiced their writing on wipe of strips. Ask your child which their favorite was.
•Math: We worked on sorting. Students sorted with a variety of objects: linking cubes, apples, and even ourselves (boys/girls, those with stripes/without stripes). Practice sorting household items.
•Fire Drill/Bus Evacuation: We had our first fire drill. Students practiced lining up and walking out to the playground silently. Our class was very successful and we had some interesting conversations focusing on fire safety and accident prevention. We also saw a presentation featuring Buster the Bus and practiced exiting the bus using an Emergency Exit.
•P.E.: We got together with Miss Casellini’s and began our P.E. We stretched, did a warm up lap, and played Duck, Duck, Goose. Our classes played together, and split into individual classes.
•Walk-A-Thon: Today we met up with our buddies, we walked a lap with them and carried the banner for our country (Ethiopia). Hope you all enjoy the dinner and silent auction after school.
Notes and Reminders
Conferences: Beginning October 6th are parent/teacher conferences. Please remember that dismissal all week is at 1:10. Also, please be punctual as I have scheduled most conferences back to back. Also please remember that these conferences are for the parents and teacher, so please make arrangements for your children.
Parent Volunteers: Thank you once again for your enthusiastic response. I have emailed the rough draft and volunteers will begin next week at your scheduled time. Remember that when you are volunteering you must check in through the office and have an up-to-date TB test on file. Thank you again! (If you are unable to make it to volunteer, please contact me)
Wanted Items: I am still looking to start some sorting boxes in my classroom. If you have any of the following items lying around your house that you wouldn’t mind sending in with your child, I would greatly appreciate it: bread tags, beads, shells, old keys, shaped erasers, container lids, metal washers from screws, tile pieces, foam shapes, birthday candles, uncooked pasta, colored paper clips, etc.
Classroom Expectations: In the past few weeks, hitting and physical altercations have become an issue throughout kindergarten and in Room 4. I realize children are getting used to expressing themselves and we are learning strategies for conflict resolution, but it’s becoming a safety issue. Beginning this week I will be cracking down to try to alleviate this problem.
1st time a child is seen hitting: Warning/Verbal Reminder - 2nd time a child is seen hitting: Loss of Recess or Choice Time
3rd time a child is seen hitting: Sent to the office (call home)
Upcoming Events
Tuesday September 30, 2008 Individual Picture Day
Monday October 6th- Friday October 10th Parent-Teacher Conferences (Minimum Days)

Check www.misswagenaar.blogspot.com for more updates
Photos available at http://picasaweb.google.com/MissWagenaar/
(new this week: pointy triangle, blue day, sorting, literacy centers, walk-a-thon)