Kinder News 2.9

Volume 2 - Issue 9
Friday October 24, 2008

Weekly Happenings
•Literacy Centers
oResponse to Literature- students colored their directed drawing of “Five Little Pumpkins”
oPlay-Doh Letter Formation
oInitial Sound Sort: using three sorting mats (with pictures of either a witch, a pumpkin, or a cat) students sorted words that started with W, C, and P.
oStar Book Reading Center
o“The” Word Work
•Math: Students extended patterns, tackling border patterns with Mrs. Chiappe. In our room, we practiced completing patterns that had already been started.
•Music: We concluded our October music rotation with Miss Casellini and myself. In November, classes will receive instructions with different teachers.
•P.E.: We learned a new game called “Totally It Tag”. In this game EVERYONE is it at the beginning of the game. Once you are tagged, you become a frozen statue and the game continues until most players have become frozen.
•Reader’s Workshop: We have continued to read our Star Books, focusing especially on Caps for Sale and The Snowy Day. We also worked on examining the cover of a book to get clues about what the story is about. We also used the pictures (and not the words) to tell a story to ourselves and our partners.
•Writer’s Workshop: Students created covers for their Sourcebooks. They used ideas from our “What Writers Write About” chart to draw icons on their border to help stimulate their thinking in future Workshop sessions.
•Science: We completed a life cycle of a pumpkin, beginning at seed, moving through vine, flower, and various sizes, ending with a Jack-O-Lantern. Students ordered the stages as well as creating illustrations using materials such as pumpkin seeds, pipe cleaners, and tissue paper.
•Cooking: This week we had a fusion of science and cooking. We cut open a pumpkin, gutted it (although may I say it was an amazing pumpkin free from most pulp, goop, and excessive seeds), carved a face into the pumpkin, and finally roasted and tasted our pumpkin seeds.
•Library: This week students chose books to check out and have brought them home in their blue Laurelwood Kindergarten bags. Books need to be returned on Monday to assure that they can check out a new book on Tuesday during Library.
•Computer Lab: Students used the program Jumpstart Kindergarten once again, this time playing games that focused on the skills of patterning and counting.
•Red Ribbon Week: Thank you to all who participated in our theme days. On Tuesday we had an amazing “Perfection on Wheels” Assembly with talented BMX riders. I even got the opportunity to lay down with a group of 6 other teachers, allowing the rider to jump over us.
Notes and Reminders
Book Orders: October Book Orders went home in Thursday Folders yesterday. Please send completed order forms and checks to school by next Thursday, October 30th. THANK YOU!
Pumpkin Fest: Wednesday, October 29th is Laurelwood’s Pumpkin Fest. If you plan on attending with your child, please make sure you turn in your payment.
Halloween: The morning will begin with a Costume Parade (at 8:25) which parents are invited to attend. Students will need to remove their costumes directly following the parade. We will be celebrating with Halloween Rotations and a Halloween Party at 1:00. Thank you to those of you who have volunteered to contribute or attend. Dismissal will be at the regular time (2:00-2:10) on Friday.
Class Books: Class Books will be sent home starting this week. Please enjoy, return to the manila envelope and send back with your students after reading together.

Upcoming Events
Wednesday October 29th Blue Day
Wednesday October 29th Pumpkin Fest
Friday October 31st Halloween (parade – 8:25) (party – 1:00)
Sunday November 2nd Daylight Savings (fall back an hour)
Monday November 3rd- Wednesday November 5th Fall Book Fair

Photos available at http://picasaweb.google.com/MissWagenaar/