Kinder News 2.10

Volume 2 - Issue 10
Friday October 31, 2008

Weekly Happenings
•Literacy Centers
oName Bingo
oPipe Cleaner Letter Formation
oSpider Book – students colored and practiced reading
oClassroom Library
o“Write the Room” – students walk around the classroom with a board and paper and copy down any words that they can find. This will be an ongoing literacy center that will progress into “Reading the Room” later in the year.
•Math: Students were introduced to hopscotch patterns in Miss Chiappe’s room. We are continuing to practice sorting with our sorting containers.
•Lifeskill Assembly: This month’s award winner, Natalie, has exhibited Motivation (“I want to do this.”) Congratulations Natalie!! Brooke participated in the relay to represent our class.
•P.E.: This week P.E. was cancelled due to pumpkins overtaking the field for Pumpkin Fest 
•Reader’s Workshop: We are continuing to read our Star Books, focusing on The Three Bears. We used this book in a mini-lesson talking about using different voices to tell the story. I modeled using a deep voice for papa bear, a high pitch voice for mama bear and quiet voice for baby bear.
•Writer’s Workshop: We attached the covers that were created last week onto their Sourcebooks. Students also placed their alphabet charts into their Sourcebook to use as a resource for writing.
•Science: We introduced a short unit on spiders this week, focusing on fiction and non-fiction. We made a chart of things we knew about spiders (students knew a surprising amount). We sorted fiction and non-fiction spider pictures, we recreated the book The Roly Poly Spider after reading it, and eventually drew a spider pictorial and labeled the parts.
•Library: All students returned Library books and checked out new books this week. Due to the Halloween celebrations, we did not bring home books this week. We will resume next week.
•Computer Lab: We used starfall.com to choose pumpkins and create Jack-O-Lantern designs. Students were able to print out their designs.
•Art: We completed our October self-portraits on Friday. Students drew themselves in their Halloween costumes.
•Halloween: We started the day with a great Halloween Parade to exhibit our costumes. After lunch we had our celebration. We started with Halloween Rotations: pattern necklaces, Halloween Bingo, and Candy Corn sorting and graphing. We then enjoyed some healthy treats including kettle corn, fruit, juice, crackers, and blueberry muffins.
Notes and Reminders
Book Fair: Next week is our Fall Book Fair (Monday-Wednesday). Please stop by after school to check out the great selection of books available for your child.
Science Training: This week I was out for FOSS science training. We are wrapping up our “Wood and Paper” science unit and will soon be starting our “Animals by Two”. I can’t explain my excitement for this unit as it will involve having live creatures in our room. 
Class Books: Class Books are being sent home, please read, sign the last page and return.
Pajama Day: Don’t forget Monday is pajama day. If your child does not want to wear pajamas, remember that sweats are a welcome alternative.
GIANT THANK YOU: I would like to extend a gigantic thank you to all the parents who stepped up this week to help in any way, shape, or form. Thank you to parents who volunteered at the Pumpkin Fest! Thank you to parents who stuck around and watched the Parade! Thank you to parents who donated to our Halloween Celebration! Thank you to those who attended the Halloween Celebration! Everything that you do to be involved in your child’s school experience not only is a major benefit for the Laurelwood Community, but will leave a lasting impression on your child 




Upcoming Events
Monday November 3rd- Wednesday November 5th Fall Book Fair
Tuesday November 4th Math Night (6:30-7:45pm)
Tuesday November 4th Election Day (Don’t forget to let your voice be heard)
Tuesday November 11th No School (Veteran’s Day Holiday)


Information to Pass Along:
Nurturing and Loving Boys: Appreciating Boys as they grow! (SCAE)
November 10, 7-8:30 Instructor: Anna Welsh, MSW, Parent Education Coordinator, SCUSD
Nurturing and Loving Girls: Appreciating Girlss as they grow! (SCAE)
November 17, 7-8:30 Instructor: Anna Welsh, MSW, Parent Education Coordinator, SCUSD


Check www.misswagenaar.blogspot.com for more updates
Photos available at http://picasaweb.google.com/MissWagenaar/