Kinder News 2.11

Volume 2 - Issue 11
Friday November 7, 2008

Weekly Happenings
•Literacy Centers
o“Happy Halloween” writing on templates created in Computer Lab
oLetter/Word/Picture sorting
oPumpkins – Students read and completed our Pumpkin “Let’s Find Out” and completing an end-of-unit pumpkin worksheet
o“Label the Room” – students worked with me to sound out and label items around the classroom.
o“Write the Room” – students walk around the classroom with a board and paper and copy down any words that they can find.
•Math: In Mrs. Chiappe’s class students are beginning work on Number Sense, focusing on the numbers 1-5. Together we created a Halloween themed pattern that is being bound together as an interactive class book. The students used ghosts, goblins, and pumpkins to create patterns on a spooky fence.
•Ambulance Visit: Miss Casellini’s brother Tony, a paramedic, brought his ambulance and talked to children about his job and gave them a chance to walk through the ambulance. He also explained that since people can get hurt at any time, he sleeps during the day and works at night (like a nocturnal animal).
•Writer’s Workshop: We wrote an interactive letter to Tony thanking him for bringing the ambulance and inviting him back to visit again. We pointed out parts of the letter (date, greeting, closing) and students signed their name at the bottom.
•Science: This week we introduced nocturnal animals (animals that sleep during the day and are awake at night). We read a non-fiction book introducing several different animals, made a list, and completed a sorting assessment. We also watched an informational video about bats and learned a poem about them. We also made our spider hats that were postponed from last week!
•Library: All students returned Library books and checked out new books this week. Remember that Library bags go home on Friday and should be returned on Monday. 
•Computer Lab: We used starfall.com to create themselves (including choosing their pajama color) on Pajama Day. Students were able to print out their designs.
•Cooking: This week we created edible spiders. We used crackers, Nutella, pretzels, and raisins to construct our edible spiders. The children enjoyed the eating best 
•Social Studies: This Tuesday, we focused on Election Day. We read a “Let’s Find Out” that taught us about polling places. We then had an election (with a secret ballot) and graphed the results. Our class voted 14-6 for Barack Obama. Students even received an “I Voted!” sticker upon completion of the day.
•Pajama Day: On Monday we wore pajamas to school! We created a list of things we do during the day and things we do at night, watched a Magic School Bus video about bats with Miss Casellini’s class and even got to eat popcorn during.

Notes and Reminders
Book Fair: Thank you to all families who attended and contributed to our classroom library with books from the Book Fair! We have had so much fun enjoying our new books together.
No School Tuesday: Tuesday we have the day off of school to celebrate Veteran’s Day.
Class Books: Class Books are being sent home, please read, sign the last page and return. Thank You!
Reading Logs: Please remember to fill out and return Reading Logs. I only received 5 for October, so let’s try for a great turnout in November. I will be offering a small reward to any child who completes and turns in their Log for November. Thank you for helping your child grow as a reader!



Upcoming Events
Tuesday November 11th No School (Veteran’s Day Holiday)
Wednesday November 19th Blue Day
Wed. Nov. 26th – Fri. Nov. 28th No School (Thanksgiving 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