Kinder News 2.13

Volume 2 - Issue 13
Friday November 21, 2008

Weekly Happenings
•Literacy Centers:
•Starfall Dictionary: Students used the food cards (from The Potluck) to copy into their own personal dictionary. They drew a picture next to words that they copied in hopes that they will be able to practice reading them.
•Book Boxes: Students were able to complete and practice reading books that they’ve created thus far this year
•Aa Rainbow Tracing
•Bubblegum Stretching: Students slowly sound out words (as though they were stretching a piece of bubblegum from their mouth) and write down all the sounds that they hear.
•Math: In Mrs. Chiappe’s class students are continuing to work on Number Sense, focusing on the numbers 1-5. In our classroom, students played several “math games” as assessments to use for upcoming Report Cards. These games targets sorting, patterning, ordering, and recording.
•Writer’s Workshop: We worked on labeling individual pictures within our sourcebooks. Students also had a free work period, in which they could go back and improve any of their previous writing.
•Science: We introduced parts of a tree, used a large diagram to label, and labeled our own individual tree pictures.
•Social Studies: This week we talked about Holidays – focusing on Thanksgiving (the reasons we celebrate, and the origins of the holiday). In talking about this, we also discussed how things were different in the past than they are now.
•Self Portraits: We completed our November self-portraits. Students used People Color crayons and have been gradually improving their artwork over the months.
•Cooking: We made turkey-shaped turkey sandwiches and tasted spaghetti squash (from our Harvest of the Month box).
•Library: Students checked out new books and will bring them home Friday (to be returned Monday). We’ve had a couple students not able to check out due to forgetting Library books, so please ensure that your child has access to maximum literature by returning books in a timely manner.
•Computer Lab: Using Jumpstart Kindergarten, students explored a puzzle game which can be accomplished in a variety of categories (color, pairs, letters, sounds, numbers, etc)
•Blue Day: Congratulations to Elijah who received an award at our Blue Day assembly for this month’s lifeskill of Effort (“I will try my best.”).

Notes and Reminders
Thankful Turkey Feathers: Homework sent home in Thursday folders does not have a specific due date. I ask that you return them as you complete them. We will begin displaying these feathers this week, but will continue to add as they are brought in.
Class Potluck: We have set the date and time to Monday, December 1st from 6:00-7:00. Please RSVP so that we can find a location to accommodate. Students and families are welcome and we ask that you bring a dish to share. This will be a great opportunity to meet and mingle with families in our class.
(If you would like to email your RSVP with how many are attending and what you are bringing, do so to misswagenaar@gmail.com)
Class Books: Class Books are continuing to be sent home, please read, sign the last page and return.
Reading Logs: Next Tuesday, November 25th will be the due-date for November reading logs. Students who turn them in on time will receive a small reward. Thank you for reading with your children!
Field Trip: Our first grade level field trip is on Monday, Dec. 8th to see “Madeline’s Christmas”. Remember that children will return at 12:30 for lunch so if at all possible, please pack your child a lunch as this does not match up with our regularly scheduled lunch.

Upcoming Events
Wed. Nov. 26th – Fri. Nov. 28th No School (Thanksgiving Holiday)
Monday December 1st Class Potluck 6:00-7:00
Monday December 8th Field Trip to “Madeline’s Christmas”