WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Writers Workshop: Students practiced writing before drawing during Writer's Workshop and used phonetic spelling to tell a story about something that had happened to them. (Students practiced using the alphabet chart to help identify letter sounds)
Math: Mrs. Chiappe and the children have been focused on teen numbers, and completed their "Teen Numbers Book".
Science: We continued our examination of snails. We drew them scientifically, and added labels of their parts (shell, foot, tentacles, and eyes).
Chinese New Year: This week was the start of Chinese New Year. We did a mini rotation to learn about different parts of the holiday. In Mrs. Robinson's room, the children learned the character for "Gung Hay Fat Choy" or happy new year in Chinese. In Miss Casellini's room, they created dragon puppets and learned about the symbolism of the dragon in Chinese tradition. In my classroom, students learned about the Zodiac calendar, and created their own. We talked about what the different animals are supossed to say about someone who was born in that year. You can use their Zodiac calendar to find out what you are if you don't already know.
Cooking: IInstead of cooking, we focused on EATING (with chopsticks). Students had the opportunity to experiment with using chopsticks to pick up and eat popcorn (a little easier to grab than rice).
Music: This week we continued with all Kinder classes to practice songs for our February concert.
Literacy: We learned and practiced weather words (like snow, rain, wind, and sun). We also learned a new pocket chart song "Mr. Snowman" which plays with letter sounds.
Guided Reading: Students have now all had a chance to read one-on-one with me to find out where we are starting for guided reading levels. I will begin to pull small groups next week, and book bags will begin to be sent home with your students to practice what they learn.
Art: We water colored paper plates to create a large dragon display for our back window. The children used bright colors, since that is said to scare off the bad from the previous year to start our new year with only positive.
Snow: On Monday, we had the treat of REAL snow. Students had a chance to have hands-on observations. We talked about how snow is water, but that was really noticed when kids came out to recess and realized that the snow we'd been playing with was all gone and only puddles remained.
NOTES AND REMINDERS
Kinder Concert: Just a reminder that our Kindergarten Concert will be happening on February 10th. Students will be asked to wear a red or pink shirt with blue jeans.
100th Day Homework: Your child's 100th day homework is due by Tuesday (the 100th day of school). Please do your best to help your child submit a creative collection.
*Throughout all Kindergarten classes, it has come to our attention that bullying on the playground is becoming a growing issue. A small number of students are hitting, pushing, or using unkind words toward their classmates and friends. We are working in Room 4 to create an atmosphere of respect and caring both inside the class and out. We have daily class meetings where we can discuss solutions to problems encountered both in class and on the playground. PLEASE urge your child to report any bullying or unsafe situations to an adult WHEN IT HAPPENS. (That part's important, that's why it's in CAPS) It is very difficult to solve a problems days, or even hours after it happens. Best results happen when it is dealt with in a timely fashion. I do my best to mediate and solve any situations, but please help me by reminding your child of the best way to deal with a problem when it arises.
1) Use Your Words (tell the person to stop because you do not like what they are doing)
2) Walk Away
3) Tell an Adult (again, the success of resolution is directly linked to the shortness of time between the incident and reporting it to an adult)
I appreciate your help because I know that, just like I teach the kids, we will be more successful if we work as a team. I want your children to feel safe and happy and eager to attend school everyday. Thank you for valuing that as well :)
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday February 2nd: Groundhog Day
Tuesday February 3rd: 100th Day of School
Tuesday February 10th: Kinder Concert
Monday February 16 - Friday February 20: No School
Friday, January 30, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Kinder News 2.20
WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Writers Workshop: We wrote on our "Helping Hands" project something that we could do to help the world (inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.)
Math: Children are working on inventories with Mrs Chiappe.
Science: We have introduced our newest animal that we will be studying, snails. Students had the opportunity to touch, hold, and experiment with snails. We found out what happens when we touch their antenna (the go down into their heads), and what happens when we put something in their path (they climb over it). We will have snail races next week and continue to learn about the unique anatomy of a snail.
Social Studies: This week we really focused on two great individuals who we were able to compare in some ways.
-Martin Luther King Jr.: We read several books about his life and accomplishments, and created a portrait of this fine man.
-Barack Obama: We read a Let's Find Out about his life before presidency and watched a portion of the inaguration, including his speech. Children shared what they thought it would mean for our country that we have a new president.
Cooking: We created "snow people sundaes" using ice cream and various food items to decorate (pretzels, licorice, candies, etc.)
Music: This week we continued with all Kinder classes in the cafeteria to begin learning songs for our February concert.
Literacy: We used the sentence frame "When it is cold I wear my _________." on snow day after talking about appropriate clothing for cold and hot weather. Some students challenged themselves and on the back replicated the sentence, changing it to "When it is hot I wear my _________."
Art: We decorated our painted snow people using the "good stuff" that was sent in from families in Room 4. They are GREAT!
Author Study: We are continuing to read books by Jan Brett, and will rap up the Author Study next week by writing Jan Brett a letter about our favorite characters and stories.
Snow Day: Today was excellent! We completed our Snow Olympics (a series of ski races using our mini skiers) and Amanda was our Champion! We also made the snowpeople sundaes. We also enjoyed our Snowball Toss outside with Miss Casellini and Mrs. Chiappe :)
NOTES AND REMINDERS
Kinder Concert: Just a reminder that our Kindergarten Concert will be happening on February 10th. Students will be asked to wear a red or pink shirt with blue jeans.
100th Day Homework: The 100th day of school is a big celebration in Kindergarten. Your child will be given "homework" next week to be completed by the 100th Day (February 3rd). The homework will be to collect and bring in 100 of something. It could be 100 toothpicks, noodles, stickers, or anything you can think of. Be creative! Just wanted to give you a heads up so you can start brainstorming with your child.
IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday January 28th: Blue Day
Tuesday February 3rd: 100th Day of School
Tuesday February 10th: Kinder Concert
Monday February 16 - Friday February 20: No School
Writers Workshop: We wrote on our "Helping Hands" project something that we could do to help the world (inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.)
Math: Children are working on inventories with Mrs Chiappe.
Science: We have introduced our newest animal that we will be studying, snails. Students had the opportunity to touch, hold, and experiment with snails. We found out what happens when we touch their antenna (the go down into their heads), and what happens when we put something in their path (they climb over it). We will have snail races next week and continue to learn about the unique anatomy of a snail.
Social Studies: This week we really focused on two great individuals who we were able to compare in some ways.
-Martin Luther King Jr.: We read several books about his life and accomplishments, and created a portrait of this fine man.
-Barack Obama: We read a Let's Find Out about his life before presidency and watched a portion of the inaguration, including his speech. Children shared what they thought it would mean for our country that we have a new president.
Cooking: We created "snow people sundaes" using ice cream and various food items to decorate (pretzels, licorice, candies, etc.)
Music: This week we continued with all Kinder classes in the cafeteria to begin learning songs for our February concert.
Literacy: We used the sentence frame "When it is cold I wear my _________." on snow day after talking about appropriate clothing for cold and hot weather. Some students challenged themselves and on the back replicated the sentence, changing it to "When it is hot I wear my _________."
Art: We decorated our painted snow people using the "good stuff" that was sent in from families in Room 4. They are GREAT!
Author Study: We are continuing to read books by Jan Brett, and will rap up the Author Study next week by writing Jan Brett a letter about our favorite characters and stories.
Snow Day: Today was excellent! We completed our Snow Olympics (a series of ski races using our mini skiers) and Amanda was our Champion! We also made the snowpeople sundaes. We also enjoyed our Snowball Toss outside with Miss Casellini and Mrs. Chiappe :)
NOTES AND REMINDERS
Kinder Concert: Just a reminder that our Kindergarten Concert will be happening on February 10th. Students will be asked to wear a red or pink shirt with blue jeans.
100th Day Homework: The 100th day of school is a big celebration in Kindergarten. Your child will be given "homework" next week to be completed by the 100th Day (February 3rd). The homework will be to collect and bring in 100 of something. It could be 100 toothpicks, noodles, stickers, or anything you can think of. Be creative! Just wanted to give you a heads up so you can start brainstorming with your child.
IMPORTANT DATES
Wednesday January 28th: Blue Day
Tuesday February 3rd: 100th Day of School
Tuesday February 10th: Kinder Concert
Monday February 16 - Friday February 20: No School
Friday, January 9, 2009
Kinder News 2.18
WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Readers Workshop: We reviewed private/partner reading procudures.
Writers Workshop: We wrote and rewrote (these were also in the bag that was stolen) this trimester PBA. Most students wrote stories about their winter break.
Math: Children are beginning work with teen numbers.
Science: We have begun our newest unit "Animals Two by Two". We introduced our first animal - Goldfish. We learned about the parts of a goldfish and how to take care of them. Our class goldfish has been named Flippy.
Cooking: We made a non-edible project this week, creating snowman dough with a mixture of salt, corn starch, and water. We then built and decorated the snowmen.
Music: This week we gathered with all Kinder classes in the cafeteria to begin learning songs for our February concert.
Literacy: We learned and practiced the word "can" while we created a class book with the sentence frame "I can _________".
Art: We completed our January self portraits.
Author Study: We started reading several books by Jan Brett including The Mitten, The Hat, The Umbrella, and Honey Honey Lion.
NOTES AND REMINDERS
Flat People: Thank you to those of you who participated in our winter break project, photographing your children's adventures with their flat counterparts. We will begin our Writers Workshop component of this project next week. So, if you have not returned photos with your child, please do so by Tuesday. Thank you!!! Also, for the time being - please hold onto these dolls. We will begin our next experience in the coming weeks which will involve sending them to friends and relatives. Thank you for taking part in this very special project that I'm sure your children will not soon forget!
Snow Day: On January 23, we will be celebrating a Kindergarten tradition - Snow day. This is a day where kids will dress for the snow, make snowman sundaes, have ski races (with paper skiiers) and even have an untraditional snowball fight to end the day :) I will be seeking volunteers in the coming weeks, so look inside Thursday folders for a sign up sheet.
January Reading Logs: Reading Logs for January went home in Thursday folders. The due date is stamped on the top: January 30, 2009.
Thank You: Gigantic thank you to all who were thoughtful enough to think of me during Christmas and my birthday. Your generosity touched me and I appreciated every card, gift, or well wish.
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday January 19 - No School (MLK Holiday)
Friday January 23 - Snow Day
Readers Workshop: We reviewed private/partner reading procudures.
Writers Workshop: We wrote and rewrote (these were also in the bag that was stolen) this trimester PBA. Most students wrote stories about their winter break.
Math: Children are beginning work with teen numbers.
Science: We have begun our newest unit "Animals Two by Two". We introduced our first animal - Goldfish. We learned about the parts of a goldfish and how to take care of them. Our class goldfish has been named Flippy.
Cooking: We made a non-edible project this week, creating snowman dough with a mixture of salt, corn starch, and water. We then built and decorated the snowmen.
Music: This week we gathered with all Kinder classes in the cafeteria to begin learning songs for our February concert.
Literacy: We learned and practiced the word "can" while we created a class book with the sentence frame "I can _________".
Art: We completed our January self portraits.
Author Study: We started reading several books by Jan Brett including The Mitten, The Hat, The Umbrella, and Honey Honey Lion.
NOTES AND REMINDERS
Flat People: Thank you to those of you who participated in our winter break project, photographing your children's adventures with their flat counterparts. We will begin our Writers Workshop component of this project next week. So, if you have not returned photos with your child, please do so by Tuesday. Thank you!!! Also, for the time being - please hold onto these dolls. We will begin our next experience in the coming weeks which will involve sending them to friends and relatives. Thank you for taking part in this very special project that I'm sure your children will not soon forget!
Snow Day: On January 23, we will be celebrating a Kindergarten tradition - Snow day. This is a day where kids will dress for the snow, make snowman sundaes, have ski races (with paper skiiers) and even have an untraditional snowball fight to end the day :) I will be seeking volunteers in the coming weeks, so look inside Thursday folders for a sign up sheet.
January Reading Logs: Reading Logs for January went home in Thursday folders. The due date is stamped on the top: January 30, 2009.
Thank You: Gigantic thank you to all who were thoughtful enough to think of me during Christmas and my birthday. Your generosity touched me and I appreciated every card, gift, or well wish.
IMPORTANT DATES
Monday January 19 - No School (MLK Holiday)
Friday January 23 - Snow Day
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
