Laurelwood Room 4

Third Time's a Charm

2009-08-24T20:07:00.000-07:00

Our 2009-2010 looks like it's off to a good start!

Thank You So Much!

2009-06-11T16:53:00.000-07:00

The greatest gift ever given.. (I'm sorry about the watermark - I didn't wanna pay for the program to upload it)

Kinder Celebration

2009-06-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

We had a wonderful Kindergarten Celebration today, thank you to all who attended.
Here is a copy of the slide show that was shown this afternoon :) Enjoy!

Kinder News 2.33

2009-05-08T17:20:00.000-07:00

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Literacy: We finished our Rosie's Walk book and practiced reading it using our puppets.
Writers Workshop: We looked back on the events from this year and students worked in partners to write "Kinder News" that will be displayed for Open House.
Rainbows: We talked about rain and sunshine together making rainbows and we created rainbows to hang around the classroom.
Science: We began talking about seeds. We made a book about the steps to planting a seed, then we actually planted sunflower seeds on Thursday.
Social Studies: We learned about Cinco de Mayo. We colored a flag of Mexico and practiced saying the colors and numbers in Spanish.
Art: We created paper sunflowers, and used real sunflower seeds to decorate them. We also spent some of our time this week working on our Mothers Day gift and cards :)
Math: Students continue to play games with Mrs. Chiappe to learn more about addition.
Music: We learned a new song about planting seeds. We practiced "Each of us is a Flower" and "This Land is Your Land".

NOTES AND REMINDERS
Parent Volunteers: Star testing has concluded, so we will be back to normal schedule for the conclusion of May.
Mulberry Leaves Needed: We will be introducing Silk Worms in our class next week, but are in need of mulberry leaves to feed them. If you have access and could send some in, it would be much appreciated.
Thank You: Huge thank you for your generosity and thoughtfulness throughout Teacher Appreciation Week!

UPCOMING DATES
May 15: Multicultural Fest
May 19: Minimum Day
May 19: Open House 6:30-7:30
May 22: No School
May 25: No School (Memorial Day)
May 27: Blue Day

Kinder News 2.32

2009-05-01T17:19:00.000-07:00

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Literacy: We spent a majority of our week working on pages to create our own Rosie's Walk book. Students became very familiar with the story and created beautiful renditions of the illustrations. We were also able to watch Scholastic's interpretation of Rosie's Walk on DVD.
Writers Workshop: Students are focusing on endurance during Writers Workshop. We are adding time and encouraging students to fill the front and back of their paper.
Math: Students are playing games such as "Shake Them Beans" and a dice-rolling game that they used for addition.
Science: We focused on the shape of leaves, drawing and naming them (spear, oval, paddle, line, heart, and triangle).
Cooking: After focusing on Rosie's Walk for much of the week, we created our own version of "Chicken Feed". We used ingredients: cheerios, candy covered sunflower seeds, sunflower seeds, m&ms, and almond slices.
Healthy Play: We learned to play the game "On the Way to School Today" which is a play off of the game chirades.
Music: Mrs. Stryker led music, we learned a few new songs. One of the favorites was "Pepperoni Pizza" (follows the same pattern as Apples and Bananas)
Lifeskill Assembly: Rashaun was recognized at our Lifeskill Assembly for this month's lifeskill of Teamwork.

NOTES AND REMINDERS
Parent Volunteers: There is another week of STAR testing in the Upper Grades and in an effort to create a more conducive testing atmosphere, parent volunteers are still not allowed on campus for the duration of testing. So take one more the week off ;) I do have a few prep projects that I could use a hand on, if anyone is able or interested, please email. THANKS!

UPCOMING DATES
May 15: Multicultural Fest
May 19: Minimum Day
May 19: Open House 6:30-7:30
May 22: No School
May 25: No School (Memorial Day)
May 27: Blue Day

Kinder News 2.31

2009-04-25T17:16:00.000-07:00

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Literacy Centers:
-Starfall Dictionaries: Students added more words into their Starfall dictionaries, using vocab cards with pictures
-"What Is In This Egg" Mrs. Harris Book
-Sight Word Tales (Private and Partner Reading)
-Energenius Calendar Coloring
Writers Workshop: We wrote about our Spring Breaks and all of the fun adventures. On Earth Day we also wrote about what we could do to help the Earth be a better place.
Math: Students are beginning addition in Mrs. Chiappe's room.
Social Studies: We talked about Earth Day and the things that we can do to help the Earth. We read the Energenius calendar and Little Book and discussed options such as turning off lights and the tv.
Science: We discussed the seasons, and how they affect what a tree looks like. We drew a tree in each of the four seasons. Winter (bare) Spring (blossoms) Summer (leaves and small apples) Fall (leaves falling and apples)
Cooking: In honor of Earth Day we recycled crayons. We peeled, broke, and filled molds with old crayons. We put them in the oven at 250 for about 10 minutes and let them cool. Students loved to see their new crayons and some even experimented, using them to draw during Friday Funday. (This is a fun and easy activity to do at home, and a fun use of old crayons)
PE: Inspired by Earth Day, we played a game called "Cleaning up the Yard". This game puts two teams on opposite sides of the grass with fluffballs scattered throughout. The object of the game is to "clean the yard" by throwing any fluffball onto the opposite team's side. This is a fun filled game where the students are able to work on the skill of throwing.
Music: We practiced songs like "Each of us is a Flower", "The Worm Song" and "Mr. Sun" and learned the words and sign language for "This Land is Your Land".

NOTES AND REMINDERS
Hot Weather Reminders: Please remember to put sunscreen on your child before sending them to school, the Kindergarten yard has shady spots but for the most part is covered in sun on warm days like we had this week. It also is a good idea to send a hat in their backpack that they may choose to wear at recess and lunch. If you choose to send a water bottle, they may keep that in their backpack as well for access at recess and lunch.
Parent Volunteers: This week STAR testing begins in the Upper Grades and in an effort to create a more conducive testing atmosphere, parent volunteers are not allowed on campus for the duration of testing. So take the week off ;)

Kinder News 2.30

2009-04-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Literacy Centers:
-Sound Boxes: children move around cards to build three-letter words
-Made _an word family Fan
-Mrs. Harris book about morning activities on the farm
-Penmanship
Writers Workshop: We focused on the parts of stories (beginning, middle, end). Students switched from using packets, to including all of these parts on a single sheet.
Math: Students continued to examine and build 3D shapes.
Social Studies: We completed our student of the California Symbols.
Science: We discussed the seasons, and particular attributes of Spring (things are blooming, baby animals are being born, and weather changes). The students learned the phrase "April Showers bring May Flowers" and completed a writing and illustrating activity surrounding it.
Cooking: We colored eggs! Students used crayons and dye to create beautiful masterpieces. Some chose to bring their eggs home, while others enjoyed peeling and eating them at our Rabbit Party.
Healthy Play: We learned a new game called "Cookie Monster" where children are broken up into groups, name their group after their favorite cookies, then are chosen one cookie at a time to tag the rest of the children and bring them into the "cookie jar". Ask your child what type of cooking they were, we had some interesting groups (most notably the peanut butter blueberries).
1st Grade Concert: We had the opportunity to enjoy the concert put on by the first grade classes, which centered around life skills.
Music: We have restarted music with Miss Casellini's class. We are learning several songs about spring and the farm.
Spring Fling: Students from all classes, and a strong outpouring of parental help, enjoyed the annual Spring Fling. We toss out (paper) eggs that contain words. The job of the children is to pick up an egg, bring it to an adult, and read it. Once they do, they are handsomely rewarded with a jellybean. Students continued to collect and read eggs until all the jellybeans had been awarded.
Rabbits: This week had a bit of a rabbit theme. Early in the week, we created paper rabbits to decorate our classroom. Friday we had our Rabbit Party. Students enjoyed foods including sunflower seeds, carrots, celery, apples, strawberries, carrot cake muffins, and juice. Our buddies helped us make our bunny-ear hats and Miss Tabitha and myself used lipstick and eyeliner to finish off the bunny look with noses and whiskers.
Citizenship Gathering: Allie was the proud recipient of this month's Citizenship Award. Since joining our class a few short months ago, she has really jumped in and become an integral part of our classroom community. Congratulations Allie!

NOTES AND REMINDERS
Snacks: Our snack supply is finally dwindling down. If you are shopping during Spring Break, consider picking up a healthy snack for our class. (cereal, pretzels, granola bars, fruit, cheese, goldfish, snack mix, etc)
GIGANTIC THANK YOU: To all the parents who stepped up to donate, volunteer, or photograph our events on Friday. It's such a pleasure to have such an active parental community.

IMPORTANT DATES
April 13-17 NO SCHOOL Spring Break :)

Kinder News 2.29

2009-04-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Literacy: Children learned how to play Word Family Bingo with words from the _at and _an family.
Penmanship: We practiced writing letters that begin with a downward stroke (T, I, L) and also practiced writing capital letters of the entire alphabet. We are going to focus on letter formation and neatness.
Writers Workshop: We focused on the parts of stories (beginning, middle, end). Students used packets with three sheets of paper and used one for each part of the story. This helped them to make sure they were stretching their story and adding plenty of details.
Math: Mrs. Chiappe is working with students to identify 3D shapes.
Social Studies: We shifted our focus to California State Symbols, rather than National Symbols. We also continued to talk about dental health, creating a toothbrush and learning good behaviors for brushing.
Tooth Fairy: We had a visit from the tooth fairy. She talked to all Kindergarten classes about foods that are good choices, how to brush your teeth, and confronted some myths about the tooth fairy.
Cooking: Wrapping up the dental health unit, we created "smiles" today in cooking. This was done using sliced apples, peanut butter, and marshmallows. The marshmallows served as the "teeth", the peanut butter were the "gums" and the apple slices were the "lips". The children had fun creating them, and even more fun eating them.

NOTES AND REMINDERS
Wishlist: Thank you for your generous contribution of gluesticks.
Snacks: Our snack supply is finally dwindling down. We are set for next week, but if you are shopping during Spring Break, consider picking up a healthy snack for our class. (cereal, pretzels, granola bars, fruit, cheese, goldfish, snack mix, etc)

IMPORTANT DATES
April 13-17 NO SCHOOL Spring Break :)

Kinder News 2.28

2009-03-30T17:13:00.000-07:00

With no school on Friday, I had forgotten to send this. Apologies! Hope you enjoyed your long weekend!
-Miss Wagenaar

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Shared Reading: Together as a class, we read the big book "Dan the Flying Man" several times.
Literacy: In response to the literature, students created their own page of a scene that they would fly over if they got the ability to fly. Also relating to the book, we worked on the _an word family.
Writers Workshop: We talked about counting words before writing a sentence. In the process we talked about the difference between letters, words, and sentences. Students are still practicing using their Alphabet Charts and Space Sticks.
Math: Students are wrapping up their unit on Telling Time. They will bring home their Rabbit Clocks for more practice next week.
Science: We are continuing to talk about animals that live on the farm, and their attributes.
Art: The young artists of room 4 completed their March self portraits. We focused this month on filling in the entire background of their picture.
Social Studies: We are wrapping up our study of National Symbols and will be moving onto State Symbols next week. We also talked about Dental health month and introduced foods that would be good choices for our dental health, and those that would be bad choices.
Lifeskill Assembly: This month Colin was honored with our award for Caring at our Blue Day assembly.
Field Trip: Tuesday was our field trip to San Francisco's Herbst Theater to see "People Like Me", an interpretation of the legend of how the sun got it's light. Students enjoyed a wonderful lunch on the lawn, great performance and fun bus rides to and from. Special thanks to our parent volunteers who chaperoned and EXTRA special thanks to Mrs. Fritschen who taught all of the Kindergarten classes about the myth and cultures that were respresented before we saw the performance.

NOTES AND REMINDERS
Wishlist: We are in desperate need of glue sticks in Room 4. If you are able to donate one, or a pack it would be much appreciated!

IMPORTANT DATES
April 13-17 NO SCHOOL Spring Break :)

Kinder News 2.27

2009-03-20T17:12:00.000-07:00

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Literacy Centers:
- "Where Am I?": children colored and practiced reading a small book about things you see on a farm
- Magna Doodles: students wrote the room using our new set of magna doodles
- Penmanship: Students started in their new penmanship books, practicing pencil strokes that're the foundation of letter formation.
- Dr. Seuss Book Box
Guided Reading: Students have gotten another opportunity to read a book at their Guided Reading level this week. They have continued to practice with each other, finding students who have the same book as them.
Writers Workshop: Students wrote using a new tool - a space stick (this is a tongue depressor that has been decorated) to create a space during their writing. We also made a list of "Great Beginnings" to use in Writers Workshop. Ask your child to share some of these with you.
Word Families: As we are continuing to play with letters and their sounds, we are beginning our study of word families. This week we worked with the _at familiy.
Math: Students have begun studying time (to the hour) with Mrs. Chiappe.
St. Patricks Day: We incorporated math with a Lucky Charm cereal activity. Students estimated, sorted, counted, and graphed the number of marshmallows in a serving of cereal.
Healthy Play: This week we learned how to play North Wind, South Wind. It is a tag game in which students are tagged by the "North Wind" and can be unfrozen by the "South Wind".
Social Studies: We are continuing our study of the National Symbols (American Flag, Bald Eagle, Liberty Bell, Mount Rushmore, and the Statue of Liberty)
Assembly: We had a Celtic Harpist and storyteller visit and share some entertaining tales and beautiful music.
Science: We are continuing our study of farms, focusing this week on reading both fiction and non-fiction books. We did an interactive writing activity about animals on the farm and the sounds that they make.
Cooking: We used English Green Peas from our Harvest of the Month box to make a pasta salad. Although students were hesitant to try some of the ingredients (red peppers and pepperjack cheese) most enjoyed the pasta salad to some degree.

NOTES AND REMINDERS
Field Trip: Thank you to all families who contributed money to our scholarship. All students are able to attend our field trip. We have a group of chaperones to ensure that this day goes smoothly. Please remember that we will be eating lunch in the city, so make sure your child BRINGS a lunch on Tuesday. On the day of the field trip, we will be returning back to campus no later than 2:30. Please pick your child up from Room 4.
Pennies for Patients: Our student council's community service project is attempting to collect change to put toward helping children with medical issues. If you choose to donate, please send change in a zip-lock bag with your child.
Return Dates for Take-Home Books:
Library Books - go home Friday, come back Monday (if forgotten, ensure it is back by Tuesday - our library day)
Guided Reading - go home Friday, come back Monday
Red Mystery Bags - go home Friday, come back Wednesday

IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday March 24th: Field Trip
Wednesday March 25th: Blue Day
Friday March 27th: No School

Kinder News 2.25

2009-03-06T18:52:00.001-08:00

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Literacy: We colored and practiced reading our own version of One Fish, Two Fish.
Guided Reading: Students have gotten another opportunity to read a book at their Guided Reading level this week. They have begun to practice with each other, finding students who have the same book as them.
Writers Workshop: Students wrote about their favorite Dr. Seuss book, including the title and their favorite part.
Dr. Seuss Day: We gathered with Miss Casellini's class to prepare Green Eggs and Ham and enjoy some cartoon versions of some Dr. Seuss favorites. (Thank you to Mrs. Regan and Mrs. Soares for helping). We also got to enjoy some wonderful stories, read by the following parents: Mrs. Lew, Mr. Aglubat, Mrs. Otsuka, Mrs. Beadell, Mrs. Soares, and Mrs. Tu. We also visited www.seussville.com during Computer Lab.
Math: Students completed a variety of math assessments this week, including counting, comparing and ordering. They also grabbed pattern blocks, recorded them, and then ordered them from shortest to longest. In our classroom, we graphed our favorite Dr. Seuss book as well as whether or not we liked Green Eggs.
Healthy Play: This week we learned how to play Cooperative Musical Chairs inside the classroom. This is another Healthy Play game which no students are ever out, when they are unable to find a chair, they choose a lap to sit on.
Social Studies: We learned about Hina Matsuri (Japanese Girls Day) and created an origami woman in celebration.
Art: We completed and displayed our March quilt. We also built giant Leprechauns to decorate our classroom. Please come in and take a peek!

NOTES AND REMINDERS
Conferences: The week of March 9th contains two Minmum Days, set aside for conferences. This round of conferences is for students who are below grade level or who I have other concerns about. I will not be meeting with most families during these days.
Field Trip: Please remember that money to cover the cost of tickets is $6 per person. (This also means that parents who are coming must purchase a ticket). If you are able to contribute toward a scholarship, it is appreciated. I have filled all chaperone positions, thank you for your eager replies. On the day of the field trip, we will be returning back to campus no later than 2:30. Please pick your child up from Room 4.
Pennies for Patients: Our student council's community service project is attempting to collect change to put toward helping children with medical issues. If you choose to donate, please send change in a zip-lock bag with your child.
Book Fair: The book fair is open after school on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Students had a chance to preview books this week and there is a "Wish Box" that I've placed books in available.

IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday March 10th: Minimum Day (Conferences)
Wednesday March 11th: Minimum Day (Conferences)
Friday March 13th: Report Cards Go Home
Tuesday March 24th: Field Trip
Wednesday March 25th: Blue Day
Friday March 27th: No School

Kinder News 2.24

2009-02-27T18:53:00.000-08:00

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Literacy Centers:
- Students did creative writing, imagining themselves as the president "If I was President I would..."
- The lyrics of "Magic Penny" were in the form of a little book that students could color and read
- Magnetic Letters: building words
- 100s Day coloring activity which involved reading color words and coloring picture appropriately
Guided Reading: After completing assessments, we were finally able to dive into Guided Reading this week. I had a chance to meet 1-on-1 with every student to talk to them about the structure of guided reading. (That they will be pulled, either by themselves or with a group, to learn something about reading and then practice it with me. I explained that they may feel frustrated during Guided Reading sometimes, but that it's my job to make sure that they are reading books that are just right for them. Students will keep books at school in their Book Boxes to practice and periodically take them home for additional support there. This week I focused with most students on pointing to words as they read them. This ensures that they are matching spoken words to written.) This is a very exciting time for Kindergarteners as they are beginning to build confidence in their reading skills and strategies and look forward to the journey that lies ahead.
Writers Workshop: Students used photos with their flat dolls (or drew their own illustrations) and wrote about their Winter Break. Students are beginning to really excel with phonetic spelling and are taking more risks, a huge step to becoming independent and successful writers!
Math: Mrs. Chiappe taught students a game called Racing Bears. In our classroom, we examined pennies (President Lincoln) and recorded results of a penny toss activity.
Science: We have said goodbye to our Animals Two by Two unit. We explored fish, snails, and worms! Our classroom will continue to house the fish and snails for students to make observations and care for.
Art: Students created both squares for our February quilt (one was simple cutting and gluing and the other was watercolored). We also colored our February self portraits. This month we focused on filling the entire space, most students did this by coloring their picture's background blue as the sky.
Social Studies: This week we focused on Presidents day. We talked especially about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. I read several Read Alouds, they read leveled reader about Washington, we talked about Holidays and even watched a DVD segment (complete with a song about holidays).
Buddies: Our buddies helped us to create George Washington hats this week. Then we were able to read them our new guided reading books.
Lifeskill Assembly: This month Andrew was honored with our award for Perseverance: "I will finish what I start".

NOTES AND REMINDERS
Conferences: The week of March 9th contains two Minmum Days, set aside for conferences. This round of conferences is for students who are below grade level or who I have other concerns about. I will not be meeting with most families during these days. I will be sending letters home early next week, to schedule with those of you who I'd like to conference with. If you have concerns and feel that a conference is necessarily, please email me with your inquiry.
Field Trip: Please remember that money to cover the cost of tickets is $6 per person. (This also means that parents who are coming must purchase a ticket). If you are able to contribute toward a scholarship, it is appreciated. I am also looking for volunteers to chaperone our field trip to San Francisco on March 24. We are able to take 4 parents, and I will give priority to those who have not yet attended. I will open the opportunity up to those parents on Monday if I have not recieved enough.
Dr. Seuss Day: Monday, March 2nd we will celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday. We will spend the day reading Dr. Seuss stories, making Green Eggs and Ham, and creating Cat in the Hat hats. I am looking for parents who might be interested in being "Guest Readers" that day to read a Dr. Seuss story. (I will forward the Jooners sign up - Please sign up no later than Sunday night so I can plan accordingly)
Photos: They are uploaded on Picasa. Please enjoy, and once again sorry for the huge gap in time. I will do my best to keep them more up to date in the future.

IMPORTANT DATES
Monday March 2nd: Dr. Seuss Birthday
Tuesday March 3rd: Hina Matsuri (Japanese Doll Festival)
Friday March 6th: Minimum Day
Tuesday March 10th: Minimum Day (Conferences)
Wednesday March 11th: Minimum Day (Conferences)
Friday March 13th: Report Cards Go Home
Tuesday March 24th: Field Trip
Wednesday March 25th: Blue Day
Friday March 27th: No School

Kinder News 2.23

2009-02-13T18:55:00.000-08:00

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Literacy: We colored and read a book called "I Like Me". Students were very successful with this patterned text.
Writers Workshop: This week we talked about functional writing. Our focus was on writing a letter. We talked about the parts of a letter (date, Dear _____, message and the closing). Students wrote a valentines letter for someone in their family.
Field Trip to the Mailbox: After completing the letters, putting an address label on the envelope, and stamps, we walked to the mailbox on Dunford. Students had a chance to place their letters in the mailbox (so keep your eyes on the mail, hopefully they will arrive on Saturday).
Math: We worked on a simple addition concept book, students chose two quantities to draw, then created an addition problem to accompany them.
Science: We observed our newest and final animal friend, worms. Students asked questions to guess what animal we'd be meeting, then used those clues to guess. We examined Red Worms and Night Crawlers. We talked about how their bodies feel and what they look like when they move.
Cooking: Our Harvest of the Month crate contained Cabbage. We looked at three types: Red, Napa, and Green. Miss Wagenaar cut the Green Cabbage and created a Chinese Chicken Salad (minus the chicken) for the children to try.
Native Pride Dancers: We had an assembly on Monday which involved Native Americans presenting information and a glimpse of their culture.
Kinder Concert: We hope you enjoyed our presentation of the Kindergarten Concert on Tuesday evening. We have worked very hard to learn the songs, and many wonderful reviews would say that the time and effort paid off.
Valentine's Day: Today was a fun-filled day. We started the day with a math exercise - sorting, graphing, and addition using candy hearts. Our buddies helped us to complete a Valentine Mouse craft project. After lunch we enjoyed our party. We had snacks including mini pizzas, kettle corn, oranges, strawberries, apple juice, and a cookie. Finally students were able to open and enjoy their Valentine cards with one another. The day ended with Esther Lew handing out beautiful construction paper roses for the students to bring home to parents. These roses were created using their handprints! (Absolutely Amazing!)

NOTES AND REMINDERS
There is no school this coming week! Enjoy your holiday, hope it finds you happy and healthy.

Flat People: If you were not able to submit pictures (or did and would like to take more) of your child with their flat counterpart, I've pushed the writing project back to allow families who missed out on the Winter Break to participate. So, remember the idea is to take photos of your child and their doll doing noteworthy activities during the break. We WILL be writing our Class Book about their adventures when we return. Thank you for your involvement!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU: To all parents who helped with our Valentines Celebration, whether by attending or providing supplies or snacks! What a group of willing individuals we have this year. Your children and I are so lucky to have you!
Also, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU: To Maura Fennelly (Megan's mom) who was able to get her work to donate a laptop to replace my previously stolen one. The kids and I are very excited (they're all already making requests for songs that they'd like me to have on it when we get back from break). My vow, now that I've been given such a generous gift, is to stay on top of the blog, especially the picture uploading. I leave for Chicago in a few hours, but when I return I will be taking some time to upload backlogged pictures that haven't made their way online. Thank you for your patience with me while I get things back in order.

IMPORTANT DATES
Monday February 16 - Friday February 20: No School

Kinder News 2.22

2009-02-06T18:56:00.000-08:00

WEEKLY HAPPENINGS
Literacy Centers:
- Mr. Snowman song
- Beginning Sounds worksheet
- I would eat 100___/I would not eat 100____ class book page
-Clifford Alphabet Bingo game
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) We especially focused on adding a reflective ending. For example "It was fun." or "I had a good time."
Science: We continued our examination of snails. We drew them scientifically, and added labels of their parts (shell, foot, tentacles, and eyes).
Cooking: This week Yuka's mom organized and led our cooking project. We made Chinese dumpling in a sweet broth. The children had fun creating the dough balls and trying a food that most of them had never experienced.
Groundhog Day: We celebrated Groundhog day by creating a Groundhog puppet. Since Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, we will be experiencing six more weeks of Winter.
100th Day: We celebrated the 100th day of school with a variety of activities and projects. We found 100 objects around the classroom, sorted, and counted them. We did a "museum walk" to see the 100 item collections brought it in all Kinder classes. We made 100 glasses/headbands. We compared the weight of our 100 item collections. We used marshmallows to count to 100, focusing on grouping and place value. We finished the sentence "If I had $100 I would buy ________." We also made a necklace using 100 fruit loops.
Music: A lot of our week was devoted to preparing ourselves for our upcoming concert. We have moved our practice onto the stage, preparing ourselves for the concert by singing on the risers. We look forward to sharing our hard work during next week's concert.

NOTES AND REMINDERS
Kinder Concert: Just a reminder that our Kindergarten Concert will be happening on Tuesday. Please remember to send in your child's pink or red shirt (marked with their name) as soon as possible.
Valentines: Reminder that if Valentines are going to be distributed, they need to be written by your child and they must be included for every student. We will be distributing them throughout the morning of Friday February 13.
Valentines Celebration: Our celebration will be following lunch on Friday February 13th. We will enjoy some healthy snacks (sign-up sheet to follow) and students will have an opportunity to open their Valentine Cards.

IMPORTANT DATES
Tuesday February 10th: Kinder Concert (6:30pm)
Friday February 13th: Valentine's Celebration
Monday February 16 - Friday February 20: No School

Kinder News 2.21

2009-01-30T18:57:00.000-08:00

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

Kinder News 2.20

2009-01-23T18:59:00.000-08:00

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

Kinder News 2.18

2009-01-09T19:00:00.000-08:00

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

Kinder News 2.16

2008-12-12T19:01:00.000-08:00

Weekly Happenings
•Literacy: We completed a sentence “My favorite fruit is __________” Students had a word bank to use in completing the sentence. They also drew pictures to accompany.
•Math: Students compared lengths of their names in Mrs. Chiappe’s class.
•Writers Workshop: After our field trip to see Madeline’s Christmas, students wrote about their favorite parts of the play. We are continuing to focus on adding details to our pictures.
•Holidays Around the World: A large portion of our week was devoted to our Kindergarten rotation which addressed holidays that are celebrated around the world.
•Miss Casellini taught the children about Christmas. They decorated a traditional tennenbaum (or Christmas Tree).
•Mrs. Robinson taught the children about Las Posadas. They created a poinsettia.
•Mrs. Chiappe taught the children about Ramadan. They colored in a festive lantern.
•Miss Young taght the children about Hannukah. They colored in a menorah.
•Mrs. Wagenaar taught the children about Kwanzaa. We glued, colored, and painted a kinara (candle holder).
•Library: Students checked out new books and will bring them home Friday (to be returned Monday).
•Art: We constructed our quilt squares for the December Quilt.
•Music: We practiced our holiday songs, did the Reindeer Pokey and began to learn a song, “Magic Penny” for our February Kindergarten Concert.
•Madeline’s Christmas Field Trip: We had an amazing time on Monday, traveling by bus to the Sunnyvale Community Center to watch their rendition of the book, Madeline’s Christmas. The children looked darling and the actors were spectacular!
•Citizenship Assembly: On Friday morning, Brooke was honored for her excellent citizenship over the past month.
•Holiday Workshop: On Tuesday Morning, our class attended the Holiday Workshop and made three festive holiday craft projects. A HUGE thank you to our wonderful parents who stepped up in a time of need. The kids had a GREAT time, and had beautiful crafts as a result.

Notes and Reminders
Reading Logs: December reading logs are due on Friday, December 19th.
Dismissal Procedure: I have noticed such a positive change during dismissal. Thank you once again for your cooperation.
Holiday Party: What a quick response we had on Jooners with our Holiday Party sign-up. All needs were filled within 24 hours. Thank you! We look forward to a festive and relaxing afternoon on Thursday.
Gingerbread Houses: We will be building Gingerbread Houses with our 5th grade buddies and Miss Casellini’s class next Friday. We will be starting after recess (probably close to 10:30 or 10:45) and need finish by lunch. We have had many parents sign up on Jooners (or by filling out the cut-off on the bottom of the flyer. THANK YOU! We are still in need of Parent Volunteers to ensure that the project runs smoothly and Royal Icing batches. We are all looking forward to this project!!

Upcoming Events
Thursday December 18th Holiday Celebration
Friday December 19th Minimum Day

Kinder News 2.15

2008-12-06T17:58:00.000-08:00

Volume 2 - Issue 15
Friday, December 5, 2008

Weekly Happenings
•Literacy:
•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.
•Nn Rainbow Tracing
•Magnetic Letters
•“The” Book: Students made books by writing “the” and then drawing a picture of their choice. Some were able to bubblegum stretch and write the word to accompany their picture.
•Math: Students continue to work on number sense activities.
•Readers Workshop: We practiced marking books that we are reading with Post Its, to make it easier to share during Partner Reading.
•Writers Workshop: We wrote about Thanksgiving. Students also had a day to edit previous writing and choose their favorite piece. Some students share in the “Authors Chair”.
•Social Studies: We discussed the differences between things we need and want. We sorted things into those categories.
• Science: We completed a leaf-shape matching activity.
• Library: Students checked out new books and will bring them home Friday (to be returned Monday).
•Computer Lab: Students had free choice on the Jumpstart Kindergarten program. They were able to explore any game they’ve learned as well as finding several games that they had not yet learned.
•Art: We colored the cover for our Holidays Around the World Book with colored pencils.
•Music: We learned a few holiday songs and even did the Reindeer Pokey.
•Cooking: This week we worked together to make fruit smoothies. We used mixed berries, peaches, pineapple, strawberries, and orange juice. Each child chose an ingredient to add to our mixture. Students also got to taste a Taro Chip, most were hesitant to try, but almost everyone had another.

Notes and Reminders
Class Potluck: Thank you to those of you who attended our potluck on Monday. I thought it was a wonderful evening of food, family, and fun.
Reading Logs: New reading logs went home today. The due date is stamped at the top: Friday December 19th.
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 Dismissal Procedure: I would like to thank all parents for following newly implemented dismissal procedures. I think that these changes will help to ensure that all children (students and siblings) are safe after school. Please remember that even though it seems more convenient, the gate nearest to our classroom is not to be used by parents for entering or exiting the playground. Thank you!
Upcoming Holiday: If you know that your child will be absent before/after break, due to an extended vacation, please give me a heads up.
Report Cards: Report Cards went home with your child on Friday. If you have any questions or concerns about anything, please feel free to ask.

Upcoming Events
Monday December 8th Field Trip to “Madeline’s Christmas”
Tuesday December 9th Holiday Workshop
Thursday December 18th Holiday Celebration
Friday December 19th Minimum Day

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

Kinder News 2.13

2008-11-23T22:54:00.000-08:00

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”

Kinder News 2.12

2008-11-16T20:00:00.000-08:00

Volume 2 - Issue 12
Friday November 14, 2008

Weekly Happenings
Literacy: This week we did several activities as a whole class. We colored and read a Halloween-themed reader called “I’m Not Scared”. We also talked about sounding out words, we used “bubblegum stretching” to try to hear all the sounds in a word.
•Math: In Mrs. Chiappe’s class students are continuing to work on Number Sense, focusing on the numbers 1-5.
•Reader’s Workshop: Students practiced partner reading, using a variety of strategies. Students read the pictures, pointed out characters, and picked out their favorite pages. We introduced Star Books into our Look Book containers.
•Writer’s Workshop: We worked together on some interactive writing, using the skill of bubblegum stretching that we’ve been practicing.
•Science: With Fall in full effect, we’ve began to take a look at trees. As an introduction, we went on a Leaf Hunt around the playground. We collected things that come from trees: leaves, sticks, seeds, bark, etc. We used those items that we gathered to display in an art project by gluing them to a paper plates.
•Music: We continue to practice our turkey songs and also learned a song about leaves.
•November Quilt: One quilt square was created using a pinwheel pattern with construction paper. The other quilt square was created by painting and pressing handprints as turkeys, then adding final touches such as a beak, feet, and gobble.
•Library: Due to the Veteran’s Day holiday we were not able to go to the Library this week.
•Computer Lab: Using Jumpstart Kindergarten, students explored the painting game.
•The Potluck: After reading the story “The Potluck”, we discussed what a potluck is. In the story, each page describes a person whose name starts with a letter bringing something to the potluck that begins with the same letter. For example, “Brian brings bagels.” Then we each completed our own page for a Room 4 version of the book. This text was glued onto a paper plates after they decorated borders with a pattern.
•Citizenship Gathering: Congratulations to Zachary who earned this month’s citizenship award.

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: As a way to get to know the families in our class, it has been suggested that we coordinate a Potluck. Please complete the survey (about which time would work best) and return it so that we can confirm the time.
Class Books: Class Books are being sent home, please read, sign the last page and return. Thank You!
Reading Logs: 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 daily!
Wish List: I am wondering if anyone may have a tape player lying around that they’re looking to get rid of. (This would be used to create a listening center in our classroom) I’ve been looking at garage sales, but thought it’s possible that someone may have one wasting space in their garage ;)
Field Trip: Our first grade level field trip is on Monday, Dec. 8th to see “Madeline’s Christmas”. More information to follow regarding details and chaperones.

Upcoming Events
Wednesday November 19th Blue Day
Wed. Nov. 26th – Fri. Nov. 28th No School (Thanksgiving Holiday)
Monday December 1st Class Potluck
Monday December 8th Field Trip to “Madeline’s Christmas”

Spider Hats!!

2008-11-07T18:10:00.000-08:00

Kinder News 2.11

2008-11-07T18:05:00.000-08:00

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

Happy Halloween

2008-11-02T09:01:00.000-08:00

Kinder News 2.10

2008-11-02T08:44:00.000-08:00

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/

Kinder News 2.9

2008-10-24T21:50:00.000-07:00

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/

A few backlogged videos

2008-10-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

Cooking last week, we created number biscuits :)

Just a little silly photo shoot (we all need one every once and a while)

Dominic's Visit

2008-10-18T18:49:00.000-07:00

Kinder News 2.8

2008-10-17T18:45:00.000-07:00

Volume 2 - Issue 8
Friday October 17, 2008

Weekly Happenings
•Literacy Centers: This week we continued with our weekly Literacy Center rotations. This week students explored alphabet rubber stamps, completed a colored apple themed book titled Apples, did rainbow tracing of the letter Cc, colored our fireman song/poem, and practiced writing our new sight word “the” on wipe off boards.
•Math: Students began continues patterning in Mrs. Chiappe’s class. They used pattern blocks to create “pattern snakes”.
•Music: We reviewed a few of our apple songs, “Five Little Pumpkins” and Halloween Cat.
•P.E.: We reviewed and mastered the two games we’ve learned: “Squirrels in a Tree” and “Stuck in the Mud.”
•Reader’s Workshop: Students were introduced to and practiced Partner Reading. We also began introducing some of our “Star Books”. These are books that we will read several times and later use to teach, retell, and act out.
•Writer’s Workshop: Together we brainstormed and made a chart about “What Writers Write About”. This will be a helpful tool as children continue to write independently.
•Science: We have moved from wood to paper, another product of trees. Students had the opportunity to draw on different kinds of paper using both markers and crayons. The students compared the differences between paper towels, facial tissue, wax paper, and construction paper. We also introduced pumpkins as another kind of fruit. Next week, we will discuss their life cycle and difference/similarities between apples and pumpkins.
•Cooking: This week we made pumpkin raisin muffins. Students are becoming familiar with terminology such as recipe and ingredients and are recognizing ingredients that we’ve used frequently (flour, baking powder, eggs, etc.)
•Library: The students chose books and will keep them at school for the time being.
•Computer Lab: Students visited computer lab for their first time. Students were introduced to procedures and expectations for computer lab. They used the keyboard to type their name and mouse to navigate a game within the program Jumpstart Kindergarten.
•Morning Gathering: We had our first Morning Gathering with the rest of the school. At the Morning Gathering, Amanda received our first Super Citizen award. Congratulations Amanda!

Notes and Reminders
Red Ribbon Week: Next week is Red Ribbon Week. A flyer about Red Ribbon Week came home in your child’s Thursday envelope. As a way to show unity throughout the week, theme days are as follows:
Monday - College Attire Tuesday – Wear Red Wednesday - Sports Jersey
Thursday - Hat Day Friday - Crazy socks
Assembly: On Tuesday we will be having an outside assembly called “Perfection on Wheels”.
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: You will be receiving information about our Halloween plans in next week’s Thursday envelope. Information will include a schedule of events (parade, party, etc.) and signup for volunteers.
Stranger Danger: Teachers have been asked to speak with our students about strangers due to recent events in our neighborhood. I feel it would be best if parents spoke with their children about “stranger danger” this weekend. We will be talking about what to do around strangers this week.

Upcoming Events
Monday October 20th- Friday October 27th Red Ribbon Week

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

Fire Engine Visit!!

2008-10-07T22:12:00.000-07:00

Kinder News 2.6

2008-10-03T22:09:00.000-07:00

Kinder News
Volume 2 - Issue 6
Friday October 3, 2008

Weekly Happenings
•Apples: We are wrapping up our unit on apples.
oTen Apples Up on Top: We read the Dr. Seuss story Ten Apples Up on Top and created our own class book. Students drew their heads and decided how many apples they wanted to draw on top.
oSocial Studies: We talked about John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed. We read a book about his life and then completed a sequencing activity.
oArt: We used our hands to create an apple tree. (My parents were visiting and able to help!) Please peek into our classroom as they are posted on our front bulletin board. We also made an apple print that went along with a short story. Ask your child where you can find a little red house with no windows, no doors, and a star inside. (the answer is an apple)
oCooking: We worked together to make DELICIOUS apple muffins. Ask your child which ingredient they added (recipe c/o Elaine Regan will be sent home in Thursday folders.)
•Literacy Centers: This week we continued with our weekly Literacy Center rotations. This week students explored magnetic letters, completed a gingerbread themed book titled Run Run, colored an alphabet chart, rainbow traced the alphabet, and practiced their writing on wipe of strips.
•Math Students began patterning in Mrs. Chiappe’s class. They will continue to extend and become more advanced with their variety of patterns in the next few weeks. We also talked about rectangles and made Longworth Rectangle.
•Music: We began our weekly music meeting this week. We talked about procedures and expectations. We also sang a few songs about apples and even did a dance called the tooty-ta.
•P.E.: We got together with Miss Casellini’s and played “Squirrels in a Tree”. This game involved students finding partners to create a tree, then a third person would position themselves under the tree.
•Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: We read the story several times, watched the Scholastic video version, and created our own chicka boom trees with our names spelled upwards.
•Science: We are continuing our unit on wood. We talked about changing wood, and students got the chance to use sandpaper in order to change the shape of individual pieces of basswood.
•Library: This week students checked books out of the library. For the time being, we will be housing these borrowed books in our classroom.
Notes and Reminders
Conferences: This week are parent-teacher conferences. Please remember that every day this week is an early-release day. Please be punctual as conferences are scheduled back-to-back and I’d like to be able to give everyone the full 20 minutes.
Parent Volunteers: Reminder, parents must be cleared with their TB test before entering school to volunteer. Thank you to those who have already begun.
Reading Logs: September Reading Logs should be returned as soon as possible.
Drop Off and Pick-Up: New procedures for drop-off have been sent home in Thursday folders. Please contact me if you have any questions. For pick-up, please wait outside the gate until dismissal, then please remember that children need to be picked up from the curb around the play structure. When the final bell rings, the playground closes, so please make your way out of the yard. Thank You!
Classroom Expectations: Please remind your child about our no-hitting rules both inside the class and on the playground. The problem seems to be getting better. Let’s keep reinforcing. 
Upcoming Events
Monday October 6th- Friday October 10th Parent-Teacher Conferences (Minimum Days)
Monday October 6, 2008 Hearing Screening
Tuesday October 7, 2008 Fire Engine Visit

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

Kinder News 2.5

2008-09-26T20:42:00.000-07:00

Kinder News
Volume 2 - Issue 5
Friday September 26, 2008

Weekly Happenings
•Apples: This week we began our study of apples. We will continue learning about apples, in a variety of subject areas, in the coming weeks.
oMath: We sorted apples by color and size. We tasted the apples, then graphed our favorite tasting apples.
oScience: We made a chart about the things we think we know about apples, and what we’d like to learn. We made a large pictorial of an apple and it’s parts. Then students cut and pasted labels onto their own personal apple, labeling the parts (stem, core, meat, skin, seeds). Ask your child which part of the apple you do not eat.
oSocial Studies: We learned about a family owned apple farm and all of the roles that members of a family participate in to help it run smoothly.
•Literacy Centers: This week we began our weekly Literacy Center rotations. Each week 5 literacy centers will be introduced, and through a daily rotation, students will have the chance to complete all reading and writing related tasks. This week students explored magnetic letters, completed a matching exercise with colors, completed the book Paint Ponies, completed name puzzles, and practiced their writing on wipe of strips. Ask your child which their favorite was.
•Math: We worked on sorting. Students sorted with a variety of objects: linking cubes, apples, and even ourselves (boys/girls, those with stripes/without stripes). Practice sorting household items.
•Fire Drill/Bus Evacuation: We had our first fire drill. Students practiced lining up and walking out to the playground silently. Our class was very successful and we had some interesting conversations focusing on fire safety and accident prevention. We also saw a presentation featuring Buster the Bus and practiced exiting the bus using an Emergency Exit.
•P.E.: We got together with Miss Casellini’s and began our P.E. We stretched, did a warm up lap, and played Duck, Duck, Goose. Our classes played together, and split into individual classes.
•Walk-A-Thon: Today we met up with our buddies, we walked a lap with them and carried the banner for our country (Ethiopia). Hope you all enjoy the dinner and silent auction after school.
Notes and Reminders
Conferences: Beginning October 6th are parent/teacher conferences. Please remember that dismissal all week is at 1:10. Also, please be punctual as I have scheduled most conferences back to back. Also please remember that these conferences are for the parents and teacher, so please make arrangements for your children.
Parent Volunteers: Thank you once again for your enthusiastic response. I have emailed the rough draft and volunteers will begin next week at your scheduled time. Remember that when you are volunteering you must check in through the office and have an up-to-date TB test on file. Thank you again! (If you are unable to make it to volunteer, please contact me)
Wanted Items: I am still looking to start some sorting boxes in my classroom. If you have any of the following items lying around your house that you wouldn’t mind sending in with your child, I would greatly appreciate it: bread tags, beads, shells, old keys, shaped erasers, container lids, metal washers from screws, tile pieces, foam shapes, birthday candles, uncooked pasta, colored paper clips, etc.
Classroom Expectations: In the past few weeks, hitting and physical altercations have become an issue throughout kindergarten and in Room 4. I realize children are getting used to expressing themselves and we are learning strategies for conflict resolution, but it’s becoming a safety issue. Beginning this week I will be cracking down to try to alleviate this problem.
1st time a child is seen hitting: Warning/Verbal Reminder - 2nd time a child is seen hitting: Loss of Recess or Choice Time
3rd time a child is seen hitting: Sent to the office (call home)
Upcoming Events
Tuesday September 30, 2008 Individual Picture Day
Monday October 6th- Friday October 10th Parent-Teacher Conferences (Minimum Days)

Check www.misswagenaar.blogspot.com for more updates
Photos available at http://picasaweb.google.com/MissWagenaar/
(new this week: pointy triangle, blue day, sorting, literacy centers, walk-a-thon)

I.T.L.A.P.D

2008-09-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

Kinder News 2.4

2008-09-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

Kinder News
Volume 2 - Issue 4
Friday September 19, 2008

Weekly Happenings
•Color Week: We spent the week working on activities that helped reinforce our knowledge of and comfort with Brown, Purple, Pink, White and Black.
•Brown Bear: We read Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? by Bill Martin. The students helped to read the story aloud, we used our memory of the story to color, cut, and order the ten characters (numbered 1-10).
•Science: We began our unit on Wood and Paper this week. We started with a hands on lesson where students got to observe different types of wood – redwood, plywood, particle board, pinewood and basswood. Students learned that wood comes from trees. In the coming weeks we will be going more in depth with our study.
•Math: We continued working on our number formation. So far we’ve practiced writing the numbers 1, 2, and 3.
•International Talk Like a Pirate Day: Today we celebrated this silly holiday by starting our day with our “Ahoy Book”, we practiced our colors in a book called “I am a Pirate”, and we even made pirate hats.
•Literacy: We have been learning about the different Concepts About Print. These are aspects of books and reading that help students become better readers. We have talked about the front cover, back cover, spine of the book, title page, and what the author and illustrator do. Please ask your child to show you these things when reading stories with them.
•P.E.: We got together with Miss Casellini’s class to talk about PE. On Wednesdays, we will be doing PE together. Please make sure your child wears appropriate shoes on Wednesdays. Their shoes need to be able to stay on their feet when running, kicking a ball, stretching, etc.

Notes and Reminders
Conferences: In your child’s Thursday envelope, I have enclosed a slip that gives you the date and time for your Parent-Teacher Conference. Please return the bottom half of this form as soon as possible, so that I may make switches as necessary. If you are unable to make your scheduled time, please indicate that on the form and I will get in touch with you.
Apples: Please send an apple of any shape, size, or color to school with your child by Wednesday, September 24th. We will be studying apples next week, and will use those apples to do some graphing and tasting.
Walk-A-Thon: Next Friday is the Walk-A-Thon! This event is a huge yearly success, and something that Laurelwood students have been participating in for many years. If you plan on attending this, please make sure your child has a signed permission slip turned in to me. There will be many fun activities, including a silent auction for the parents!
Scholastic Book Orders: Thank you to Esther for taking on this responsibility and getting the ball rolling so quickly. If you plan on ordering books from the scholastic book order, please turn in your orders to me no later than September 24th. This is truly the cheapest way to buy books for your child!
Wanted Items: I am looking to start some sorting boxes in my classroom. If you have any of the following items lying around your house that you wouldn’t mind sending in with your child, I would greatly appreciate it: bread tags, beads, shells, old keys, shaped erasers, container lids, metal washers from screws, tile pieces, foam shapes, birthday candles, uncooked pasta, colored paper clips, etc.

Upcoming Events
Wednesday September 24, 2008 Sweet Tomatoes fundraiser (5:00-8:00)
Wednesday September 24, 2008 Blue Day
Friday September 26, 2008 Walk-A-Thon, Dinner, and Silent Auction (2:10-6:00)

Check www.misswagenaar.blogspot.com for more updates
Photos available at http://picasaweb.google.com/MissWagenaar/
(new this week: ITLAPD; updated: Color Week)

Color Week Video

2008-09-12T16:39:00.000-07:00

Kinder News 2.3

2008-09-12T16:37:00.001-07:00

Kinder News
Volume 2 Issue 3
Friday September 12, 2008

Weekly Happenings
•Color Week: We spent the week working on activities that helped reinforce our knowledge of and comfort with Yellow, Orange, Red, Green, and Blue.
•Rainbow Fish: We read several of Marcus Pfister’s Rainbow Fish stories. We talked about kindness that was shown by the story’s main character. We also did a directed draw and next week will use watercolors to paint our very own rainbow fish.
•Writing PBA: This week was school wide administration of the initial writing assessment. Students were asked to tell a story of something that had happened to them (most used illustration).
•Math: We learned about squares. We had a square hunt, described squares, and even made our very own square character, Boxman Square.
•Art: We explored the use of color, and how to color with our crayons. We talked about crayons whispering and YELLING.
•Hello Book: We’ve been reading our “Hello Book” in a variety of languages. We’ve read in Chinese, Japanese, Hawaiian, French, Italian, Spanish and English. If you can say hello in any other languages, please teach your child so that they can teach us. 

Notes and Reminders
Drop Off: Starting Monday, parents will be asked to drop their children at the front gate, which will open at 8:00. Parents should say their goodbyes at the gate.
Lunch Procedures: Please make sure that your child knows what they are having for lunch. Starting this week I will be dismissing children for lunch at the cafeteria doors. Those buying lunch should be able to find their cards and help themselves to lunch. If they need additional assistance, there are lunch helpers to aid them.
Color Week: Next week will be another week of color. I would like to remind you that we ask students to wear that color on its designated day.
Parent Volunteers: Many thanks to those of you who filled out the Parent Volunteer Survey. I’d like to make up a tentative schedule and send it out for approval with next week’s Thursday folder. That way we can start having parents coming into the room as October rolls around. I apologize for the delay, but we’re still working on classroom routines and procedures. Thank you to all who have stepped up for the task, and I look forward to working with you in the near future!
Thursday Folders: Just a reminder that folders are sent home every Thursday and should be returned on Fridays. If you forget to send your folder back, please just send it back at your earliest convenience (before the following Thursday)
Spirit Wear Order Forms: It appears that I can sneak in any last minute orders by lunch on Monday, so if you forgot to order your Laurelwood spirit wear, please fill out the order form and send it with your child Monday morning.

Upcoming Events
Monday September 15, 2008 Brown Day
Tuesday September 16, 2008 Orange Day
Wednesday September 17, 2008 Red Day
Wednesday September 17, 2008 Sweet Tomatoes fundraiser (5:00-8:00)
Thursday September 18, 2008 White Day
Friday September 19, 2008 Black Day
Friday September 19, 2008 International Talk Like A Pirate Day

For pictures from the week please visit:
http://picasaweb.google.com/MissWagenaar/

Kinder News 2.2

2008-09-08T17:17:00.000-07:00

Kinder News
Volume 2 Issue 2
Friday September 5, 2008

Weekly Happenings
We learned how to use the trikes at recess – No Bumping, 3 Lap Limit, Wait in Line.
We focused on the Gingerbread Man, reading a few different versions and incorporating the theme across various subject matter.
•We read The Gingerbread Boy, The Gingerbread Man, and The Gingerbread Girl
•For math we ordered gingerbread men from smallest to largest, we did patterning with different colors of gingerbread boys, and we sequenced events in the story in order.
•To improve our Oral Language We retold the story, focusing on what happened first, next, and last.
•For cooking we mixed, rolled, cut, baked, decorated, and ate gingerbread man cookies. While they were in the over cooking, they “escaped” and led us on a long chase throughout the school – stopping at places like the office, computer lab, library, staff room, and playground (giving children a chance to meet various school workers).
For math, we learned about circles. We had a circle hunt in our classroom, described circles, and even made our very own circle character, Curvella.
We reread Bono the Monkey Goes to School and focused on the word “No”. We did a rainbow tracing of the word, practiced the chant “N, O, that spells, no” and finally went through our books and highlighted the word “no”.
Art: We created name art using a mosaic method with construction paper squares.
We made our 1st trip to the Library. Mrs. Williams read us a story about library behavior.
We read Owen, watched a short animated film, and students got their own piece of fuzzy blanket.

Notes and Reminders
Drop Off: Due to the changes happening within the Kindergarten community (students moving amongst classes due to the K-1 combo) we will allow parents one more week to help their children find their way to the Kinder Yard.
The New Look of Our Class: With the shifts due to the creation of the combo, there have been some changes to class dynamics. Luckily, our class is not losing any friends. In fact, we are lucky enough to have the addition of two students who will join our class on Monday. We had a chance to meet them this afternoon, and are very excited to have them become a part of our class community.
Paperwork: Notices went home in Thursday folders with missing items highlighted. Thank you to those of you who are returning those items in a timely manner. One more reminder will come home next Thursday with copies of missing paperwork attached.
Color Week: A handout went home in the Thursday folders giving more information about color weeks. I just want to remind you that we ask students to wear that color on its designated day. We will be learning a bit about that color each day, in addition to regular curriculum.
Thursday Folders: Just a reminder that folders are sent home every Thursday and should be returned on Fridays. If you forget to send your folder back, please just send it back at your earliest convenience (before the following Thursday)

Upcoming Events
Monday September 8, 2008 Yellow Day
Tuesday September 9, 2008 Orange Day
Wednesday September 10, 2008 Red Day
Thursday September 11, 2008 Green Day
Friday September 12, 2008 Blue Day
Check www.misswagenaar.blogspot.com for more updates

Our friend this week: Swirly

Kinder News 2.1

2008-08-31T13:23:00.000-07:00

Kinder News
Volume 2 - Issue 1
Friday August 29, 2008

Weekly Happenings
•We toured the playground, classroom, and bathroom and practiced lots of routines and procedures.
•This week we did lots of read alouds and projects based on those.
The Kissing Hand – We made kissing hand necklaces.
Froggy Goes to School – We made Froggy puppets and acted out the story.
Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten – We created our own book of what Room 4 did to get ready for Kindergarten.
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See? - We played a name game as well as reading the book created by parents who attended Back to School Night and completed Parent, Parents.
Bono The Monkey Goes to School – We read this book about classroom rules and students began to color their own copy.
Happy Birthday to Tanay!! (August 28th)

Notes and Reminders
Drop Off: Please remember that you may walk your child onto the Kinder Yard for one more week. Please bring your student through the front gate (near the office). They may set their backpack on our zipper until they line up at the 8:13 bell. Please do not walk your child onto campus to hang their backpack before sending them onto the yard. Let’s start the year off with good habits. Thank you!
Pick Up: This week I will be walking the students of Room 4 and seating them on the curb around the play structure for pick-up recess. The front gate will be opened for you at 2:00 and you may come find your child, check in with me, then either let them play on the structure (under your supervision) or go home. At 2:10 the dismissal bell rings. At that point all children must get off the play structure (even if you are with them) and all children who have not been picked up will be walked to the office to wait for parents (or call if necessary.)
Snacks: Thank you to those of you that have already sent in snack. We enjoyed some wonderful fresh fruit this week!! Please continue to send in snacks, I will alert you when our supply gets low.
Wish List: Thank you to those of you who have already been so generous, please feel free to pop in anytime and take a look at our latest needs.
Bathroom Procedures: Please remind your students of appropriate bathroom behavior – aiming into the toilet, wiping completely, throwing toilet paper in the toilet, flushing, and washing their hands. Thank you! Also, please remind your students (as I will continue to do) to use the restroom at recess and lunch. When they need to use the bathroom during class it means that they and a bathroom buddy will be missing out on classroom instruction.
Paperwork: If you have any paperwork that hasn’t yet been turned in (field trip, emergency cards, volunteer, internet, media, etc.) please send it with your students as soon as possible. I will send notices home in Thursday folders of which papers you still are missing. Thank you!

Upcoming Events
Monday September 1, 2008 No School (Labor Day)
Tuesday September 2, 2008 Schoolwide Ice Cream Social (6:30-7:30)

Our friend this week: Legs

1st Day of School

2008-08-26T22:06:00.000-07:00

Today was our first day of school!! Let me be the first to welcome the newest members of the Room 4 family...

We survived!

2008-06-13T21:39:00.000-07:00

Today was our last day of Kindergarten together! We had an excellent and relaxing day. We watched A Bugs Life, had some choice time, and enjoyed a birthday celebration for our summer birthdays (Yuto, Alana, and Christopher).

I will miss all of the students dearly, but hope to recieve updates about their lives. I'm always an e-mail away (misswagenaar@gmail.com)

Thank you again for all the memories.

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." -Dr. Seuss

Commencement

2008-06-12T21:35:00.000-07:00

Thank you to all families/friends who attended our Kindergarten Commencement Celebration this afternoon. The children have worked very hard on their performance peace and it was so nice to see the pride in your faces as your children were recognized.

Anyone who has video/photo of the event, please email to misswagenaar@gmail.com I was a bit preoccupied to document the momentous occasion.

Much congratulations to all of the Kindergarteners and their families. Tomorrow will be a relaxing end to a wonderful year and I wish you all an excellent summer.

(if you have not yet returned a self addressed envelope please do so tomorrow to ensure your child will receive their gift in a timely manner)

Wacky Wacky

2008-06-09T22:57:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the lack of updates lately.. in class, we're spending a majority of the time tying up loose ends, working on assessments, and enjoying our last weeks together as a Kindergarten Class.

Important Science news: our moths have emerged from their cocoons.

Friday we had our Teddy bear Picnic: Students enjoyed bringing their stuffed animals to school and the culmination of the day was a "picnic" where we feasted on Teddy Grahams and listened to Courdory.

Today was WACKY day.. We had a lovely day with such silly things as skipping into the classroom, greeting each other this morning with "Good Night"... We also had double choice (a surprise to the children who were OVERJOYED).

2008-05-30T18:11:00.000-07:00

Writer's Workshop:

Art:

Science: We

Quilts: We compiled our Quilt books, mounting squares and creating a cover.

Friday Funday:

Read Aloud:

Butterfly Release:

Dan the Flying Man

2008-05-29T22:40:00.000-07:00

Movement: Again today we practiced teh Cha Cha Slide. The kids (and I) are getting the hang of it.

Writer's Workshop: During our mini lesson today, we focused on using words like "first", "then", and "finally" in our writing instead of linking all of our ideas with the word "and".. After students wrote independently for 30 minutes, four students were randomly selected to share their writing and illustrations.

Dan the Flying Man: Today we reread Dan the Flying Man. We used our imagination to think of where we would fly if we had the power to.. after brainstorming and creating a list, students did illustrations of the setting for their imaginative flying.

Video: We watched a Scholastic video with some of our favorite stories. This included Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Trashy Town, Rosie's Walk... During videos in the afternoon, I've been completing a few more assessments with students.

Great Job Yuto!

2008-05-28T16:59:00.000-07:00

Movement: Today a new type of movement was introduced - dance! We learned the "Cha Cha Slide". If you haven't heard it, you're missing out (but you've probably heard at least a clip of it on a recent McDonalds commercial). The song basically calls out the instructions for what locomotive movements to do, and the children are really enjoying practicing it.

Read Aloud: For our read aloud we read a new book, Dan the Flying Man which will be the basis of our next class book.. It is a story about a man who flies over many different places and things.

Readers Workshop: Today our minilesson was a review of the Concepts of Print (front of book, beginning/ending, letters, words, where to start reading, etc.) While students read at their tables I pulled all students to retest their C.A.P. I'm pleased to report that almost ALL students have mastered identification of all parts of the book and the procedure for reading.

Lifeskill Assembly: After recess we reported to the blacktop for our Lifeskill Assembly. The lifeskill of the month is Common Sense which is taking what you know or think and putting it into action. Our award recipient, Yuto, has done an outstanding job demonstrating this in and out of the classroom. Student were rewarded with extra recess time and enjoyed the sun as it began to peek through the clouds.

Science: We now have 4 butterflies that have emerged from their chrysalis. Some students helped me to prepare some food for them. The Painted Ladies "eat" a mixture of sugar and water that can be given to them soaking a cotton ball, paper towel, or drizzled over a flower. We will most likely be releasing the butterflies on Friday, so if you're interested in taking a look, please do so before then.

Eric Carle Video: We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon watching several of Eric Carle's stories recreate in video form. Some of our favorites were The Very Quiet Cricket, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Mixed-Up Chameleon.

Congratulations Christopher!!!

2008-05-27T22:08:00.001-07:00

Penmanship: Today we introduced another word family, the "all" family. We listed words like small, tall, call, ball, and fall and created a ball that helps us with our "all" word family.

Assembly: After recess we headed to the Flagpole for our Distinguished School Flag raising ceremony. We are all so proud of our accomplishment! Also, Citizenship award winners were recognized. Christopher from our class was the award winner.

Science: We noticed that one, and later in the day TWO, of our butterflies had emerged from their chrysalis. We also noticed that all of our silkworms had spun themselves into cocoons. A question was asked as to why the silkworms, which all seemed identical, spun different color cocoons (some yellow and some white). We hypothesized several things: either they will turn into different color moths or they were different species. We decided to separate one yellow cocoon into it's own container and one white cocoon into it's own container and see if there were differences between the moths that emerge.

Computer Lab: We continued to work on our math game, involving skills of addition and subtraction. Very fun! We only have one week left to visit the computer lab, but students are really seeming proficient in operating the mouse and keyboard during various activite.s.

Social Studies: We explored two different Let's Find Outs today. One of them was about Seahorses, we enjoyed it especially after reading Mr. Seahorse by Eric Carle. We already knew some of the fun facts that it contained, including that seahorses come from eggs that fathers carry around in a pouch until they hatch.

Disaster Drill

2008-05-21T17:56:00.000-07:00

We began our morning doing our Spring Word Write. This allowed children ten minutes to write as many words as they could without looking at resources around the classroom.

At 9:30 this morning, we began our District Wide Disaster Drill. We recieved an envelope letting us know that nobody in our classroom "was injured" so we proceeded out to the yard in a quiet line. As teachers and staff completed Search and Rescue and Release of some students, I stayed with the class (as I am a member of the Student Care team.) After about an hour, it was time for our classes to return to the classroom and recieve an extended recess.

After recess we toured the entire school, walking through all of the classrooms- examining all that they were displaying for Open House.

This afternoon we began our self portraits for May.

Open House

2008-05-20T22:36:00.000-07:00

Tonight was Open House... we had 100% attendance from our class which is AMAZING! Thank you to all who attended. We spent most of the minimum day preparing ourselves and our classroom for the special occasion.

Here's the video that was looping last night:

almost ready...

2008-05-19T21:49:00.000-07:00

Penmanship: We explored the -an word family and created a word family "fan".

Science: Today we compared the chrysalis of the caterpillars and the beginning cocoons of the silkworms. Together we made a Venn Diagram of their similarities and differences.

We created welcoming signs to display outside our classroom tomorrow night.

Math: We created two graphs. One was of our favorite Eric Carle book. The second graph was the question of which you like more - silkworms or caterpillars.

Activity: Before we went home, we created an invitation for Open House.

WE ARE GETTING SOOOO EXCITED FOR OPEN HOUSE!! WE HOPE THAT YOU ALL WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE IT - 6:30-7:30

Parts of a Flower

2008-05-13T16:51:00.000-07:00

Rosie's Walk: Today we attached our rake to the "across the yard" page with a brad, and we added the footprints to each page in our book. These were the last two steps and now the books are COMPLETE! We brought our books to the carpet and read them together.

Writers Workshop: We had another work period for students to work with a partner and write some Kinder News. They chose events ranging from rest time to our Elves and the Shoemaker field trip and wrote a story about it.

Science: Today we learned the parts of a flower - stem, roots, petals, seeds, leaves. After completing a class pictorial, students worked on their own version to place in their science notebooks.

Painted Ladies

2008-05-12T17:20:00.001-07:00

cience: Students finished coloring, collating, and assembling their "How to Plant a Seed" books. This six-step guide is an overview of the process we used on Friday and we are continuing to survey our seeds for any signs of growth.

Writer's Workshop: Today we created a chart of "What Writers Write About" to give us ideas in our narrative writing. Some of the excellent ideas that we came up with were families, friends, school, holidays, parties, injuries, trips, vacations, and insects. After brainstorming students did independent writing and most were able to complete several sentences about the topic of their choice.

Library: Today Mrs. Williams read us two fictional stories about dogs and students checked out new library books. Kudos to those who are reminding students to bring back their library bags so that they can check out fresh books. Today we had 16 of 17 students who were able to check out new literature.

Science: We were introduced to our newest classroom friends - The Painted Ladies. In addition to the silkworms, we are now going to be raising and observing these caterpillars that will become Painted Lady Butterflies. In the coming week we will be discussing similarities and differences between the two groups of insects.

Rosie's Walk: Today we put finishing touches on our Rosie's Walk book. They were bound this weekend and now students have painted the final page (Across the Yard),created their characters and afixed them to popsicle sticks, and created a holder for them on the back cover.

Sunflowers

2008-05-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

Science: We got together with Mrs. Robinson, Mrs. Chiappe, and Miss Ciampa's classes to introduce our unit on Seeds and Flowers. After an introduction of planting seeds, students broke up into two groups to complete two science projects. The first activity was creating a book of "How to Plant a Seed". The six step process was colored, cut, and collated by students. The next activity was actually planting a sunflower seed. Students filled cups with soil, made a hole with their finger, dropped in the seed, put in more soil, patted it down, and watered their seed.

Multicultural Presentation: Mrs. Luann came into our class and did a presentation about the culture, symbols, and life in China. She brought photos which the students really enjoyed as well as some items for students to pass around - incense, crickets, scrolls, etc.

Mother's Day Wrapping: Using tissue paper, stickers, and yarn, students wrapped their own cookbooks that were created for our mothers. We attached our sunflower cards, and students placed them in their cubbies to take home and give to our mothers. (oops, mom, sorry I ruined the surprise - it's in the mail)

Eric Carle illustrations

2008-05-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

Show and Tell: Rosie shared a photo of two baby doves that were hatched from eggs found in a nest near her home. Students asked interesting questions about when the eggs were laid and hatched.

Rosie's Walk: We completed the page for "under the beehives" and began the page for "across the yard". We are near completion, and the children are looking forward to binding and reading their stories with characters that they will create.

Art: After introducing our author study of Eric Carle, we talked about the way he does his illustrations (painting on tissue paper then cutting it out). We then finger-painted our own paper to use once we begin to make our Hungry Caterpillar book.

We also completed a special "secret" project that will be revealed this weekend to families (especially mothers).

Today I received an AMAZING paper quilt created using children's pictures and hand prints. It was the most thoughtful and wonderful gift! I need to find a perfect spot to hang it, but for now it's up on our front board, please stop in and see the beautiful work that went into it. THANK YOU!

Cinco de Mayo AND Japanese Boys Day!

2008-05-05T21:45:00.000-07:00

Rosie's Walk: Today we completed two pages in our Rosie's Walk book - "over the haystack" and "past the mill". These proved to be difficult, as we had to use a brad (brass fastener) to connect pieces to our pages.

Cinco de Mayo: To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, we discussed the Mexican flag, counted numbers one through twelve (in Spanish) and the colors translated from English to Spanish. Students then colored their flags and crayons and we practiced using Spanish for things such as saying thank you "Gracias" and goodbye "Adios".

Library: Today Mrs. Williams read us two books about stars, a fiction story and a non-fiction piece of literature. The fiction book was Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, which the students recognized as a well known song.

Math: After introducing Japanese Boys Day, students were informed that to celebrate, families in Japan fly carp wind socks outside of their home (displaying as many carp as there are boys in the household). Students were asked to count and record how many were on each flagpole and some chose to sunsequently color them in.

Today I received a very generous basket FILLED with school supplies in recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week - thank you to all who contributed. We appreciate and will get lots of use out of these items!!!

2008-05-01T17:07:00.000-07:00

Rosie's Walk: We completed another page for our book, this page was "around the pond". We cut out blue construction paper to make the pond and colored a background.

Art: We painted butterflies for the office display, we used Q-Tips to paint, and they turned out wonderfully.

P.E.: We played tunnel tag today, where students have to crawl between a frozen friend's legs to unfreeze them.

Rosie's Walk

2008-04-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

Show and Tell: Devin had a unique thing to share, he shared his new haircut. His uncle shaved his head last week.

Activity: We read aloud the story Rosie's Walk. Students LOVED it! We then began our project, creating our own individual copies using construction paper and crayons.

Blue Day: We had our assembly on the blacktop where Nikhil was recognized for his excellent Teamwork this month. We received an additional 15 minutes of recess.

Social Studies: Today we reviewed the map of California, labeling it with its name and gluing it onto a page where we will also display the rest of the California symbols.

Fire Drill: After lunch we had a fire drill. These will be happening frequently to prepare ourselves for our May 21st DisRoaster Drill.

Kindergarten Concert

2008-04-29T23:16:00.000-07:00

Today was our Kindergarten Concert. After recess we performed for the entire school! It was an excellent performance. We received positive feedback from most of the staff and even received a congratulatory poster from our Buddy Class.

Science: Today we talked more about our new friends - the silkworms! Students made observations about the silkworms - using sight, sound, and touch.

Social Studies: We reviewed California State symbols and students completed a sheet on which they colored the California Redwood, California Quail, California Flag, and Golden Poppy.

This evening we had another successful show performing to a packed house of friends and families. I am SOOOOOO proud of all of the students in Room 4, as I'm sure you all are.

If you have photos of the concert I'd love copies.. If digital, please send to misswagenaar@gmail.com
If you recorded the show and would be willing to provide me with a copy I'd greatly appreciate it!!!

Thank You!

Things we can do to take care of The Earth..

2008-04-25T18:50:00.000-07:00

Show and Tell: Alexa brought in a mermaid doll that changes colors when it is placed in the cold water.

Social Studies: We worked together to create a list of things that we can do to take care of The Earth. Some of our ideas included: not putting garbage in the ocean, cleaning up the Earth, not harming animals, and saving water.

Writer's Workshop: Students then used our brainstorming list to create speech bubbles for their dolls, stating things that they would do or things they would tell people to do to take care of The Earth.

Penmanship: Students did rainbow tracing and listed Ii words on a penmanship worksheet.

Music: We practiced once again on the risers with Mrs. Kwiatkowski on the piano.

Art: Students worked on their April self portraits. During this time, our D.O.G.S. (dads of great students) - Mr. Ponciano helped students to glue quilt mating onto our large sheep which will be used as a decoration for our concert. It looks GREAT!

Friday Funday: In addition to Mr. Ponciano, Christian's father also joined us for a leisurely afternoon of choice. Students not only interacted nicely with one another but also did a stellar job of cleaning up after themselves.

Ii is for infinity

2008-04-24T18:24:00.001-07:00

Show and Tell: Geremy shared a "Game Ball" from his baseball team. It is a ball, not used to play with, that is signed by his whole team.

Penmanship: Today we talked about the letter Ii. We noticed that the capital I wears a hat and shoes, but the lowercase i only has a hat. We brainstormed words that start with Ii, which was a challenge.

Art: We created paper dolls that resembled ourselves. We used clothing to color/cut and attach and yarn to resemble the hair. They will be used to create a wall display with our wonderful tissue paper Earths.

Activity: In preparation for our upcoming concert we created headbands that will be worn during the performance. These green headbands are decorated with three types of flower and a worm. VERY CUTE!!!

Happy Birthday Annie!

2008-04-23T16:27:00.001-07:00

Show and Tell: June shared a Spongebob Squarepants toy that was activated with water that he got from Burger King in March.

Readers Workshop: We practiced private and shared reading as well as Writing the Room while meeting with small groups for Guided Reading. Students are continuing to excel with their improvements in independent reading levels!

Music: Today we practiced walking into the cafeteria with all six classes, placing ourselves onto the risers and going through all of the songs in our concert.

Social Studies: We continued discussions that revolved around Earth Day, today examining maps. Students were asked to brainstorm places they've seen maps or what they've seen maps of. They noted seeing maps at places such as Great America, the Zoo, or in their car and recalled that these maps were of places such as states, countries, or even the Earth. We read through a picture atlas that was HIGHLY informative on topics from our Universe (cities ->countries ->Earth ->Solar System -> Universe) to things as specific as habitats including deserts, grasslands, and others.

Happy Birthday Annie: After singing Happy Birthday to Annie in regular, mixed up, and mouse voices we enjoyed a slice of cake that was brought in by her mother and nanny. For our final read aloud of the day, Annie selected her library book A Snowman's Christmas.

Earth Day!

2008-04-22T16:42:00.001-07:00

Show and Tell: Alana brought a really neat toy from Japan to share. It is a portable piano (difficult to explain) but basically it hooks up to each finger and as her fingertips tap any surface it makes the noise of a keyboard. VERY COOL!

Science: We talked about the map of the Earth and that it is usually done in two colors: blue and green. The green identifies land and the blue identifies water. We talked about the key (or legend) that is found on a map so that people who didn't color the map will know what each of the colors means. Students colored their own and created a legend to go with it, then labeled (air, Earth, United States of America).

Music: ALL 6 Kindergarten classes practiced on the stage today, it went very well. You're all in for quite a treat.

Art: Using tissue paper, we created another version of an Earth. Students first painted a white construction paper circle with water, then placed down tissue paper. The inks from the tissue paper bled onto the circle and created a truly beautiful Earth.

Throughout the day we discussed good ideas of ways to respect our planet Earth. These included cleaning up all of your trash at lunch and taking care of plants.

2008-04-21T19:13:00.001-07:00

New Teams:

Writer's Workshop:

Music:

Library:

Kindergarten Concert Practice:

sick sick sick

2008-04-11T19:55:00.000-07:00

Friday was an interesting day...

Show and Tell: We started our morning with Christian's Show and Tell.. He shared his remote control Thomas the Train. He did an excellent job.

Healthy Play: Miss Sabina came and led us in Healthy Play. We learned a racing game where an entire line of students race around the circle doing a specific action (running, speed walking, hopping, flapping like a chicken, etc).

Art: We completed our April quilt which we started Thursday afternoon. Students cut and assembled their kites to attach onto one of the quilt squares and attached a piece of string.

After recess, Mrs. Robinson took over the class because I had to excuse myself due to the severity of my sinus infection. The class joined Room A for reading buddies, free choice, and ANOTHER round of Healthy Play.

Animal Tongues

2008-04-09T17:14:00.000-07:00

Show and Tell: Today Yuto shared a very unique toy that he recieved as a gift from his mom that was purchased in Japan. This toy allows him to place an animal information card into a device and move a dial, the result is a speaker that plays the sound that the animal makes. Yuto was kind enough to hand out an info card to each student and give them the chance to try it on their own.

Writer's Workshop: Today we wrote our "About the Author" pages for our Farm Informational book. Students wrote about who they are, where they live, and who is in their family. Some students even included a fun fact about them, such as their favorite color or activity. After their writing was completed, they drew a portrait of themselves.

Social Studies: We read a Scholastic Let's Find Out titled "Animals Tongues". Students cut and created a small book, then went through and circled the sight word "the" before practicing reading alone and in partners.

Math: We used farm dice that we had colored and created last week to start a discussion about probability. Students were given the instruction to roll the dice 20 times and record their results. We then got together as a class and compared. We found that the majority of students rolled PIG the most and the majority also rolled DUCK the least. After looking at the dice, we realized that 3 of the sides were PIG, 2 sides were COW, and 1 side was DUCK. Some of the students began to understand that since there were more PIG, that is why most people rolled it the most.

Music: Today in music we practiced once again for our Kindergarten concert. I hope that you have all made plans so that you can attend the concert on the evening of April 29th. It's going to be great!!!

1st grade concert

2008-04-08T16:40:00.001-07:00

Show and Tell: Nikhil shared a small Tyrannosaurus figure and explained some interesting facts about T-Rexes, including their weight (of 8 tons) and the interesting fact that they can knock a car over with their head.

Writer's Workshop: Today we moved onto the next step toward publishing by sharing our work with a friend. Students had to choose a page out of their folder to read to a partner sitting at their table. Once they'd traded, students signed each other's checklist to show that they had traded. After finishing, some children chose to go back and edit previous entries while others chose to add and extra page (or two) to their informational book.

Penmanship: Today we talked about the letter Tt. We found tons of words that started with Tt, a total of 69!!

1st Grade Concert: After recess, we attended the 1st Grade Concert: Adventures in Science. They performed old favorites with scientific lyrics, including songs about the rain forest, states of matter, and the continents. Students were very impressed with the excellent performance.

Computer Lab: Students navigated www.starfall.com. This is an EXCELLENT website with great resources that're helping students work on phonics and promoting good practices which will aid in learning to read.

Art: After talking about our Kindergarten Concert, students were given the chance to draw some icons that will be submitted to Century Graphics for use on our Concert T-Shirts. These icons were created in black and white and ranged from trees to flowers to bugs and even a couple planet Earths. Final selection will be made based on what will fit and look appealing on the t-shirt, but all sketches will be contributed to the effort.

Happy Birthday Christian!

2008-04-07T23:32:00.000-07:00

Writer's Workshop: Students completed their third informational page for our farm animal book that we hope to publish.

Science: Students identified and used a word bank to label pictures of several farm animals.

Music: Today we practiced for our Kinder Concert with Ms. McDermott and Ms. Stryker's classes. We sang each song together as a group and will continue to practice in our own classrooms as the concert quickly approaches!

Happy Birthday Christian: Christian's birthday was Friday, but we recognized him today by singing our fun and mixed up version of the birthday song.

2008-04-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

Show and Tell: Eesha

Writer's Workshop: Farm Book

Penmanship: Kk

Music:

Activity: favorite farm animal

April Fools!!!

2008-04-01T16:00:00.003-07:00

Show and Tell: Today Annie shared her sketchbook.. She has been taking art classes and brought in her sketchbook which contains some of her srtwork, including a crab and several fish.

Reader's Workshop: Students read privately and some wrote the room while I worked with more Guided Reading groups. Those who I met with are making excellent progress and are remembering to follow under the words while they read as well as looking at the pictures for clues.

Writer's Workshop: Today I modeled writing and illustrating my first page for our farm book. Students were reminded of topics that thhey could choose to write about and selected theirs. Then they wrote their first page and illustrated it - each page will only contain one sentence or idea.

Social Studies: As we entered a new month, we have a new lifeskill to focus on. Teamwork is April's lifeskill and means "I will work with other.s" This is an excellent lifeskill for our class to work on as we prepare ourselves for the leap to first grade. We'll focus this month on working together, being kind to one another, and always trying our best.

Read Aloud: After lunch Miss Ciampa and I switched name tags and took one another's classes (pretending to be the other) for a Read Aloud in celebration of April FOol's Day. The kids seemed to have a really good time with the practical joke.

Computer Lab: Students had the chance to use several applications on the website www.starfall.com It is an excellent website that I suggest to anyone who has a computer with internet access at home. There are varying levels for students ranging from letter identification and sounds to learning to read all the way up through "I can read" activities.

muncha!

2008-03-31T16:13:00.000-07:00

Show and Tell: Today Luke brought in a compass to share with the class. He explained that it could be used to help you figure out which way you need to go. He even elaborated what each of the letters stands for (N-north, S-south, etc)

Writer's Workshop: Today we introduced our newest ongoing project which is publishing a piece of informational writing. This writing will contain information about farm animals. Students were given a check-list of things that need to be done in order to publish:
_ Cover
_ Title Page
_ About the Author
_ Dedication
_ Gather Ideas
_ Write Pages
_ Illustrate Pages
_ Share with a Friend
Today we gathered ideas, creating a chart of things that would be appropriate to write about (what animals are used for, what animals look like, what animals sound like, etc.)

Math: We reviewed the hour/minute hands on a clock. Students will be focusing on the hour hand, so during math today the minute hand stayed on the 12 (or the o'clock).. Students used their individual clocks to identify and replicate several different times (3:00, 6:00, and the biggest challenge "move the clock to the time when you go to bed")

Penmanship: We introduced the letter Nn. We created a list of N words which brought up the tricky issue of silent letters (as students brought up such words are gnarly and knee).. After creating the list, students rainbow traced the letter Nn and made their own list on the back with pictures or words.

Library: Today Mrs. Williams read our class Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! and we checked out new books.

Art: After a short slideshow of pictures of flowers, and a small introduction to drawing flowers, students were given the task of creating a work of art with the only instructions (or guidelines) being that it had to contain at least 4 flowers, and that it had to be drawn in crayon. After they completed the drawing we did a watercolor wash which resisted the crayon. They turned out great and will raelly make our classroom festive for the spring season.

Colorful Eggs

2008-03-28T16:08:00.000-07:00

Assembly: Alexa recieved this month's Citizenship Award for her excellent behavior this past month.

Activity: Since we've been working on farm animals and the sounds that they make, we created a craft that incorporates the two. Children colored and cut out a page that had a barn (with a door that folded open) and a poem (with a cut-out window). Behind this went a wheel that spins and has both pictures of animals and the sounds they make. When positioned correctly, the sound is displayed through the window and the door can be opened to reveal the animal.

Math: We continued our unit on time today, learning about the hands on a clock. The short one tells the hours. The longer one tells the minutes. On some clocks there is a third hand (usually a different color or very skinny) that tells seconds. Students used brads to created their own clocks that we will be using as we continue to work on telling time.

Literacy: After reviewing colors, students made a book titled "Colorful Eggs".. Each pages contained the prompt for a different color egg and three lines: ( __ ______ __ ).. Students filled in "I see a" and then underlined the color word and drew that color egg. Students then were able to practice reading these books to themselves and one another.

"just right" reading

2008-03-27T19:40:00.000-07:00

Guided Reading: Today we began guided reading. This basically involves pulling small groups (currently no more than two per group) based on their reading level. We will work on strategies for reading and then choose a book that is "just right" for them to take home and practice with. These books are being sent home in labeled ziploc bags. Please take a chance to let your child read these with you, then bring them back to school. At least once a week a new book will be sent home to continue to practice with.

Activity:

Social Studies: Today we read the Let's Find Out about buildings on a farm: Silo, Stable, Barn, Coop, Pen, etc. After reading and examining the pictures, table teams were asked to work together to create one of these for our window mural.

P.E.: In P.E. we played Totally It Tag and are continuing to encourage students to play honestly, freezing when tagged and if they accidentally go out of bounds. This is beginning to be a problem with some students in both classes.

Annie is Caring

2008-03-26T16:10:00.000-07:00

Math: Today we introduced the concept of time, talking about things that we do in the morning, afternoon, and evening.

Literacy: We cut, assembled, wrote, and colored am in book called "The Farm". The students were HUGELY successful with this and these have now been placed in their book boxes to practice.

Spirit Assembly: At the Spirit Assembly today, Annie earned the award for this month's lifeskill of Caring.

Music: Today in music, we learned and practiced the rest of our songs for our Kinder Concert.

Write the Room

2008-03-24T18:45:00.000-07:00

Writer's Workshop: Today students were introduced to a new activity called "Write the Room". Students take a board, piece of paper, and pencil. They travel around the classroom copying any words onto that paper that they find around the classroom (on word walls, on charts, on cubbies, on papers, etc) STUDENTS LOVED IT AND DID AN AMAZING JOB!

We are continuing to practice songs for our upcoming Spring Sing Concert. We now know/practice: This Land is Your Land, The Worm Song, Each of Us is a Flower, and Buzz Buzz Buzz

Science: We introduced pigs. Students learned several interesting facts about pigs and even informally compared them to pigs (they both have bodies, 4 legs, hooves, etc.)

Art: We did step-by-step drawings of a pig. Then students learned the strategy of coloring in their picture by tracing their outline in markers and then colors in with crayon or colored pencil.

Library: Today Mrs. Williams read us I Wanna Iguana and we voted on our favorite book that has been read to us throughout the year thus far.

Cow says "Moo!"

2008-03-20T22:17:00.000-07:00

Show and Tell: Nikhil shared a robotic Scorpion that he created from a kit that he received as a gift.

Activity: We worked step-by-step to complete a spring bunny. They were ADORABLE!

Science: We completed a cow pictorial, drawing and labeling the parts of a cow (body,spots,udders,head,tail,etc)

Art: Students were given black, white and pink construction paper to do tear art of a cow.

Social Studies: We did a final assessment for our National Symbols unit, students had to discriminate between different flags, statues, birds, and bells. They had to circle the correct national symbols.

P.E.: Today we played North Wind, South Wind with Miss Ciampa's class.

Ll is for Lamb

2008-03-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

Literacy: We introduced Eric Carle, who is an excellent author and illustrator who we will begin another author study on in the coming weeks.

Science: Our first farm animal that we studied was the lamb. We made a
list of important information to know about a lamb:
1. A lamb is a baby sheep.
2 Mom is a ewe.
3. Dad is a ram.
4. Lamb says "Baa!"
5. It gives us wool to make clothes.

Art: We made VERY cute lambs by tracing our hands on black construction paper and then covering the palm with cotton balls. (Imagine the thumb sticking out as the head and the other four fingers being the legs)

Social Studies: We used star stickers to complete our Flag Book covers. We added our hands to the "We Salute You" page. We compiled our books and they are now ready to publish.

We Salute You

2008-03-18T18:37:00.000-07:00

Penmanship: Today we introduced the letter Ll. We practiced the /l/ sound and listed words that begin with the letter Ll. We came up with 58!!! Students then did a tracing of a lion along with rainbow tracing of the letter Ll.

Science: For science today I did a baseline assessment of student's knowledge of Farm Animals (as well as informative writing). They were asked to write what they know about farm animals. Students did a surprisingly impressive job at the task, writing sentences about what animals make for us. (cows-milk, pigs-pork, etc) We will begin studying several animals from the farm over the next couple of weeks, then do one last writing at the end of the farm unit.

Social Studies: For Social Studies today we completed the last page for our Flag Book. This page contains a self portrait, and we will later attach a hand that will go across their body to be over their heart. The page is titled "We Salute You". We will put these books together, but they will remain at school and continue to be displayed.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2008-03-17T17:57:00.000-07:00

This morning we walked into the classroom to find that "leprechauns" has visited our classroom over the weekend and left little green footprints and strewn tons of our supplies about (crayons, chairs, books, etc.) After a clean-up effort by the whole class, we were able to start the day.

Writer's Workshop: After discovering that "leprechauns" had visited our class, we decided to write letters to the leprechauns. We reviewed the elements of letters (date, dear ________, message, closing, and our name). Students came up with messages including: "What do you eat?", "Where do you live?", and "Do you want your gold back?"

Activity: We made large leprechauns and decorated them. They turned out GREAT!

Library: Today in Library Mrs. Williams read us two stories - one fiction and one non-fiction. We also were able to check out new library books.

Social Studies: We completed another page for our Flag book (which is almost done) which told us the colors of the flag and what they stood for. Red is for courage. White is for truth. Blue is for Loyalty.

Hidden Villa Farms

2008-03-14T18:36:00.001-07:00

Today we visited Hidden Villa Farms in Los Altos. Our day was EXCELLENT!

We saw their garden and tasted things like nectar, persimmons, broccoli flowers, oats, and other edible leaves. Animals that we saw included cows, pigs, roosters, sheep, goats, chicks, and hens. We even got to pet the sheep and goats and feed the chickens.

After Lunch we did a Five Senses Farm activity, listing and drawing things that we saw, heard, smelled, tasted, and touched at the farm. Our group discussion was very lively, with every child participating, and their individual lists came out nicely as well.

Lucky Dog

2008-03-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

Today I was away from the classroom at an in service for Writers Workshop. It was VERY informative, I got some excellent insight and ideas to implement in the classroom.

Sub Plans were as follows:
Writers Workshop: Students wrote their three wishes that they would like if they were to capture a leprechaun. These went onto a template with the frame: ""

Activity: Students created "Lucky Dog" by cutting out a large shamrock shape. Once cut, this shamrock was flipped upside down (stem on the top). Then white, black, and red paper were used to create eyes, a nose, and a tongue. These, paired along with the three wishes will make a lovely decoration for our classroom for the remainder of March.

Penmanship: We introduced the letter Ff yesterday, ask students to first list words that start with Ff. Write them on white board. After, I let them take 3 minutes to walk around the classroom and come up with more words that they can find/think of. I also write those words on the board. Students then go back to their seat and rainbow trace the Ff outlines. When they have finished, they may turn their paper over and draw/write words that start with the letter Ff.

Art: Students use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to color in patterned shamrocks.

P.E.: Miss Ciampa will led P.E. in a game of North Wind/South Wind.

2008-03-11T18:57:00.000-07:00

Show and Tell: Eva showed her stuffed animal Simba today that she's had for 5 years.

Writer's Workshop: We introduced the word "like". Students listed things that they liked and in their Sourcebooks wrote sentences of "I like ________."

Buddies: Today we read outside on the Kinder Lawn with our 4th grade buddies. After reading for a while in the sun, we joined together with Mrs. Robinson's class and Mrs. Varveris' whole class for a Healthy Play game of ghost tag AND totally-it tag.

Activity: We completed BOTH of our quilt squares for the March quilt.

Pennies for Patients

2008-03-10T19:30:00.000-07:00

Reader's Workshop: Students did a spectacular job with private reading today, using picture clues to help figure out words in the text.

Penmanship: Students were introduced to the letter Rr, we practiced the /r/ sound and listed words that started with the letter R. Students did rainbow tracing and drew objects that started with Rr.

Library: Mrs. Williams read us a modern day variation on Old McDonald story.

Assembly: We had a school wide assembly about our newest Community Service project - Pennies for Patients. A volunteer from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society did an excellent presentation explaining the blood diseases and what students can do to help (raise money). We will be collecting change in our class, and school wide.

Book Fair: We did our walk-through of the Book Fair, students had a chance to look through the wonderful selection of Scholastic books.

Math: Today we created FOUR graphs as a class.
1. Do you like green eggs and ham?
2. Which is your favorite Dr. Seuss book? (Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, Are You My Mother?, One Fish Two Fish)
3. What is your favorite national symbol? (eagle, flag, Statue of Liberty, Mt. Rushmore)
4. Which Jan Brett book did you like the best? (all books we've read)

The Tooth Fairy!

2008-03-07T20:45:00.000-08:00

Show and Tell: Eesha brought in a doll to share that can grow larger and shrink smaller.

Healthy Play: Sabina came today and we reviewed "Totally It Tag" before learning a new variation on tag called "North Wind, South Wind". In this game the person holding the "Yellow Ball of Peace" was able to unfreeze students that were frozen by those who're it.

Writer's Workshop: Today students chose their strongest page from their "I see a _______." books and copied it as a final draft on larger paper. Some are displayed around the classroom while others will be sent home. ALL students were successful in writing this sentence and illustrating.

Choice: Our buddy reading today was canceled due to our Special Guest, so instead students received a bit of Friday Funday after recess.

Special Guest: One of Ms. Stryker's friend, who is a dental hygienist, does the favor of visiting school dressed as the tooth fairy to promote dental health. She shared foods that are good for our teeth (milk, fruits, vegetables) as well as foods that're not-so-good for our teeth (soda, sugars, etc).

Read Aloud: Mrs. Mathur came in to read a book to us, When Will Spring Be Here?

I see a ________

2008-03-06T19:52:00.000-08:00

Writer's Workshop: Today we learned a new sight word - see. We listed things that you could see. Each student then created a book that was four pages. Each page contained the same sentence skeleton "I see a _______." They were responsible for writing these four sentences and illustrating their book.

Science: Today we began our unit on the farm. We made a chart of "What we think we know about farms" which included things about growing vegetables and fruit, farmers who take care of animals and also a list of things we might see there: barn, hay, eggs, etc.

Math: Today we reviewed counting to teens and placing numbers in the correct place values. Students completed another worksheet which involved counting, recording, and this time creating their own.

P.E.: We played another version of Under-Over Kickball, this time it was a Battle of the Sexes. I played with the Girls Team against Miss Ciampa and the Boys Team. Another close battle, I think this one ended in a true tie.

Red, White, and Blue

2008-03-05T16:28:00.000-08:00

Reader's Workshop: Our mini-lesson today focused on strategies to help beginning readers. Emphasis was placed on two strategies - First, students were encouraged to place their finger under the first letter of the word they are reading. If they can decode the initial sound, it may help to guess what the word will be. Second, students were instructed that if they cannot sound out the words phonetically, they should use the illustrations to figure out the word from meaning.

Art: Since this week's letter is Bb, we completed a directed draw of a butterfly. Students learned about symmetry (things are the same on one side as they are on another). They designed identical wings and used watercolor to paint them.

Social Studies: We discussed the colors of the American Flag once again - red, white, and blue. We created another page for our Flag Book which explains the colors of the flag. Students pasted colored paper to create the page and wrote out the words "red" , "white", "and blue".

Music: TOday we began to learn our music for the Spring Concert. We learned "The Worm Song" and practiced it several times. We also were introduced to "This Land is Your Land" which we will also be learning the sign language to go along with.

Counting in the Teens

2008-03-04T18:35:00.001-08:00

Show and Tell: Christian was very excited to share with us his Thomas computer game this morning. He even played a letter identification game as an example. During Choice several students even had a chance to try using his toy.

Penmanship: We introduced the letter Bb. After practicing formation and the letter sound, we made a long list of words that start with the letter Bb.

Math: We discussed teen numbers and worked as a whole class counting and representing them using the accurate place values. We counted, once we got to ten we grouped them, then continued to count. The leftovers were placed in the ones "house". Then the groups of ten ere counted and that number was placed in the tens "house".

Computer Lab: In Computer Lab, we moved into another game in the Arthur Math Games computer program.

Activity: After Computer Lab we finished our modern flag page for our American Flag book and our Hina Matsuri page from yesterday.

Dr. Seuss Day AND Hina Matsuri

2008-03-03T17:23:00.000-08:00

Cooking: This morning Mrs. McDermott's class joined us to cook green eggs and ham. Students sliced up Canadian Bacon, cracked an egg, added "Seuss Juice" (green food coloring) and scrambled the eggs. Most of the class enjoyed them!

Video: While students were pulled in small groups, the rest of the class watched Dr. Seuss cartoon short films of many of our favorite Dr. Seuss stories.

Hina Matsuri: Today is Japanese Girl's Day (Hina Matsuri). We visited Mrs. McDermott's class for a presentation by one of her room's parents. We learned about the history, and I even got to be the model for a Kimono.

The Cat in the Hat: After reading the story, we created red and white striped Dr. Seuss hats.

Dr. Seuss books read: Green Eggs and Ham, One Fish, Two Fish, Are You My Mother?, and ABC

Over-Under-Kickball

2008-02-28T16:59:00.001-08:00

Writer's Workshop: Students had the option to practice for our 'Written Vocabulary Game' by listing all of the words that they knew, or they chose other various topics.

Art: We completed our February self portraits - doesn't it seem like these months are just flying by?!?

Math: Since we learned about Abraham Lincoln yesterday, we did some math relating to the Penny. We first talked about the penny and it's looks - Abe's face on the front and the Lincoln Monument on the back. I explained the concept of head (Abe's Head) and tails (building). We then reviewed what it is to record something (to write it down) and why we do it (so we can keep track/remember). We flipped the penny a total of 12 times, recorded on a worksheet the result of each flip. Students then had the chance to do their own 12 flips and record, totaling at the end how many heads and tails they had total. Students then sorted themselves into those who had more heads (10 students), more tails (6 students) and equal (1 student). Then we compared within those groups how many of each they had and realized that no two students had the same tosses as another.

Pp Poster: Students drew something that started with Pp. These items were then cut out and affixed to our Pp Poster. Most students chose to draw a pumpkin, but some were creative and did a peanut, police officer, princess, or pig.

Choice: During Choice I took the opportunity to pull groups of four to do their 'Written Vocabulary Game' which is the assessment piece for written vocabulary. Students are given ten minutes to write "as many words as you know". The benchmark for March is ten words. Most students were successful. We urged students to remember simple sight words such as the, I, a, and their own name. Also the word at and the many words that rhyme with it (cat, bat, hat, mat).. Ask your student how they did, most were very proud of their accomplishments.

V.I.P. Book: Alana shared her wonderfully made VIP book and answered some interview questions.
"What animal would you be if you could be any animal?" -a rabbit
"What is your favorite cookie?" -chocolate
"What is your favorite book to read?" -Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

P.E.: Today in P.E. we learned and played Over-Under-Kickball with Miss Ciampa's class. This game involves two teams (rm. 9 vs. rm. 4) to score students on the team up to bat have to run laps around their team, who are in a line. To stop the scoring the team that is in the outfield has to form a line and pass the ball over then under each child in line. The final score of the game was
Ciampa's Class:19
Wagenaar's Class:20 :)

Alexa, Abraham, and Adding

2008-02-27T17:37:00.000-08:00

Show and Tell: Alexa shared her doll that she got from Santa for Christmas.

Social Studies: To give an introduction to Abraham Lincoln we read a cute story about him called Abraham Lincoln's Hat. It explained that Lincoln frequently lost of forgot papers, so in order to keep track he stored then in his tall hat. Student were given a chance to color in their portrait of Lincoln and some even chose to draw in a tall hat for Mr. Lincoln.

Lifeskill Assembly: Today's lifeskill assembly recognized June for his Perseverance ("I will finish what I start"). He also was our class's representative for the three-legged race - he made us proud! We were then awarded with an extra 15 minutes of recess for excellent behavior in the month of February.

Math: We were introduced to addition. Together we talked about counting on to add two numbers. We generated the two numbers using a pair of dice. After practicing several addition problems together and explaining strategies for counting on, students went back to their seats and worked as a table team to create and solve their own addition problems.

Activity: We colored our modern American flag, which has 13 stripes and 50 stars. Students were urged to take their time, especially on the blue portion so as to not color in the stars.

G. Washington hats

2008-02-26T20:29:00.000-08:00

Show and Tell: Alana shared today her oragami paper that her grandmother brought from Japan for her. She shared several shapes that she created with the help of her brother, Julian. Some of our favorites were the crane, cats, and dogs. She also brought oragami cups that she created to share with the class.

Reader's Workshop: Students practiced Private and Partner reading in their table teams.

Social Studies: We discussed the set-up of the American Flag. The three colors that the flag contains are Red, White, and Blue. The stripes are red and white in an AB pattern. The smaller rectangle in blue and filled with white stars. We discussed that there are currently 50 stars (the number of US states) but that the first flag had only 13 stars (the number of original colonies).

Art: We created three-sided George Washington hats which were adorable. They even had a tuft of white "wig" sticking out in the back.

Computer Lab: We played an Arthur Math game in which students counted items and matched with numerals as well as sorting (at various levels).

George Washington, father of our country

2008-02-25T19:32:00.000-08:00

Like all Monday mornings, we chose new jobs and teams.

Writer's Workshop: After taking time to talk about our breaks, students had the chance to write in their Source Books about what they did during the week off.

Social Studies: We had an introduction of George Washington, then the students read leveled readers about George Washington, our first president and Father of our Country. Finally, students had a chance to color a portrait of President Washington.

Library: We listened to a story from Mrs. Williams called Beatrice Doesn't Want To and then checked out our own books.

Art: We finished the last rotation for Chinese New Year today with the kids learning how to paint a Chinese character, which means "Spring is Coming".

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T17:20:00.000-08:00

We started our morning with a Read Aloud of Clifford's First Valentine's Day and a game of Cupid Says (similar to Simon Says).

Math: We used Conversation Hearts to sort, record, and graph. Students sorted their own box of candy hearts by color on a sorting mat. They counted how many of each color they had and recorded it on a sheet. Finally they used both of those sources to compile a graph of their box, showing how many of each color were inside.

Cooking: We made heart sandwiches. We first cut bread out in the shape of a large heart. We then cut a small heart into one of the slices. Spread some Strawberry Jam between the layers and had a very charming heart sandwich.

P.E.: In honor of Valentine's Day we played hug tag. This game requires several "it"s and once you are frozen you become a statue. The only way to unfreeze a statue is by hugging them. The children have to not only avoid being tagged, but work to free their friends who have been caught.

Valentine's Party: After P.E. our WONDERFUL parent volunteers had set up an absolutely excellent Valentine's party which consisted of snacks ranging from zucchini bread, to jello, to applesauce, and even crackers. Students enjoyed the snacks before opening up the Valentine's that they had delivered to one another. We ended the day with a Read Aloud of Froggy's First Kiss

THANKS again to all my great parent helpers. We really appreciate ALL that you do!

Happy Birthday Abraham Lincoln!

2008-02-12T20:02:00.001-08:00

Musical: The theme was "We Come From Everywhere". Mrs. Varga and Mrs. Villareal's classes performed songs with themes from around the world, students dressed up as Italian immigrants, Surfers, Mail Order Brides, and even the Statue of Liberty.

Reader's Workshop: Today during private reading I began assessments with individual students -- finding their entry level so that we can begin Guided Reading when we get back from break. I was pleasantly surprised with how well students who I tested today performed.

Social Studies: We reviewed national/state symbols and focused in especially on getting more information about the American Flag, Liberty Bell, Mt. Rushmore, State of Liberty and Bald Eagle. We reviewed the vocabulary terms "Symbol: something that represents something" and "Nation: a place where people live".

Penmanship: We introduced the letter Hh. We brainstormed words that start with Hh. Then students rainbow traced the large and small letter Hh.

Computer Lab: In Computer Lab today we went back to working in Jumpstart Kindergarten Advanced.

Ta Ta Htar

2008-02-11T19:36:00.000-08:00

We started our morning with some sad news. Htar is moving to San Jose, so will no longer be a part of our class. We will miss her, but had lots of fun memories with her.

Writing Valentines: Students finished writing and decorating their Valentine Letters and placed their completed Valentines in their envelopes. We talked about the parts that every envelope needs to have (address of where it's going/address of who sent it/stamp).

Field Trip: Our class walked to to mailbox on the corner of Teal Dr and Dunford. Students walked with partners there, dropped their Valentines into the mail, and returned to school.

Library: We made it back just in time to return library books and listen to a couple great stories that Mrs. Williams had to share.

Activity: In the afternoon we took an opportunity to share our memories and wishes for Htar as students worked together to make a book that we will send along to her new school.

Writing our Valentines

2008-02-08T16:44:00.000-08:00

Writer's Workshop: This morning we learned about letter writing, and the five parts that each letter needs - date, Dear _____, message, From, and their name. Together we did most of those parts and then students decided who they wanted to address their Valentine to and the message that they would write "I love you." or "Happy Valentine's Day!"

Science: We did a follow-up on habitats today, using four habitats: Jungle, Arctic, Water, and Desert. Student used a list of animals and placed them in the appropriate categories.

Art: We painted paper plates today, using a method of separating it using lines of many types and then filling in the spaces that created with watercolor. These were used to create the body for our dragon, in honor of Chinese New Year.

V.I.P.: Both Yuto (last week's VIP) and Eva (this week's VIP) were able to share their "All About Me" books and get interviewed.

Friday Funday: During Choice time today many students chose to help me to draw, trace and paint a head and tail for the dragon. We put up the dragon and it looks very festive and colorful.

Gung Hay Fat Choy

2008-02-07T15:46:00.000-08:00

Reader's Workshop: Students did an amazing job of private reading and a nearly flawless transition into partner reading in their table groups. They are working together to sounds out words and locate setting and characters. Encourage them to do these things while reading with you at home.

Lunar New Year Activity: We created Chinese Lanterns to kick-off the first day of Lunar New Year. We also read an AMAZING book about one of the many traditions that are incorporated, Lion Dancing. The photographs were beautiful, and the children really seemed to enjoy learning about some of Chinese culture.

Social Studies: We watched our Social Studies DVD, which was an introduction to National and State Symbols. We talked about symbols of our country - American Flag, eagle, Statue of Liberty, Mt. Rushmore and symbols of our state - California Flag, Redwood tree, bears, and the Golden Gate Bridge. We will talk more about these national symbols this month, and state symbols later in the year.

P.E.: Room 4 and 9 came together once again for a game of Totally It Tag and were introduced to Three Touch Tag. In this game, the first time you are tagged you have to cover that spot with your hand. The next time you are tagged, you cover it with your other hand. The final time you are tagged you turn into a frozen statue. We had a bit of trouble remembering to use a "two finger tag", so we will definitely review that before playing again.

If I had $100, I would buy...

2008-02-06T16:15:00.000-08:00

Writer's Workshop: Today students were given the choice of what they would like to do if they were given $100. Responses ranged from "I would buy 100 phones." to "I would buy dresses for the class." Students created illustrations and text that will be bound into a class book.

Science: We talked about habitats that animals can live in: jungles, forests, deserts, ice, water, cities. We then looked at pictures of several animals and tried to fit them into which habitat we think they belong in.

Math: We did a follow-up to yesterday's hundred day activities by making 100 tally marks. Students learned that tally marks are each in a groups of 5, so we needed 20 groups of tally marks.

Music: Today Miss Cassellini and Mrs. McDermott led music doing some great winter songs as well as Kinesthetic dances with motions like "move something up and down".

Fairy Tales: We read aloud Cinderella and Pinocchio

100th Day of School!!

2008-02-05T16:41:00.001-08:00

Today was an exciting and exhausting 100th Day of School!!

Movement: For movement we jumped 100 times. We did 20 jumps, 20 hops on each foot, 20 jumping jacks and 20 pretending to jump rope.

Read Aloud: We read both Ten Black Dots and Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th Day of Kindergarten.

Art: Inspired by Ten Black Dots, students were given 100 Garage Sale Labels (those little colored dots) to create an original work of art on a large piece of black construction paper.

Math: We used a place value mat to count 100 (actually ended up counting to 180) marshmallows. We places 10 marshmallows in the 'ones' column and when we had gathered that many they were placed into a cup and moved to the 'tens' column.

Necklace: Students counted out and organized 100 Fruit Loops on a hundreds chart and strung them on dental floss to make a necklace.

Sunglasses: We chose colored paper to cut out the number "100" and attaching to a band to create sunglasses/headbands.

Eva's Shadow

2008-02-04T18:28:00.000-08:00

Groundhog Day Investigation: Throughout the day we carried out an investigation about shadows, after talking about how the groundhog saw his shadow. We went outside at 9:00 and traced Eva (our V.I.P.'s) shadow. We went out each hour thereafter until the end of the day, made predictions and talked about why the shadow got smaller and moved.

Science: The penguins that we drew last week were taken down off display in our room and labeled the parts of a penguin (feet, beak, feathers, wings, eye, etc.)

Writer's Workshop: During Writer's Workshop students chose to write about the topic of their choice, using the bubblegum stretching technique.

Library: Today in Library we listened to a non-fiction story called Do Whale's Have Wings?

Social Studies: We read a "Let's Find Out" about germs. Students were reminded that it is important to wash hands before and after eating and not put hands into mouth unnecessarily. We also decided whether certain items were appropriate to share with others. Our general rule was that if it went in your mouth or hair, it shouldn't be shared.

Class Picture Day!

2008-02-02T20:44:00.000-08:00

Class Photos: We took our class photo in the morning. If you forgot your order form they will still accept them on Monday.

Healthy Play: Sabina came in and taught the class "On the Way to School Today", a variation on a charades type game where students act out an animal, event, or activity for the class to guess. We also played a game of Double Simon Says.

Buddies: Our buddies came and we worked with them to decorate a mitten. These were then cut out and mounted to be taken home.

Art: Mr. Fong (from D.O.G.S. -Dads Of Great Students) came into our class to help us with an artistic science project. We made 3D penguins using construction paper and lunch-sized bags.

Groundhog Day Project: We created groundhog puppets that move in and out of their "burrow" and can/cannot see their shadow.

Read Aloud: Cookie's Week

b-u-b-b-l-e-g-u-m

2008-01-31T18:05:00.001-08:00

Writer's Workshop: In Writer's Workshop today we practiced the "bubblegum" method. This involves children s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g out the word and attempting to put down on paper the beginning and ending sounds and then filling in the middle. We practiced together, having students write their words as we stretched as a class.

Math Rotations: Students did another rotation through the teen-related centers that they were introduced to yesterday.

Performing Arts: After reading The Mitten several times, we acted out Jan Brett's story. (I apologize in advance for my singing on the video, I drown the kids out and that's truly a shame.)

Red Book Bags: Students who returned Red Bags on Wednesday checked out a new bag this afternoon.

P.E.: Today in P.E. the students did an excellent job in working through a slight drizzle that began while outside. We played a game of "Totally It Tag" with all 39 students. It was very fun and students did an excellent job of freezing when they were tagged.