Week 2, Here we come!

Monday, September 9

Our alphabet journey begins today: Letter Aa
 Phonics: Word Discrimination EX: pen/pen; horse/house
Rhyme Recognition: Discriminating between rhyming and non-rhyming words


Language Arts: Finding the Main Idea and Recognizing Supporting Details
Name Focus: Brianna
Each day, one of our friends will be featured in a name focus. We will count how many letters are in it, how many syllables it has, and how to reassemble it out of order. It is important to use children's names as they embark on learning about literacy. "Names are a valuable resource in becoming literate. Important networks of understanding can be built around children's names. Making things meaningful for children and connecting it to their world is very important in helping children learn." (Kusak, 2002)

Modeling: Dry Erase Marker
How will this tool help our learning? How can we take care of it so it is ready when we need it? 

We are digging into the calendar routine even further today by adding entries into our 'laptops' which are paper pages of the calendar inside a binder. One friend will do the calendar routine on the SmartBoard while the others do the same in their 'laptop'.
Mr. Ronnenberg, our school PE teacher, will show the children how to do "Morning Movers" today. There is a path designated by the playground where the kids can walk if they arrive at school before 8:00. Mr. Ronnenberg supervises this activity every day so you can be assured your child is safe.

 
SMART Room: We spend 1/2 hour a day in this room designed for movement while incorporating small and large motor movements with academic skills. Ask your child how to do the 'Pencil Roll'.


~Late start is tomorrow. School begins at 10:15.
~The book order is due Wednesday.

Our First Week Already!

                    Friday, September 6, 2013
We'll make our first trip to the library today to hear about the expectations and hear a story about a worm who wiggles through a book that hasn't been taken care of. The children will bring home a book next Friday.

Modeling: Pencils
What can we do with a pencil? How will this tool help us learn? How do we hold it and take care of it? Where do I go to get a new one if mine is low or broken? When can I sharpen it?

SMART Room: The kids will be introduced to this room today. I will show you the room at Parent Night and explain the concepts behind it. The kids will be learning the Helicopter Spin and Alligator Crawl today.

Irish Pride: Hallway Expectations
~Hands to Self
~Quiet
~Walking
~Looking forward
~Stay together


Irish Connections
Your child is going to their Irish Connections group from 1:30-2:00 today. This is a small group that every child in our building will be involved in once a month. The goal for this program is for the kids to have one more adult to make a connection with to support them in their educational journey.


~What a FANTASTIC launch to their Kindergarten year! We have covered so many new things in such a short time and have already settled into some routines. Next week we begin our letter/sight word study.
~PLEASE return any paperwork on Monday if you haven't done so already-thank you.
~Enjoy these pictures of our kinderfamily exploring with math manipulatives!


We found the bear that jumped out of the story!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Another Day!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Story: Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? By: Bill Martin, Jr.
Oh My!! The animals from this book have jumped out of it! They are hanging around the school for us to find as we tour the school.

Irish Pride: Cafeteria Expectations
The paraprofessionals who supervise the cafeteria will help us know what we need to do in order to have the best dining experience each day. Some of the teaching points are:
~Eat first, talk last.
~Be sure to keep your food to yourself.
~Clean up after yourself.
~Stay seated at the lunch table until an adult tells you to empty your tray.
~Controlled voices.
If you can remind your child of these points, the expectations become internalized quicker.

**Be sure to look at the paper lunch box that comes home with your child today and talk about what is inside to reinforce what they heard about at school today.
 Modeling: Scissors
How will this tool for learning help us? What can we cut? How do we use it safely? Again, teaching the expectations for scissor use is important.

Math: More exploration with the math manipulatives. Children need to freely explore materials before asked to use them for a specific purpose.

* Be sure to check your child's Roundtrip Folder and return it the next day.

* Please return the scrapbook page as soon as possible so it can be assembled into a class book.

* If you did not choose the Snack Cart Option, please send a shoebox-size plastic bin (with lid) filled with individual snacks for your child.  Dry snacks are preferred.

* Kindergarten Parent Night is Thursday, September 12th from 6:00-6:45.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

     Here we are...back for another day of fun and learning! There is so much to learn about being in school. For instance: how to walk in a line, taking turns speaking in a group, lunch procedures, playground expectations, etc. This would make anyone tired as I am sure your child felt last night and will continue to. I have to chuckle as I reflect back on how many times I heard, "Can we play?" "Is it snack time yet?" or "When do I go home?" Out of the mouths of babes...

 

Modeling: How to use Crayons
As adults, we assume children "just know" what to do with crayons. Digging deeper into understanding what the expectations for crayons are is helpful for the children to understand this tool for learning. What do we use crayons for? How can a crayon help our learning?
**ASSUME NOTHING. TEACH EVERYTHING**

Irish Pride: Playground Expectations
The paraprofessionals who supervise recess are helping the kids know what kind of behavior is expected to be safe and have fun on the playground. I can extend that learning by reinforcing these expectations through pictures on the SmartBoard. Playground Pete helps too!

We will begin learning about the calendar and the daily routine that goes along with it.
 Washing our hands will be CRITICAL in school. We are learning about that routine today. How to wait our turn, how many squirts of soap, how long should the paper towel be, where to throw it away, etc. Again, *assume nothing, teach everything*


~The book order is due Wednesday, September 11. The book order will come home the first Wednesday of each month.
~An invitation for Kindergarten Parent Night is in today's Wednesday Envelope. Please empty, sign, and return the next school day. Thank you!

The First Day...Hooray!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Welcome to the wonderful world of Kindergarten! Get ready for an INCREDIBLE year of discovery and learning! Here we go...your child's education journey begins and I am THRILLED to be a part of it! Each day I plan to highlight the main activities for you to follow throughout the year. I will also let you know of upcoming events and reminders.

   For your child's first day of school, we are reading The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and making a project related to the story.

The children will experience their first music class with Mrs. Nelson today. Music is scheduled for 1/2 hour time slots approximately 1-2 days per week.

 The children will be exploring with math tubs that include: Pattern Blocks, Color Tiles, Connecting Cubes, and 3-D Blocks.

Irish Pride

 Be Respectful-Be Ready-Be Responsible
We are kicking off the school year with a school-wide assembly at 1:15 to learn about Irish Pride. You will hear a lot about it
this year.

 
~Be sure to check your child's Roundtrip Folder and return it the next day.
~Please return the scrapbook page as soon as possible so it can be assembled into a class book.
~Be sure to have a beach towel, small blanket, or mat for Quiet Time and a spare set of clothes/undergarments to store in their locker.
~If you did not choose the Snack Cart option, please send a shoebox size plastic bin w/lid filled with individual snacks for your child. Dry snacks are preferred.~Kindergarten Parent Night is Thursday, September 12 from 6:00-6:45.