Tuesday, September 15

Tuesday, September 15

Letter Focus: Aa
Every letter has a hand gesture that I am teaching with the sounds. Not all children hear the sound alone. Some children need to 'see & feel' the sound in order to make a connection to the letter/sound symbol. Below is a link that will bring you to a short YouTube video that you can do with your child. If your child is needing some extra support, I encourage you to do this video with your child at least 4 times a week. Just click on the words 'Visual Phonics Chant' and it will bring you to the video.
Visual Phonics Chant
 Handwriting: Uppercase A

Name Focus: Avery
Math: Each day we do the calendar, the children will be involved through the use of their "calendar pages". We will focus our math time this week on learning how to fill in these pages so we have a good handle on how to use them.

SMART Room: Look for pictures of all the stations in the coming days...
 PhyEd Day

Bus Safety

Staying seated while the bus is moving.

Monday, September 14

Monday, September 14 

Our alphabet journey begins today: Letter Aa

 Name Focus: Rayna

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) 

Math: Roll & Record  

Rolling a dot cube, the children will identify the matching number or amount of dots and color the corresponding picture. 

Modeling: Dry Erase Marker/Whiteboards

How will this tool help our learning? How can we take care of it so it is ready when we need it? Where do I put the marker and whiteboard when I am finished?

 Music Today

The children are continuing to learn about the calendar routine that is presented every day.

SMART Room: The kids will be introduced to this room today. We spend 1/2 hour a day in this room designed for movement while incorporating small and large motor movements with academic skills. 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.

Bus Safety

Over the next few days, the kids will learn about safety ideas for the bus. Today, we will focus on waiting for the bus in a safe place and being on time for the bus. 

~We enjoyed helping Elijah celebrate his birthday on Friday:

~The children were on the hunt for the animals that jumped out of the story Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?

~If you haven't done so, please return your framed family photo soon to complete our 'homey' room. We also need your scrapbook page. Thank you!

Friday, September 11

                     Friday, September 11
Happy Birthday Elijah! (tomorrow)

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 take a tour of our school.

PhyEd: 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 and other staff supervise this activity every day so you can be assured your child is safe.
The children will meet Wiggles the Dog to learn about our classroom rules. At the conclusion of the lesson, they are making Wiggles!

We have computer class with Miss Casebolt today from 9:20-9:50. We see her once a week.

 Irish Pride: Cafeteria Expectations
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.

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

If you can remind your child of these points, the expectations become internalized quicker.

~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, your child's 4 x 6 photo, and your framed family photo on Monday if you haven't done so already-thank you.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Thursday, September 10

Thursday, September 10 

 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.

Music with Mrs. Hoselton from 1:20-1:50 today.

Math: More exploration with the math manipulatives. Children need to freely explore materials before asked to use them for a specific purpose.
Mrs. Kosloski's 5th Grade class will be doing a cute back to school rules Readers' Theater for our class today.
~The children will learn about hallway and bathroom expectations today. 

* The book order is due tomorrow.
~Our school's Partners in Education (PIE) Committee is excited to invite you to enjoy some fun, laughter, and friendly competition at our first EVER Family Game Night on Tuesday, September 29 at 6:15 in the elementary cafeteria. Games will be available for purchase by Gamewright Games.

Wednesday, September 9

     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...
~Learning the "lining-up" routine...
~Mrs. Ludwig is an Intervention Teacher who is helping us learn about the cafeteria expectations again today. Mrs. Weninger, our school Social Worker, will talk with the kids about "expected/unexpected" behavior. Finally, Miss Jodie (para) will teach the kids the expectations for walking to the bus and using the crosswalk at the end of the day.

 Math:

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

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*...

PhyEd with Mr. Ronnenberg will be from 1:20-1:50 today. Check out his welcome video here: 
/http://ronnenbergblog.blogspot.com/

~ Be sure to empty your child's Roundtrip Folder and return it the next day. It is helpful to place the Communication Notebook on the 'Bring right back' side. The Wednesday envelope can be folded and placed on that side as well.  Please empty, sign, and return the envelope tomorrow. Thank you!

~The book order is due Friday, September 11. The book order will come home the first Wednesday of each month. You can order online or send in the order in a sealed envelope with cash or check made to Scholastic.
~If you haven't done so, please return your child's 4 x 6 photo of something they enjoy doing and your framed family family photo. Thanks!

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Welcome to the wonderful world of Kindergarten! Get ready for an INCREDIBLE year of discovery and learning! Here we go...your child's educational 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 so you can talk with your child about specific things that go on during their day. I will also let you know of upcoming events and reminders so it will be important to read my blog each day!

   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. Hoselton today. Music is scheduled for a half-hour every other day.

 The children will be learning about how to get their lunch tray and the routine/procedures involved during lunch.

Irish Pride

 Be Respectful-Be Ready-Be Responsible
We are kicking off the school year with a school-wide assembly at 8:45 to learn about Irish Pride. You will hear a lot about this strong character building initiative in our school!

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 crayon use 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**

  
~I attempted to personally call each of my k-kids yesterday to wish them well for today. If your child didn't get to talk to me personally, I sure hope they got the message from me!
~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 spare set of clothes/undergarments to store in your child's locker. A beach towel for Quiet Time is needed as well.
~ If you didn't choose the snack cart option, please send a shoebox size, plastic bin w/lid filled with individual snacks for your child. 
~Kindergarten Parent Night is Thursday, September 17 from 6:00-6:45 in our classroom.
~The book order is due Friday, September 11.
Click here to access our Kindergarten Calendar...it's always available on the right column of my blog.