Week Four

Highlights of Last Week...
We now all know at least four letter sounds, "c", "o", "g", and "a". Soon, those who are not already blending, will be blending the four sounds... so any extra assistance on your end is greatly appreciated! Here's how you can help... while driving around in the car or even sitting at home, try looking around and finding things that begin with our reviewed letter sounds. Such as... "apple" for the letter sound "a", "cat" for the letter sound "c", "garbage" for the letter sound "g", and "olives" for the letter sound "o". If your children are those already blending, continued reiforcement is always appreciated.
One of my favorite times from last week would have to include introducing the concept of vowells. After my instruction of what vowells are, I asked the children to say the vowells as I pointed to them along our wall. Well... we tried this in various "voices", beginning with our "Kindergarten" voice. On our last "voice" I thought it would be fun to try sounding like a horse. As they all simultaneously recited the vowells in "horse" voice while shaking their heads, I couldn't help but crack up. Please ask your children to recite the vowells in "horse" voice, I promise you will laugh too :)

Reading:

• Whole group study- the letter 'd'
• Continued reading groups, fun packets, and centers

Math:

Chapter two objectives...

• Compare numbers 0 to 5
• Order numbers 0 to 5
• Identify and write numbers 0 to 5

Language Arts:

• Follow simple directions
• Share ideas, information, opinions, and questions

Reminders...
Mid quarter progress reports will be going home tomorrow, keep an eye out! Please make sure your children arrive on time. Please, please, please make sure I know you have your children before you take them at the end of the day. And... we do have a case of lice in the classroom, so please check your child's hair. Friday is noon release! Happy Labor Day weekend :)

Needed...

• Paper towells (and paper towell rolls)
• Magic erasers
• Glue sticks

Thanks Again :)

Week Three

Highlights of last week...
We successfully completed our first test! It was a math test and after all of the initial "What's a test?" questions and my initial "uh oh" reaction, all went well :) So congrats to our little ones for takin' it like a champ!
Science was a blast. Literally! We sent off Mentos rockets, and...well...attempted to send off Alka Seltzer rockets. The kids also enjoyed experimenting with the "sink or float" concept; we sat in a circle around our tub of water and everyone was awarded a chance to throw something in. One classmate even tested out their flip flop, it floated.
Mrs. Romm shared Native American artifacts with all of Kindergarten to enhance our learning regarding the early inhabitants of North America. Our class seemed to enjoy listening to the Native American music the most. I asked them to close their eyes, feel the music, then explain to us what they saw in their mind... and what colorful responses! Kindergartners are so imaginative. They saw themselves hunting buffalo, picking berries, and running through flower fields!
We ended our week with a yummy pizza party, celebrating every one's hard work. Thanks for the donations and support!

Reading:

• Whole group study- the letter 'A'
• Continued Reading groups, Fun packets, and Centers
• New center introduced: The Listening Center- The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Math:

Chapter Two Objectives...

• To identify whole numbers 0-5
• To write numbers 0-5
• To understand one-to-one correspondence

Language Arts:

• To listen and respond to stories, poems, and nonfiction
• To identify vowels

Reminders...

Call the front office if your child is going to be absent (480) 981-3577.

Read the week's letter book EVERY night, then document on the reading log.

Show and tell EVERY Friday

P.E. every Tuesday, please dress your child accordingly.

The FIRST page of Homework due every Friday, I look to see that it has been done :)

Tutoring begins this week. I have chosen Thursday but will most likely continue tutoring on Tuesdays for the following weeks. I will notify you regarding your child's invitation to tutoring.

Needed...

• Printer Paper
• Paper Towel Rolls
• Glue sticks, we go through 'em like water :)

Thanks for everything!

Week Two

Hey there!
Let's begin with a few reminders...

CURRICULUM NIGHT on THURSDAY.
Show and Tell EVERY Friday.
Read and document reading the letter book (sent home on Mondays) EACH day THROUGHOUT the week.
Sign and return weekly progress reports.
Sign and return the FIRST (and only first) page of homework packets when completed.

Reading:

• Whole group study- the letter 'G'
• Continued Reading groups, Fun packets, and Centers

Math:

We will complete the second portion of chapter one.
Chapter 1 Objectives...

• To compare and sort objects.
• To construct simple displays of data using pictures or objects.

Language Arts:

• To follow simple directions.
• To recognize alphabet letters in both lowercase and uppercase.

Up and Coming Events...
Curriculum Night: Thursday, August 20, 4:30 P.M.
Cambridge T shirt Orders Deadline: Extended- Friday, August 21

Needed...
Tempera Paint (all colors)
Googly Eyes

And...
Thanks again for all of the support. I absolutely love my new job and hope that your children enjoy me in return! Weekly volunteers are still needed. The time of need spans 8:50-10:20. Please email me if you are interested: rachelallen21@gmail.com.

Week One

Hey there!
Congratulations, we have accomplished our first full week of Kindergarten! Independent work continues to be a struggle for our little ones but we'll get there.
Here's what's on the agenda this week...

Reading:

• Reading groups, fun packets, and centers (introduced this week)
• Whole group study- the letter 'O'

Math:
All math homework reinforces the current week's instruction.
Chapter 1 Objectives...

• To compare and sort objects.
• To construct simple displays of data using pictures or objects.

Language Arts:
Objectives...

• To follow simple directions.
• To recognize alphabet letters in both lowercase and uppercase.

Also...
Please be on the lookout for this week's homework packet, you can find it in the "To: Home" pocket of your child's take-home folder.
Make sure you are reading (documenting) the letter book, sent home each week, daily.

Up and Coming Events...

• PTA Meeting: Wednesday, August 12, 6:00 P.M.
• Cambridge T-shirt orders are due: Friday, August 14
• Curriculum Night: Thursday, August 20, 4:30-5:00 P.M. (I'll be sending out invites!)

And...
Thanks for everything. I really feel so grateful to have such wonderful, supportive parents my first year of teaching!

Our First Newsletter!

Alright, so this is the class blog. I'll be updating every Monday by 7:00 p.m.

Today is the 3rd day of school and we're off to a good start! While school is an adjustment, the kiddos seem to be loving it. Today, we enjoyed Armando's suggestion to walk (act) like a train all the way to recess. I laughed the whole way as I heard the students chant "chugga chugga choo choo" and "all aboard" in the background! It was very cute.
I sent off the take home folders today... please make and read the book in the "To: School" pocket with your child, then document it on the provided reading log.
Remember class begins at 8:00 a.m. while dismissal is at 2:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 1:15 on Fridays.
Volunteers: A schedule will be out soon!
Needs: I would love a donation of 11 x 17 construction paper for our art book.

Thanks to everyone for the supplies and support.

Love,
Mrs. Allen