Look at What's Been Happening in our Room

Take a look at some of the many fun things we have been working on:

We had so much fun using math and reading comprehension to complete our VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR sheets:

We also enjoyed sorting math pieces by shape and color and counting how many we had in each group:

We enjoyed creating and "visualizing" number arrangements.  We learned that there are many ways we can use square tiles to create groups of two, three, four, etc.

 

We also learned what it means to be a strong "self-reader" in our classroom. 

We shop for a good book:

We find a quiet place to sit for the entire read to self time:

And we know we can read a book in three ways: 

1. We can look for letters and words we know
2. We can look at the pictures
3. We can look at the pictures and make up our own story

Our favorite part of the day is free choice. We love using the different toys and materials in our room in new and exciting ways:

Week 4 Update

I hope that you enjoyed a nice long weekend. The weather was perfect for raking leaves, visiting the apple orchard and snuggling in pajamas.  I certainly did all of those things!

We are off to a busy start this week.   We are beginning to work on our handwriting---we practice on our whiteboards and then work with pencil and paper.  Learning how to write each letter can be very tricky, so any help families can offer at home would be wonderful.

Ask your student to show you the sounds and signs we use to learn each letter.  The same chart we use at school is in your red folder.  The kids know that they use their left hand to make each sign. They giggle when I put a marker dot on their left hand each morning ( I tell them, "Please don't tell anyone I am writing on your hand with marker---shhhhhh I am breaking a teacher rule.").  I will be sending home alphabet flash cards with every student by the beginning of October.

This week we are continuing to focus on the sight words I and CAN.  This week in folders, I will be sending home sight word flash cards to practice.  Continue to review I and CAN this week at home. Post them on the refrigerator, practice writing them, etc.

We played a fun game on our smartboard this week.  The students pick a letter for us to write 3 times each on our white boards. After that, we get to figure out which pictures start with that letter.  We know we got the correct picture when it lights up in color.  Here is the website for you to try at home on your computer.  I will also post the website link on the right hand side of the blog under the LINKS section.

Book Orders

This is a reminder that our Scholastic Book orders are due by September 30th.  So far we only have 1 family that has taken advantage, online, of these wonderful deals on meaningful books.  Also, the more orders I get online, the more bonus points I receive to get great things for our classroom.  All you have to do to make an order is:

1. Go to scholastic.com
2. Get to the book club part
3. Enter my classroom password: J3WZL
4. Complete your order!

Hopefully you will take advantage of Scholastic's wonderful offers. If you have any questions regarding the book orders, shoot me an email and I will help you through it.  Also, be aware that you can browse all the Scholastic catalogues online!  Happy shopping!

Thanks for your support!

I will be sending out October book orders next week.

Our Wish Tree

Outside of our kindergarten classroom is a big wish tree.  It has leaves on it with specific classroom items that we are still in need of. If you would like to donate an item, simply take a leaf from the tree and send it with your student when you bring the item. We are so greatly appreciative of any donations.  The tree will be up all year with updated items.

Reminders:

• Apple orchard field trip forms were sent home in folders Monday and Tuesday. Please fill out and return no later than September 28th. Volunteer forms for the field trip are due Friday September 23.
• Picture Day: Thursday September 22: B Day: 9:00
• Picture Day: Friday September 23: A Day: 9:00
• Please do not forget to send in picture order forms and money on your student's picture day.
• Book orders are due September 30th.
• If you have not sent a paint shirt with your student, plaese do so ASAP.
• Look for weekly newsletters to come home Thursdays and Fridays in your student's folder.
• October monthly calenders will be sent home the last Thursday and Friday of September.
• Please remember all snacks need to be peanut free!

Week Three

Take a look at our week so far.... we have been busy working on counting, colors and even journal writing.  We are practicing writing parts of sentences with high frequency words that we know. This week we have been focusing on the words I and can.  We have started to work on shapes, and in art the students even got to create shapes and lines pictures.  I really enjoy learning about all the things our talented students can do.

Check out our best work:

One to one number correspondence activity with CHICKA CHICKA BOOM BOOM

Shapes and Lines activity with Mrs. Heckendorf in art.

 Journal writing using I CAN sentences:

Week 2

We have had a very exciting week in kindergarten. We have slowly but surely adjusted to our new A and B classes and have really enjoyed getting to know a smaller group of friends. We worked hard on learning the letters A-G and their signs. We did many fun activities with colors...we LOVED making our own Brown Bear, Brown Bear books. We practiced the sight word I and how I can be a word and a letter. We did a lot of counting practice, and learned about "groups of two." Take a look at some of our very best work:

Welcome Kindergarten Families

Welcome to Room 116. We have a wonderful year ahead of us.  Last week was a time of change, new emotions, routines and experiences. Thank you so much for being patient, helpful and flexible during the week.  We are continuing to get to know each other and adjust to being in two wonderful A and B classes.  Please visit the calendar on the left hand side of the website. I have created specific pieces of important kindergarten family information in different colors so you can track what you need to easily:

• Kindergarten Snack Helpers: Red
• A/B Rotation Schedule: Green
• Kindergarten Birthdays: Yellow
• Important Dates and Events: Orange
• Weekly Themes: Purple
• Specialist Schedule: Blue

I will continue to send out weekly and monthly newsletters and calendars in folders, and I will upload each onto this website to download there as well.

On the right hand side of the page you will find many useful links for kindergarten parents and their students to try together at home. Each website was chosen to meet specific Minnesota reading, math and science standards.  By clicking on a link, you should be directed to the appropriate game.

Look for this website to be updated a few times weekly--I will be posting student work, daily happenings, funny things the kids say and photos of our class during the day (with written family permission).

I am interested to hear any other way that this website can be helpful to you during your student's kindergarten year.  Please feel free to make comments on the website daily. Under each specific post, click on the comments section to write a comment, or reply to a previously made comment. 

I am looking forward to a wonderful year of learning, growing and excitement.  It is my honor to be your student's teacher for the next nine months.