Columbus Day

Happy Friday!

This week, we studied Christopher Columbus and why we will celebrate him on Monday.  Students listened to a story on Book flix, a Scholastic website, that explained Christopher Columbus' journey from Spain to America. 

During Literacy Centers, students learned how to complete color by number activities. We completed 1 Columbus Day color by number and have another one for homework!

Each student got their own Columbus Day book to read as a group and color.  The books explain who Christopher Columbus is and the adventures he went on.  Kindergarteners can try to read this book to you this weekend!

Our last Literacy Center focused on learning about letter "o."  Kindergarteners traced the letter, colored the picture, generated words that begin with /o/ and even practiced beautiful handwriting on the back.  We worked so hard!

Team work

It is important to learn to work as a team. In math, students built number puzzles in pairs, small groups and large groups. We practiced using kind words, taking turns and being a supportive friend. We all finished our puzzles! 

Fall Conference Sign Ups

Please click the link to sign up for a Fall Conference

Community Helpers

We have been learning about different Community Helpers and Kindergarteners decided which one they would like to be when they grow up.  The pictures they created are amazing!  Each student focused on details like the Community Helpers clothing and tools. Some students even labeled the picture with words!

 This week, our Shared Reading focuses on how Kindergarteners can help each other in different places.  We learned sight word "I" and added it to our word wall.  We are also going to learn the word "at" this week! Ask your Kindergartener what other words we have on our word wall.

It's important to talk about WHY people have jobs.  At school, Kindergarteners have jobs all around the classroom like putting up chairs, fixing the clip chart, turning the schedule pieces and delivering notes to the office.  This week, we decided to earn coins (instead of pom-poms) for our hard work, just like grown ups!  Students add 5 coins to our classroom jar for completing jobs, showing expected behavior, and doing their best! Look how many coins we've earned already! I wonder what we will buy when it's full :)

Arrival Routine Change

On Friday, we met our Safety Patrols! Safety Patrols are responsible 5th graders who have been nominated by teachers to assist Kindergarten students to their classrooms in the morning. We will no longer line up as a class in front of Stapleton School in the morning. As students arrive, 5th graders will walk them down to their classroom to ensure safety and increase time on learning. In addition to Safety Patrols, Kindergarten teachers will continue to be visible at different arrival posts. 

If you are dropping your Kindergartner off, please use the Elm Street drive up method. Mr. Mac, Mr. Burrill and 5th Grade Safety Patrols will be on Elm street in order to assist Kindergarteners exiting cars and walk them safely to Kindergarten door 13. 

We are excited to begin the new arrival process and understand that K students may not remember the names of each Safety Patrol. Many K students have been paired with multiple Patrols in order to reduce wait time and help them get their day started right away. Please email me if you have any questions regarding the new arrival procedure.

n & m

During literacy centers this week, Kindergarteners have been printing letters n & m, generating words that begin with those letters, and manipulating magnets on our Fundations boards. 

We also started our Community Helpers unit this week. Students learned a new shared reading and read individual books about many community helpers. We have been very busy! 

Homework

Happy Friday!  Students had an amazing 5 day week!  In phonics, we have been practicing the names of 3 lowercase letters, t,b, & f.  We have been practicing printing them appropriately and saying the most commonly associated sound of each letter.

We started homework! Kindergarteners have been so responsible we are excited to start our new responsibility.  Homework is optional.  Students who complete homework and return it to school receive a sticker.  He/She chooses whether to wear the sticker or put it on the completed homework page.

Today we are sending home the letter f fundations page for homework.

The directions are:

1) Write your name at the top

2) Trace the black letter

3)  Make 2 of your own to the left and right of the black letter

4) Color the picture using your best coloring.

5) Think of 3 things that start with the sound and draw pictures of them.

Each letter page will have the same 5 directions. Have fun!