Week of October 21 - 25
Reading - Dig Dig Digging
We experienced our first informational text and discussed the difference between informational texts and stories, as well as reviewed realistic fiction and fantasy. We focused on the letter Tt and the sound /t/ as an initial sound and as and ending sound. We began the first stages of writing a story about something we know. We brainstormed ideas by drawing pictures and narrowed down our choices. We then drew pictures to show beginning, middle, and end of the story. Finally we drafted sentences to go with the pictures. In the coming weeks we will revisit the story and make revisions by adding details and changing wording, edit to be certain that our spelling and word spacing is correct, and finally write a final draft.
Math
We worked on counting sets of objects up to ten, comparing numbers to five and comparing numbers to ten. We use the 5-frame and 10-frame to quickly identify the quantities of 5 and 10 and to compare other numbers to them. We also worked on the concepts of more and fewer, adding the math vocabulary: greater and less. I have found that the students are able to grasp the concept of more or greater much easier than that of fewer or less, particularly when it comes to creating groups that have fewer than a given number. At home you can reinforce these concepts by asking your child to show you a group of a certain number and then show another group with 1 more and another group with 1 fewer.
Science - Five Senses
We reviewed the five senses and created a picture poem of the five senses as they relate to Autumn. We will continue our study of the five senses this week using Halloween as a topic.
Special events this coming week
Please see Mrs. Schindler's Colt Express for the most up-to-date information.
Wednesday, October 30 - No mass today due to Holy Day on Friday - therefore regular uniform.
Thursday, October 31 - Halloween Party begins at 1:45. Students may wear Halloween shirts with uniform bottoms. We will not be wearing or changing into costumes on this day.
Friday, November 1 - All Saints' Day - Mass at 8:00 a.m. Students may wear a dress up as a saint for the day of wear Mass Uniform. This is the first Friday of the month, so it is a noon dismissal.
Monday, October 21, 2013
October 21
It was a pleasure to see and speak with everyone during conferences.
Week of October 14 - 18.
Due to the short week, we spent much of our time in reading and language arts reviewing the stories, songs, and concepts that we had been studying during the previous 5 weeks. We also delved into science with a compare/contrast of make believe mice in stories and real mice. The children came up with a two column list, which we call a T-sheet, showing the differences between make believe and real mice. The children were then able to choose one fact and draw and label the two sides. We also used the scientific method to predict and then test the number of objects would cause a floating card to sink. We tried various objects and made the observation that heavier objects required fewer to sink the card. In math, we continued counting to ten using objects to show one-to-one correspondence. We also created growing patterns, in which each part of the set has one more item than the previous one.
Pearson Website for Reading Street and enVision Math
As I tried to remember to each of you, this week I will start making assignments available on the website. This is so you can access more content and activities. I do not, at this time, expect anything to be returned to school. Try to set aside some time each week for you Kindergartener to access this site. There is a wealth of activities to reinforce skills we are learning in class and also many that provide enrichment to give you child a challenge if needed. I sent home a letter several weeks ago giving you your child's username and password to access the site. If you need another copy of that, please let me know.
Handwriting
Last week I started having the children practice writing their first and last names. I will emphasize the proper formation of letters. We will most likely practice this at school three to four times each week. I will be assisting children at school on one letter at a time. The point here is for them to see their own progress. I will be sending a sheet for home practice later this week. Please limit this practice to once per day. I will also send an additional copy of the handwriting alphabet so you can help your child in proper letter formation. At this point I am focusing on keeping the letter in the correct space on the line and that the letters are formed from the top to the bottom. This is important because improper formation of the letters can lead to problems with reading fluency later.
Upcoming Events - Please see Mrs. Schindler's Colt Express for the most updated information.
Friday, Oct. 25 - Jeans Day. Students may wear jeans with their uniform tops or Fiesta Dinner Auction shirts. Fall Festival 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. - Children may wear their Halloween costumes to this fun evening event.
Thursday, Oct. 31 - Halloween colors shirts with uniform bottoms. Halloween Party will start at 1:45. Students will not wear Halloween costumes on this day.
Friday, Nov. 1 - Feast of All Saints - Mass Uniforms - Mass at 8 a.m. Eucharistic Adoration 11:15 - 11:45. Noon Dismissal.
Week of October 14 - 18.
Due to the short week, we spent much of our time in reading and language arts reviewing the stories, songs, and concepts that we had been studying during the previous 5 weeks. We also delved into science with a compare/contrast of make believe mice in stories and real mice. The children came up with a two column list, which we call a T-sheet, showing the differences between make believe and real mice. The children were then able to choose one fact and draw and label the two sides. We also used the scientific method to predict and then test the number of objects would cause a floating card to sink. We tried various objects and made the observation that heavier objects required fewer to sink the card. In math, we continued counting to ten using objects to show one-to-one correspondence. We also created growing patterns, in which each part of the set has one more item than the previous one.
Pearson Website for Reading Street and enVision Math
As I tried to remember to each of you, this week I will start making assignments available on the website. This is so you can access more content and activities. I do not, at this time, expect anything to be returned to school. Try to set aside some time each week for you Kindergartener to access this site. There is a wealth of activities to reinforce skills we are learning in class and also many that provide enrichment to give you child a challenge if needed. I sent home a letter several weeks ago giving you your child's username and password to access the site. If you need another copy of that, please let me know.
Handwriting
Last week I started having the children practice writing their first and last names. I will emphasize the proper formation of letters. We will most likely practice this at school three to four times each week. I will be assisting children at school on one letter at a time. The point here is for them to see their own progress. I will be sending a sheet for home practice later this week. Please limit this practice to once per day. I will also send an additional copy of the handwriting alphabet so you can help your child in proper letter formation. At this point I am focusing on keeping the letter in the correct space on the line and that the letters are formed from the top to the bottom. This is important because improper formation of the letters can lead to problems with reading fluency later.
Upcoming Events - Please see Mrs. Schindler's Colt Express for the most updated information.
Friday, Oct. 25 - Jeans Day. Students may wear jeans with their uniform tops or Fiesta Dinner Auction shirts. Fall Festival 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. - Children may wear their Halloween costumes to this fun evening event.
Thursday, Oct. 31 - Halloween colors shirts with uniform bottoms. Halloween Party will start at 1:45. Students will not wear Halloween costumes on this day.
Friday, Nov. 1 - Feast of All Saints - Mass Uniforms - Mass at 8 a.m. Eucharistic Adoration 11:15 - 11:45. Noon Dismissal.
Friday, October 11, 2013
Week of October 7 - 11
What a fun week we had!
Reading
Our story this week featured familiar characters from Trucktown in "Smash! Crash!" This was a very fun story. Our Amazing words for this week are: perfect, proper, fabulous, dud, pirate, and signal. We have added two new words to our words we can read: 'to' and 'a.' We focused on the letter m and the sound /m/. We listened for the sound /m/ at the beginning of words and also at the end of words.
Math
We have been counting quantities up to ten and writing the numerals to represent those quantities. We are spending time with counters to show one-to-one correspondence for these numbers. Through our Calendar Time we have been able to skip count by 2's, 5's, and 10's.
Religion
Because we prayed the rosary as a school on Wednesday in lieu of Mass, we learned about the rosary this week. We learned that the mysteries are events in the lives of Mary and Jesus that help us grow closer to God. We focused this week on the Joyful Mysteries.
Social Studies
We have been focusing on cooperation as the theme with our Reading Street Program. This week we made posters to show community helpers. We also learned about Columbus, since Columbus Day is coming up next week.
Science
We learned about different kinds of animals and where they make their homes. We made little books about animal homes.
Reading
Our story this week featured familiar characters from Trucktown in "Smash! Crash!" This was a very fun story. Our Amazing words for this week are: perfect, proper, fabulous, dud, pirate, and signal. We have added two new words to our words we can read: 'to' and 'a.' We focused on the letter m and the sound /m/. We listened for the sound /m/ at the beginning of words and also at the end of words.
Math
We have been counting quantities up to ten and writing the numerals to represent those quantities. We are spending time with counters to show one-to-one correspondence for these numbers. Through our Calendar Time we have been able to skip count by 2's, 5's, and 10's.
Religion
Because we prayed the rosary as a school on Wednesday in lieu of Mass, we learned about the rosary this week. We learned that the mysteries are events in the lives of Mary and Jesus that help us grow closer to God. We focused this week on the Joyful Mysteries.
Social Studies
We have been focusing on cooperation as the theme with our Reading Street Program. This week we made posters to show community helpers. We also learned about Columbus, since Columbus Day is coming up next week.
Science
We learned about different kinds of animals and where they make their homes. We made little books about animal homes.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Week of September 30 - October 4
Math News
Our Math materials have arrived! We are now able to be more effective with our math program. Each child will have an individual math mat to use with manipulatives and writing numerals. We will continue to use the interactive whiteboard, but the math mats will enable better engagement by all students.
Reading News
We have now been introduced to all the letters of the alphabet. You can help your child with letter recognition by playing games with them, in which they find and point out and name letters they know. We have begun listening to beginning sounds of words. Challenge your child to say the sound they hear at the beginning of words. We have added the following "Amazing Words" to our oral vocabulary: chaperone, library, bakery, post office, park, and fire station. We have four words on our list of high frequency words: I, am, the, and little. You can help your child commit these words to memory by pointing them out in books that you read together and on signs and other environmental print.
Library Day
We have made our first class trip to the school library. Our Library day is Friday. Please help your child remember to return library books each week so that they may choose another book each time we go to the library.
Rosary this Wednesday
We will be praying the rosary as a school on Wednesday of this coming week in lieu of Mass. We will be learning about the rosary; what it is, the basics of the mysteries, and reciting the Hail Mary and Our Father, during Religion this week. If your child has a rosary, please send it to school with them on Wednesday.
Conference forms
If you have not returned your conference time request form, please do so as soon as possible. The teachers will be coordinating conference schedules in an effort to cluster conferences for families with multiple children. You will be receiving your conference time form by Friday. Please confirm the time via the bottom of the form by Monday, October 14.
Math News
Our Math materials have arrived! We are now able to be more effective with our math program. Each child will have an individual math mat to use with manipulatives and writing numerals. We will continue to use the interactive whiteboard, but the math mats will enable better engagement by all students.
Reading News
We have now been introduced to all the letters of the alphabet. You can help your child with letter recognition by playing games with them, in which they find and point out and name letters they know. We have begun listening to beginning sounds of words. Challenge your child to say the sound they hear at the beginning of words. We have added the following "Amazing Words" to our oral vocabulary: chaperone, library, bakery, post office, park, and fire station. We have four words on our list of high frequency words: I, am, the, and little. You can help your child commit these words to memory by pointing them out in books that you read together and on signs and other environmental print.
Library Day
We have made our first class trip to the school library. Our Library day is Friday. Please help your child remember to return library books each week so that they may choose another book each time we go to the library.
Rosary this Wednesday
We will be praying the rosary as a school on Wednesday of this coming week in lieu of Mass. We will be learning about the rosary; what it is, the basics of the mysteries, and reciting the Hail Mary and Our Father, during Religion this week. If your child has a rosary, please send it to school with them on Wednesday.
Conference forms
If you have not returned your conference time request form, please do so as soon as possible. The teachers will be coordinating conference schedules in an effort to cluster conferences for families with multiple children. You will be receiving your conference time form by Friday. Please confirm the time via the bottom of the form by Monday, October 14.
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