Sunday, December 8, 2013
Week of December 2-6
Reading/Language Arts
This week we read "A Bed for the Winter." It is an informational text, showing a dormouse as she encounters various animals in their winter homes as she looks for an appropriate place to make her winter home. We learned the names of various animal homes, including: nest, den, cave, and hive. We focused in the letter 'Ii' and the short i sound. We identified words that begin with the short i sound and words that have the short i sound in the middle.
Math
We have been exploring numbers up to 100. We have used a hundred chart to recognize patterns and find numbers that are missing from a sequence. We have practiced counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s.
Social Studies
We have been learning about the Native Americans in various regions of the country. We will be finished with this topic in the next few days and children will bring home the charts they have been working on throughout this unit of study. We have color coded each region on a map and matched the color on the charts. The children will be able to tell about the food, clothing, and homes used by each the Native Americans in each region.
Religion
With the start of Advent, the whole school is participating in an Advent prayer serving each morning. In the classroom, we are doing a Jesse Tree that uses a few more symbols than the one in place for the whole school. We are remembering the Bible stories we have already learned this year that are part of the Jesse Tree. We will be learning some new stories as well. We will also be making a nativity scene for the classroom.
Upcoming Events
Please be sure to check Mrs. Schindler's Colt Express for information that involves the whole school.
Thursday, December 12 - Christmas Program - See email from Mrs. Dusbabek regarding reporting times and dress for the event.
Friday, December 20 - Noon Dismissal. Christmas Party - look for information from our Room Parents to help out with the Christmas Party.
Christmas Break begins at noon, December 20. Students return to school Tuesday, January 7.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Week of November 4 - 8
Reading - Nature Spy
This week we learned what it means to be a "nature spy." We added the following Amazing Words to our Oral Vocabulary: discover, nature, spy, pattern, pod, acorn. We went on a nature walk to the church yard and the area behind the playground, where we found many specimens of leaves, flowers, pinecones, rocks, and other treasures. We brought our collections back to the classroom and examined them with magnifying glasses to get a good close look. We also learned to write a list of the items collected. We focused on the sound /s/ as a beginning sound and as an ending sound in words. Miss Wilson is encouraging all students to write words by using the sounds they hear. This invented spelling is developmentally appropriate. Some students are able to identify and spell middle sounds, but most are only able to get the beginning and ending sounds for most words.
Math - Counting up to 20
We have learned to recognize, read, and write the numbers for the quantities 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. We use counters to show each number. We use a ten-frame as the main format to show these numbers. This helps us keep our thinking organized and helps us understand that these numbers are greater than 10. IN the coming week we will continue to count, read, and write numbers 16 - 20.
Religion
We read the story of Zacchaeus and created a picture of Zacchaeus in the tree being called by Jesus. We also read the story of the Loaves and Fishes, where we learned that Jesus multiplied the gift from the little boy to feed the multitude of people. We learned that Jesus can do the same with the gifts that we have to offer.
Social Studies
In preparation for Veterans' Day, we learned the song "Yankee Doodle." We made hats and decorated them with macaroni to go with the song and to wear when we sing the song at the Veterans' Day Assembly on Monday.
Upcoming Events
Please see Mrs. Schindler's Colt Express for the most up-to-date information.
Monday, November 11 - Veterans' Day Assembly 1:45 in the gym. Families are invited. Students may wear Red, White, or Blue shirts with regular uniform bottoms.
Book Fair - open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. An information flyer was sent home on Friday in the Take Home Folder. Your child will visit the book fair on Monday to create a wist list. You may then decide what books you are interested in purchasing. If you choose to send the money with your child to make the purchases during school hours, please send a note with the wish list indicating what your child is allowed to buy. I will not allow students to spend money without a note from you. Of course, you may visit the book fair and make the purchases yourself.
Reading - Nature Spy
This week we learned what it means to be a "nature spy." We added the following Amazing Words to our Oral Vocabulary: discover, nature, spy, pattern, pod, acorn. We went on a nature walk to the church yard and the area behind the playground, where we found many specimens of leaves, flowers, pinecones, rocks, and other treasures. We brought our collections back to the classroom and examined them with magnifying glasses to get a good close look. We also learned to write a list of the items collected. We focused on the sound /s/ as a beginning sound and as an ending sound in words. Miss Wilson is encouraging all students to write words by using the sounds they hear. This invented spelling is developmentally appropriate. Some students are able to identify and spell middle sounds, but most are only able to get the beginning and ending sounds for most words.
Math - Counting up to 20
We have learned to recognize, read, and write the numbers for the quantities 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. We use counters to show each number. We use a ten-frame as the main format to show these numbers. This helps us keep our thinking organized and helps us understand that these numbers are greater than 10. IN the coming week we will continue to count, read, and write numbers 16 - 20.
Religion
We read the story of Zacchaeus and created a picture of Zacchaeus in the tree being called by Jesus. We also read the story of the Loaves and Fishes, where we learned that Jesus multiplied the gift from the little boy to feed the multitude of people. We learned that Jesus can do the same with the gifts that we have to offer.
Social Studies
In preparation for Veterans' Day, we learned the song "Yankee Doodle." We made hats and decorated them with macaroni to go with the song and to wear when we sing the song at the Veterans' Day Assembly on Monday.
Upcoming Events
Please see Mrs. Schindler's Colt Express for the most up-to-date information.
Monday, November 11 - Veterans' Day Assembly 1:45 in the gym. Families are invited. Students may wear Red, White, or Blue shirts with regular uniform bottoms.
Book Fair - open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. An information flyer was sent home on Friday in the Take Home Folder. Your child will visit the book fair on Monday to create a wist list. You may then decide what books you are interested in purchasing. If you choose to send the money with your child to make the purchases during school hours, please send a note with the wish list indicating what your child is allowed to buy. I will not allow students to spend money without a note from you. Of course, you may visit the book fair and make the purchases yourself.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Week of October 28 - November 1
Thank you so much to all who planned and contributed to the Halloween party. The kids had a great time.
Reading - Flowers
We experienced reading an informational text that included a table of contents, glossary, and index. The book told about flowers and how they are important to plants. We learned 6 new Amazing words: seeds, fruit, buds, stems, bloom, and petals. We added "have" and "is" to our list of high frequency words. We have started blending words together by listening for the sounds made by individual letters and then blending those sound. We have focused on words ending with "at" and "am." Additionally, we focused on the short a sound when it appears in the beginning of a word and in the middle of a word. We learned that pictures sometimes have words to label the different parts. We used the comprehension strategy of compare and contrast.
Math - Counting and ordering numbers through 10
We have continued to practice counting sets up to 10 and naming the number that is 1 more or 1 fewer than the set. We also used manipulatives to show sets that are 2 more or 2 fewer than a given number. Finally we practiced putting the numerals that name these quantities into the correct order from least to greatest.
Religion - God hears my prayers
We spend our religion time this week focusing on prayer, especially praying with the saints. We discussed Halloween as being the night before All Saints' Day and All Saints' Day being the feast for all the people who are in heaven, but who don't have their own feast days. We prayed the Litany of the Saints and prayed for people in our lives.
Science - Spiders
We learned many facts about spiders. We learned a rhyme and created a book called Five Hairy Spiders, completed a color by letter picture, created a model of a spider with the help of our 5th grade buddies, and drew a picture of a fact we learned about spiders.
Upcoming Events - Please see Mrs. Schindler's Colt Express for the most up-to-date information.
Tuesday, November 5 - Meet me at the Pole - at 7:40 a.m. The entire school will gather at the flag pole to pray for our nation.
Wednesday, November 6 - Picture Retake Day - if you wish for your child to have retakes, please send the original photo packet to school on this day. All children should dress in Mass Uniform.
Friday, November 8 - Spirit Day - Corpus Christi Spirit wear shirt or Holy Spirit shirt, with uniform bottoms.
Saturday, November 9 - Dinner Auction Fiesta
Monday, November 11 - Veteran's Day Assembly at 1:45 in the gym. Please come join us to honor those who have and are serving our country in the armed forces.
Reading - Flowers
We experienced reading an informational text that included a table of contents, glossary, and index. The book told about flowers and how they are important to plants. We learned 6 new Amazing words: seeds, fruit, buds, stems, bloom, and petals. We added "have" and "is" to our list of high frequency words. We have started blending words together by listening for the sounds made by individual letters and then blending those sound. We have focused on words ending with "at" and "am." Additionally, we focused on the short a sound when it appears in the beginning of a word and in the middle of a word. We learned that pictures sometimes have words to label the different parts. We used the comprehension strategy of compare and contrast.
Math - Counting and ordering numbers through 10
We have continued to practice counting sets up to 10 and naming the number that is 1 more or 1 fewer than the set. We also used manipulatives to show sets that are 2 more or 2 fewer than a given number. Finally we practiced putting the numerals that name these quantities into the correct order from least to greatest.
Religion - God hears my prayers
We spend our religion time this week focusing on prayer, especially praying with the saints. We discussed Halloween as being the night before All Saints' Day and All Saints' Day being the feast for all the people who are in heaven, but who don't have their own feast days. We prayed the Litany of the Saints and prayed for people in our lives.
Science - Spiders
We learned many facts about spiders. We learned a rhyme and created a book called Five Hairy Spiders, completed a color by letter picture, created a model of a spider with the help of our 5th grade buddies, and drew a picture of a fact we learned about spiders.
Upcoming Events - Please see Mrs. Schindler's Colt Express for the most up-to-date information.
Tuesday, November 5 - Meet me at the Pole - at 7:40 a.m. The entire school will gather at the flag pole to pray for our nation.
Wednesday, November 6 - Picture Retake Day - if you wish for your child to have retakes, please send the original photo packet to school on this day. All children should dress in Mass Uniform.
Friday, November 8 - Spirit Day - Corpus Christi Spirit wear shirt or Holy Spirit shirt, with uniform bottoms.
Saturday, November 9 - Dinner Auction Fiesta
Monday, November 11 - Veteran's Day Assembly at 1:45 in the gym. Please come join us to honor those who have and are serving our country in the armed forces.
Sunday, October 27, 2013
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)