Friday Aug. 27, 2010

We had an amazing first week of kindergarten!

A big thank you to Blake's & Jasmine's mom for helping us paint our t-shirts today. They look awesome! Over the weekend, the shirts should dry completely. Next week I will send them home with instructions on how to wash them and set the paint. A list of all the dates we will wear the shirts will also go home next week. (Wednesday Sept. 15 is the first day that everyone will wear their shirts to school!)

We practiced using scissors and glue sticks today by cutting shapes and gluing them on a bus. This project is going home in their folders today. If you notice that cutting is a challenging skill for your child, encourage them to practice cutting at home. (Some ideas include: drawing shapes on colored paper for your child to cut out, or having your child cut out coupons from the newspaper.)

We compiled all of our names into one name chart, which we will be hanging up in our classroom. It was good practice to not only learn each others names, but to reinforce our alphabet skills and introduce the topic of alphabetical order!

We focused on 2 additional letters of the alphabet ("C" & "D") and the sounds that they make. We practiced the sounds with a few phonics songs--about castanets & drums.

Today's Pillar of Character was Caring. We read a book, called I Care About Others! and talked about ways that we can show others that we care.

Today we worked on making AB (2 color) patterns. The students practiced with a partner using colorful manipulatives. Ask your child to make a pattern for you at home using something they can find around the house (legos, blocks, silverware, crackers, etc.).

We were able to do 3 rotations during our station time today! The students worked real hard and did a good job of working quietly so that I could work with students individually.

Next week, we will be talking about how we are all special. The students will be sharing their "I Am Special" posters, and we will hang them up in the classroom! Please return your child's poster on Monday (if you have not done so already). There is a note in your child's folder if I have not received their poster.

Also included in your child's folder is a reminder note of forms that I have not received for your child. Attached to the note are the forms that I need returned on Monday. If you do not have a reminder sheet in your child's folder it is because you have returned everything that I need. Thank you!

Coming Up:
•Thursday Sept. 2 there will be a substitute in the class. That morning, I will be pulling students out of the classroom to assess their phonological awareness skills (letter sounds, rhyming, blending, etc.).
•October 28 is our first early dismissal day of the year. Remember, on those days, our class stays an hour late and goes home at the same time as the rest of the school! The half-day kindergarten students are also invited to bring a lunch and eat in the cafeteria with the rest of the kindergarteners. There is no afternoon shuttle bus home, so please make arrangements to pick up your child. Thanks!

Have a wonderful weekend!