What a hard working group of kindergarteners!
We talked about families and how they can change. Mrs. Abbey read, Family Fun, a non-fiction article about how families can be different. We talked about things that families like to do together, and each student shared something that their family likes to do together. The students wrote about one thing they like to do with their family. Many of the students are starting to write the first sound of words! Way to go!
After writing, the students worked with buddies using math buckets--counting, making sets, and creating math stories.
Mrs. Abbey read, What is a Scientist?. We learned that scientists are people who ask questions, learn from their senses, notice details, draw pictures, write what they learn, measure, count, sort, test predictions, experiment, thinks logically, keeps trying, and have fun!
In art class, the students finished their magic carpets. They added fringe and even tried flying the carpets! Their creations don't come home until later in the year, but during conferences in November, you may stop by the art room and check out your child's artwork.
Next week, we are studying colors. Each day, your child is encouraged to wear something of that color. (See the flyer in your child's folder.) We will be doing investigations to learn how colors are mixed to make new colors.
A note went home in your child's folder about the Fall Festival which is held at Horizon on Saturday Oct. 9. It is a fun, free, family event full of games, prizes, stories, costumes, and cookie decorating!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday September 28, 2010
Thank you to the families who are sending in Boxtops, Campbell's & Tyson's labels for education! Keep sending them in!
We continued our theme about families today, focusing on the ways that families change (growing bigger, having a new baby join the family, having a big sister or brother move out of the house, having an aunt or uncle get married, etc.) Mrs. Abbey read, Peter's Chair, about a boy who has a new baby sister. At first, Peter was not happy about having his little sister get all of his old baby things, but by the end of the story, he has realized that he is growing up and no longer needs his little baby things (crib, high chair, baby seat). As a class, we discussed which students have little siblings at home. We talked about why it is sometimes hard when there is a new baby.
This is a review week for sight words. Continue to practice "the" at home, as this word is a tricky one for many of the students. Have your child play I Spy in a book and see how many "the" words they can find!
The students practiced math buckets using new picture cards. These picture mats help the students create "math stories" to practice basic addition story problems.
September reading logs (the green sheet with many leaves printed on it) is due this Thursday. If you have completed the sheet, please return it by then. If you forgot to do it this month, don't worry. A new reading log for October will be coming home on Friday--work hard to read with your child and record your minutes by coloring in one picture each time you read!
An early dismissal form went home today. In the event that school had to dismiss early (earlier than our 11:35 dismissal time), due to bad weather or an emergency, only Horizon buses will be running. The transfer buses that normally pick up your child after school will not be running on days like this, so you will need to find alternate transportation home for your child. Please sign the yellow form and write on it if your child will get picked up by you, or if they will ride the bus (for students who are in the Horizon Elem. boundary lines, or have an older sibling who rides the bus to school with them). Please contact me with any confusion!
Tomorrow I will not be in school. Mrs. Vaughan will sub for me again.
We continued our theme about families today, focusing on the ways that families change (growing bigger, having a new baby join the family, having a big sister or brother move out of the house, having an aunt or uncle get married, etc.) Mrs. Abbey read, Peter's Chair, about a boy who has a new baby sister. At first, Peter was not happy about having his little sister get all of his old baby things, but by the end of the story, he has realized that he is growing up and no longer needs his little baby things (crib, high chair, baby seat). As a class, we discussed which students have little siblings at home. We talked about why it is sometimes hard when there is a new baby.
This is a review week for sight words. Continue to practice "the" at home, as this word is a tricky one for many of the students. Have your child play I Spy in a book and see how many "the" words they can find!
The students practiced math buckets using new picture cards. These picture mats help the students create "math stories" to practice basic addition story problems.
September reading logs (the green sheet with many leaves printed on it) is due this Thursday. If you have completed the sheet, please return it by then. If you forgot to do it this month, don't worry. A new reading log for October will be coming home on Friday--work hard to read with your child and record your minutes by coloring in one picture each time you read!
An early dismissal form went home today. In the event that school had to dismiss early (earlier than our 11:35 dismissal time), due to bad weather or an emergency, only Horizon buses will be running. The transfer buses that normally pick up your child after school will not be running on days like this, so you will need to find alternate transportation home for your child. Please sign the yellow form and write on it if your child will get picked up by you, or if they will ride the bus (for students who are in the Horizon Elem. boundary lines, or have an older sibling who rides the bus to school with them). Please contact me with any confusion!
Tomorrow I will not be in school. Mrs. Vaughan will sub for me again.
Friday, September 24, 2010
Friday September 24, 2010
What a fun Nursery Rhyme Dress Up Day! The students enjoyed sharing their favorite nursery rhyme and showing what they brought with them. Thank you for helping your child with this activity! We sang a few Nursery Rhyme songs and Mrs. Abbey read a few silly Nursery Rhymes from the book, Mary Had Little Jam. It's a fun book--check it out from the public library some time!
We learned about nocturnal animals today--animals that sleep during the daytime, and are awake at night. We learned that skunks eat worms!
Mrs. Abbey read a folk tale, The Squeaky Old Bed. We noticed the pattern and repetition of animals throughout the story. This story had no pictures, so the students practiced making a picture in their minds. We also got to use our classroom map to find Puerto Rico, as that is where this folk tale originated!
During math time, we started learning "math stories". Math stories is when you use manipulatives to tell an "addition story". (Example #1: "Kaylee ate 2 apples. Then she decided to eat one more. How many apples did she eat altogether? 3.") (Example #2: "There were 4 spiders in the spider web. Then 3 more spiders crawled onto the web. How many spiders were on the web? 7.") Use small objects or stuffed animals to create some of your own math stories with your child!
Next week is our last week of the family theme. After that, our focus will change to friends. In October, our literacy stations will change focusing on alphabet recognition to focusing on names, writing, and the initial sounds of words. The students will also get new table spots!
A note went home in your child's folder about a collection contest. The labels we are collecting are box tops, campbell's soup labels, labels for education, and Tyson chicken labels. Collection dates are from Sept. 28 through Oct. 8. Thank you for helping us collect labels!
Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday. Enjoy the long weekend, and we will see your kiddos on Tuesday! Because of a shortened week, specials flip-flop a little. We will have music on Tuesday, but the rest of the week will be normal schedule.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Thursday September 23, 2010
The Nursery Rhyme we focused on today was Mary Had a Little Lamb. The students worked on projects which practiced the skills of counting by 10's, alphabet order, and cutting.
Tomorrow is our Nursery Rhyme Dress-Up Day. Choose a favorite nursery rhyme and bring a prop or part of a costume that helps show what nursery rhyme you picked!
Ella's mom came and worked with the students on alphabet recognition and sounds. Thank you! The students love that special attention that volunteers are able to give them. If you would like to add your name to our volunteer schedule, please contact me.
In art, the students continued working on their magic carpets. They are nearly complete!
We watched a short video called, What is a Scientist? this morning. The students learned the importance of thinking like a scientist. They also learned about the scientific method, a step-by-step way of thinking to solve problems or answer questions. Here are the steps of the scientific method that were introduced in the video: (1) ask a question, (2) make a hypothesis--what you think will happen, (3) choose a variable--one thing that will change in your test, (4) test your hypothesis, (5) write down what happened using words, graphs, or pictures, (6) tell others what you discover.
Calling all scientists!!! We are always looking for new science investigations to do in our classroom! If you have an idea (or would like to lead a science investigation with the students), please let me know!
Information:
•Monday Sept. 27 there is No School (teacher inservice)
•Extra Entertainment books that were ordered went home with your child today. Thank you for supporting our fundraiser!
Tomorrow is our Nursery Rhyme Dress-Up Day. Choose a favorite nursery rhyme and bring a prop or part of a costume that helps show what nursery rhyme you picked!
Ella's mom came and worked with the students on alphabet recognition and sounds. Thank you! The students love that special attention that volunteers are able to give them. If you would like to add your name to our volunteer schedule, please contact me.
In art, the students continued working on their magic carpets. They are nearly complete!
We watched a short video called, What is a Scientist? this morning. The students learned the importance of thinking like a scientist. They also learned about the scientific method, a step-by-step way of thinking to solve problems or answer questions. Here are the steps of the scientific method that were introduced in the video: (1) ask a question, (2) make a hypothesis--what you think will happen, (3) choose a variable--one thing that will change in your test, (4) test your hypothesis, (5) write down what happened using words, graphs, or pictures, (6) tell others what you discover.
Calling all scientists!!! We are always looking for new science investigations to do in our classroom! If you have an idea (or would like to lead a science investigation with the students), please let me know!
Information:
•Monday Sept. 27 there is No School (teacher inservice)
•Extra Entertainment books that were ordered went home with your child today. Thank you for supporting our fundraiser!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Tuesday September 21, 2010
Wow, what a rainstorm! We all got a little wet going out to catch our ride!
Today we continued our unit on families. We made a list of things that families can do together. The students helped retell the story of The Picnic at Apple Park. Many of them remembered what the setting was!
We did a writing lesson today. We reviewed how to be a good listener--what our hands, mouths, legs, and eyes should be doing while we are listening to a story at school. Mrs. Abbey read the book, I love School!, and we brainstormed tons of things that we like about school. Each student chose one idea that they wanted to write about. We worked on making spaces between our words, using the word wall and board to spell words we don't know, and writing down the sounds we hear in unfamiliar words. The students did a wonderful job with this activity!
During PE, the students practiced soccer skills. They were very hot and tired when I picked them up from PE!
After PE, we focused on another Nursery Rhyme: Jack and Jill. The students chose 2 out of 3 Jack and Jill activities to do during their work time. When done, they could choose to read books, work on writing, or work at literacy stations. Mrs. Abbey pulled small groups of students for guided reading groups, where we worked on the /a/ sound, put "a" and "m" together to blend the word "am", and read a book called Family Dinner. A copy of this book will go home with your child at the end of the week. Last week's book went home in your child's folder today (sorry it was late).
Tomorrow, there will be a substitute teacher, as I will be taking my daughter to an appointment.
Thank you to all families who returned their Entertainment book orders today!
Today we continued our unit on families. We made a list of things that families can do together. The students helped retell the story of The Picnic at Apple Park. Many of them remembered what the setting was!
We did a writing lesson today. We reviewed how to be a good listener--what our hands, mouths, legs, and eyes should be doing while we are listening to a story at school. Mrs. Abbey read the book, I love School!, and we brainstormed tons of things that we like about school. Each student chose one idea that they wanted to write about. We worked on making spaces between our words, using the word wall and board to spell words we don't know, and writing down the sounds we hear in unfamiliar words. The students did a wonderful job with this activity!
During PE, the students practiced soccer skills. They were very hot and tired when I picked them up from PE!
After PE, we focused on another Nursery Rhyme: Jack and Jill. The students chose 2 out of 3 Jack and Jill activities to do during their work time. When done, they could choose to read books, work on writing, or work at literacy stations. Mrs. Abbey pulled small groups of students for guided reading groups, where we worked on the /a/ sound, put "a" and "m" together to blend the word "am", and read a book called Family Dinner. A copy of this book will go home with your child at the end of the week. Last week's book went home in your child's folder today (sorry it was late).
Tomorrow, there will be a substitute teacher, as I will be taking my daughter to an appointment.
Thank you to all families who returned their Entertainment book orders today!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Monday September 20, 2010
What a strange mix of weather we've been having! It was fun for the kids to put foggy on our weather chart this morning. We didn't have any foggy pictures, so a few of the students decided that they would like to draw some pictures of foggy so that we have a stack to choose from, just like the sunny, cloudy, rainy, snowy days!
Your child went home with a reminder bracelet on--the Entertainment book fundraiser is due tomorrow. Please send your order sheet and money (or unsold Entertainment book) to school tomorrow. Thank you!
We are continuing our family theme. Mrs. Abbey read a fiction story called, The Picnic at Apple Park. We focused our attention on learning about the setting of the book. We learned that the setting is where the story takes place. Today our story took place in 3 different settings: in the house, outside in the driveway, and at the park. We also made a list, remembering all the things that the families did together at the park. The students have excellent memories!
We introduced the /a/ sound today, and reviewed all sounds using our A-a-apple chart and our phonics songs. We also learned a new sight word today: "the". We will focusing on this word all week!
This week, we are also studying Nursery Rhymes. Today, our focus was on Humpty Dumpty. We created a class book (which will start going home next week to all the families), practiced our cutting skills with a Humpty Dumpty egg cutting activity, and practiced 1:1 correspondence when reading our little Humpty Dumpty books & pointing to each word we said. Each day this week, we will focus on a different Nursery Rhyme, and on Friday we will have a Nursery Rhyme Dress-Up Day! Information about this day is in your child's folder.
Also in your child's folder is information about Heartland AEA's online resources. They have many resources available for parents and students to use free of charge online. The username and password you will need to access these programs are printed on the sheet that went home today. BookFLIX is a favorite of mine!
Kassidy celebrated her birthday today! Thank you for the yummy treats!
Tomorrow is PE. Please remind your child to wear their tennis shoes!
Your child went home with a reminder bracelet on--the Entertainment book fundraiser is due tomorrow. Please send your order sheet and money (or unsold Entertainment book) to school tomorrow. Thank you!
We are continuing our family theme. Mrs. Abbey read a fiction story called, The Picnic at Apple Park. We focused our attention on learning about the setting of the book. We learned that the setting is where the story takes place. Today our story took place in 3 different settings: in the house, outside in the driveway, and at the park. We also made a list, remembering all the things that the families did together at the park. The students have excellent memories!
We introduced the /a/ sound today, and reviewed all sounds using our A-a-apple chart and our phonics songs. We also learned a new sight word today: "the". We will focusing on this word all week!
This week, we are also studying Nursery Rhymes. Today, our focus was on Humpty Dumpty. We created a class book (which will start going home next week to all the families), practiced our cutting skills with a Humpty Dumpty egg cutting activity, and practiced 1:1 correspondence when reading our little Humpty Dumpty books & pointing to each word we said. Each day this week, we will focus on a different Nursery Rhyme, and on Friday we will have a Nursery Rhyme Dress-Up Day! Information about this day is in your child's folder.
Also in your child's folder is information about Heartland AEA's online resources. They have many resources available for parents and students to use free of charge online. The username and password you will need to access these programs are printed on the sheet that went home today. BookFLIX is a favorite of mine!
Kassidy celebrated her birthday today! Thank you for the yummy treats!
Tomorrow is PE. Please remind your child to wear their tennis shoes!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Friday September 17, 2010
Today we celebrated "Constitution Day" by learning a little bit about the constitution and how old it is. Mrs. Abbey read the book, The Pledge of Allegiance, and we also played a memory game using constitution-related pictures (George Washington, the White House, the courts, the constitution, and the American flag). The students did a great job of encouraging each other when they got a match!
We also celebrated Johnston Homecoming! During library time, the students attended an assembly down in the gym with the rest of the school. The Johnston High School cheerleaders were there to lead some cheers and show off their cheerleading skills. The students enjoyed watching all the backflips and towers that were made!
During literacy, the students helped create a word web of ways that families get along. The ideas they came up with were wonderful: share toys, eat together, play games together, go fun places together, read together, share clothes, show stuff to them, do fun things together, and give them hugs & kisses. Mrs. Abbey then read a fable called The Bundle of Sticks, where a farmer had many sons who could not get along. We learned that the moral of the story is: people who work together and help each other are stronger than people who work alone. We also learned that it is more important to get along than to fight.
For math, the students continued working on complex patterns. Today they used crayons to create a pattern. They each had time to explain their pattern to me. And the best part for them was getting a sticker! They are excited to bring them home, but this first sample will be going in their portfolio, which you will see at conferences in November.
Most students had the opportunity to exchange their earned tickets for a prize this week! There are 3 levels of prizes: 5 tickets, 10 tickets, and 25 tickets. It's hard for students to save for 25, but some really enjoy the challenge!
Information:
The Entertainment book sales end next week (on Tuesday Sept. 21). If our entire class returns their money and order forms (or books if you didn't sell any) by Tuesday, we earn a class prize! Try to send yours back Monday, if possible! Thank you!
Just so you are aware...there is quite a bit of flu going around in the school right now. Try to stay healthy!
Also, my email is back up and running! Feel free to email me any time you have questions or concerns.
Have a great weekend!
We also celebrated Johnston Homecoming! During library time, the students attended an assembly down in the gym with the rest of the school. The Johnston High School cheerleaders were there to lead some cheers and show off their cheerleading skills. The students enjoyed watching all the backflips and towers that were made!
During literacy, the students helped create a word web of ways that families get along. The ideas they came up with were wonderful: share toys, eat together, play games together, go fun places together, read together, share clothes, show stuff to them, do fun things together, and give them hugs & kisses. Mrs. Abbey then read a fable called The Bundle of Sticks, where a farmer had many sons who could not get along. We learned that the moral of the story is: people who work together and help each other are stronger than people who work alone. We also learned that it is more important to get along than to fight.
For math, the students continued working on complex patterns. Today they used crayons to create a pattern. They each had time to explain their pattern to me. And the best part for them was getting a sticker! They are excited to bring them home, but this first sample will be going in their portfolio, which you will see at conferences in November.
Most students had the opportunity to exchange their earned tickets for a prize this week! There are 3 levels of prizes: 5 tickets, 10 tickets, and 25 tickets. It's hard for students to save for 25, but some really enjoy the challenge!
Information:
The Entertainment book sales end next week (on Tuesday Sept. 21). If our entire class returns their money and order forms (or books if you didn't sell any) by Tuesday, we earn a class prize! Try to send yours back Monday, if possible! Thank you!
Just so you are aware...there is quite a bit of flu going around in the school right now. Try to stay healthy!
Also, my email is back up and running! Feel free to email me any time you have questions or concerns.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Thursday September 16, 2010
What a fun picture day! All the students looked adorable! Too bad I didn't take a group photo of them today!
Just to let you know...our school's email system has been down for 2 days, so I have not been able to get my email. Until further notice, please call or write a note if you need to contact me. Thanks!
We talked some more about families and what we like to do with our families. Mrs. Abbey read two poems: Andre and Everybody Says. The students listened closely to hear the rhyming words in the poems. We reviewed our /m/ sound and played a sound discrimination game at small group time. Keep practicing the A-a-apple chart daily with your child!
During math, we learned about "complex" patterns. First, we reviewed "simple" patterns: AB (2 color patterns) and ABC (3 color patterns). Next we brainstormed possible "complex" patterns, such as AAB, ABCD, AABB, AAABC, etc. They were very interested in coming up with creative patterns! The students were split into pairs to work with manipulatives and create their own complex pattern. Mrs. Abbey took a picture of their finished work!
The students had art class with Mr. Spellman. He said that they were very good artist's today!
Tomorrow is Homecoming Friday! Please help your child choose clothing that will show their school spirit--by wearing purple and gold/yellow! Thanks!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Wednesday September 15, 2010
Wow! Everyone wore their Team Abbey Kindergarten shirts! Good job!
We had a great day today! Mrs. Abbey read a book, From Caterpillar to Butterfly which gave the students an opportunity to remember what we had already learned about the life cycle of a butterfly in preparation for our guest speaker. The butterfly lady from Polk Country Conservation came to talk with the kindergarten students about Monarch butterflies, metamorphosis, and migration. Our class even got to tag a butterfly and let it go outside! These butterflies will fly all the way to Mexico. They each got a butterfly hand stamp at the end of the presentation, although many of the stamps have started to wash off.
Back in class, Mrs. Russell came for guidance to talk with the children about their brain, lungs, and heart, and discussed what each of those parts of our body do.
Mrs. Abbey read The Lioness and the Ostrich Chicks which introduced some new vocabulary words such as protect (to keep safe), imitate (to copy), and resemble (to look like).
During guided reading groups, we re-read our small book, We Can. Then the students thought of something they can do, wrote a sentence, and illustrated it. We have learned 3 sight words so far: "I", " can", and "we". Please reinforce these words at home!
Tomorrow is school picture day! Please return your payment envelope if you would like to order pictures. All students will be getting their picture taken, even if you do not place an order.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Tuesday September 14, 2010
Just to let you all know...the students did a much better job of listening and following directions today! Yippee!
Your child should have worn (or brought) two wristbands home with them today. One is a reminder to wear their team-kindergarten painted shirts tomorrow! The other shows what we learned in science today--the life cycle of a butterfly (egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly).
Mrs. Abbey read Monarch Butterfly by Gail Gibbons. We learned lots of new information and facts by reading this nonfiction book. Did you know that a caterpillar molts 5 times before it is a full grown caterpillar? Did you know that butterflies can fly almost 10 miles in one day while migrating? We also learned some interesting words: abdomen, thorax, metamorphosis, proboscis (the tube to the mouth that sucks up nectar), and migration. We are getting to be caterpillar/butterfly experts! Tomorrow, a guest speaker from Polk County Conservation is going to come speak to us about Monarchs! We'll probably learn some more interesting facts and information!
We started our new literacy theme today: families. We talked about each of our families and graphed how many people were in each student's family. Mrs. Abbey read Whose Baby Am I?, a non-fiction story about animal families. We learned a new sight word: "we" and worked on reading a book with the words "we" and "can" during guided reading groups with Mrs. Abbey. Today was the first day of guided reading groups! The students are working on learning to work independently on literacy stations, writing, and reading to self while Mrs. Abbey works with 2-4 students at a time. When Mrs. Abbey is with a group at the reading table, the students know that they cannot talk to her unless they are bleeding or sick. They are learning to ask their peers for assistance and focus on "their job" during that time period.
We are focusing on the /m/ sound this week. Your child will be bringing home work that reflects this letter sound. Please remember to go through the A-a-apple chart once a day! It sounds like many students did their "homework" last night! Way to go!
Reminders:
•Just a reminder that Thursday Sept. 16 is picture day. We will all have our pictures taken, even if you decide not to order a picture package. If you would like to order pictures, please return the order envelope tomorrow or Thursday morning. Thanks!
•Order forms and payments for Entertainment books are due by Sept. 21, although you may return them any time before that day. The sooner you return the order form, the sooner the PTO can get additional Entertainment books that were ordered for you to deliver! If you do not sell the book that was sent home, please return it to school. Any questions, please email me.
•Here is a list of all "Team Abbey" Kindergarten t-shirt days for the year:
Sept. 15
Oct. 14
Nov. 16
Dec. 15
Jan. 12
Feb. 15
March 10
April 14
May 12
Your child should have worn (or brought) two wristbands home with them today. One is a reminder to wear their team-kindergarten painted shirts tomorrow! The other shows what we learned in science today--the life cycle of a butterfly (egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly).
Mrs. Abbey read Monarch Butterfly by Gail Gibbons. We learned lots of new information and facts by reading this nonfiction book. Did you know that a caterpillar molts 5 times before it is a full grown caterpillar? Did you know that butterflies can fly almost 10 miles in one day while migrating? We also learned some interesting words: abdomen, thorax, metamorphosis, proboscis (the tube to the mouth that sucks up nectar), and migration. We are getting to be caterpillar/butterfly experts! Tomorrow, a guest speaker from Polk County Conservation is going to come speak to us about Monarchs! We'll probably learn some more interesting facts and information!
We started our new literacy theme today: families. We talked about each of our families and graphed how many people were in each student's family. Mrs. Abbey read Whose Baby Am I?, a non-fiction story about animal families. We learned a new sight word: "we" and worked on reading a book with the words "we" and "can" during guided reading groups with Mrs. Abbey. Today was the first day of guided reading groups! The students are working on learning to work independently on literacy stations, writing, and reading to self while Mrs. Abbey works with 2-4 students at a time. When Mrs. Abbey is with a group at the reading table, the students know that they cannot talk to her unless they are bleeding or sick. They are learning to ask their peers for assistance and focus on "their job" during that time period.
We are focusing on the /m/ sound this week. Your child will be bringing home work that reflects this letter sound. Please remember to go through the A-a-apple chart once a day! It sounds like many students did their "homework" last night! Way to go!
Reminders:
•Just a reminder that Thursday Sept. 16 is picture day. We will all have our pictures taken, even if you decide not to order a picture package. If you would like to order pictures, please return the order envelope tomorrow or Thursday morning. Thanks!
•Order forms and payments for Entertainment books are due by Sept. 21, although you may return them any time before that day. The sooner you return the order form, the sooner the PTO can get additional Entertainment books that were ordered for you to deliver! If you do not sell the book that was sent home, please return it to school. Any questions, please email me.
•Here is a list of all "Team Abbey" Kindergarten t-shirt days for the year:
Sept. 15
Oct. 14
Nov. 16
Dec. 15
Jan. 12
Feb. 15
March 10
April 14
May 12
Monday, September 13, 2010
Monday September 13, 2010
Something is in the air! The students were a little extra squirrely today and some had a difficult time listening and making good choices. I'm sure tomorrow things will calm down and they'll have a better day!
We finished up our theme about starting school & what we can each do. Tomorrow we start a new theme: families! Mrs. Abbey read The Clever Turtle, a folk tale about a man who wants to make turtle soup. Ask your child how the turtle was clever, and didn't get made into soup!
The class practiced their A-a-apple charts today, using their "magic sticks" to point as they read. A manila envelope is going home with your child today, which includes an A-a apple chart for you to keep at home, as well as a magic stick and a sheet of directions. Please take the time to go over this chart nightly with your child. Help them along as they are learning. Eventually we want your child to be able to read the chart to you independently!
Mrs. Abbey worked with each child individually today, listening to them read our "I can" stories. Many of the students told me that they had not read this book to anyone at home. Please take the time and encourage your child to read the books they bring home in their folder. This will help them become better and more confident readers!
Volunteer schedules went home with those parents who wanted to volunteer in the classroom on a consistent basis. If you feel I've forgotten you, please contact me! We can always use more classroom volunteers!
If your family ordered books from the September book order, those books went home in your child's backpack today! Thank you for ordering! Next month, you will have the option of ordering online, if you choose. Doing so, earns our class extra books for our classroom library!
Upcoming:
•Wednesday Sept. 15 is the first day that we wear our Team Kindergarten t-shirts!
•Wednesday we also have a guest speaker from Polk County Conservation coming to talk with the kindergarten classes about Monarch butterflies!
•Thursday Sept. 15 is picture day. Please return your picture envelope with payment if you would like to order pictures.
We finished up our theme about starting school & what we can each do. Tomorrow we start a new theme: families! Mrs. Abbey read The Clever Turtle, a folk tale about a man who wants to make turtle soup. Ask your child how the turtle was clever, and didn't get made into soup!
The class practiced their A-a-apple charts today, using their "magic sticks" to point as they read. A manila envelope is going home with your child today, which includes an A-a apple chart for you to keep at home, as well as a magic stick and a sheet of directions. Please take the time to go over this chart nightly with your child. Help them along as they are learning. Eventually we want your child to be able to read the chart to you independently!
Mrs. Abbey worked with each child individually today, listening to them read our "I can" stories. Many of the students told me that they had not read this book to anyone at home. Please take the time and encourage your child to read the books they bring home in their folder. This will help them become better and more confident readers!
Volunteer schedules went home with those parents who wanted to volunteer in the classroom on a consistent basis. If you feel I've forgotten you, please contact me! We can always use more classroom volunteers!
If your family ordered books from the September book order, those books went home in your child's backpack today! Thank you for ordering! Next month, you will have the option of ordering online, if you choose. Doing so, earns our class extra books for our classroom library!
Upcoming:
•Wednesday Sept. 15 is the first day that we wear our Team Kindergarten t-shirts!
•Wednesday we also have a guest speaker from Polk County Conservation coming to talk with the kindergarten classes about Monarch butterflies!
•Thursday Sept. 15 is picture day. Please return your picture envelope with payment if you would like to order pictures.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Friday September 10, 2010
We had another fun, busy day in kindergarten!
We learned about our 5 Senses today (hearing, smelling, seeing, touching, & tasting). Mrs. Abbey read a non-fiction article called, Your Five Senses. We did an experiment with our pupils by turning off the classroom lights (it gets really dark in here since we don't have any outside windows!) and when the lights went back on, we looked at how our friend's pupils changed from big to little. We also gathered around Mrs. Abbey's computer to play a listening game. Students listened closely to see if they could identify the sounds. Here is the link, in case you'd like to play at home...Sound Match Game.
We learned the sounds that the last four letters of the alphabet make: "W", "X", "Y", and "Z". Mrs. Abbey then introduced the Aa Apple charts. Next week, your child will be bringing their own Aa Apple chart home--please go through it each night with them! Thanks!
The students were excited to choose their own color of book browsing box. Each student will use this box to keep things that they can read: books at their reading level, poems, alphabet charts, etc. We will use these boxes for quiet reading time at school. So far, only our Aa Apple Chart is in the browsing box, but throughout the year, more and more things each student can read independently will be added.
We decorated "magic sticks", which will be used at home and at school to help us keep our place while reading, and will help teach us 1:1 correspondence with words. One will come home with your children Aa Apple chart next week.
Blake shared his "I Am Special" poster with the class today. The posters are all hanging on the back wall of our classroom!
Our colorful painted hands are hanging up in our classroom window. Stop by and check them out sometime!
Thank you to those kindergarten friends who brought in food for the food drive. I know that the families who utilize the food pantry will greatly appreciate it!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Thursday September 9, 2010
Mrs. Abbey brought her bug box to school today! Inside was the caterpillar which I had found (unfortunately it had already made a chrysalis). If you find any caterpillars, please send them to school for us to add to our bug box and investigate! Thanks! Also in the bug box was a praying mantis, which Mrs. Abbey found on her front window last night. We were very happy that the praying mantis was not interested in eating the chrysalis, although we do know it likes to eat insects. The kids loved using the magnifying glasses to study the mantis (which was at least 5 inches long without being magnified!). The students completed the first page of their science investigation notebook. I will share these with you at conferences.
We retold the story, Jazz Baby, using retelling cards. The students looked at the picture on each card to help them remember the events of the story. We also talked about dancing and how we each dance differently. We created a word web on the board describing the ways that we dance--spin, jump, clap, break-dance, hop, pose, etc. Then we practiced our dancing with the song, Now Let's Dance (which also reinforces the concepts of front/back and left/right).
The students learned the sounds for the letters "S", "T", "U", and "V" today. They are excited to learn the final four letter sounds tomorrow!
In art, the students are busy creating their "magic carpets" while learning about shapes and lines. Mr. Spellman learned of our praying mantis, and the students were excited to bring him back to our classroom to show it off!
We had some time for math buckets today. With a partner, the students chose to make patterns, count, make sets, sort, etc. with the manipulatives in their buckets.
Reminders:
•School picture day is Thursday Sept. 16. If you would like to order pictures, you may return your payment envelope any time before that day. Thanks!
•There is no school on Monday Sept. 27 due to teacher inservice.
•I am working on a volunteer schedule. If you have not send back your volunteer form, but would like to be on our volunteer schedule, please email me so that I do not leave you off!
•Tomorrow is the last day for the food drive. If you child would like to bring food items to donate to the local food pantry, please send them Friday morning. Thank you!
•I received an email that our book order has been shipped...it should arrive early next week!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Wednesday September 8, 2010
The students finished painting their hand cutouts this morning. We can't wait to hang them in our window--they are so colorful!
Two more students shared their "I Am Special" posters--Roger and Anita. Our back wall has many fun posters for us to look at!
Mrs. Abbey read a book called, Jazz Baby. We discussed how it is a fiction book, which means that the story did not really happen. The students talked about instruments that they can play--we could almost form our own band in here!
We reviewed the letters "P", "Q", and "R" and learned the sounds that they make.
The students continued working in the computer lab on the program, Bailey's Book House. We tried to print something to take home today, but unfortunately, the printer was not cooperating. Maybe next time!
Mrs. Canada brought Mrs. Russell along with her for guidance today. They are starting a program with the kindergarten students called, "Too Good For Drugs." Today they met Tuggles the Bear and learned how to have a good day. Some ideas they came up with were to: brush your teeth and hair, eat a good breakfast, exercise, get a good night's sleep, use your manners, and smile.
The students worked at their three stations: (1) read to self, (2) work on writing, and (3) literacy stations while I pulled students to do a quick number recognition and counting assessment. I like to have this information so that I can make informed decisions on what to teach, especially when creating small groups that focus on specific skill acquisition. With such a small class this year, I should have plenty of time to create small groups which differentiate activities for the various learning levels of all the students!
Yesterday school picture information went home with your child. All students will get their picture taken for the yearbook. Please return the envelope with your payment only if you would like to order school pictures. School picture day is Thursday September 16.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Tuesday September 7, 2010
We celebrated Kaylee's birthday today with some singing and some delicious brownies! Thank you, Kaylee!
We learned the letters "M", "N", & "O" and the sounds they make today. You can help by reviewing the letters A through O with your child and helping them remember the sounds that each letter makes! Next week, a copy of the alphabet chart we use in class to help us learn the letter sounds will go home with your child. Please help them study this chart each night until they know the letter sounds. Thanks!
Mrs. Abbey read The Gingerbread Boy, with the students joining in on the "Run, run, as fast as you can" refrain. We talked about folk tales and how they are stories that tell about things that could not really happen. We learned some new vocabulary words: chuckled, sly, and woods. The students helped think of other stories they know of that have a sly fox in them. Tomorrow, the students will have a chance to look at different versions of The Gingerbread Boy, and we will start reading and comparing to each other. If your child has a book about the gingerbread boy that they would like to bring to class to share (and leave here for a few weeks), we would love it!
The students learned how to paint with watercolor paints today. They did a wonderful job washing off their brushes between colors, sharing the paints with a buddy, and not using too much water! We painted our handprints, and will be hanging them in our class window soon!
Today was a PE day. Mrs. Roquet said they were excellent listeners and had a great time in PE!
We reviewed the sight words: "I" and "can" today. The students each drew a picture of something that they can do and finished the sentence, "I can _____." Many students were able to hear the initial sound of the word they wanted to write! Keep playing initial sound games as you run errands or hang around at home!
Entertainment books went home with the students today. This is our first school-wide fundraiser of the year. Books cost $25 each. Students can sell to family or friends. Money for each book ordered is due before Tuesday Sept. 21. If you order more than one book, we will send additional ones home for you to distribute. If you have friends/family in other states/cities who would like to order a book, there is a special order form in your packet. (Please be aware that these books are a different price than the Des Moines book.) If you would rather not have your child participate in this fundraiser, please return the coupon book to school. Any questions, please contact Mrs. Abbey or the school office. Thanks!
We are doing a mini-unit on caterpillars and butterflies. If you find a caterpillar in your yard, we would love to put it in our science center at school! Thank you for your help!
We have bound our first class book, called Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Who Is In Mrs. Abbey's Room. This book will have a chance to go home for a night with each of the kindergarten friends. Please read it with your child and return it the next school day, so that everyone has a chance to see it this month. Thank you!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Friday September 3, 2010
The second week on kindergarten has been great! The students are doing a superb job of learning the routines of the classroom and working their hardest to listen and follow the directions. I am very proud of them!
We will continue with our alphabet literacy stations for the next couple of weeks, slowly adding in stations that work on learning and writing the names of the other students in our class.
The students were introduced to the letters "K" and "L" and we practiced the sounds of all letters A-L. The kids are getting real good at our phonics songs! You'll probably start hearing them singing them at home soon! We talked about the word, "can" and practiced reading it in a small paper book. The book is coming home in your child's folder. Practice it with your child this weekend. It's a good idea to keep those small paper books that come home in a special spot at home, so your child has a collection of things that they can practice reading! A few good spots are: a shoebox, an empty drawer, or a rubbermaid container. Eventually, your child will be bringing home 1-3 books each week!
Mrs. Abbey read two poems today: Just Watch and Somersaults. We reviewed things our hands can do, and made a chart of body parts (such as eyes, ears, legs) and what they can do. The kids did a nice job of thinking of ideas and waiting for their turn to share!
Mrs. Abbey read a 3rd poem, I Measure Myself, and we talked about different ways we can measure things. Today we practiced measuring using cutouts of each child's hands. Students practiced measuring things, such as their tables, the rug, their locker, etc. and we made a chart which included one thing each child measured and how many "hands" it was. Later in our day, we measured how tall each child is right now and marked it on our wall. We plan to measure again at the end of the school year to see how much everyone has grown!
Three more "I Am Special" posters were shared today: Manuel, Ella, and Jasmine! The final three posters will be shared on Tuesday.
The students had library with Mrs. Adair today. Ask them what book she read!
A playdate list is being send home in your child's folder today. Please let me know if there are changes that should be made. Have fun building new friendships!
A sad bit of news. Manuel is moving to a new school. We will really miss him!
Have a wonderful 3-day weekend! We'll see everyone on Tuesday!
Upcoming Events:
•No school Monday Sept. 6 or 27.
•A food drive will take place next week from Sept. 7-10. Please see yellow half-sheet in your child's folder for more details.
•Picture day is Thursday Sept. 16! Information will be sent home next week.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Thursday September 2, 2010
Today the students had a substitute teacher, Mrs. P. The report is that they had a wonderful morning. The students were good listeners and good helpers!
I enjoyed working 1:1 with each child out in the hallway, although I missed not seeing them together as a group. They were hard workers for me, and we got many of the beginning-of-the-year assessments done!
The students learned 2 new letters and their sounds today: "I" and "J". A new word, "can" was also introduced. Tomorrow we will be working more with this new word, reading it in a simple story and using it in our writing!
Mrs. P read Hands Can, a non-fiction story about all the things we can do with our hands. They also read a poem together, called Yes, I Can!
Today's special was art! Mr. Spellman worked with the children on line types and making shapes.
I enjoyed working 1:1 with each child out in the hallway, although I missed not seeing them together as a group. They were hard workers for me, and we got many of the beginning-of-the-year assessments done!
The students learned 2 new letters and their sounds today: "I" and "J". A new word, "can" was also introduced. Tomorrow we will be working more with this new word, reading it in a simple story and using it in our writing!
Mrs. P read Hands Can, a non-fiction story about all the things we can do with our hands. They also read a poem together, called Yes, I Can!
Today's special was art! Mr. Spellman worked with the children on line types and making shapes.
Back in the classroom, the students worked with partners creating patterns. They also practiced making patterns on paper, using different colored crayons.
At the end of the day, Mrs. Abbey was able to come in to the class to read a story called I Can Share! and to do "Hugs, Handshakes, or High-Fives" before the students left.
Reminders:
•There is no school on Monday, September 6 due to the Labor Day holiday.
•Also, Monday September 27 there is no school, as the district has a professional development day for the teachers.
•I am finalizing the play-date contact list and am hoping to send a copy home for you tomorrow! The students are excited to start inviting their new friends over to play!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Wednesday September 1, 2010
Happy first day of September! We talked about our new calendar this morning. The kids thought that today should be Sunday instead of Wednesday, since we were starting over with the numbers!
Mrs. Abbey read Signs in the Park, a non-fiction article about different signs that we see outside. The students discussed the signs which they saw on their way to school. Point out signs as you drive & talk about what they say and why they are there...pretty soon your child will be pointing out and naming signs for you!
We talked about our writing folders and what to do if we don't know what to write about. We brainstormed a list of things that the class enjoys writing about. Mrs. Abbey is going to add pictures to this chart so that the students can "read" about ideas they can write about if they are having a hard time coming up with an idea on their own. At this point in the year, many of our writing assignments and stories are pictures. Eventually, we will begin adding initial sounds of words to our pictures, and will work our way up to adding phonetic spelling of words and ideas. All students progress through these phases of writing at very different rates, so do not be alarmed if it is taking your child a little longer to master these skills.
We went to the computer lab this morning. Most of the students remembered everything that was taught last week--how to log in, choose the right program, navigate through the program, quit the program, and log out! What a smart group of kids!
Mrs. Canada, the guidance counselor, came and talked with the class about being a good listener. They read a story called Listen and Learn which taught them that it is important to listen to the teacher so that we can be good learners! They also played a game together, identifying when made-up characters were doing a good job listening or if they needed to do a better job.
With computer lab in our daily schedule, we did not have time to share 3 more posters today. We did add the three "I Am Special" posters that were shared yesterday to our wall of friends. Those students were: Ryan, Alex, and Kaylee!
Parent Notes:
•Thank you for checking your child's folder each night, filling out paperwork, and returning information in a timely manner! That is very helpful to me!
•Thank you to all parents who placed book orders. I will send them home in your child's backpack when the orders arrive (usually 1-2 weeks). A few of you told me they were gifts, so I will put them in a tied bag into your child's backpack. Please let me know if you would rather pick up your child's book order.
•Yesterday a nightly reading record sheet went home with your child. Please help them complete this each night you read together! The time recorded can be books read by your child, books read to your child, or books listened to on tape. My youngest daughter who is 4 1/2 enjoys "reading" me one book every night by telling what she remembers from a familiar story or by reading the pictures of a new story. When she's finished, I read her a story. Reading with your child is a great way to teach them to love reading!
•I reminded the students that there is going to be a substitute teacher here tomorrow, while I work on assessing students individually. They should be great listeners and helpers for the sub!
Mrs. Abbey read Signs in the Park, a non-fiction article about different signs that we see outside. The students discussed the signs which they saw on their way to school. Point out signs as you drive & talk about what they say and why they are there...pretty soon your child will be pointing out and naming signs for you!
We talked about our writing folders and what to do if we don't know what to write about. We brainstormed a list of things that the class enjoys writing about. Mrs. Abbey is going to add pictures to this chart so that the students can "read" about ideas they can write about if they are having a hard time coming up with an idea on their own. At this point in the year, many of our writing assignments and stories are pictures. Eventually, we will begin adding initial sounds of words to our pictures, and will work our way up to adding phonetic spelling of words and ideas. All students progress through these phases of writing at very different rates, so do not be alarmed if it is taking your child a little longer to master these skills.
We went to the computer lab this morning. Most of the students remembered everything that was taught last week--how to log in, choose the right program, navigate through the program, quit the program, and log out! What a smart group of kids!
Mrs. Canada, the guidance counselor, came and talked with the class about being a good listener. They read a story called Listen and Learn which taught them that it is important to listen to the teacher so that we can be good learners! They also played a game together, identifying when made-up characters were doing a good job listening or if they needed to do a better job.
With computer lab in our daily schedule, we did not have time to share 3 more posters today. We did add the three "I Am Special" posters that were shared yesterday to our wall of friends. Those students were: Ryan, Alex, and Kaylee!
Parent Notes:
•Thank you for checking your child's folder each night, filling out paperwork, and returning information in a timely manner! That is very helpful to me!
•Thank you to all parents who placed book orders. I will send them home in your child's backpack when the orders arrive (usually 1-2 weeks). A few of you told me they were gifts, so I will put them in a tied bag into your child's backpack. Please let me know if you would rather pick up your child's book order.
•Yesterday a nightly reading record sheet went home with your child. Please help them complete this each night you read together! The time recorded can be books read by your child, books read to your child, or books listened to on tape. My youngest daughter who is 4 1/2 enjoys "reading" me one book every night by telling what she remembers from a familiar story or by reading the pictures of a new story. When she's finished, I read her a story. Reading with your child is a great way to teach them to love reading!
•I reminded the students that there is going to be a substitute teacher here tomorrow, while I work on assessing students individually. They should be great listeners and helpers for the sub!
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