Fall Sensory Table Play

Our sensory table is full of fall items. Leaves, pumpkins, gourds, acorns, stuffed animals, and more! Students have the opportunity to play with these fun items during our free choice time. 

Here are a few pics of friends enjoying our sensory bin. 

Practicing Our Friends' Names

During center time we have been practicing the Working on Writing center.  To do this, students have been practicing their friends' names.  Students are asked to trace over their friends' names and then write them on their own.  When students have completed this task, they are able to turn their paper over and draw/label their own work.

I have included a link to the PDF if you would like to practice this skill at home.

My Friends 2013-2014

Field Trip

If you haven't turned in your child's permission slip and money for our upcoming field trip, please do so as soon as you can!  I am still missing a few.  Thanks!

Shape Homework

We will be creating a shape collage this week.  I need your help!

Please find pictures in magazines of

circles

triangles

squares

rectangles

Please cut these pictures out and place them in an envelope with your child's name.  I will need these pictures by FRIDAY.

Thanks so much for your support!

Newsletter- Week in Review

Dear Parents,

We have had a great week in Kindergarten! The students are becoming more independent and comfortable in class and getting to know and make new friends.

Com.Arts:
Our big book of the week has been "Picnic in Apple Park" and the smaller guided readers are" Time to Eat", "Family Dinner" and "Potluck Supper". Please ask your child about the literature. Our guided reading groups are going well. We are working on pointing to words, sounding out words and I.D. star words. Also we are focusing on listening comprehension and fluency.
Our letter this week is "A,a" and star words are "'the, happy, we, I, can, and today."
Oral vocabulary is "same and different"

Math:
We are working on  I.D. numbers and number writing, shapes, longest and shortest and maps with phone #'s and addresses. Please continue to practice number writing at home and I.D. numbers 1-20.

Science: We are working on our Earth unit and talking about day and night in our journals.

Social Studies: We have been learning about our classmates as "Special Person" continues. It has been lots of fun!

Reminders:
This Friday, September, 27th is a half day for students, Please let us know if there is a change of plans as far as pick-up.

Please continue to send in the field trip permission slips.

Please remember a healthy snack for your child each afternoon.

Please practice zippers and tying shoes with your child.

Thank you for all of your support!

Kindergarten Teachers

Whining..how to help prevent it

We have ALL heard it... whining!  Yuck!  Lately, I have been hearing lots of whining voices in kindergarten. Sad news.  In kindergarten, I often tell my friends that I don't understand them when they start talking this way.  I tell them when they are able to tell me in their strong, kindergarten voice, I will be able to understand them better and help them out.

Whining tends to happen when a child needs to have their ideas expressed, when they feel powerless in a situation, or even if some of their basic needs are not met (hungry, tired, etc)  When we can help our kiddos understand these feelings, the less likely whining will happen.

I have found an article that helps better explain whining and what we as adults can do to help stop the whining.  I hope you find it helpful, I know I did!

Helping to Stop Whining

Homework!

We will be creating a shape collage this week.  I need your help!

Please find pictures in magazines of

circles

triangles

squares

rectangles

Please cut these pictures out and place them in an envelope with your child's name.  I will need these pictures by FRIDAY.

Thanks so much for your support!

What is Turtle Talk?

Everyday the kindergarten students have the chance to do some writing.  Currently, we are at the stage of drawing a picture and then labeling that picture.  We will then move onto writing a sentence as a class and then to writing sentences on our own.

Sometimes we get to a word that we don't know how to spell.  We can do two things.
1. Look around the room- word wall, posters, etc.- to see if we can find the word in the room to copy.
2. Use our Turtle Talk!

What is Turtle Talk?  Turtle Talk is the process of talking really, really, slowly to hear all of the sounds in the word.  For example, the word "tree" .  In class we count out the sounds by raising our fists and using our fingers to show how many sounds we hear.  "t" "r" "e" That is three sounds so we have three fingers up.  We should have at least three letters when we spell out the word.

Please practice Turtle Talk at home!  Encourage your child to write down words for you!

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

New Star Words and Letter of the Week!

New Star Words- like & the- have been introduced.  Please go over them with your child!  You can find these new words on the right hand side of our classroom blog.

The letter Aa has also been introduced to your child.  Please practice writing the capital letter A and the lower case a with your child.  The video to the right hand side of this blog will help you with the correct letter formation of capital A.

Thanks so much for your support!

Background Checks

Dear Families,

If you are wishing to volunteer in our classroom(or other parts of the building) our school safety policy says that you will need to have a background check.  There was a form for you all to fill out in the back to school packet.  If you need another one, please contact the main office.

Please contact me or the main office if you have any questions.

Thank you!

Newsletter- Week in Review

Dear Parents,

We have had a great start to anther week in Kindergarten. Our students are learning the routines and growing in independence. We are very proud of them!

Com. Arts: Our weekly theme has been:" My Family and Me". The big book is "Whose Baby Am I?" and the guided readers are "Family Fun", "We Can" and "Animal Families". Our letter this week is "M,m" and star words are "we, am, I and mom". The students are enjoying the shared reading times and their book boxes for independent and partner reading as well. Thank you for sending back the books in baggies. Some students have shared them in class.

Math: We have been working on number writing and I.D. Also on patterns and sorting money and other objects with various attributes. The math journals are generally used in the P.M.s.

Science: We discuss the weather on a daily basis and have started our "Day and Night" unit. Please send any items in for our science table that you think would be of interest.

Social Studies: We have started "Special Person' in our classrooms. Please look for information.in the backpacks.

Thank you for sending in towels for the rest time. Rest time is limited to 15-20 minutes but much needed.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at anytime.

Thank you for all of your support!
Sincerely,
The Kindergarten Teachers

Six Words You Should Say Today

Last night as I was checking email and some of my favorite websites, I came across this wonderful article. It was so great that I HAD to share it with all of you!  Please take the time to read it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rachel-macy-stafford/six-words-you-should-say-today_b_3863643.html

It made me stop and think about what I am saying to YOUR child.  Today your kiddos heard a lot of

"I love watching you read."
"I love watching you write your name."
"I love watching you try your best."
"I love watching you play nicely with your friends."
"I love watching you color."

There were BIG smiles had by all the kiddos today!

I promise that I will continue to tell your child what I love seeing them do.

What do you love watching your kids do?

New Star Words and Letter of the Week

I have updated our star words!  Please practice these with your child.  They are on the right hand side of this blog.  I have also included a video on how we write the capital letter M.  Please practice this with your child.

Thanks!

What is with those stickers?

Your child has been bringing home some of their daily work and you might have noticed stickers (or stamps) on their work.

One place that you will see a sticker is next to their name.  When your child has written their name the kindergarten way the BEST that they can, they will earn a sticker. (Students who are having difficulty are able to trace their name by using a name card that is placed under their paper) Only when corrections have been made (fixing up backwards letters or having a capital in the middle of their name) will a sticker be given.  A sticker is given so the child knows that they have tried their very best AND so that the teachers in the room know who have already been checked.

The other place that you will see a sticker is next to the word that we wrote for the day.  The sticker is given if a child has tried their very best and all corrections have been made.

You will see what we have done to help your child if there is highlighter on your child's paper. This is a place where we have asked your child to try again- often by tracing what we wrote.

To help with writing please encourage your child to write their name the kindergarten way, write their letters from top to bottom, and right to left.  Thank you so much for all of your support!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Woohoo! Day One of MAPS testing!

Today was our very first day in the computer lab for MAPS testing.  The kiddos did a FANTASTIC job!  They tried their best at all the special reading questions that were given to them.  Some questions were really easy and some were really tricky.  Way to go!

We will be completing the reading section of the MAPS test on Friday.  We will be starting right away in the morning so it is very important that your child is here on time.

Next week we will be completing the Math portion of the MAPS test.  I will give you more specific times later this week.

I will be sure to share the results with you during our scheduled conference time.  Thanks!

Please Practice!

With the weather getting cooler, please practice zipping up jackets.  We had lots of friends today unable to zip up their coat.

Also, please practice putting on socks, shoes, and tying shoes.  We have gym on Tuesdays and Fridays and many friends needed to change shoes.

Thanks so much!

Rest Towels

Dear Families,

As stated in the letter in your yellow folder that was sent home during curriculum night, please send a towel with your child for rest time. I believe the size of the towels were mentioned.   Many towels/blankets that are being sent are WAY too big and we just don't have enough room in our classroom or hallway to store them.

I am also asking that your child keeps the rest towel in a bag- other than the backpack.  This bag will be kept at school all week.  It will then be sent home on Fridays to get washed.

I am also asking that you practice with your child how to fold up their towel to put it away.  This is a great skill to learn how to do!  (Think of all the laundry that they can help with!)

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you for your support!

Take care,
Mrs. Rocky

MAPS testing on Monday

"Understanding each student’s academic level gives teachers the power to help them excel. MAP® computerized adaptive assessments are the tools that make it possible – providing educators with the detailed information they need to build curriculum and meet their students’ needs, one child at a time." ~ NWEA

On Monday, September 16th, my kindergarten students will be participating in a computerized reading test beginning promptly at 9:00 AM. The students will sit at individual computers in the lab, wear headphones, and answer various questions about such concepts as letters, sounds, words, etc. If your child has not brought headphones to school, please send them in tomorrow. Thanks!

Picture Day Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is picture day! 

Your child's picture will be taken in the morning.  If you are interested in ordering pictures, you need to return the order form to school.  This order form will be given to the photographer.  

Bring your best smile to school tomorrow!

Newsletter- Week in review

Dear Parents,

First of all, thank you for coming to the Kindergarten curriculum night. If you have further questions please contact us. There are yellow folders for those who were unable to attend in you child's mailbox.

We have had a great start in Kindergarten! The students are learning the routines, practicing the rules in and out of the classroom and participating in many of "getting to know you" activities. We stress working cooperatively, caring and sharing.  
The first few weeks of school are also spent on assessing student's academic and emotional needs. We have been reviewing letters, sounds, working on drawing and labeling, and counting. Time is spent introducing the book boxes, big books and small readers in the rooms which are part of the Daily Five and Cafe programs we incorporate into reading and writing. 
Our big books have included " Animals in the Park" and "Hands Can". The books provide time to discuss sounds of letters, rhyme, blending and comprehension. The two new star words introduced have been "I and can".Color words and names of students have also been reviewed.
We will be starting a science unit: "Day and Night" which includes a journal, big books and small readers. Our "Special Person" of the week will begin shortly and everyone will have their own week during the school year. 

Reminders:
Please label all clothing items and towels for rest time. We will send the towels home for washing on Fridays.
Snack time is in the P.M. and please remind your child with a special labeled bag which is his/her snack.
Birthday treats are welcome but please No nuts or chocolate or drinks.

Any questions or concerns, please contact your child's teacher at anytime. She will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank you for all of your support in helping make the school year start so successful.

Much appreciation,
The Kindergarten Teachers

Thank you!

THANK YOU!!

Thank you families for taking the time to come to our Kindergarten Curriculum Night!  It was so nice to see so many families come to see what happens in Kindergarten.  

If you were unable to attend, there will be informational packets sent home with your child.  

I know we went through things pretty quickly but if you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  I will do my best to answer your questions as best as I can.

Our School Shoes

Special Kindergartner of the Day

We have been busy learning each other's names!  To do this, we have a Special Kindergartner of the Day.  We find out who it is during our Morning Routine.

The letters of our mystery friend have been covered up along with their picture.  We count how many letters in the person's name.  We talk about who it could be depending on how many letters there are.  We also talk about who it could be if the first letter started with a T or L or M.  It is always fun to guess who it could be!

When it is finally shown who it could be, everyone goes back to their tables to write their friend's name.  We also draw a picture of that person.  By doing this, we are practicing our letters as well as practicing drawing.  These pages are then sent home to the Special Kindergartner.

When we get to be Special Kindergartner of the Day we get to be the line leader all day and we get to help out Mrs. Rocky decide the songs that we will get to dance to.

Everyone in kindergarten will get a turn! How fun!

Writing Our Names the Kindergarten Way

We have started working on recognizing our names, identifying letters in our names, and writing our names the kindergarten way.  The kindergarten way, as I refer to is, is writing our names with one uppercase letter and the rest lowercase.

It would be beneficial for your child to practice writing their names at home too.  In addition, please help your child learn that letters are formed from top to bottom and from left to right.

By working together we can ensure your child's success in kindergarten!  Thank you for your support!  We will continue to work on name writing daily at school.

Student of the Week

I just updated when your child will be student of the week!  Please look on this blog under the "Student of the Week" page to know when it will be your child's turn.

During this week there will be some fun activities that you and your child can do together.  I will send more information home the week before it is your child's turn.

Feel free to contact me if you have any concerns!

Reminders for next week

• I am sending home your child's towel to get washed.  Please return on Monday.  Please send the towel in a bag- separate from the backpack for storage.  A SMALL stuffed animal may be brought to come out only at rest time.  We simply do not have enough space for large stuffed animals, pillows, etc.

• Please make sure that your child has a HEALTHY snack for the day.  Fruit, veggies, crackers, yogurt, etc.   

• Tuesday is the Kindergarten Curriculum night!  I am excited to see all of you here.  We will be talking about what our day is like and answering any questions you might have about kindergarten.  Remember this a night for parents and not children.

• Please EMPTY your child's green folder nightly.  Many friends are returning their green folders still filled with the previous day's items.  Please celebrate your child's work with them.

• Picture day is on Friday!  If you wish to purchase photos, please return the order form that you got at the start of the school year.

You Did It!

You made it! 

 The first week of kindergarten is in the books!  

I am very proud of my kindergartners.  There are a LOT of new things to learn and take in the first few days.  I am sure that your child has come home with plenty of stories to share.  I am also sure that they have come home really tired as well!  I know that I have!

I ran across an article the other day when I was on Pinterest (who doesn't love Pinterest?!) It was ways to deal with separation anxiety for preschool children.  As I was reading it, I was thinking that many of these ideas could be used for my kindergarten friends as well.  

Please click on the following link to view: How To Manage Preschool Separation Anxiety

Kindergarten is also a time where there is a lot of change.  New friends, new rules, new schedule, and all of these things can be overwhelming to a child.  Many Kindergartners get angry/ upset and tend to act out.  I found the following articles to help your child deal with these situations.

http://www.ahaparenting.com/parenting-tools/raise-great-kids/emotionally-intelligent-child/angry-child

http://www.ahaparenting.com/_blog/Parenting_Blog/post/What_To_Do_When_Your_Child_Gets_Angry/

I hope you find these articles helpful!  

Have a great weekend!

First Day with Pete the Cat

Today we read the story Pete the Cat Rocking in his School Shoes.  We met Pete the Cat who is a cat that goes to school for the very first time.  We found out that Pete doesn't get upset when he doesn't know something or if he has never been there before.  Pete the Cat doesn't worry- he just goes along singing his song about his school shoes.  Ask your kindergartner what he liked best about the book!

We took our own Pete on a tour of OUR school.  I will be sure to post the pics as soon as I know who is allowed to have their pictures online.  (This is a form that was sent home to parents at the start of the year)  I promise that I will NEVER put your child's full name on our classroom blog.  If you have questions about this, please feel free to contact me.

This week we will do some other fun projects with Pete!  Be on the look out for those!

A Few Things for My Parents

You did it!  You made it through day one!

Thank you to all my parents for being brave and saying good bye outside this morning.  I can only imagine how hard it may be to let your baby go with someone else.  Know that I don't take your trust for granted.

Relationships are key- I will work hard at building one with you.

Communication is an important part to building relationships. I will do my best to keep you informed on what is happening at school and during our day  (here on our classroom blog and through various other forms of communication) You have my phone number at school and my email address.  Please feel free to contact me if you ever have questions.  I will do my best to get back to you in a timely manner.

I appreciate when parents advocate for their child.  As long as we can both listen to each other, I know that we can find a solution that will work for everyone.

Please be patient with me.  There are 23 new awesome and amazing people to get to know socially, emotionally, and academically.  It might take awhile before I know what I can do to make your child's kindergarten year a great one.

I want your kiddo to have fun and to succeed.

I really do love my job.  I couldn't imagine another place to be.

Here's to a fantastic year!
Mrs. Rocky