Tuesday we will celebrate Earth Day!

Please wear Green and Blue to school Tuesday as we spend the day learning how to care for our Earth! xo

Just a reminder:

T/F Baggy books are due!   Please stick with this!!!!  At home reading is so important :)!

F – Black binder HW is due!

Please continue to plug away and be consistent with reading at home!!!!

Writing Workshop:

We finished our informational writing unit this week! We watched many informational videos on different animals so that we could become experts and write about them.  We first talked about everything we already knew about the animal.    Then we watched the videos and even read some informational text on that specific animal to learn more!   We took all the information we knew and learned and put it in a book written by “us”!  We are focusing on adding detailed pictures to our stories so our audience can learn from them and also adding bold words to let the reader know “pay attention, this is important”!

Readers Workshop:

• This week the Kinders continued to discover Non-fiction books, finding features in books, and exploring new words they might not know.  We added these words to a Class Vocabulary Chart.  It was REALLY exciting to see Kinders notice these new words in other books!  We are also listening to nonfiction books on our laptops from Khan Academy.  Kids love their laptop reading time!

• The Kinders also listened to fiction books from one of our favorite authors: Robert Munch!  We are focusing on setting, characters, and problem.  We also retell the story by talking about what happened in the beginning, middle, and end.

Math:

This week we continued our work on fact fluency!  We are also working hard exploring teen numbers, wrote numbers all the way to 100, drew and wrote number sentences to match story problems.  The Kinders loved playing games during workplace learning.

HAVE A Great EASTER WEEKEND!!!!!!!!  XOXOXO 

Baggy Books and Black Binders

I have collected most baggy books and black binders.   We will resume our regular baggy book/black binder schedule after break!  I still encourage your child to read during the time off!  Have a great break and enjoy your family time! xoxo. See you on Monday, April 14!

Recap of St. Patty’s Day in Kindergarten!

We had a visit from the Leprachauns today!  They snuck into our room before school while I was in a meeting.  You will never believe this, BUT as we entered the classroom after the bell rang….our room was turned upside down: chairs were everywhere & the toilet water was green!  Those Leprachauns are so sneaky!  They left us a note and chocolate candies wrapped in gold!!!!!  This made for a very exciting day!!!!!!!  SO much fun!!!!!

SNACKS DESPERATELY NEEDED:

Snack Cupboards need to be refilled!!!  We are very low and could use at least 2 snacks from each family!!!!  Please do your best to contribute!  Really appreciate this!!!!

Spring Break is just around the corner!  April 3 – 13th.

Here are some schoolwide fun dress up days for us to participate in this coming week:

Monday – Career Day! Dress up for your future dream job!

Wednesday – Wacky Wednesday Dress Up Day

Friday – Favorite Team Dress Up Day

Enjoy your SPRING BREAK!  School resumes Monday, April 14!

On our Early release day….we painted rainbows in honor of St. Patricks day coming up this Monday!

Popcorn Words

This week’s word: they, has, as

Writing:

We have wrapped up our How-to Writing Unit! The children did an amazing job; they shared various skills with each other. Next, we are diving into writing non-fiction stories called “All About Stories”. Once again, the children will share their knowledge by writing facts about a topic they are familiar with. It’s exciting to see everyone learning from each other.

Reading:

We are exploring the difference between fiction and non-fiction books. We are starting to read non-fiction books to discover new things. We find pleasure in looking at the “Real” photos while reading. We have learned that pictures can also aid in our learning process. Our response to the books involves exclamations like wow, I didn’t know that!!! How cool

Math:

This week in math we zoomed in on 2d and 3d shapes.    We also continue working on showing teen numbers as a group of ten and extra ones and as 10 and a 1-digit number.  We practiced our addition and subtraction fluency within 5.

HOMEWORK:

I collected all baggy books and Black Binder homework on Friday due to Early Release day!  This weeks homework will be baggy books T and F!  Be sure to read and practice the sight word flashcards.  Students can work on reading the words and spelling too!

CONFERENCES: 

A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who met with me during conferences last week.  It was GREAT to be able to share your Kinders progress with you.  Also, thank you to the volunteers who provided dinner for the teachers during those LONG conference days for us!

I gave everyone 3 sheets to take home at conferences.  These sheets are just meant for you to be aware of some great phonic activities or reading/writing strategies that we are working on in the classroom.  One is about the advanced phonemic skills we are working on:  adding, deleting and substituting phonemes.  The other sheets include SUPER STRENGTH reading and writing SUPER POWERS!!!!!!

Looking forward to a great week ahead!

Popcorn Words

This week’s word: would, could, should, they

Math:

This week we focused on number partners to 10.  We are also finding partners.  We recorded partners of 10, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2!  We continue to do teen number work.  We are able to write teen numbers as a group of ten ones and extra ones and a as a 10 and a 1-digit number.  We focused on adding and subtracting numbers 0-10 and fluently adding numbers 0-5.  When we are fluently adding/subtracting numbers our goal is to be able to do it in our head quickly.  We will continue to work on these skills!

*Remember this past FRIDAY was an Early release day so I collected all black binders and baggy books.  Look for new Baggy Books to go home on Tuesday!  Black Binders will not be going home until Friday.  Just a reminder…Baggy Books are every T and F.  Black Binder are every F only!

Important Upcoming Dates

Book Fair is going on now.  Your child made a wish list today.  Please look for them in your child’s yellow folder.  Book Fair is open this week during conferences on both Tuesady and Thursday night!!!!  We have an additional time to shop during school as well.  We are scheduled to go on Tuesday at 2:00.  Please send money to school in a labeled envelope if you want your child to purchase books at the book fair during school on Tuesday.

Parent Teacher Conferences are this week Tuesday and Thursday – I can not wait to share your child’s progress.  Here are the times incase you needed a reminder.

Tuesday, March 4th

4:30 Nella

4:45 Margo

5:00 Leo

5:15 Zeke

5:30 Lincoln

5:45 Avery

6:15 Finley

6:30 Mia

6:45 Summer

7:45 Kason

Thursday, March 6th

4:30 Willa

4:45 Sadie

5:00 Tate

5:30 Elliana

5:45 Mason

6:00 Parker

6:15 Isabelle

UPCOMING DATES:

March 14 – Early Release: 12:15 dismissal

 April 3 – April 13: SPRING BREAK!!!!

Monday, April 14 – School Resumes

Penguin Day Photos will have to be posted another time, still having a bit of trouble downloading them :)!

PENGUIN THEME DAY TOMORROW IN KINDERGARTEN!!!!

PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD COME TO SCHOOL DRESSED IN BLACK AND WHITE and they may also bring something for show and tell that is either black, white, or a combination of both!  Looking forward to a fun day!!!  xoxo

LOTS OF ….Upcoming Events & Reminders:

100’s Day Celebration

• Friday, February 7, our class will be celebrating our 100th day of school!  No need to prepare anything!  Kids will enjoy many hands on activties and a special snack as we celebrate being 100 days smarter!!!!

• Feb. 10 & 11 ~ Winter Break:  No school!

I will be collecting Black Binders this Friday.  I want the kids to have some free time to really enjoy their Winter Break!  Look for it to come again next Friday :). Baggy Books still went home as scheduled!  Please read books, slide through decodable word lists, and read through the sight word flashcards!  Don’t forget to sign off on the books if your child is ready for a new book.

• Thursday, Feb 13th – Fort Day!  We earned enough SOAR Stars to have a small celebration.  We have decided to have fort day!  Student’s may bring a sheet (sheet’s work best when making a fort) or blanket, dress in PJs, and bring one small stuffed animal.

• Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day Festivities-   You may send your Valentine’s in to class anytime between now and Feb 14.  If you voluntered to donate something for our Valentine Party, I already contacted you by email.  Thanks in advance for all your contributions.

Here is an additional classlist in case you need it :)!

Kason      Mason      Parker

Lincoln     Tate      Sadie

Avery     Willa     Margo

Isabelle      Elliana      Zeke

Summer      Macie     Mia

Finley      Nella      Leo

Mrs. VanderLaan      Mrs. DeSmit

Friday – Feb. 21 – Penguin Day

PENGUIN THEME DAY Friday, February 21st!!!!

PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD COME TO SCHOOL DRESSED IN BLACK AND WHITE!!!!

• Kids may also bring something for show and tell that is Black or white or both 🙂

We are going to have a “Penguin Good Day!”

We will be….

reading fiction and nonfiction penguin books.

Learning how to draw a penguin.

Having a special black and white snack!

Learning how to make snow!

Making a penguin craft!

• Feb. 28 – Early Release Day:  12:15 dismissal

ALSO WE ARE IN NEED of class snacks!  ON YOUR NEXT VISIT TO THE STORE, COULD YOU PLEASE PICK SOME UP FOR US!!!!  I am asking that each family bring in 2 snacks for the class to share!  Thanks to those that have already contributed!!!  Kinders love our snack time!  xoxo

We are so excited to celebrate us being 100 days smarter tomorrow!  Also, I hope you all have a wonderful winter break!!!   xoxo

Top Frog:

Our second round of Top Frog! has been so fun so far  This rounds focus is on a name game, revealing our favorite food and sport with white crayon and water color paints, and having an opportuniy to bring something special in to share with the class.  Everyone will get a turn!

Popcorn Words

This weeks word was: have, are, make, like, home, here

READING:

Next week, we will begin a new reading unit called Bigger Books, Bigger Reading Muscles. The Kinders will learn that when reading we need persistence power. Persistence power helps when books are considered challenging because they have more words and more lines, longer words, new words and surprise endings. Each of the Kinders will be getting their own reading mat to use during reading time. The Kinders will practice using their reading mat to organize their books as they read. They will place their books on the green arrow side (in a pile with the easiest books on top) to start reading and moving the book to the red arrow side when they are finished they will go back and re-read their books again.

WRITING:

We are finishing up our Personal Narrative writing unit.  We are doing a little catch up with our snow days so we will finish up soon.  Our next unit will begin writing How To stories. We will begin by sharing with our partners things we want to teach the class.   Some examples: how to make your bed, how to make a bowl of cereal, how to make a snowman, etc. We learned that writers write about what they know and they practice telling what they know by putting the steps in order. We will begin each page with first, next, then, and last!  The Kinders are doing a great job finishing up Personal Narratives.   I really enjoy reading their stories and see the excitment they have for writing.  Looking forwarad to our next unit as well!  I know they will have lots of fun writing “How To” stories!

Vowels:

We had some visitors… All five vowels!  The kids loved it!  We learned that there are 5 vowels A-E-I-O-U and sometimes Y.  We learned a catchy song to remind us.  We also learned that the vowels are called the “hardest workers” because they have two sound and a vowel is in every word!!!!!  This week we will find out why all the vowels think the “e” is so BOSSY!!! and will also learn that when two vowels go walking “Sometimes” the first vowel does the talking.  We have vowel power!!!!

MATH:

This week in math we told addition and subtraction stories, showed numbers 6 through 10 using 5-groups, sorted and classified objects and used the equal and not equal sign.  We are also working on drawing numbers 6-10 using a 5-group and writing numbers 0-20 as a whole class! We love workplace learning!  Playing focused games to help us with our skills has been a wonderful addition to our math time this year!

Upcoming Events & Reminders:

REPORT CARDS WILL GO HOME THIS FRIDAY!  Kids are making such great progress!  So proud of them!!!  xoxo

100’s Day Celebration

• Friday, February 7, our class will be celebrating our 100th day of school!  No need to prepare anything!  Kids will enjoy many hands on activties and a special snack as we celebrate being 100 days smarter!!!!

• Feb. 10 & 11 ~ Winter Break:  No school!

• Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day Festivities-   Look for a classlist to go home in our child’s black binders this Friday.  Your child can use this list to send each classmate a valentine.  You may send your Valentine’s in to class anytime between now and Feb 14.  If you voluntered to donate something for our Valentine Party, I will contact you by email sometime teh beginning of February.  Thanks in advance for all your contributions.

• Feb. 28 – Early Release Day:  12:15 dismissal

ALSO WE ARE IN NEED of class snacks!  ON YOUR NEXT VISIT TO THE STORE, COULD YOU PLEASE PICK SOME UP FOR US!!!!  I am asking that each family bring in 2 snacks for the class to share!  Thank you so much!!!  Kinders love our snack time!  xoxo

It was so nice to be back at school with all of your sweet kinders! I missed them SO much over break!! Having two weeks off from school can be challenging getting back into routine, especially for young students.  I think we are all slowly adjusting and it feels good to be back!

THANKS so much for all the wonderful Christmas gifts you gave me!  and all the happy thoughts you sent my way!!!  MY DAUGHTER KASEY is Married and it was wonderful!!!!  We had the best time celebrating!!!!!  Here is a picture of her December 27th wedding!!!!!!!!

Top Frog:

We will start our second round of Top Frog this coming week!  It will be focused on a name game, revealing our favorite food and sport with white crayon and water color paints, and having an opportuniy to bring something special in to share with the class.

Popcorn Words

This weeks words: have and are

Curriculum Info: 

This week we finished up our reading unit: Super Powers and our writing unit: writing for readers, focusing on personal narratives.  New units will start next week!

Phonics foucus for the next month will be vowels!

Math: We are continuing with teen numbers (recalling, writing, counting on from).

I wanted you to know I brought everyones towel home over break and washed them :)!

Important Reminders:

Please remember to send your kinder with a hat, gloves/mittens and coat every day!  Labeling everything is very helpful,  as well as practicing getting snow gear off and on :)!

If there is snow on the ground, please plan to pack your child’s snow pants.

Please remember an AM snack is provided everyday, but if your child would like an additional snack during our PM towel intervention time please pack your child one each day.  In the past,  kids would finish their lunch they brought from home…. but with MOST kids getting hot lunch this year…. you may want to consider packing a snack for the PM.

Congrats to those kids that did the Holiday Homework!!!!  So proud of you!!!!!!

***LET’S MAKE A BIG EFFORT to get into a baggy book/Black binder routine!!!  I collected both baggy books and black binders before break, but many kids did not turn them in!!!!!!!  If you still have yours at home BE SURE to turn them in tomorrow!!!!  We need to get back on track and in our homework routine!!!!  THANK YOU!!***

Great to be back!!!  xoxo

I am sorry, I thought this was sent out in the Park newsletter!  It is school wide spirit week!  We have 3 more days!

Wednesday: PJ Day

Thur: Cozy sock day

Fri: Christmas Sweater Day