Week of November 14-18th

This week we read a couple of fun turkey books and made long legged turkeys and did some writing to go with them. We’re really working hard on stretching and writing words. We’re working on beginning and end sounds and stretching and reading nonsense words. We also stretched some real CVC words and then got to act them out. They loved this!

We read a book about the worry monsters. We talked a lot about what we should worry about and what we shouldn’t. We agreed, as long as we’re trying our best, there shouldn’t be much to worry about in kindergarten. We talked about strategies to figure out what to do if you have a problem or can’t figure something out. Lots of problems can be solved by just stopping and thinking about it for a minute. Usually if they ask me, my first questions is, what do YOU think? And most times they can solve it without me! But, I AM always here to help if needed! Sometimes the problem is they just don’t ask. I reminded them that I can’t help with a problem if I don’t know about it. We’re working on using our voices appropriately.

We also learned about our community and the terms past and present. We compared how people used to dress, get to school, what their homes/stores were like and much more with the past and present. We also talked about traditions and learned about a boy whose family makes totem poles. We talked about what it means to be thankful and all the things we are thankful for. We ended our day by making the directions and assembling and eating pumpkin pie in a cup!

In math, we’ve been comparing length and width with non-standard measurements. We are working on weight as well.

Some of you have asked, here are the letters we’ve focused on so far: Aa, Bb, Dd, Gg, Hh, Ii, Mm, Nn, Pp, Rr, Ss and Tt. They should be able to tell you the letter, action, sound, and be able to form and write the letters correctly. This week, we added the sight words, be, he, she, me, and we.

Game/book bags will be coming home again after Thanksgiving break. Please keep them at least two nights and no more than the weekend. There is a paper sight word game in folders today that they can play and keep at home.

If they write and draw a picture about their Thanksgiving break, that can be returned on Monday after break for a sticker. Please make sure THEY do the writing and stretch out their words.

We DO go out for recess if the temp is between 10-19 degrees (limited) and depending on the wind chill. We did NOT go out today. Please make sure your child is dressed to go out daily.

Book orders will come home on Monday after break. They will be due by noon on Friday Dec 2nd. so that we have time to get them back before the holiday break. You can also order for other ages. Just go to scholastic.com and enter our code HWML6. If you order books for gifts, please let me know and I will get them to you or leave in the office for you to pick up. Books make great gifts!

We will be having a holiday party at the end of Dec. Be looking for a sign up genius if you’d like to donate items. More details to come.

I hope you all have a nice break! Stay warm and safe!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Week of Nov. 7-11th

This week we have talked about our families and traditions and have done some fun turkey activities. Next week, we will talk about being thankful and compare the past and present. We will also make a fun pumpkin pie in a cup next Friday.

In math, we are talking about measurement and have started with length. We will learn about length, weight and how to measure with different objects. I don’t often send homework, but did send a measurement one home yesterday. Please make sure that’s completed and returned.

We are still working on habit 3, put first things first. We talk about work first and then play. We are talking about how to solve problems and have safe bodies.

We are learning about long and short vowels and practicing our letters and sounds daily. We have started putting together CVC words and are practicing stretching them out and putting them together. We are also working on syllables and counting the syllables in words.

Game/book bags are coming back and forth like they need to. I may not get the bag right back to them the same day. I am also constantly checking to make sure I’m sending appropriate books/games home. Your info. on the log helps and I won’t take them back unless it’s been signed so I know they did it. Please make sure to keep them a couple of days and then return. They shouldn’t be returned after one night. Even if it’s an easy book, the practice and confidence building are just as important.

Pictures came home yesterday. Picture retakes will be next Tuesday. Please let me know if you want your child’s picture retaken.

We have 5 kids out today, all sick. PLEASE keep them home if they are not feeling well. As much as I say keep hands out of noses and mouths, it still happens. We are cleaning tables and supplies the best we can, but it’s still going around. No one wants to be sick over break, so please err on the side of caution if they’re not feeling well, knowing that we have a lot out sick.

We made torn paper hearts yesterday to give out to Veterans today. It’s always a special day and we will have a chance to have a conversation with 3 Veterans from kindergarten families.

Midterms are coming home today. In order to not take the time to retest everyone again at this point, we have sent a list of things we are working on in class through Dec. This will give you a basis to reinforce these skills with them at home.

Have a good weekend!