Friday Guest Reader

Melanie came in for her first visit to share some classic and favorite stories of her favorite books. Green Eggs and Ham, The Velveteen Rabbit and Stella's Dancing Days were enjoyed this morning by all our friends.  Although we tried to keep up and help Melanie read Dr. Seuss' most popular books, we tried our best. Thanks to all our Friday guest readers. The children continue to enjoy this time to relax and fall more in love with reading!  If you'd like to sign up, please do so on the following link!  See you soon!
 http://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044AADAF2BA46-friday

Reflections

We spent some time over the last few weeks reflecting on what we have learned so far in Kindergarten. After looking at our fall hopes and dreams, we realized that many of us have conquered our goal and took some time to think about what we as indiviuals really hoped to learn throughout the rest of the year.  We connected this learning to noticing how much we changed, and even took some time observing ourselves as we completed another self-portrait.  Using oil pastels, students studied their unique features and set out to illustrate what they saw in the mirror. Check out the winter self portraits and hopes and dreams outside our hallways.

Snowballs

Students created their own "snowpeople" based on the book, Snowballs by Lois Ehlert.  While reading the story we noticed the author/illustrator must have used real materials in a collage format to make her illustrations.  We decided to take dig out our own materials to use to recreate her snowpeople in our own way.  Before concocting the snowperson, we made a detailed plan of the materials we would use and what it would look like.  After, we reflected by writing about what our snowperson was like or looked like.  Friday craft day is always so much fun!

E.C.O. Tracking

Our ECO science lesson focused on being "animal detectives" in Harrison Field and Forest today. We launched our lesson with an exploration of tracks in the sand, a nature museum style activity and drawing animal tracks on our work board before morning meeting. Students greeted each other at meeting by making a track with their fingers - some two-legged, some four-legged and some even had a tail! Together with Wrigley's class, we read Big Tracks, Little Tracks. 

Students learned to focus on thinking like scientists by making observations about animal behavior and asking questions. Before heading outdoors, kindergartners practiced by turning and talking with their neighbors at the read-aloud carpet, and sharing their observations and questions with the whole group about animal tracks, patterns of tracks, and discussing possible reasons of where the animals in the story could be going and why. Students learned to share their new format for thinking like scientists, and practiced many times by saying aloud their observations and questions in this way, for example "I notice the snow shoe hare tracks led to the tree, I wonder

if it was going into the hole at the bottom?" Students are learning to gather information to inform their thinking, continue asking questions and finding evidence to support their observations before asserting an idea as a "final" answer. As we discovered animal tracks in Harrison forest, trailed and traced back their tracks, students shared what they were thinking through I notice, and I wonder statements as well. 


We were lucky to have enough time to do some sliding in Harrison Forest! Lucky Kindergarteners! 

E.C.O. CHANGE

As a reminder, we will be changing our E.C.O. day to Thursday of this week.  On Wednesday, our class is welcoming a guest reader who will be reading to our class in honor of "Reading to End Racism," a school-wide event.  Please see more information regarding this program in your child's folder tomorrow or on the blog.  Included will be questions to ask your child.  

For Thursday, don't forget to help your child be prepared.  Temps are supposed to drop so helping them  to notice this change in weather is important. Some children think spring has already come...as a result of the last few warm days.  

Please remember to pack a water bottle for your child, and a separate snack. We will bring both with us in backpacks to Harrison field. Also, please help your child dress in layers of clothing, including boots, warm socks, warm/water repellant jacket, and either rain pants or snowpants, hats, and gloves/mittens. The ground is wet, muddy, and perhaps we'll see more snow during the day!  An  extra pair of socks and a change of clothes will help your child have dry feet the remainder of the day. Please review with your child in the morning as you help them dress, "how to take care of yourself" during E.C.O. Don't forget indoor shoes for P.E. in the afternoon!  

Report Cards

Report Cards will be distributed the first week of February.  Over the course of the year, I have been doing both formal and informal assessments of where your child is academically and socially at this point in Kindergarten.  This week, students have learned what an assessment (or to them- a by yourself activity) means and how important they are to a teacher.  They have learned that these activities are ones that they have to do ALL by themselves so I can see what they know - not their friends.  Although many are inclined to help out a buddy (we have such empathetic friends), we are learning to do only our own work.  It was also explained to them how a teacher looks at what each child knows in order to plan what to teach them.  The students did a FANTASTIC job of practicing real assessing behaviors: being quiet, saying the answers in their head, looking only at their own paper, not asking a teacher or friend for help, trying their best, and simply moving on if it is too hard.

Last month, more formal reading assessments were completed.   Each assessment took between 5 and 30 minutes and allowed me to find out where your child is at.  These assessments gave me information on students reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension and time was spent analyzing their reading to see what strategies they are using to solve words.  This will guide me to plan for instruction based on the needs of the student. Students have begun to work in small guided reading groups last week based on the data collected.  

I hope you are enjoying watching your child progress through their kindergarten year. Each day they continue to amaze me in their learning thus far in the year.  Thank you for continuing to support our classroom learning.  If you have any questions once report cards come out, please let me know!  More at-home support will be shared at this time.  These activities for at-home support are always optional.   

Animal Adventures

Ellie the Elephant and Fred the Frog have been on many adventures and have done such cool things with the kids.  Poor Ellie even joined the class in having the stomach bug.  Good things she had a bath!  Some other activities the animals have participated in include sledding, movies, art projects, tree shopping, and bowling!  I'm enjoying hearing about their (and your child's) adventures over the weekend.  What will Ellie and Fred do next?

What's Better...Bingo or Ice Cream?

Bingo Night and Ice Cream Social Friday, January 18th 6:30-8:00 pm Bingo is back! The Union School Parents Group will host a bingo/ice cream social on Friday, January 18th from 6:30-8:00 pm. As always, ice cream is free, and toppings and bingo cards will cost 25 cents. The Parents Group is seeking donations of new (perhaps unwanted holiday gifts?) toys, games, posters, frames, etc. for the prize table and ice cream toppings. Donations can be dropped off in the office by Wednesday, January 16th. We hope everyone can join us for this UES tradition.

P.E. News

Your children are happy skillful movers in Physical Education class! We have just completed a successful unit of gymnastics. The lower grades (k-2) learned basic gymnastics skills including a variety of tumbling techniques and balance activities.  There were many highlights to this unit, including watching students gain confidence and self-esteem while practicing a variety of skills at the gymnastics station.

In the month of January we will begin a throwing and catching unit in grades k-2. All grades will continue participate in cooperative games and activities.  Throughout the throwing and catching unit, students will develop an understanding of the basic principles of these important lifelong skills. They will understand how these skills require varying amounts of energy, and how they cause physical changes to the body.

 Parents and guardians are encouraged to come see their children in action during PE class.  Let us know in advance so we can have a seat ready for you.  You are welcome to participate if you choose to do so.  We love when parents come ready to participate! Also, for your children’s comfort and safety we need your help by making sure they bring their sneakers on PE days.

Birthday Celebration

Due to the vast amount of illnesses that affected our classroom on Friday, we spent a little extra time celebrating a friends birthday.  His family came in and shared delicious gluten and dairy free apple cinnamon cups, popcorn, and juice for us at snack time.  They also donated us a book for the classroom, The Grouchy Ladybug and taught us a little about telling time.  Because guest reader had been cancelled for the day (student was out sick), our birthday friend's family stayed and read us a few books.  Our birthday buddy also helped his family and read a book aloud to us.  Thanks! If you'd like to be a guest reader, please see the calendar below.  We have many free dates available. If Friday's are tough for you, please let me know and we can arrange for an alternative day.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044AADAF2BA46-friday

Responsibility

Our friends here are showing RESPONSIBILITY to help fix broken items in our classroom.  These friends spent part of their choice time working with Mr. Olmstead to fix the doll's crib.  Students continue to take care of classroom materials, pick up after themselves, and in addition are working hard to keep track of lost winter gear.  Friends have come a long way and spend extra time each day looking to see if they have everything from home.  Students then have been taking lost materials into their own hands and retracing their steps to pick up lost mittens, scarfs, etc.  NICE WORK FRIENDS!

Bug going around

Sounds like a bug is going right through our class. Many children have been out and I keep hearing from others of more getting it.  PLEASE, if your child is sick, keep them home! Although I will miss them dearly, I'd rather have the germs stay at home!  I hope your children feels better soon!
Today, we only had 7 children in our class.

Posts via email

Don't forget to check out the actual blog in addition to reading the posts on your email.  The blog is filled with pictures and videos that I don't think get sent in the automatic updates.

Thanks for all the great feedback regarding the new at home reading program.  This is just a reminder that your child will not be bringing books home every night.  We will aim for 3-4 nights a week.  Thanks for your support at home and help in building reading fluency for your child.  If you have any questions, let me know.

ECO

Next week, there has been a change in the ECO schedule. To accomodate a school wide event, "Reading to End Racism, " we have changed our ECO day to Thursday. If you'd like to join us , please let us know. If your child did not bring home the calendar for the winter/spring, let me know. I found one that had fallen out of a backpack!

Here is the list of dates when we will be traveling outdoors for ECO for this winter and spring. Please post them so you can help your child be best prepared on these days.

January 17th

February 6th

February 20th

March 27th

April 10th

May 8th

May 15th

This Week's Star Students

 

The first week of "Star Student" has been a success.  We have one more activity tomorrow and then two new students will be taking the box home for the weekend.  We have enjoyed learning more about this week's star students and helping them celebrate their individual talents, strengths, interests, and families.  We are all unique. We are all special. We are all important.  During star student, each student will be recognized for their hard work, dedication, and incredible heart.  We look forward to celebrating each and every one of your children over the next few weeks! 

 

Heart Words

The kids have been reading and writing new heart words each week. Word bird holds and helps us remember our new heart word of the week. INQUIRE with your child who 'word bird' is.   So far this year, your child should know how to read and spell many words including: I, a, is, up, on, my, me, we, on, see, like, can, and, and here.  While students spend time on word work during daily 5, they are practicing reading and writing these words in many different ways.  Students who have mastered spelling this set of words have been working on additional words.  We have also been perfecting our handwriting of lower case letters and discussed how words at the beginning of sentences must have uppercase letters.  We looked closely at the word The/the and realized that even though the words look different, they are the same! At this point in the kindergarten year, students should be writing all lower case letters in their writing. This writing should be legible. If you'd like guidance as to how to help your child at home with their handwriting or with developing their automaticity of either reading or writing heart words, let me know. I'm happy to help you. 

Have fun practicing these high frequency words with your child at home. Have your child repeat the word after listening.  After much practice, challenge your child by pushing mute and having them do it on their own!

Poems

Throughout the next few weeks, students will be reading a variety of winter poems across the curriculum.  This week, we have focused on the poem, "Walking in the Snow." Students are practicing the comprehension strategy of visualizing, many accuracy strategies, and rereading the poem over and over again to help build fluency.  Children will continue reading these poems in their independent reading time as all the poems will be made into a poem book.  Students are using the visualization strategy to visualize and then make a picture to match the words. 

Happy Reading!

On Monday, your child will bring home a letter describing our home-school reading program.  Although we have briefly started this, a few things have changed, so please read this letter.  The big difference is that your child will be recording their books and the books will be sent home in a YELLOW folder.  Please sign the agreement if you'd like to participate in the program.  

If you have any questions about how to best support your child's reading at home, please contact me. The purpose of our at home reading program is to read for pleasure and to share the excitement of reading together.  It should also give you an idea of what your child is reading at school.  These books have been practiced many times before being sent home, so they might appear to be too easy.  If the book is too easy for him/her it shows you how much your child has practiced it.  As a child rereads a text, their fluency increases.  These books can be sent back as frequently as you'd like.  I will try my best to help your child refill them each day.  If you prefer not to have books sent home, please let me know.  It is your families responsibility to take care of the books and return them in a reasonable amount of time.


I'd love a sense of how frequently your child is reading - either to you - or by him/herself each night.  Please complete the poll on the side column of our blog! 

Star Student Project

In your child's folder on Friday, you received a letter telling you about "Star Student."  The letter introduced you to a new home-school project we’d like your participation in.  To connect home and school learning, you will get to help your child in preparation for their Star Student Week.  During the next few months, your child will have an entire week to be the, “Star Student!”  While your child is the Star Student they will be honored with a different activity or event.  This project will integrate our social curriculum with literacy and math learning.  

On the Friday before your child is the Star Student, they will be given a special star container to bring home for the weekend.  Over the weekend, they are to use its contents to complete the activities, and fill the box with all of the items listed below.  Please make sure what they choose fits into the Star Box, and nothing extra.  

On the Monday of your child’s week, please return the Star Box (completed) with your STAR KINDERGARTENER! The following events/activities will happen on each day.  

 MONDAY- Stuffed Animal and Journal
In the Star Student Box ,there will be a stuffed animal and journal inside.  With your help, you and your child will work together to write and illustrate (photos, magazine cut outs or photographs are fun mediums for illustrations, too) something your child did with the animal during the weekend.  PLEASE RETURN THE ANIMAL AND JOURNAL TO SCHOOL ON MONDAY INSIDE THE STAR BOX FOR YOUR CHILD TO SHARE WITH THE CLASS.  This activity connects what your child is learning at school and extends that learning into his/her home!

TUESDAY- C.A.R.E.S. and ME!
Also in the Star Student box, you will find a questionnaire about C.A.R.E.S.  Please help your child fill out and prepare the questionnaire, making sure it is placed in the Star Student box on Monday.  On Tuesday, they will have a chance to share and we will celebrate their individual C.A.R.E.S. efforts.  

WEDNESDAY- Favorite book  
Please help your child choose a favorite book from home that they have read.  Remember, reading in Kindergarten may be 1.) reading the words, 2.) reading the pictures, and or 3.) retelling the story.  Take time to find out what strategies your child knows at this point in Kindergarten and help them prepare a personal/family favorite to share with the class.  The special book will remain in the box until Wednesday.

THURSDAY- Letter from Parent or Family Member
Please write a letter to the class telling us how special your child is to you.  Send the letter in a sealed envelope with your child inside the Star Box on Monday.  I will read the letter to the class on Thursday.  The content of the letter is up to you, however, here are some ideas:  Describe a special or funny story about your child for the class to hear; write a silly or serious poem about your child; tell us some neato’ things we may not know about your child, or write about why you are proud of your child.  Included in the Star Student box, please send in a baby picture for your child to share with their class community!  

FRIDAY- Estimation Jar
One of the goals of the Kindergarten curriculum is to provide an opportunity for children to estimate.  The “Estimation Jar” is a chance for children to estimate, compare, count, and enjoy the world of numbers.  It also provides practice in making and checking predictions, while learning the concept of place value.  Please help your child choose a number of small items that will fit into the, “Estimation Jar.”  Have your child count exactly how many items are in the jar using the 100’s chart (please keep in box) found in the Star Student Box and write down the number on a separate note to attach to the bottom of the jar.  PLEASE, NO MORE THAN 100 items.  Encourage your child to keep the number of items in the jar a secret.  At school, the class will try to estimate the actual number of items in the jar.  Then the actual number will be revealed.  We will compare the guesses to the actual number.  Next, we will count and group the items by ten to further practice place value.  PLEASE be sure to return the estimation jar in the Star Student Box on Monday.  Some suggested items are: marbles, dice, cotton balls, seashells, rocks, crayons, ziti pasta, etc.  Please be sure each item is no smaller than a dice!  Before estimating we will pull out a handful to count to use as a guide in making educated predictions.  

Have fun working with your Star Kindergarten Student on this special activity.  Please contact me with any questions at all.  If you need to switch with a peer from your child’s class, please contact that family or let me know how I can be of help.  A schedule can be found below.  

Week Of:	Closter’s Class
January 7th, 2013	Finn/Owen
January 14th, 2013	Elke/Alex
January 21st, 2013 (will begin Tuesday)	McKenzie/Lucas
January 28th, 2013	Bella/Calvin
February 4th, 2013	Tatum/Rye
February 11th, 2013	Stella/Rowan
February 18th, 2013	Juliet/Ian
March 6th, 2013 (Wednesday-Tuesday)	Adri/Declan

Daily "4"

Our morning literacy block  uses the "Daily 5" structure.  Daily 5 emphasizes independence while reading and writing.  The students have been building their stamina throughout the year and are thoroughly engaged in their work during this time.  Each session begins with a whole group mini lesson and then students are given the choice of reading to self, listening to reading, working on writing, or engaging in word work.  This week, we've begun learning how to make these choices.  Prior to vacation, students were all working on the same thing.  Now, students will have a choice as to what they would like to do and where they'd like to do their work around the room.  I am keeping track, however, of what students choice, to ensure students are balancing their choices.   While students are situated around the room working on building their independent skills, I am able to spend more time in small groups teaching particular skills or conferring with children independently. I am impressed at the focus, hard work, concentration, and improvement the students are showing during this block of time.  Ask your child what choices they made today.  Check out this video showing our students engaged in Daily 5!  We will be learning about the last component (read to someone) next week.   

Happy Birthday x2

While celebrating a classmates birthday this afternoon, we thought it'd be nice to double the fun.  It was Principal Bradley's birthday as well, so we joined him in the office to sing a silly birthday song to him!  We presented him with a crown and birthday treats and even integrated math practice while chanting, "Are you 1....are you 2...."  counting all the way up to......  

Upon returning to the classroom, our student birthday boy shared a "class present" with us and shared a special goody bag treat with us...pretzels, animal crackers, and juice...what a healthy treat! Thanks so much!  If your child is having a birthday and you'd like to send something in, please contact me in advance. Thanks!  

Friday Guest Reader

Royce came in for guest reader this morning and shared a few of their families favorites! Your children continue to enjoy having new family members join our class and read to them! I think they could sit on the rug ALL day and listen to more stories...they're always begging for more.  Thank you Royce for taking time out of your day to share your love for books with our emergent readers.  If you'd like to sign up to be guest reader, follow the link below.  If Friday's don't work for you, let me know what day you'd be prefer. We're more than happy to accommodate your work schedules! 
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/508044AADAF2BA46-friday

Welcome Back!

I hope everybody enjoyed a restful winter break and were able to spend some quality time with your family. I was happy to hear all the stories about what your family did over the vacation.  Smiles and laughter filled the classroom today after students welcomed each other back after more than a week off.  Although cooped up inside due to the chilly temps outside, all friends remembered to show C.A.R.E.S. throughout the day.  Routines were reestablished and rules were reviewed as we said goodbye to fall and hello to winter! Our focus today was on the seasons, the new calendar year, and reestablishing the community of learners.  Check out some photos from today!

Making snowman calendar markers for January!

Interactive and individual writing to say goodbye to fall and welcoming winter.  Students are working on stretching words and hearing beginning, middle, and ending sounds.  

 

Fun with the camera at snack time - lots of time to chat and catch up!

Cooperation during workplaces - most are partner based and students are showing empathy by choosing new friends to play with!  What empathic students I have!

With the windchill below zero, the admin voted for indoor recess.  You may wonder what we often do during this time to ensure we get some energy out!  Most days, students vote for a dance party in the classroom - check out these videos to get a feel for what indoor recess looks like in Room 5!