My kindergarten families,
It’s been a busy and exciting second week of kindergarten! The children have been working, learning and discovering many new things. Listed below are the areas we have been exploring.
Language Arts:
* Read Alouds:
The teacher reads stories/poems that are at or above the student's independent or guided reading levels. This familiarizes students with book language, story structure, descriptions, plot development, concepts of print, phonemic awareness and builds the love of literature.
*Shared Reading:
This provides the beginning support that will enable the children to read independently. First the teacher reads a story to a small group or the whole class. Next, during the rereading of the story, the children participate by reading more and more of the text.
* Letter Mm, recognition and sound practice
* Copying and reading color words
* Developmental Spelling, using our sounds to label (spell) matching picture words.
These language arts activities are being practiced and reinforced to set a solid foundation so we can add literacy centers and guided reading to our routine.
Math:
* Calendar RAPs
* Number line practice working with number order and number patterns.
* SmartBoard: Number Sense practice
Social Studies:
* Why are rules important?
* How do I get along with others?
Work Habits and Routines:
Our focus during work times has been on-task work manners and giving 100% effort to our activities. Another area of focus has been listening and following directions and routines during transitional times and whole group instructional times. Each night while you’re reviewing your child’s work, also take time to discuss work habits and behavior expectations. It truly makes the difference.
I hope you have enjoyed the brag comments that we add to most independent work activities. For additional feedback, as I had noted during our orientation, Monday began our Kindergarten Behavior Sheet. This is used to share with you any habit concerns or behavior interventions that took place at school. Comments will only be added if there are concerns. If a comment is added please sign in the given box. If no comments are added no signature required.
Odds and Ends:
* If you have not completed and returned beginning year paper work from Open House and the County Folder, please do so ASAP.
* We'll be off to the Media Center Friday for a story and to check out books. The children will bring their book home. Friday’s will be our Media Center Day. Please have your child return their book by Friday.
* Also, we'll send towels home on Friday's to be washed. Please send back Monday with your child.
*When sending in money, please send it in an envelope labeled with my name, your child’s name and how the money is to be used. (We do not have change, so amounts must be exact. If money is to be applied to different accounts, please send separate checks or payments.)
It has been a wonderful start to our second week! The children have already grown with some kindergarten successes!
