Week of December 10th

This week:
Sight Words: this, came, on
Theme: Polar Express
Literacy Skill:  Craft and Structure
Story Element: Retell, Problem/Solution
Comprehension Strategy:  
Math:  Measuring
Writing: Telling Stories
Phonics: Bb
Phonemic Awareness Skill:  Single Sounds

Important Dates:
December 12:  Stocking Trinkets due
December 12:  Please send items from Christmas Center sign ups on Bloomz
December 14:  Christmas Centers
Winter Break: December 17- January 4
January 9:  Minimum Day
January 21:  No School

Mistletoe Magic:
Thank you to those that participated in this!  We had a great time! 

Christmas Centers:
We will be having some fun Christmas centers on December 14th from 9:30-11:15.  Thank you to those who volunteered to send items in need.  Please send those items in on or before December 12th.  I am also asking for each student to bring 25 small trinkets (no food) to pass out into each student's stocking.  Small trinket ideas are pencils, small toys, erasers, a sticker.... Please send these small trinkets any day before December 12th in a bag clearly labeled "Stocking Stuffers" and your child's name.  

Toy Drive:  Cram is having a toy drive.  If you have a new unwrapped toy you'd like to donate, please send it in a bag clearly labeled "Toy Drive".  Thank you!
  


Homework:
  Please click on the homework tab to see the share topic.  

Please contact me if you have any questions.  

Week of December 3rd

This week:
Sight Words: find, but, from
Theme: Gingerbread Man
Literacy Skill:  Craft and Structure
Story Element: Retell, Problem/Solution
Comprehension Strategy:  
Math:  Measuring
Writing: Telling Stories
Phonics: Ff
Phonemic Awareness Skill:  Single Sounds

Important Dates:
December 3: Candy Cane Lane Store Begins
December 4: Mistletoe Magic
December 5:  Minimum Day
December 14:  Christmas Centers

Mistletoe Magic:
We will have a holiday performance on December 4th. All grade levels along with Crams Chorus will be singing a holiday song! It will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church and the show will begin at 6:00.  Doors open at 5:30. Kindergarten will be singing “Go Tell It on the Mountain”. This is a very special voluntary event. Your child does not need to be present this night. If your child is participating, we ask that they dress in their "Christmas best".  

Christmas Centers:
We will be having some fun Christmas centers on December 14th from 9:30-11:15.  I'm looking for at least 5 parent volunteers that day.  I will also have a sign up sheet coming out on Bloomz with some items I need for our special centers.  I know how busy this time of year can be so I'd like to have that organized early.  I am also asking for each student to bring 25 small trinkets (no food) to pass out into each student's stocking.  Small trinket ideas are pencils, small toys, erasers, a sticker.... Please send these small trinkets any day before December 12th in a bag clearly labeled "Stocking Stuffers" and your child's name.  

Toy Drive:  Cram is having a toy drive.  If you have a new unwrapped toy you'd like to donate, please send it in a bag clearly labeled "Toy Drive".  Thank you!

Candy Cane Lane Store:
This store gives your child an opportunity to shop for small gifts for his/her family members.  Information on this came home on Thursday.  I will take them shopping on Monday.  Please return the envelope on Monday if you would like your child to shop.  I will not be taking them again.  


Homework:
  Please click on the homework tab to see the share topic.  

Please contact me if you have any questions.  

Week of November 26th

Hello everyone!  I hope you enjoyed your holiday!  We have just 3 weeks of school before our next holiday break!  I'm hoping you found some time to help your child decorate his/her holiday tree.  I'm looking forward to seeing those tomorrow!  Also, if you still have your child's craft bag, please return that asap.  

This week:
Sight Words: is, of, so, many, where
Theme: Reindeer
Literacy Skill:  Craft and Structure
Story Element: N/A
Comprehension Strategy:  Questioning
Math:  Comparing Numbers to 10
Writing: Writing with Sentences
Phonics: Pp
Phonemic Awareness Skill:  Single Sounds

Important Dates:
December 3: Candy Cane Lane Store Begins
December 4: Mistletoe Magic
December 5:  Minimum Day
December 14:  Christmas Centers

Mistletoe Magic:
We will have a holiday performance on December 4th. All grade levels along with Crams Chorus will be singing a holiday song! It will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church and the show will begin at 6:00. Kindergarten will be singing “Go Tell It on the Mountain”. This is a very special voluntary event. Your child does not need to be present this night. We will be practicing and learning the song as a grade level and if so not wish for your child to be a part of this practice, please let me know. Like I said, it is a fun and special holiday event and we hope all the students will participate. 

Christmas Centers:
We will be having some fun Christmas centers on December 14th from 9:30-11:15.  I'm looking for at least 5 parent volunteers that day.  I will also have a sign up sheet coming out on Bloomz with some items I need for our special centers.  I know how busy this time of year can be so I'd like to have that organized early.  I am also asking for each student to bring 25 small trinkets (no food) to pass out into each student's stocking.  Small trinket ideas are pencils, small toys, erasers, a sticker.... Please send these small trinkets any day before December 12th in a bag clearly labeled "Stocking Stuffers" and your child's name.  

Toy Drive:  Cram is having a toy drive.  If you have a new unwrapped toy you'd like to donate, please send it in a bag clearly labeled "Toy Drive".  Thank you!

Candy Cane Lane Store:
This store gives your child an opportunity to shop for small gifts for his/her family members.  More information will come home about this very soon.  


Homework:
Homework will be back to usual this week.  Please click on the homework tab to see the share topic.  

Please contact me if you have any questions.  

Week of November 12th

This week:

Sight Words: Review all words
Theme: Thanksgiving
Literacy Skill:  Key Details
Story Element: Setting
Comprehension Strategy:  Connections
Math:  Comparing Numbers to 10
Writing: Writing with Sentences
Phonics: Nn
Phonemic Awareness Skill:  Onset and Rime

Important Dates:
November 13-16: Minimum Days
November 15:  Stone Soup Day
November 16: Spirit Day- Dress up as your favorite fictional book character 
December 4: Mistletoe Magic

Mistletoe Magic:
We will have a holiday performance on December 4th. All grade levels along with Crams Chorus will be singing a holiday song! It will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church and the show will begin at 6:00. Kindergarten will be singing “Go Tell It on the Mountain”. This is a very special voluntary event. Your child does not need to be present this night. We will be practicing and learning the song as a grade level and if so not wish for your child to be a part of this practice, please let me know. Like I said, it is a fun and special holiday event and we hope all the students will participate. 

Stone Soup Day:
We will be making Stone Soup and scarecrow cupcakes in class on Thursday. Please send your item in tomorrow so I can be sure we have everything. Thanks for your help.  

Parent Conferences:
Please plan to arrive to your scheduled conference a few minutes early.  Conferences are scheduled back to back.  Plan for parking and there will be some gates open. You are not required to check in through the office. 

Tuesday November 13th and Thursday November 15th conferences will be in our classroom.   


Homework:
There is no homework this week however,  it would be a good idea to continue practice sight words and reading daily. There is no need to check the homework tab because I have not updated that. 

Please contact me if you have any questions.  

Week of November 5th

This week:

Sight Words: Review all words
Theme: Scarecrows
Literacy Skill:  Key Details
Story Element: Setting
Comprehension Strategy:  Connections
Math:  Comparing Numbers to 10
Writing: Writing with Sentences
Phonics: Nn
Phonemic Awareness Skill:  Onset and Rime

Important Dates:
November 9;  Minimum Day
November 12:  No School
November 13-16: Minimum Days
November 15:  Stone Soup Day

Stone Soup Day:
We will be making Stone Soup and scarecrow cupcakes in class on November 15th.  I am asking each child to bring something for our stone soup day.  Please check your child's backpack on Tuesday to find out what your child has been assigned to bring and let me know if you are unable to provide that item.  Thanks for your help.  

Parent Conferences:
Please plan to arrive to your scheduled conference a few minutes early.  Conferences are scheduled back to back.  Plan for parking and all parents must enter campus through the office.  

Thursday November 8th conferences will take place in room 15.     
Tuesday November 13th and Thursday November 15th conferences will be in our classroom.   


Homework:
Nightly Reading, Share homework and practice sight words.  
There will be no nightly homework.  

Please contact me if you have any questions.  

Week of October 29th

This week:

Sight Words: are, now
Theme: Halloween
Literacy Skill:  Retell
Story Element: Sequencing
Comprehension Strategy:  Questioning
Math:  Comparing Numbers to 10
Writing: Writing with Sentences
Phonics: Cc
Phonemic Awareness Skill:  Syllables

Important Dates:
October 31:  Halloween Centers 
November 5: No School
November 9;  Minimum Day
November 12:  No School
November 13-16: Minimum Days
Parent Conferences:
If you have not signed up for a confrence, I will be contacting you via bloomz to let you know what time I have scheduled you.  I am looking forward to meeting with everyone to talk about your child's progress.    

Halloween Centers:
We will be having some fun Halloween centers on October 31st and I would love to have any board approved volunteers on that day.  Our centers will run from 9:30-11:15.  Let me know if you can help during that time.  


New Behavior System:
Every child will bring home a colored note each day.  The color of their note will tell you how your child's behavior was for the day.
Green:  I Had A Great Day!
Your child did a great job following our classroom rules today.
Yellow:  I Had An Okay Day!
Your child needed a few reminders throughout the day.
Red:  I Had A Sad Day!
Your child had difficulty following the rules at school today.  There will be an attached note with an explanation and you will need to sign and return the note the following day.   

We review our rules and expectations in the classroom several times a day.
On the carpet, your child is expected to:
1.  Have a "listening body".
2.  Raise their hand to speak.

On the playground, your child is expected to:
1. Listen to the campus monitors.
2.  Be kind to others

During Learning Stations:
1.  Work quietly
2.  Stay in one spot.
3.  Work the whole time.
4.  Get started right away.

Please ask you child for his/her note daily.

Please contact me if you have any questions.  

Week of October 22nd

This week:

Sight Words: what, you
Theme: spiders
Literacy Skill:  Craft & Structure
Story Element: N/A
Comprehension Strategy:  Questioning
Math:  Counting Sets to 20
Writing: Writing with Sentences
Phonics: Tt
Phonemic Awareness Skill:  Syllables

Important Dates:
October 22: Red Ribbon Week

October 25: Barnes and Noble Reading Night 3-8 pm
October 31:  Halloween Centers 

Parent Conferences:
Please be sure to sign up for a conference time by Thursday, October 25th.  If you have not signed up, I will be scheduling the time for our conference.    

Halloween Centers:
We will be having some fun Halloween centers on October 31st and I would love to have any board approved volunteers on that day.  Our centers will run from 9:30-11:15.  Let me know if you can help during that time.  


New Behavior System:
Every child will bring home a colored note each day.  The color of their note will tell you how your child's behavior was for the day.
Green:  I Had A Great Day!
Your child did a great job following our classroom rules today.
Yellow:  I Had An Okay Day!
Your child needed a few reminders throughout the day.
Red:  I Had A Sad Day!
Your child had difficulty following the rules at school today.  There will be an attached note with an explanation and you will need to sign and return the note the following day.   

We review our rules and expectations in the classroom several times a day.
On the carpet, your child is expected to:
1.  Have a "listening body".
2.  Raise their hand to speak.

On the playground, your child is expected to:
1. Listen to the campus monitors.
2.  Be kind to others

During Learning Stations:
1.  Work quietly
2.  Stay in one spot.
3.  Work the whole time.
4.  Get started right away.

Please ask you child for his/her note daily.

Please contact me if you have any questions.  

Week of October 15th

This week:

Sight Words: with, my
Theme: owls
Literacy Skill:  Craft & Structure
Story Element: N/A
Comprehension Strategy:  Inferring & Making Connections
Math:  Counting Sets to 20
Writing: Writing with Sentences
Phonics: Aa
Phonemic Awareness Skill:  Syllables

Important Dates:
October 22: Red Ribbon Week

October 25: Barnes and Noble Reading Night 3-8 pm

Parent Conferences:
Information on how to sign up for a parent/teacher conference will be coming home tomorrow in your child's red folder.  Please follow the instructions to set up a time that works for you.  If both parents want to be present, please coordinate one time that works for both of you.  Thank you!


New Behavior System:
Every child will bring home a colored note each day.  The color of their note will tell you how your child's behavior was for the day.
Green:  I Had A Great Day!
Your child did a great job following our classroom rules today.
Yellow:  I Had An Okay Day!
Your child needed a few reminders throughout the day.
Red:  I Had A Sad Day!
Your child had difficulty following the rules at school today.  There will be an attached note with an explanation and you will need to sign and return the note the following day.   

We review our rules and expectations in the classroom several times a day.
On the carpet, your child is expected to:
1.  Have a "listening body".
2.  Raise their hand to speak.

On the playground, your child is expected to:
1. Listen to the campus monitors.
2.  Be kind to others

During Learning Stations:
1.  Work quietly
2.  Stay in one spot.
3.  Work the whole time.
4.  Get started right away.

Please ask you child for his/her note daily.

Please contact me if you have any questions.  

Week of October 8th

This week:

Sight Words: come, me
Theme: Pumpkins
Literacy Skill:  Key Details
Story Element: Retell, Problem/Solution
Comprehension Strategy:  Inferring
Math:  Sorting/Patterning
Writing: Writing with Sentences
Phonics: Ss
Phonemic Awareness Skill:  Rhyming

Important Dates:
October 10:  Minimum Day
October 12:  Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch
October 22: Red Ribbon Week


Beginning of the Year Assessments:
On Monday you will find the results of some assessments that I have done.  
ESGI:  This will tell you what letters (capitol and lowercase) your child was able to identify with me as well as the sound they make.  Please note, I did not test them on long vowels or the soft sounds of 'c' and 'g' so these will show as incorrect for everyone.  This test will also tell you what numbers, shapes and colors they could identify.  
STAR Early Literacy:  Star Early Literacy is a customized reading test for students to take on a computer. The test is designed for students in grades pre-K through 3 (beginning readers who do not yet read independently or need early literacy skills assessed). Scores range from around 300 to 900.  This test will be given periodically throughout the year and what I will be looking for is growth.  At this time, I consider a score below 450 to be low. If your child scored in the low range, please do not worry.  I will be giving the test again and we will look for growth.  Keep in mind, this is most likely their first time assessing on a computer.  There are many components to consider when a child scores low at the beginning of kindergarten on this test.  
Number Writing:  We have been practicing writing our numbers to 30 on this paper during our station time.  This paper can be found under the homework tab.  At this time, your child should be able to write their numbers 1-10.  
Under the homework tab you can also find an alphabet practice page to print out.  I will be assessing your child's ability to write each letter (capitol and lowercase).  This is also a great "extra" homework activity to work on with your child.

**Please note, if your child can already write their numbers 1-30 and all their letters, there is no need to do this weekly.  You can spend that "extra" time working on phonemic awareness skills.  

This assessment information is for you.  There is no need to sign and return anything.  Please use it as a guide to help your child.  

Name Writing:
Your child should be writing his/her name with a capitol letter at the beginning followed by lowercase letters.  Some students are still using some capitol letters in the middle of their name.  Also, please address capitol letters in the middle of words on the share homework and have them practice it correctly.  These are difficult habits to correct in the long run.  

Healthy Snacks:
If sending a snack with your child to school, please send something that is low in sugar.  If I notice your child is taking out cookies or donuts, I ask them to look for something different.  Thank for your support with this.  

Behavior:
Thank you for your support with our new behavior system.  The students are definitely motivated to earn green notes.  In order for this system to work in the long run, consistency is key.  The students must know that you will be asking for their note each day.  What you guys do with the notes is up to you, but typically if the note has some sort of value, they are more meaningful.  Maybe 10 notes earns a trip to the park.  This is especially key for those students who are struggling with earning greens.  When the students know you and I are consistently communicating behavior,  they're more likely to behave.  Again, thank you so much for your support with this!

Sight Work Books:
Don't forget to be practicing your child's list daily.  Some students have not attempted to pass the first list yet.  

Phonics:
We have gone through the alphabet once, very quickly.  We will now go back over the alphabet, one letter a week.  We will work closely on how to write the letter correctly, the sound it makes and hearing the sound at the beginning, middle and ends of words.  


New Behavior System:
Every child will bring home a colored note each day.  The color of their note will tell you how your child's behavior was for the day.
Green:  I Had A Great Day!
Your child did a great job following our classroom rules today.
Yellow:  I Had An Okay Day!
Your child needed a few reminders throughout the day.
Red:  I Had A Sad Day!
Your child had difficulty following the rules at school today.  There will be an attached note with an explanation and you will need to sign and return the note the following day.   

We review our rules and expectations in the classroom several times a day.
On the carpet, your child is expected to:
1.  Have a "listening body".
2.  Raise their hand to speak.

On the playground, your child is expected to:
1. Listen to the campus monitors.
2.  Be kind to others

During Learning Stations:
1.  Work quietly
2.  Stay in one spot.
3.  Work the whole time.
4.  Get started right away.

Please ask you child for his/her note daily.
Please contact me if you have any questions.  

Week of October 1st

We had a lot of fun making apple pies to finish up our apples and season theme.  We will move on to Nocturnal Animals and Pumpkins for the month of October.  Can you believe we are already beginning October?  We have been in kindergarten nearly 40 days and I am seeing some behaviors that are making it difficult for me to teach.  I have decided to modify our classroom behavior system so that I can easily communicate your child's behavior to you on a daily basis.  Please read below the changes that will be made and how you can help support me and help your child be most successful in the classroom.  

This week:

Sight Words: a, to
Theme: Nocturnal Animals
Literacy Skill:  Key Details
Story Element: Retell, Problem/Solution
Comprehension Strategy:  Inferring
Math:  Sorting/Patterning
Writing: Writing with Sentences
Phonics: Mm
Phonemic Awareness Skill:  Rhyming

Important Dates:
October 10:  Minimum Day
October 12:  Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Phonics:
We have gone through the alphabet once, very quickly.  We will now go back over the alphabet, one letter a week.  We will work closely on how to write the letter correctly, the sound it makes and hearing the sound at the beginning, middle and ends of words.  


New Behavior System:
Every child will bring home a colored note each day.  The color of their note will tell you how your child's behavior was for the day.
Green:  I Had A Great Day!
Your child did a great job following our classroom rules today.
Yellow:  I Had An Okay Day!
Your child needed a few reminders throughout the day.
Red:  I Had A Sad Day!
Your child had difficulty following the rules at school today.  There will be an attached note with an explanation and you will need to sign and return the note the following day.   

We review our rules and expectations in the classroom several times a day.
On the carpet, your child is expected to:
1.  Have a "listening body".
2.  Raise their hand to speak.

On the playground, your child is expected to:
1. Listen to the campus monitors.
2.  Be kind to others

During Learning Stations:
1.  Work quietly
2.  Stay in one spot.
3.  Work the whole time.
4.  Get started right away.

Please ask you child for his/her note daily.
Please contact me if you have any questions.  

Week of September 24th

This week:

Sight Words: we
Theme: Apples and Seasons
Literacy Skill:  Craft and Structure
Story Element: N/A
Comprehension Strategy: Making Connections & Inferring
Math:  Sorting/Patterning
Writing: Writing with Sentences
Phonics: Xx-Zz

Important Dates:
Sept 26:  Apple Pie Day
Sept 27:  Make up pictures
October 10:  Minimum Day
October 12:  Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch


Johnny Appleseed's Birthday:
We will be celebrating Johnny Appleseed's birthday on September 26th with an apple pie day!  If you signed up to bring items, please send them in this Monday or Tuesday.  Thanks!

Week of September 17th

This week:

Sight Words: can
Theme: Apples and Seasons
Literacy Skill:  Craft and Structure
Story Element: N/A
Comprehension Strategy: Making Connections & Inferring
Math:  Sorting
Writing: Writing with Sentences
Phonics: Ss-Ww

Important Dates:
Sept 19:  Math Festival 
October 10:  Minimum Day
October 12:  Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip:
Thanks to those of you who returned your child's permission slip for the pumpkin patch.  I do have several that did not include the $10 donation and this is much appreciated.  If you were planning to donate, please send in asap.    
Our parent chaperones for the field trip will be:
Tamara Cook
Robert Goss
Genifer Reid
Arlene Rocha

I will be returning the donation to the parents who's names were not drawn on Monday in your child's red folder.  

Jog-a-Thon
We had so much fun at our Jog-a-Thon and you guys helped raise almost $1500 as a grade level.  Thank you so much for your support!    

Scholastic Book Orders
I will be placing the scholastic order on Monday.  Please place any online orders before then.

Johnny Appleseed's Birthday:
We will be celebrating Johnny Appleseed's birthday on September 26th.  We will be making apple pies in class!   I will need some extra help that morning from 7:45-10:00 that day.  Please let me know if you are able to come in and help!  Thanks!

Picture Proofs
Picture proofs are coming home Monday in red folders.  You can place an order by filling our the form and returning it in your child's red folder before the due date.  There are make up pictures, if you would like your child to take another picture, please let me know.

Week of September 10th

Hello! I hope everyone is having a great weekend! 

This week:

Sight Words: and
Theme: Apples and Seasons
Literacy Skill:  Craft and Structure
Story Element: N/A
Comprehension Strategy: Making Connections & Inferring
Math:  Numbers 1-10/Sorting
Writing: Writing with Pictures
Phonics: Nn-Rr

Important Dates:
Sept. 10:  Box Tops Due
Sept. 12:  Jog-A-Thon and Minimum Day
Sept 19:  Math Festival 
October 12:  Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip:
Permission slips will come home Monday in your child's red folder.  The student permission slip is orange.  We are requesting a $10 donation per student to help cover the cost of the bus and entrance fee to the pumpkin patch.  Please fill out the orange permission slip and attach an envelope marked with your child's name with your donation BEFORE Friday.  

We will be drawing 4 parent chaperone names.  IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ENTERED INTO THE DRAWING, PLEASE:
1. Fill out the green parent volunteer permission slip that is also in your child's red folder.  
2.  Attach an envelope clearly marked with your name and include your $10 donation for yourself.  
3.  Green parent volunteer slips along with a donation must be in BEFORE Friday.  
4.  All the names will be placed in a basket and the office staff will draw 4 names from our classroom basket after school on Friday.  I will notify you via BLOOMZ if your name has been chosen.  
5.  Names that will be placed into the basket must:
-Must have parent volunteer paperwork already submitted.
-Must have green parent volunteer permission slip filled out and returned.
-Must have their $10 donation attached to their green permission slip.  

If your name is not chosen, your donation WILL BE returned in your child's red folder the following Monday.  

Let me know if you have any questions?

Jog-a-Thon
We will have our Jog-a-thon on Wednesday!  Please send in any donations on the day of the Jog-a-Thon.  They can be placed in your child's red folder.  These donations will go towards future field trips this year for our kindergarteners.  Thanks for your support!  

Scholastic Book Orders
I have placed some Scholastic Book Order catalogs in your child's red folder along with an explanation of how you can purchase books for your child.  Our classroom earns bonus points for your orders and those points are used to purchase books for our classroom library.  I'll be honest, our classroom books are well used!  Kindergarteners can be rough on books and many of our books are falling apart.  It would be great to be able to replace some of the old, ripped books in our library.  You can easily place an online order by clicking on the "book order" tab on this website. 

My BIG List of Kindergarten Goals
I found a great, free resource on-line that I am sending home.  It will help give you an idea of what your child should be able to do by the end of kindergarten to be prepared for first grade.  This chart does not cover all the common core standards, but I feel it hits some of the most important ones.  Keep it as a reference.  Use is as a guide as to what you can be working on at home or in the car.  

Week of September 3rd

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend!  This next week will be a short, three day week for the students.  Homework this week will consist of the share homework, nightly reading and practicing sight words.  

This week:

Sight Words: the
Theme: Apples
Literacy Skill:  Craft and Structure
Story Element: N/A
Comprehension Strategy: Making Connections & Inferring
Math:  Numbers 1-10
Writing: Writing with Pictures
Phonics: Kk-Mm

Important Dates:
Sept 3:  No School
Sept 7:  No School
Sept. 12:  Jog-A-Thon
Sept 19:  Math Festival 
October 12:  Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Volunteers:  Thanks to everyone who has agreed to help out weekly in the classroom!  We won't begin weekly volunteering until mid September, when the board approves all volunteers.  I will keep you posted on that.  Remember, you can not volunteer without being board approved.  

Math Festival:  We are looking for some parents to help during the day of the Math Festival.  You can volunteer the whole day or part of the day (7:40-10:30 or 10:15-1:45).  Please let me know if this is something you are interested in.  

Week of August 27th

The students had a great week and we are working hard to learn routines and self control in the classroom.  I like to spend as much time as needed learning and focusing on these two things as they lay the foundation for the whole year!  I have a lot of information to go over in this post, so please feel free to message me on Bloomz or catch me at the playground gate before or after school to ask me questions for clarification.  

Homework will consist of the same components as last week.    To see what the share homework topic is, click on the homework tab.  There you will find details and instruction about our weekly homework.  If you are viewing our website from a mobile device, you MUST scroll all the way down to the bottom and click on "view desktop version" in order to have access to the website's tabs.  

*Remember, share homework is due any day Monday-Thursday.  The daily homework page is due Friday.  

Any questions?  Please contact me via Bloomz or email and I can help you navigate the website.  

This week:

Sight Words: like
Theme: Friendship
Literacy Skill:  Details
Story Element: Characters, Problem and Solution
Comprehension Strategy: Making Connections 
Math:  Learning about Math Manipulatives
Writing: Writing with Pictures
Phonics: Ff-Jj

Important Dates:
August 20:  Spirit Cup Fundraiser Begins 
August 27-31:  Book Fair in MPR
August 30:  Ice Cream Social in MPR 5-7pm
Sept 3:  No School
Sept. 12:  Jog-A-Thon
October 12:  Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Book Fair:  The book fair will be happening this week in the MPR.  I will be taking the students to the book fair on Wednesday.  You can send some cash in an envelope labeled "Book Fair" with your child's name on it in their red folder Monday-Wednesday morning and I will hold it until we go.  They have a lot of books, but they also have trinket toys.  If you would only like your child to purchase books, please label the envelope "books only" so we can be sure they only buy books.  Please understand that if you send an envelope Thursday or Friday, I will not be able to take time to walk them to the book fair.  The book fair will be available for you and your child to shop at AFTER school each day, if you choose.  You do not need to send money to shop with me.  Please contact me if you have questions about the book fair.

PTSA Membership:  We are having a PTSA Membership drive.  Information and envelopes came home the first full week of school.  The class with the most memberships wins a pizza party.  Membership is $9 per member.  This money goes to PTSA to help buy things for our students.  So far, we have 2 memberships.  I'm hoping we can get this number up.  Please contact me if you need a new envelope to join PTSA.

Ice Cream Social:  This is a yearly tradition here at Cram.  This is happening in the MPR Thursday evening.  Come enjoy free ice cream and have an opportunity to shop at the book fair.  

Volunteers:  I know a few have messaged me letting me know you have turned in your volunteer paperwork.  Can everyone do me a favor?  If you know you have completed your paperwork to volunteer, can you message me on Bloomz, letting me know.  Also, in that message can you tell me if you are willing to volunteer weekly, in the classroom, or if you are only interested in going on field trips, coming to class parties an other school events.  I am specifically looking for weekly classroom volunteers to begin helping, but the completed paperwork is a must.  Let me know what day works best for you weekly and whether you'd like to help 7:45-9:15 or 9:45-11:15.  Or you can help both times as well.  I'd like to get my weekly parent helper schedule organized, so please message me on Bloomz or talk to me at the playground gate before or after school.  Thank you!

Room Parents:  I need 1 or 2 volunteers who are willing to be my room parent.  PTSA is having a meeting on Sept. 20th at 7:45 in the MPR where you will receive all the info you need.  I promise, it's easy to be my room parent!  

Sight Word Booklets:  Just a reminder about sight work booklets:  Each book has 10 lists.  The front of the list has words, the back of the list has phrases.  When your child has mastered list 1 in the red booklet, please place it in their red folder and I will test them.  They will receive a brag tag when they read the list fluently to me and I will sign them off and send the book back home for them to begin mastering list 2 and so on.  If your child can read all 10 lists in the red booklet already, please write a note on a post-it and place it on the front of the booklet and I will test them on the entire book and then move them onto the green booklet.  This program is an individually paced program, but I am looking for each child to progress at a steady rate.  Practicing their list is a part of their nightly homework and your child's ability to read sight words fluently will have a direct impact on their ability to learn to read.  Sight words are extremely important.  Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Jog-A-Thon:  This year's Jog-A-Thon will take place on Sept. 12th.  I will send information about this event home this Wednesday providing you with the details of this event.  

Spirit Week:  We are having a Spirit Week at Cram this week!  Here are the dress up themes for each day:
Monday:  Wear your favorite hat
Tuesday:  Wear crazy socks
Wednesday: Mismatched clothes or crazy hair
Thursday:  Dress Hawaiian
Friday:  Wear Cram colors (red shirt or cram t-shirts)

Name Writing:  It is important that your child is learning to write his/her name correctly.  This means using a capitol at the beginning and lowercase for the remaining letters.  If your child is mixing capitol letters in the middle of their name, please have them practice their name correctly.  Thanks for your support!  

Week of August 20th

Hello everyone!  I am happy to say that my arm and body is recovering quite well!  I so glad to be getting back into the classroom on Monday!  Thank you, again, for your support throughout these first few weeks of school!  The students did a wonderful job with Mrs. Clark.  We will continue to learn new routines these next few weeks while practicing routines that have been set in place. 

Homework will begin this week.  To see what the share homework topic is, click on the homework tab.  There you will find details and instruction about our weekly homework.  If you are viewing our website from a mobile device, you MUST scroll all the way down to the bottom and click on "view desktop version" in order to have access to the website's tabs.  

Any questions?  Please contact me via Bloomz or email and I can help you navigate the website.  

This week:

Sight Words: I, see
Theme: Sharing
Literacy Skill:  Details
Story Element: Characters
Comprehension Strategy: Making Connections 
Math:  Learning about Math Manipulatives
Writing: Writing with Pictures
Phonics: A-E

Important Dates:
August 20:  Spirit Cup Fundraiser Begins 
August 23:  Picture Day
August 27-31:  Book Fair in MPR
Sept 3:  No School


Spirit Cup Fundraising information will come home Monday.  

Week of August 13th

Hello everyone!  I'm happy to share that I just got home from the hospital!  My arm is doing much better!  My doctor feels it would be better to continue healing at home at this point.  I will be spending this week at home on strong antibiotics and resting.  I have an excellent guest teacher set in place this week!  I feel more than confident that her experience will enable her to have full control of the class.  I am looking forward to returning next Monday with all the energy I need to do my job the best.  Again, I appreciate your support as we get through this "rocky start" together.  

For next week, please continue to send Red Folders back and forth.  You may or may not see a new book in their Book Folder each day but please continue to bring that back and forth to practice the routines we have started.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via Bloomz or email.  

Week of June 4th

NO HOMEWORK THIS WEEK!

Game Day:
To make our last week of kindergarten extra fun, I am asking students to bring a board game from home to keep in our classroom for a few days.  Please label the game with your child's name and be sure it is a game they know how to play.  We will be playing games with our friends off and on throughout the day.  They can bring their games Monday morning and I will send them back home Wednesday.  Thanks!

Last Day of School Picnic:
Please be sure to send in your child's item this week for our picnic on Thursday.  Watermelon can come the day of the picnic to ensure it stays fresh.  Thank you!

Field Day Volunteers:
Please arrive at the classroom on Thursday morning at 7:30 to hear how our field day will be running and how you will be helping.  Thank you for your help! 


Last Day of School:
We will have our kindergarten field day on the last day of school.  This will be held on our kindergarten playground and the students will rotate through several fun centers we will have set up.   After our field day centers, we will have a kindergarten picnic outside on the playground  Our picnic will be followed by our Kindergarten Celebration in OUR classroom.  This will only include our students and their families. I have some special things planned and everyone is invited to this.  Please check in through the office and be in our classroom by 10 am for this event.  You won't want to miss it.
   

This week:
Sight Words: review
Theme: Pirates 
Math:  Money/Review
Writing: Writing with Information

Important Dates:

June 7th:  
Report Cards come home
Minimum Day
Kindergarten Field Day
Kindergarten End of Year Celebration (in our classroom)

Week of May 28th

NO HOMEWORK THIS WEEK!
Last Day of School Picnic:
A salmon colored note came home today letting you know what your child is being asked to donate for our picnic.  The picnic is on the last day of school.  Watermelon can be sent that day and anything else, I can store in my fridge.  Thanks for helping make it a great picnic.

Field Day Volunteers:
Please remind me if you are planning to help on with Field Day centers.  


Last Day of School:
We will have our kindergarten field day on the last day of school.  This will be held on our kindergarten playground and the students will rotate through several fun centers we will have set up.  WE NEED PARENT HELP THIS DAY.  You must be board approved to help.  Please let me know if you can help this morning.  Parent helpers should be in our classroom by 7:30 am.  After our field day centers, we will have a kindergarten picnic outside on the playground and I will send home info about what we hope you can provide for the picnic.  Our picnic will be followed by our Kindergarten Celebration in OUR classroom.  This will only include our students and their families. I have some special things planned and everyone is invited to this.  Please check in through the office and be in our classroom by 10 am for this event.  You won't want to miss it.
   

This week:

Sight Words: review
Theme: Community Helpers
Language Arts:  Non Fiction 
Math:  Money
Writing: Writing with Information
Phonics: mixed short vowels

Important Dates:
June 1st:  Minimum Day
June 7th:  Kindergarten Field Day
                 Kindergarten End of Year Celebration (in our classroom)

Week of May 21st

Memorial Day Sing:
Our students have been learning several patriotic songs and we will be having our traditional "Memorial Day Sing" in the cafeteria on Friday May 25th at 1:15.  Please check in through the office.  Please have your child dress in red, white and blue on this day.  

Last Day of School:
We will have our kindergarten field day on the last day of school.  This will be held on our kindergarten playground and the students will rotate through several fun centers we will have set up.  WE NEED PARENT HELP THIS DAY.  You must be board approved to help.  Please let me know if you can help this morning.  Parent helpers should be in our classroom by 7:30 am.  After our field day centers, we will have a kindergarten picnic outside on the playground and I will send home info about what we hope you can provide for the picnic.  Our picnic will be followed by our Kindergarten Celebration in OUR classroom.  This will only include our students and their families. I have some special things planned and everyone is invited to this.  Please check in through the office and be in our classroom by 10 am for this event.  You won't want to miss it.
   

This week:

Sight Words: have, one, every
Theme: Community Helpers
Language Arts:  Non Fiction 
Math:  Time
Writing: Writing with Information
Phonics: short u words

Important Dates:
May 21-25:  Classified Appreciation Week 
May 25th:  Kindergarten Memorial Day Sing
May 28th:  No School
June 1st:  Minimum Day
June 7th:  Kindergarten Field Day
                 Kindergarten End of Year Celebration (in our classroom)



Sight Words:
Words we've been working on in class:
down
little
just
no
by
there
he
away
must
when
all
some
good
ate
could
said
was
then
play
say
new
for
make
give
them
they
up
go
here
soon
be
that
who
will
into
your
this
came
on
find
from
but
how
where
many
is
of
so
are
the
and
can
I
see
like
come
me
you
what
now
with
my
a
to 

Week of May 14th

A HUGE thank you for all the teacher appreciation gifts!!  You definitely blessed me greatly!  I am overwhelmed by your generosity!  Thank you! Thank you! 
Thank you to everyone who made it out for our Mother's Day Tea Party!  I hope you enjoyed yourself and had a wonderful Mother's Day! 
The next important date you'll want to mark on your calendar and make arrangements for is our End of the Year Kindergarten Celebration.  This will be on the last day of school.  We will meet in our classroom at 10 am and I have a few special things planned for you and your child as we say or goodbyes for the summer.  Everyone is welcome to come, no need to be board approved.  This will only involve our kindergarten class.  I hope to see everyone there.    

This week:

Sight Words: have, one, every
Theme: Whales
Language Arts:  Non Fiction 
Math:  Time
Writing: Writing with Information
Phonics: short o words

Important Dates:
May 21-25:  Classified Appreciation Week 
May 25th:  Kindergarten Memorial Day Sing
May 28th:  No School
June 1st:  Minimum Day
June 7th:  Kindergarten Field Day
                 Kindergarten End of Year Celebration (in our classroom)



Sight Words:
Words we've been working on in class:
down
little
just
no
by
there
he
away
must
when
all
some
good
ate
could
said
was
then
play
say
new
for
make
give
them
they
up
go
here
soon
be
that
who
will
into
your
this
came
on
find
from
but
how
where
many
is
of
so
are
the
and
can
I
see
like
come
me
you
what
now
with
my
a
to 

Week of May 7th

We are looking forward to seeing all our mothers and grandmothers at the Mother's Day Tea Party this Friday.  Remember to allow enough time to sign in at the office and then make your way to the cafeteria.  You can help yourself to tea and find your spot.  Your spot will be marked with a name tag.  Your child or grandchild will be joining you around 8am.  Please do not keep your child with you as you sign in at the office.  I will be taking roll prior to bringing the children over and your child will be marked absent.  Thanks for your support during this fun event.    

Thank you for providing a baby picture of your child but I am still waiting on a few.  Please send those on Monday.  I will let you know when I am sending them back home so you can have a heads up.  

Many of you made it in to take a peek at our 2 ducklings who joined our class earlier this week!  We will be keeping our ducks through Wednesday and then they will head out to have a wonderful life on a farm.  If you'd like to come visit them before then, feel free to.  

This week:

Sight Words: down, little, just
Theme: Dolphins
Language Arts:  Compare and Contrast
Math:  Time
Writing: How-to Stories
Phonics: short e words

Important Dates:
May 7-11:  Teacher Appreciation Week
May 11th:  Kindergarten Mother's Day Tea (7:45-9:00)
May 21-25:  Classified Appreciation Week 
May 25th:  Kindergarten Memorial Day Sing
May 28th:  No School
June 1st:  Minimum Day
June 7th:  Kindergarten Field Day
                 Kindergarten End of Year Celebration (in our classroom)



Sight Words:
Words we've been working on in class:
down
little
just
no
by
there
he
away
must
when
all
some
good
ate
could
said
was
then
play
say
new
for
make
give
them
they
up
go
here
soon
be
that
who
will
into
your
this
came
on
find
from
but
how
where
many
is
of
so
are
now
with
my
a
to 
the
and
can
I
see
like
come
me
you
what