Week of December 11th

This week:

No Homework this week!

Sight Words: no new sight words
Theme:  Polar Express
Language Arts:  story structure
Math: Shapes
Writing:  Writing stories
Phonics:  Dd
Brisket:

Important Dates:

December 15:  Christmas Centers (parent help needed on this day)
                         Report Cards come home 

Sight Words:
Words we've been working on in class:
how
where
many
is
of
so
are
now
with
my
a
to 
the
and
can
I
see
like
come
me
you
what


Please put these in flashcards and practice them if your child can not read these words.  Thank you for your support.  

Donations Needed for Friday's Centers

2 cans of Oatmeal uncooked
red and green sprinkle sugar
holiday sprinkles
30 sugar cones
4 cans of green frosting 
2 bags of small baking size m&ms

I will have a sign up list on the door tomorrow.  You can easily message me and I will sign you up for something if you can't make it to the classroom door.  Please send donations by Thursday.  I appreciate your help!!  

Holiday Performance

This was a great event!  Thanks to those of you who participated in this special night!

Holiday Surprises

Please send these by Wednesday of this week.

I am asking each student to send in 21 small trinkets to share with the class for the holidays.  These may be small toys, pencils, erasers, NO FOOD ITEMS.  We will be filling small stockings with these trinkets so please be mindful of their size.  Please clearly mark that they are for our stockings.  Thank you

Holiday Centers

We will be having our holiday centers on December 15th at 11:45.  I would love parent help on this day.  All volunteers in the classroom must be board approved.  Please message me if you'd like to help on this day.  

I will send out a message of some items I need for the holiday centers.  Thank you in advance for your willingness to donate items.

Toy Drive
Toy drive over Tuesday.
We are collecting toys for children in need.  If you choose to donate new toys, please send them in and mark them clearly with a post-it that says "toy drive".  Thank you.

Week of December 4th

This week:

Sight Words: how, where, many
Theme:  Gingerbread Man
Language Arts:  story structure
Math: Shapes
Writing:  Writing stories
Phonics:  Rr
Brisket: Wesley

Important Dates:
December 6:  Minimum Day
December 7:  Holiday Performance at U of R
December 15:  Christmas Centers (parent help needed on this day)

Sight Words:
Words we've been working on in class:
how
where
many
is
of
so
are
now
with
my
a
to 
the
and
can
I
see
like
come
me
you
what


Please put these in flashcards and practice them if your child can not read these words.  Thank you for your support.  

Holiday Performance

In the past, kindergarten has always done a holiday sing for their parents.  This year, Mrs. Joye decided to have a school wide Winter Performance.  Because of this new event, Kindergarten will not be doing it's kinder holiday sing on the 15th.  We will be participating in the Winter Performance on December 7th at 6pm at the U of R.  The December 15th event has been replaced by this.

Holiday Store

  This is a PTSA fundraiser that will allow your child to shop and pick out some special gifts for family members.   Check your child's backpack today for more info on this.  I will be taking the students to shop on December 4th.  If you'd like them to shop, please follow the instructions on the paperwork coming home today.   

Holiday Surprises

I am asking each student to send in 21 small trinkets to share with the class for the holidays.  These may be small toys, pencils, erasers, NO FOOD ITEMS.  We will be filling small stockings with these trinkets so please be mindful of their size.    These can be brought to school any time over the next few weeks.  Please clearly mark that they are for our stockings.  Thank you

Holiday Centers

We will be having our holiday centers on December 15th at 11:45.  I would love parent help on this day.  All volunteers in the classroom must be board approved.  Please message me if you'd like to help on this day.  

I will send out a message of some items I need for the holiday centers.  Thank you in advance for your willingness to donate items.

Toy Drive
We are collecting toys for children in need.  If you choose to donate new toys, please send them in and mark them clearly with a post-it that says "toy drive".  Thank you.

Upcoming Events

This is an extremely busy time of year and I want to clarify a few things that are coming up in the next few weeks.

Holiday Performance

In the past, kindergarten has always done a holiday sing for their parents.  This year, Mrs. Joye decided to have a school wide Winter Performance.  Because of this new event, Kindergarten will not be doing it's kinder holiday sing on the 15th.  We will be participating in the Winter Performance on December 7th at 6pm at the U of R.  The December 15th event has been replaced by this.

Holiday Store

  This is a PTSA fundraiser that will allow your child to shop and pick out some special gifts for family members.   Check your child's backpack today for more info on this.  I will be taking the students to shop on December 4th.  If you'd like them to shop, please follow the instructions on the paperwork coming home today.   

Holiday Surprises

I am asking each student to send in 21 small trinkets to share with the class for the holidays.  These may be small toys, pencils, erasers, NO FOOD ITEMS.  We will be filling small stockings with these trinkets so please be mindful of their size.    These can be brought to school any time over the next few weeks.  Please clearly mark that they are for our stockings.  Thank you

Holiday Centers

We will be having our holiday centers on December 15th at 11:45.  I would love parent help on this day.  All volunteers in the classroom must be board approved.  Please message me if you'd like to help on this day.  

I will send out a message of some items I need for the holiday centers.  Thank you in advance for your willingness to donate items.

Toy Drive
We are collecting toys for children in need.  If you choose to donate new toys, please send them in and mark them clearly with a post-it that says "toy drive".  Thank you.

Week of November 27th

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday!  I'm looking forward to seeing your little ones Monday and getting back into the swing of things.  We will only have 3 weeks together before we vacation again!  It is a BUSY 3 week in Kindergarten!  
Have your child bring his/her decorated tree to school on Monday.  

This week:

Sight Words: is, of, so
Theme:  Reindeer (REAL reindeer, not Santa's)
Language Arts:  labels
Math: Teen Numbers
Writing:  Writing stories
Phonics:  Gg
Brisket: I will choose on Monday

Important Dates:
December 6:  Minimum Day
December 7:  Holiday Performance at U of R
December 15:  Christmas Centers (parent help needed on this day)

Parent Helpers:
I am so grateful to have help during centers each day!  Please plan to be in the classroom by 9:45 so I can start centers right on time.  I welcome any board approved volunteers during center time.  Just send me a message if you'd like to help.  The more the better!  

Things you want to start incorporating into your child's homework:
1.  Writing letters Aa-Zz (you can print out the Alphabet Writing Chart by clicking on the homework tab and scrolling down).
2.  Writing numbers 1-30 (this chart is also under the homework tab).  


Sight Words:
Words we've been working on in class:
is
of
so
are
now
with
my
a
to 
the
and
can
I
see
like
come
me
you
what

Please put these in flashcards and practice them if your child can not read these words.  Thank you for your support.  

Don't forget that practicing Sight Words is a part of your child's homework. Each child has a baggie with his/her name and green flashcards.  Please help your child learn these words at a pace that is appropriate for them.  I will be teach the words I and see next week but many students are ready for more than just 2 words a week.  When your child knows all the words, have them return them to me in their Take Home Folder for a quick test.  I'm looking to see that your child is NOT sounding out the word, but recognizing it quickly.  They will receive a Brag Tag and then move onto the next list.  Students who pass all 8 sight words lists will receive a prize!  
.

Homework:
Please click on the 'Homework' tab to see the homework for this week

Week of November 13th

This week:

Sight Words: no new sight words (review all previous sight words)
Theme:  Thanksgiving
Language Arts:  Making Connections/Setting
Math: Teen Numbers
Social Studies:  Then and Now
Writing:  Writing stories
Phonics:  Gg
Brisket: Joshua

Important Dates:
November 13th-17th:  Minimum Days (parent/teacher conference week)
November 17th:  Tasting Feast (parent help needed this day)
November 20th-November 24th:  No school/Thanksgiving Break

Scholastic Book Orders
Please place orders before this Friday. 

Parent Conferences
Conferences begin this week!  Please double check your time and day and plan to arrive a few minutes early.  Conferences are scheduled back-to-back and I will need to stay on schedule.  Thank you!

Thanksgiving Tasting Feast 
Our tasting feast will be on Friday!  If you signed up to bring an item, please send it that morning.

Things you want to start incorporating into your child's homework:
1.  Writing letters Aa-Zz (you can print out the Alphabet Writing Chart by clicking on the homework tab and scrolling down).
2.  Writing numbers 1-30 (this chart is also under the homework tab).  


Writing: 
*We have been practicing "stretching out" unknown words in our writing.  Have your child reference their sound/letter chart on the back of their take home folder for help.
I want to share with you what we have been learning about writing so you can support me at home when it comes to the Share Homework.  If you have been writing a sentence for them up to this point, that's great.  I am asking that you shift your support at this point so your child can gain more confidence in writing.  Here's what I'm teaching:
1.  THE PICTURE
In class we have been writing stories by drawing pictures.  We have been learning that our pictures should tell who was there, where they were and how they felt.  We have been learning that we want to use MANY of the crayons in our crayon box to draw details.  For example, if I am telling a story about my trip to the park, I would include the following details in my picture:
a sun, some clouds, grass, the swings I went on, the picnic lunch I had, my two boys and I would use as many colors as I could from my crayon box.
2.  TAPPING AND TELLING
After our detailed picture is complete, we have been learning to tap our details and tell the story.  (If the students can't tell a story, how will they ever learn to write a story?)  My tap and tell would sound something like this as I touched the appropriate parts of the picture:
"I went to the park with Jonas and Mattias and it was a sunny day.  We went on the swings and we had a picnic on the grass.  I packed sandwiches and watermelon.  We had a great time.
3.  ADDING LABELS
After tapping and telling, we have just begun adding labels to our picture.  I'm encouraging the students to write the sounds they hear in the object they are labeling.  For example, if we are labeling the sun, a beginner may just write an 's' for the beginning sound.  That's great!! Some students may write 'sn' because they hear the beginning and end.  Some students are working at a level that they are hearing beginning, middle and ending sounds.  We want to support the child at their level and build their confidence as their phonemic awareness improves.
I am encouraging students to add 1-2 labels to their pictures in class.

Thanks for your support!  Remember, share homework is due EVERY WEEK, any day but Friday.


Sight Words:
Words we've been working on in class:
are
now
with
my
a
to 
the
and
can
I
see
like
come
me
you
what

Please put these in flashcards and practice them if your child can not read these words.  Thank you for your support.  

Don't forget that practicing Sight Words is a part of your child's homework. Each child has a baggie with his/her name and green flashcards.  Please help your child learn these words at a pace that is appropriate for them.  I will be teach the words I and see next week but many students are ready for more than just 2 words a week.  When your child knows all the words, have them return them to me in their Take Home Folder for a quick test.  I'm looking to see that your child is NOT sounding out the word, but recognizing it quickly.  They will receive a Brag Tag and then move onto the next list.  Students who pass all 8 sight words lists will receive a prize!  
.

Homework:
Please click on the 'Homework' tab to see the homework for this week

Week of November 6th

This week:

Sight Words: no new sight words (review all previous sight words)
Theme:  Scarecrows/Veterans Day
Language Arts:  Making Connections/Setting
Math: Teen Numbers
Social Studies:  Then and Now
Writing:  Writing stories
Phonics:  Ii
Grammar: Pronouns
Brisket: Lee

Important Dates:
November 9th:  Scarecrow Day
November 10th:  No school
November 13th-17th:  Minimum Days (parent/teacher conference week)
November 17th:  Tasting Feast (parent help needed this day)
November 20th-November 24th:  No school/Thanksgiving Break

Scholastic Book Orders
I'm sending some scholastic book order forms home in take home folders.  Books make great Christmas gifts!  There are many more choices on-line and you can click on the 'Book Orders' tab to order.  Let me know if they are Christmas gifts and I will not put them in their cubby.  Please order by the end of next week. 

Parent Conferences

Thank you to all of you that took time to sign up for a conference!  I am looking forward to meeting with you to Click on this calendar to check your time.  Be sure to scroll to the week of November 12th to see appointment times.  Please plan to arrive a few minutes early.  I have conferences scheduled back to back and will not be able to accommodate you if you are running late.

Scarecrow Day:
We will be having our annual kindergarten scarecrow day on November 9th.  A note was sent home last week about this.  I hope that we will have 100 percent participation.  We will have a scarecrow parade at 8 am that morning for parents who are able to stay and see all our cute little scarecrows!

Thanksgiving Tasting Feast 
We will end our Then & Now unit with a Thanksgiving Tasting Feast on November 17th.  Our "Then & Now" unit will teach the students what life was like for pioneers in early America.  We will learn and compare the life of then to what life is like now.  I am in need of two items for our tasting feast.  Please see the sign up on the door or message me if you would like to provide something for that day.

Things you want to start incorporating into your child's homework:
1.  Writing letters Aa-Zz (you can print out the Alphabet Writing Chart by clicking on the homework tab and scrolling down).
2.  Writing numbers 1-30 (this chart is also under the homework tab).  


Writing: 
*We have been practicing "stretching out" unknown words in our writing.  Have your child reference their sound/letter chart on the back of their take home folder for help.
I want to share with you what we have been learning about writing so you can support me at home when it comes to the Share Homework.  If you have been writing a sentence for them up to this point, that's great.  I am asking that you shift your support at this point so your child can gain more confidence in writing.  Here's what I'm teaching:
1.  THE PICTURE
In class we have been writing stories by drawing pictures.  We have been learning that our pictures should tell who was there, where they were and how they felt.  We have been learning that we want to use MANY of the crayons in our crayon box to draw details.  For example, if I am telling a story about my trip to the park, I would include the following details in my picture:
a sun, some clouds, grass, the swings I went on, the picnic lunch I had, my two boys and I would use as many colors as I could from my crayon box.
2.  TAPPING AND TELLING
After our detailed picture is complete, we have been learning to tap our details and tell the story.  (If the students can't tell a story, how will they ever learn to write a story?)  My tap and tell would sound something like this as I touched the appropriate parts of the picture:
"I went to the park with Jonas and Mattias and it was a sunny day.  We went on the swings and we had a picnic on the grass.  I packed sandwiches and watermelon.  We had a great time.
3.  ADDING LABELS
After tapping and telling, we have just begun adding labels to our picture.  I'm encouraging the students to write the sounds they hear in the object they are labeling.  For example, if we are labeling the sun, a beginner may just write an 's' for the beginning sound.  That's great!! Some students may write 'sn' because they hear the beginning and end.  Some students are working at a level that they are hearing beginning, middle and ending sounds.  We want to support the child at their level and build their confidence as their phonemic awareness improves.
I am encouraging students to add 1-2 labels to their pictures in class.

Thanks for your support!  Remember, share homework is due EVERY WEEK, any day but Friday.


Sight Words:
Words we've been working on in class:
are
now
with
my
a
to 
the
and
can
I
see
like
come
me
you
what

Please put these in flashcards and practice them if your child can not read these words.  Thank you for your support.  

Don't forget that practicing Sight Words is a part of your child's homework. Each child has a baggie with his/her name and green flashcards.  Please help your child learn these words at a pace that is appropriate for them.  I will be teach the words I and see next week but many students are ready for more than just 2 words a week.  When your child knows all the words, have them return them to me in their Take Home Folder for a quick test.  I'm looking to see that your child is NOT sounding out the word, but recognizing it quickly.  They will receive a Brag Tag and then move onto the next list.  Students who pass all 8 sight words lists will receive a prize!  
.

Homework:
Please click on the 'Homework' tab to see the homework for this week

Week of October 30th

This week:

Sight Words:  are, now
Theme:  Scarecrows
Language Arts:  Making Connections/Setting
Math: Measurement/Teen Numbers
Science:  Pumpkin Life Cycle
Writing:  Writing stories
Phonics:  Bb
Grammar: Pronouns
Brisket: Caleb

Important Dates:
October 31st:  Halloween Centers (parent help please)
November 6th:  No school
November 9th:  Scarecrow Day
November 10th:  No school
November 13th-17th:  Minimum Days (parent/teacher conference week)
November 17th:  Tasting Feast (parent help needed this day)
November 20th-November 24th:  No school/Thanksgiving Break

Parent Conferences

Thank you to all of you that took time to sign up for a conference!  I am looking forward to meeting with you to Click on this calendar to sign up for your parent teacher conference.  Be sure to scroll to the week of November 12th to see appointment times.  Please contact me if you are having any trouble. If you are not signed up for a conference by the end of the week, I will assign a time to you.  Please sign up asap.

Halloween Party:
We will be having some Fall/Halloween Centers on October 31st beginning at 12:00.  If you are helping that day, THANK YOU!  Volunteers, plan to be in the classroom at 11:45-1:53.

Scarecrow Day:
We will be having our annual kindergarten scarecrow day on November 9th.  A note will be coming home Monday in your child's take home folder explaining this fun day.   We hope everyone will participate!

Thanksgiving Tasting Feast 
We will end our Then & Now unit with a Thanksgiving Tasting Feast on November 17th.  Our "Then & Now" unit will teach the students what life was like in early America.  We will learn and compare the life of then to what life is like now.  I will be having a signup sheet of items needed for our tasting feast later this week.  I'll let you know when I post that.  I will also need parent help on this day. 

Things you want to start incorporating into your child's homework:
1.  Writing letters Aa-Zz (you can print out the Alphabet Writing Chart by clicking on the homework tab and scrolling down).
2.  Writing numbers 1-30 (this chart is also under the homework tab).  


Writing: 
*We have been practicing "stretching out" unknown words in our writing.  Have your child reference their sound/letter chart on the back of their take home folder for help.
I want to share with you what we have been learning about writing so you can support me at home when it comes to the Share Homework.  If you have been writing a sentence for them up to this point, that's great.  I am asking that you shift your support at this point so your child can gain more confidence in writing.  Here's what I'm teaching:
1.  THE PICTURE
In class we have been writing stories by drawing pictures.  We have been learning that our pictures should tell who was there, where they were and how they felt.  We have been learning that we want to use MANY of the crayons in our crayon box to draw details.  For example, if I am telling a story about my trip to the park, I would include the following details in my picture:
a sun, some clouds, grass, the swings I went on, the picnic lunch I had, my two boys and I would use as many colors as I could from my crayon box.
2.  TAPPING AND TELLING
After our detailed picture is complete, we have been learning to tap our details and tell the story.  (If the students can't tell a story, how will they ever learn to write a story?)  My tap and tell would sound something like this as I touched the appropriate parts of the picture:
"I went to the park with Jonas and Mattias and it was a sunny day.  We went on the swings and we had a picnic on the grass.  I packed sandwiches and watermelon.  We had a great time.
3.  ADDING LABELS
After tapping and telling, we have just begun adding labels to our picture.  I'm encouraging the students to write the sounds they hear in the object they are labeling.  For example, if we are labeling the sun, a beginner may just write an 's' for the beginning sound.  That's great!! Some students may write 'sn' because they hear the beginning and end.  Some students are working at a level that they are hearing beginning, middle and ending sounds.  We want to support the child at their level and build their confidence as their phonemic awareness improves.
I am encouraging students to add 1-2 labels to their pictures in class.

Thanks for your support!  Remember, share homework is due EVERY WEEK, any day but Friday.


Sight Words:
Words we've been working on in class:
are
now
with
my
a
to 
the
and
can
I
see
like
come
me
you
what

Please put these in flashcards and practice them if your child can not read these words.  Thank you for your support.  

Don't forget that practicing Sight Words is a part of your child's homework. Each child has a baggie with his/her name and green flashcards.  Please help your child learn these words at a pace that is appropriate for them.  I will be teach the words I and see next week but many students are ready for more than just 2 words a week.  When your child knows all the words, have them return them to me in their Take Home Folder for a quick test.  I'm looking to see that your child is NOT sounding out the word, but recognizing it quickly.  They will receive a Brag Tag and then move onto the next list.  Students who pass all 8 sight words lists will receive a prize!  
.

Homework:
Please click on the 'Homework' tab to see the homework for this week

Week of October 23rd

This week:

Sight Words:  you, what
Theme:  Pumpkins
Language Arts:  Inferring, problem and solution
Math: Measurement
Social Studies:  Maps
Writing:  Drawing pictures, adding labels, writing 1 sentence
Phonics:  Ff
Grammar: Complete Sentences
Brisket:  Addison

Important Dates:

Red Ribbon Week:  10/23-10/27
Barnes and Noble Night:  10/26 (wear your costume)
October 27th: Pumpkin Patch Field Trip
October 31st:  Halloween Centers (parent help please)

Halloween Party:
We will be having some Fall/Halloween Centers on October 31st beginning at 12:00.  If you are available to help that afternoon, please send me a message on Remind. 
Can anyone pick up some Fall Candy corn?  They have an Autumn mix that has pumpkins and other Fall shapes that we will use for a patterning activity.

Field Trip:
Chaperones:
You can meet us at school and follow the bus at 8:45 or at the pumpkin patch at 9:20.  Each chaperone will have a small list of students who they will keep a close eye on.  
Our field trip will be on October 27th.  Please note that if you are not chaperoning, you may not meet us at the patch.  All chaperone names are pre-approved by Mrs. Joye and the district policy does not allow parents to "meet" at an event without approval.  This is for the safety of the students.  Thank you!  


Things you want to start incorporating into your child's homework:
1.  Writing letters Aa-Zz (you can print out the Alphabet Writing Chart by clicking on the homework tab and scrolling down).
2.  Writing numbers 1-30 (this chart is also under the homework tab).  


Writing:
*We have been practicing "stretching out" unknown words in our writing.  Have your child reference their sound/letter chart on the back of their take home folder for help.
I want to share with you what we have been learning about writing so you can support me at home when it comes to the Share Homework.  If you have been writing a sentence for them up to this point, that's great.  I am asking that you shift your support at this point so your child can gain more confidence in writing.  Here's what I'm teaching:
1.  THE PICTURE
In class we have been writing stories by drawing pictures.  We have been learning that our pictures should tell who was there, where they were and how they felt.  We have been learning that we want to use MANY of the crayons in our crayon box to draw details.  For example, if I am telling a story about my trip to the park, I would include the following details in my picture:
a sun, some clouds, grass, the swings I went on, the picnic lunch I had, my two boys and I would use as many colors as I could from my crayon box.
2.  TAPPING AND TELLING
After our detailed picture is complete, we have been learning to tap our details and tell the story.  (If the students can't tell a story, how will they ever learn to write a story?)  My tap and tell would sound something like this as I touched the appropriate parts of the picture:
"I went to the park with Jonas and Mattias and it was a sunny day.  We went on the swings and we had a picnic on the grass.  I packed sandwiches and watermelon.  We had a great time.
3.  ADDING LABELS
After tapping and telling, we have just begun adding labels to our picture.  I'm encouraging the students to write the sounds they hear in the object they are labeling.  For example, if we are labeling the sun, a beginner may just write an 's' for the beginning sound.  That's great!! Some students may write 'sn' because they hear the beginning and end.  Some students are working at a level that they are hearing beginning, middle and ending sounds.  We want to support the child at their level and build their confidence as their phonemic awareness improves.
I am encouraging students to add 1-2 labels to their pictures in class.

Thanks for your support!  Remember, share homework is due EVERY WEEK, any day but Friday.


Sight Words:
Words we've been working on in class:
with
my
a
to 
the
and
can
I
see
like
come
me
you
what

Please put these in flashcards and practice them if your child can not read these words.  Thank you for your support.  

Don't forget that practicing Sight Words is a part of your child's homework. Each child has a baggie with his/her name and green flashcards.  Please help your child learn these words at a pace that is appropriate for them.  I will be teach the words I and see next week but many students are ready for more than just 2 words a week.  When your child knows all the words, have them return them to me in their Take Home Folder for a quick test.  I'm looking to see that your child is NOT sounding out the word, but recognizing it quickly.  They will receive a Brag Tag and then move onto the next list.  Students who pass all 8 sight words lists will receive a prize!  
.

Homework:
Please click on the 'Homework' tab to see the homework for this week


Sign Up For Parent Conferences
Click on this calendar to sign up for your parent teacher conference.  Be sure to scroll to the week of November 12th to see appointment times.  Please contact me if you are having any trouble. If you are not signed up for a conference by the end of the week, I will assign a time to you.  Please sign up asap. 

Week of October 16th

This week:

Sight Words:  with, my
Theme:  Owls
Language Arts:  Inferring, Making Connections
Math: Comparing Numbers/Measurement
Science:  Nocturnal Animals
Writing:  Drawing pictures, adding labels, writing 1 sentence
Phonics:  Pp
Grammar: Complete Sentences
Brisket:  Keenan

Important Dates:
Box Tops Due:  10/16
Great American Shakeout:  10/19
Red Ribbon Week:  10/23-10/27
Barnes and Noble Night:  10/26 (wear your costume)
October 27th: Pumpkin Patch Field Trip
October 31st:  Halloween Centers (parent help please)

Brisket:
Our first students has taken our class bulldog, Brisket, home.  Every student will have a turn.  Please follow the parent note inside the pet carrier.  It will tell you all you need to know during your child's special week! 

Fresh Eggs:
Not school related at all....but, I have several free range chickens on my property.  If you are interested in fresh eggs, please message me on remind.  I usually ask $3/dozen to help feed my hens and you can easily pick them up from me in classroom.  Just let me know!

Field Trip:
Our field trip will be on October 27th.  Please note that if you are not chaperoning, you may not meet us at the patch.  All chaperone names are pre-approved by Mrs. Joye and the district policy does not allow parents to "meet" at an event without approval.  This is for the safety of the students.  Thank you!  


Things you want to start incorporating into your child's homework:
1.  Writing letters Aa-Zz (you can print out the Alphabet Writing Chart by clicking on the homework tab and scrolling down).
2.  Writing numbers 1-30 (this chart is also under the homework tab).  


Writing:
*We have been practicing "stretching out" unknown words in our writing.  Have your child reference their sound/letter chart on the back of their take home folder for help.
I want to share with you what we have been learning about writing so you can support me at home when it comes to the Share Homework.  If you have been writing a sentence for them up to this point, that's great.  I am asking that you shift your support at this point so your child can gain more confidence in writing.  Here's what I'm teaching:
1.  THE PICTURE
In class we have been writing stories by drawing pictures.  We have been learning that our pictures should tell who was there, where they were and how they felt.  We have been learning that we want to use MANY of the crayons in our crayon box to draw details.  For example, if I am telling a story about my trip to the park, I would include the following details in my picture:
a sun, some clouds, grass, the swings I went on, the picnic lunch I had, my two boys and I would use as many colors as I could from my crayon box.
2.  TAPPING AND TELLING
After our detailed picture is complete, we have been learning to tap our details and tell the story.  (If the students can't tell a story, how will they ever learn to write a story?)  My tap and tell would sound something like this as I touched the appropriate parts of the picture:
"I went to the park with Jonas and Mattias and it was a sunny day.  We went on the swings and we had a picnic on the grass.  I packed sandwiches and watermelon.  We had a great time.
3.  ADDING LABELS
After tapping and telling, we have just begun adding labels to our picture.  I'm encouraging the students to write the sounds they hear in the object they are labeling.  For example, if we are labeling the sun, a beginner may just write an 's' for the beginning sound.  That's great!! Some students may write 'sn' because they hear the beginning and end.  Some students are working at a level that they are hearing beginning, middle and ending sounds.  We want to support the child at their level and build their confidence as their phonemic awareness improves.
I am encouraging students to add 1-2 labels to their pictures in class.

Thanks for your support!  Remember, share homework is due EVERY WEEK, any day but Friday.


Sight Words:
Words we've been working on in class:
with
my
a
to 
the
and
can
I
see
like
come
me

Please put these in flashcards and practice them if your child can not read these words.  Thank you for your support.  

Don't forget that practicing Sight Words is a part of your child's homework. Each child has a baggie with his/her name and green flashcards.  Please help your child learn these words at a pace that is appropriate for them.  I will be teach the words I and see next week but many students are ready for more than just 2 words a week.  When your child knows all the words, have them return them to me in their Take Home Folder for a quick test.  I'm looking to see that your child is NOT sounding out the word, but recognizing it quickly.  They will receive a Brag Tag and then move onto the next list.  Students who pass all 8 sight words lists will receive a prize!  
.

Homework:
Please click on the 'Homework' tab to see the homework for this week

Week of October 9th

This week:

Sight Words:  come, me
Theme:  Bats
Language Arts:  Inferring, Problem/Solution
Math: Comparing Numbers
Science:  Nocturnal Animals
Writing:  Drawing pictures, adding labels, writing 1 sentence
Phonics:  Nn
Grammar: Complete Sentences

Important Dates:
September 25th-10/9: PTSA fundraiser (orders due Monday)
Box Tops Due:  10/16
Great American Shakeout:  10/19
Red Ribbon Week:  10/23-10/27
Barnes and Noble Night:  10/26
October 27th: Pumpkin Patch Field Trip
October 31st:  Halloween Centers (parent help please)

Fresh Eggs:
Not school related at all....but, I have several free range chickens on my property.  If you are interested in fresh eggs, please message me on remind.  I usually ask $3/dozen to help feed my hens and you can easily pick them up from me in classroom.  Just let me know!

Field Trip:
Our field trip will be on October 27th.  Please note that if you are not chaperoning, you may not meet us at the patch.  All chaperone names are pre-approved by Mrs. Joye and the district policy does not allow parents to "meet" at an event without approval.  This is for the safety of the students.  Thank you!  


Things you want to start incorporating into your child's homework:
1.  Writing letters Aa-Zz (you can print out the Alphabet Writing Chart by clicking on the homework tab and scrolling down).
2.  Writing numbers 1-30 (this chart is also under the homework tab).  


Writing:
*We have been practicing "stretching out" unknown words in our writing.  Have your child reference their sound/letter chart on the back of their take home folder for help.
I want to share with you what we have been learning about writing so you can support me at home when it comes to the Share Homework.  If you have been writing a sentence for them up to this point, that's great.  I am asking that you shift your support at this point so your child can gain more confidence in writing.  Here's what I'm teaching:
1.  THE PICTURE
In class we have been writing stories by drawing pictures.  We have been learning that our pictures should tell who was there, where they were and how they felt.  We have been learning that we want to use MANY of the crayons in our crayon box to draw details.  For example, if I am telling a story about my trip to the park, I would include the following details in my picture:
a sun, some clouds, grass, the swings I went on, the picnic lunch I had, my two boys and I would use as many colors as I could from my crayon box.
2.  TAPPING AND TELLING
After our detailed picture is complete, we have been learning to tap our details and tell the story.  (If the students can't tell a story, how will they ever learn to write a story?)  My tap and tell would sound something like this as I touched the appropriate parts of the picture:
"I went to the park with Jonas and Mattias and it was a sunny day.  We went on the swings and we had a picnic on the grass.  I packed sandwiches and watermelon.  We had a great time.
3.  ADDING LABELS
After tapping and telling, we have just begun adding labels to our picture.  I'm encouraging the students to write the sounds they hear in the object they are labeling.  For example, if we are labeling the sun, a beginner may just write an 's' for the beginning sound.  That's great!! Some students may write 'sn' because they hear the beginning and end.  Some students are working at a level that they are hearing beginning, middle and ending sounds.  We want to support the child at their level and build their confidence as their phonemic awareness improves.
I am encouraging students to add 1-2 labels to their pictures in class.

Thanks for your support!  Remember, share homework is due EVERY WEEK, any day but Friday.


Sight Words:
Words we've been working on in class:
a
to 
the
and
can
I
see
like
come
me

Please put these in flashcards and practice them if your child can not read these words.  Thank you for your support.  

Don't forget that practicing Sight Words is a part of your child's homework. Each child has a baggie with his/her name and green flashcards.  Please help your child learn these words at a pace that is appropriate for them.  I will be teach the words I and see next week but many students are ready for more than just 2 words a week.  When your child knows all the words, have them return them to me in their Take Home Folder for a quick test.  I'm looking to see that your child is NOT sounding out the word, but recognizing it quickly.  They will receive a Brag Tag and then move onto the next list.  Students who pass all 8 sight words lists will receive a prize!  
.

Homework:
Please click on the 'Homework' tab to see the homework for this week

Week of October 2nd

This week:

Sight Words:  to
Theme:  3 Billy Goats Gruff
Language Arts:  Setting, Characters and Retelling
Math: Numbers to 10
Science:  Rocks and Soil
Writing:  Drawing pictures, adding labels, writing 1 sentence
Phonics:  Cc
Grammar: Complete Sentences

Important Dates:


September 25th-29th: PTSA fundraiser (orders due Monday)
October 4th: Minimum Day and Walk to School Day (wear pink)
October 27th: Pumpkin Patch Field Trip
October 31st:  Halloween Centers (parent help please)

Field Trip:
Our field trip will be on October 27th.  Please note that if you are not chaperoning, you may not meet us at the patch.  All chaperone names are pre-approved by Mrs. Joye and the district policy does not allow parents to "meet" at an event without approval.  This is for the safety of the students.  Thank you!  


Things you want to start incorporating into your child's homework:
1.  Writing letters Aa-Zz (you can print out the Alphabet Writing Chart by clicking on the homework tab and scrolling down).
2.  Writing numbers 1-30 (this chart is also under the homework tab).  

Assessments:
In your child's take home folder you will find the results of your child's letter id, letter sounds, number id, shapes and color assessments.  Please take some time to review your child's results and use them as a guide when working with your child.  


Writing:
*We have been practicing "stretching out" unknown words in our writing.  Have your child reference their sound/letter chart on the back of their take home folder for help.
I want to share with you what we have been learning about writing so you can support me at home when it comes to the Share Homework.  If you have been writing a sentence for them up to this point, that's great.  I am asking that you shift your support at this point so your child can gain more confidence in writing.  Here's what I'm teaching:
1.  THE PICTURE
In class we have been writing stories by drawing pictures.  We have been learning that our pictures should tell who was there, where they were and how they felt.  We have been learning that we want to use MANY of the crayons in our crayon box to draw details.  For example, if I am telling a story about my trip to the park, I would include the following details in my picture:
a sun, some clouds, grass, the swings I went on, the picnic lunch I had, my two boys and I would use as many colors as I could from my crayon box.
2.  TAPPING AND TELLING
After our detailed picture is complete, we have been learning to tap our details and tell the story.  (If the students can't tell a story, how will they ever learn to write a story?)  My tap and tell would sound something like this as I touched the appropriate parts of the picture:
"I went to the park with Jonas and Mattias and it was a sunny day.  We went on the swings and we had a picnic on the grass.  I packed sandwiches and watermelon.  We had a great time.
3.  ADDING LABELS
After tapping and telling, we have just begun adding labels to our picture.  I'm encouraging the students to write the sounds they hear in the object they are labeling.  For example, if we are labeling the sun, a beginner may just write an 's' for the beginning sound.  That's great!! Some students may write 'sn' because they hear the beginning and end.  Some students are working at a level that they are hearing beginning, middle and ending sounds.  We want to support the child at their level and build their confidence as their phonemic awareness improves.
I am encouraging students to add 1-2 labels to their pictures in class.

Thanks for your support!  Remember, share homework is due EVERY WEEK, any day but Friday.


Sight Words:
Words we've been working on in class:
a
to 
the
and
can
I
see
like

Please put these in flashcards and practice them if your child can not read these words.  Thank you for your support.  

Don't forget that practicing Sight Words is a part of your child's homework. Each child has a baggie with his/her name and green flashcards.  Please help your child learn these words at a pace that is appropriate for them.  I will be teach the words I and see next week but many students are ready for more than just 2 words a week.  When your child knows all the words, have them return them to me in their Take Home Folder for a quick test.  I'm looking to see that your child is NOT sounding out the word, but recognizing it quickly.  They will receive a Brag Tag and then move onto the next list.  Students who pass all 8 sight words lists will receive a prize!  
.

Homework:
Please click on the 'Homework' tab to see the homework for this week

Week of September 25th

This week:

Sight Words:  a
Theme:  3 Bears
Language Arts:  Setting, Characters and Retelling
Math: Numbers to 10
Science:  Rocks and Soil
Writing:  Drawing pictures, adding labels, writing 1 sentence
Phonics:  Aa, Tt
Grammar: Adjectives

Important Dates:
September 25th:  Picture orders are due
September 28th:  Make-up pictures
September 25th-29th: PTSA fundraiser (packets come home Monday)
September 29th: No school
October 4th: Minimum Day and Walk to School Day (wear pink)
October 27th: Pumpkin Patch Field Trip
October 31st:  Halloween Centers (parent help please)

Field Trip:
Our field trip will be on October 27th.  Please note that if you are not chaperoning, you may not meet us at the patch.  All chaperone names are pre-approved by Mrs. Joye and the district policy does not allow parents to "meet" at an event without approval.  This is for the safety of the students.  Thank you!  

PTSA Memberships:
PTSA membership drive goes through this month.


Things your child should have mastered:
1.  They should be able to read the sight words I have been teaching in class. 
we, and, can , the, I , see, like
2.  They should be able to write, identify and count numbers 0-10
3.  They should know all the letters in their name.  And the letters I focused on last week: Ss and Mm.  They should know the sounds of Ss and Mm as well.  

Things you want to start incorporating into your child's homework:
1.  Writing letters Aa-Zz (you can print out the Alphabet Writing Chart by clicking on the homework tab and scrolling down).
2.  Writing numbers 1-30 (this chart is also under the homework tab).  

Assessments:
I have been assessing all students on letter id and sounds and I will send those results to you in a week or so.  This will let you know where your child stands as far as letter recognition and sounds.  You can use it as a guide as to how to work with your child


Writing:
*We have been practicing "stretching out" unknown words in our writing.  Have your child reference their sound/letter chart on the back of their take home folder for help.
I want to share with you what we have been learning about writing so you can support me at home when it comes to the Share Homework.  If you have been writing a sentence for them up to this point, that's great.  I am asking that you shift your support at this point so your child can gain more confidence in writing.  Here's what I'm teaching:
1.  THE PICTURE
In class we have been writing stories by drawing pictures.  We have been learning that our pictures should tell who was there, where they were and how they felt.  We have been learning that we want to use MANY of the crayons in our crayon box to draw details.  For example, if I am telling a story about my trip to the park, I would include the following details in my picture:
a sun, some clouds, grass, the swings I went on, the picnic lunch I had, my two boys and I would use as many colors as I could from my crayon box.
2.  TAPPING AND TELLING
After our detailed picture is complete, we have been learning to tap our details and tell the story.  (If the students can't tell a story, how will they ever learn to write a story?)  My tap and tell would sound something like this as I touched the appropriate parts of the picture:
"I went to the park with Jonas and Mattias and it was a sunny day.  We went on the swings and we had a picnic on the grass.  I packed sandwiches and watermelon.  We had a great time.
3.  ADDING LABELS
After tapping and telling, we have just begun adding labels to our picture.  I'm encouraging the students to write the sounds they hear in the object they are labeling.  For example, if we are labeling the sun, a beginner may just write an 's' for the beginning sound.  That's great!! Some students may write 'sn' because they hear the beginning and end.  Some students are working at a level that they are hearing beginning, middle and ending sounds.  We want to support the child at their level and build their confidence as their phonemic awareness improves.
I am encouraging students to add 1-2 labels to their pictures in class.

Thanks for your support!  Remember, share homework is due EVERY WEEK, any day but Friday.


Sight Words:
**I'm noticing that some of the students do not know the short list of sight words I've been teaching in class.  
the
and
can
I
see
like

Please put these in flashcards and practice them if your child can not read these words.  Thank you for your support.  

Don't forget that practicing Sight Words is a part of your child's homework. Each child has a baggie with his/her name and green flashcards.  Please help your child learn these words at a pace that is appropriate for them.  I will be teach the words I and see next week but many students are ready for more than just 2 words a week.  When your child knows all the words, have them return them to me in their Take Home Folder for a quick test.  I'm looking to see that your child is NOT sounding out the word, but recognizing it quickly.  They will receive a Brag Tag and then move onto the next list.  Students who pass all 8 sight words lists will receive a prize!  
.

Trader Joe Bags
If you have any extra paper Trader Joe bags in your cupboards that you are willing to donate to me, I would love to have them.

Homework:
Please click on the 'Homework' tab to see the homework for this week

Week of September 18th

This week:

Sight Words:  we
Theme:  3 Little Pigs
Language Arts:  Inferring, Characters and Retelling
Math:finish sorting and classifying and begin numbers to 10
Science:  Gravity and Motion
Writing:  Drawing pictures, adding labels, writing 1 sentence
Phonics:  Yy, Zz, Mm, Ss
Grammar: Verbs

Important Dates:
September 29th: No school
October 4th: Minimum Day
October 27th: Pumpkin Patch Field Trip
October 31st:  Halloween Centers (parent help please)

Field Trip:
I sent permission slips home on Thursday.  Please sign and return ASAP.  We are asking for an $8 donation before Friday September 22nd.  The pumpkin patch allows us to bring 5 chaperones per class.  I will do the lottery on Monday and notify those parents whose names were drawn.  Our parent chaperones must drive themselves and pay the entrance fee TO ME BEFORE FRIDAY.   

PTSA Memberships:
We are currently in 3rd place to will a popsicle party for the most PTSA memberships!  71% of our families in our class have paid the $9 membership fee.  If you would like to join, there's still time!  We can win the popsicle party!

Help:
I'm still looking to collect AS MANY paper towel and toilet paper rolls as possible for our STEM unit we will begin next week.  Please keep sending them!

Writing:
I want to share with you what we have been learning about writing so you can support me at home when it comes to the Share Homework.  If you have been writing a sentence for them up to this point, that's great.  I am asking that you shift your support at this point so your child can gain more confidence in writing.  Here's what I'm teaching:
1.  THE PICTURE
In class we have been writing stories by drawing pictures.  We have been learning that our pictures should tell who was there, where they were and how they felt.  We have been learning that we want to use MANY of the crayons in our crayon box to draw details.  For example, if I am telling a story about my trip to the park, I would include the following details in my picture:
a sun, some clouds, grass, the swings I went on, the picnic lunch I had, my two boys and I would use as many colors as I could from my crayon box.
2.  TAPPING AND TELLING
After our detailed picture is complete, we have been learning to tap our details and tell the story.  (If the students can't tell a story, how will they ever learn to write a story?)  My tap and tell would sound something like this as I touched the appropriate parts of the picture:
"I went to the park with Jonas and Mattias and it was a sunny day.  We went on the swings and we had a picnic on the grass.  I packed sandwiches and watermelon.  We had a great time.
3.  ADDING LABELS
After tapping and telling, we have just begun adding labels to our picture.  I'm encouraging the students to write the sounds they hear in the object they are labeling.  For example, if we are labeling the sun, a beginner may just write an 's' for the beginning sound.  That's great!! Some students may write 'sn' because they hear the beginning and end.  Some students are working at a level that they are hearing beginning, middle and ending sounds.  We want to support the child at their level and build their confidence as their phonemic awareness improves.
I am encouraging students to add 1-2 labels to their pictures in class.

Thanks for your support!  Remember, share homework is due EVERY WEEK, any day but Friday.

Math:
We will continue to practice writing, identifying and counting numbers 0-5.  It is our kindergarten goal to have a strong number sense to 5.  We will finish up our sorting and classifying unit and begin our unit on numbers to 10.


Sight Words:
**I'm noticing that some of the students do not know the short list of sight words I've been teaching in class.  
the
and
can
I
see
like

Please put these in flashcards and practice them if your child can not read these words.  Thank you for your support.  

Don't forget that practicing Sight Words is a part of your child's homework. Each child has a baggie with his/her name and green flashcards.  Please help your child learn these words at a pace that is appropriate for them.  I will be teach the words I and see next week but many students are ready for more than just 2 words a week.  When your child knows all the words, have them return them to me in their Take Home Folder for a quick test.  I'm looking to see that your child is NOT sounding out the word, but recognizing it quickly.  They will receive a Brag Tag and then move onto the next list.  Students who pass all 8 sight words lists will receive a prize!  
.

Trader Joe Bags
If you have any extra paper Trader Joe bags in your cupboards that you are willing to donate to me, I would love to have them.

Homework:
Please click on the 'Homework' tab to see the homework for this week

Week of September 11th

That was a fast week!  Our jog-a-thon went great!  A HUGE thank you to those who donated money to our classroom!  I will use it to buy construction paper, paint, crayons, glue and other supplies that we use so much of!
This week:

Sight Words:  can
Theme:  transportation
Language Arts:  Making connections/visualizing
Math: sorting and clasifying
Science:  Gravity and Motion
Writing:  Drawing pictures and adding labels
Phonics:  Tt-Xx
Grammar: Nouns

Important Dates:
September 29th: No school
October 4th: Minimum Day
October 27th: Pumpkin Patch Field Trip
October 31st:  Halloween Centers (parent help please)

Field Trip:
Our field trip to the pumpkin patch has been scheduled!  We will go on October 27th!  The pumpkin patch allows us to bring 5 chaperones per class.  Our parent chaperones must drive themselves and pay the entrance fee at the patch.  I will be selecting chaperones by using a lottery system.  Anyone who would like to chaperone, and has been board approved, can let me know and I will put their name into the "hat" and draw five names randomly.  I will be sending more info home on Monday September 18th!  

PTSA Memberships:
We are currently in 2nd place to will a popsicle party for the most PTSA memberships!  71% of our families in our class have paid the $9 membership fee.  If you would like to join, there's still time!  We can win the popsicle party!

Help:
I'm still looking to collect AS MANY paper towel and toilet paper rolls as possible for our STEM unit we will begin next week.  Please keep sending them!

Writing:
I want to share with you what we have been learning about writing so you can support me at home when it comes to the Share Homework.  If you have been writing a sentence for them up to this point, that's great.  I am asking that you shift your support at this point so your child can gain more confidence in writing.  Here's what I'm teaching:
1.  THE PICTURE
In class we have been writing stories by drawing pictures.  We have been learning that our pictures should tell who was there, where they were and how they felt.  We have been learning that we want to use MANY of the crayons in our crayon box to draw details.  For example, if I am telling a story about my trip to the park, I would include the following details in my picture:
a sun, some clouds, grass, the swings I went on, the picnic lunch I had, my two boys and I would use as many colors as I could from my crayon box.
2.  TAPPING AND TELLING
After our detailed picture is complete, we have been learning to tap our details and tell the story.  (If the students can't tell a story, how will they ever learn to write a story?)  My tap and tell would sound something like this as I touched the appropriate parts of the picture:
"I went to the park with Jonas and Mattias and it was a sunny day.  We went on the swings and we had a picnic on the grass.  I packed sandwiches and watermelon.  We had a great time.
3.  ADDING LABELS
After tapping and telling, we have just begun adding labels to our picture.  I'm encouraging the students to write the sounds they hear in the object they are labeling.  For example, if we are labeling the sun, a beginner may just write an 's' for the beginning sound.  That's great!! Some students may write 'sn' because they hear the beginning and end.  Some students are working at a level that they are hearing beginning, middle and ending sounds.  We want to support the child at their level and build their confidence as their phonemic awareness improves.
I am encouraging students to add 1-2 labels to their pictures in class.

Thanks for your support!  Remember, share homework is due EVERY WEEK, any day but Friday.

Math:
We will continue to practice writing, identifying and counting numbers 0-5.  It is our kindergarten goal to have a strong number sense to 5.  We will also start learning about sorting and classifying objects.  


Sight Words:
Don't forget that practicing Sight Words is a part of your child's homework. Each child has a baggie with his/her name and green flashcards.  Please help your child learn these words at a pace that is appropriate for them.  I will be teach the words I and see next week but many students are ready for more than just 2 words a week.  When your child knows all the words, have them return them to me in their Take Home Folder for a quick test.  I'm looking to see that your child is NOT sounding out the word, but recognizing it quickly.  They will receive a Brag Tag and then move onto the next list.  Students who pass all 8 sight words lists will receive a prize!  

Leap Frog:
I use Leap Frog letter factory to help teach letters and sounds.  You can order this inexpensive DVD off Amazon or at Target if you'd like to keep your child's letter and sound practice consistent with what I use in class.

Trader Joe Bags
If you have any extra paper Trader Joe bags in your cupboards that you are willing to donate to me, I would love to have them.

Homework:
Please click on the 'Homework' tab to see the homework for this week