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

Week of September 4th

We had fun learning about apples this week!  We made applesauce and planted seeds this week.

This week:

Sight Words:  and
Theme:  seasons
Language Arts:  Making connections/infrencing
Math: sorting and clasifying
Science:  Living Things
Writing:  Drawing pictures and adding labels
Phonics:  Pp-Ss

Important Dates:
Sept 4: No School
Sept 6:  Minimum Day
Sept 8: Jog-a-thon

Help:
We will be doing some STEM activities next week and I will need as many toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls as possible!  Please save them and send them in as you have them.  If we don't have enough, we won't be able to do the activity.  Thanks!

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.  

Jog-a-thon:
Jog-a-thon is coming up on September 8!   
Any donations are GREATLY appreciated!!
Cash and checks can be turned in on or before Sept. 8th.


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!  

Share Homework:
Don't forget that the weekly share homework is a part of your child's homework and works to reinforce what we are learning in class in terms of writing AND curriculum.  Please help instill good homework habits early and have your child complete his/her share homework any day but Friday.  A writing assignment is required once they reach first grade and first grade does give consequences for students who have unfinished homework.  Please help lay a good foundation and good habits now so they can be successful in the future grades.  

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

Week of August 28th

Another great week!  Students are still learning routines and procedures.

This week:

Sight Words:  the
Theme:  Apples
Language Arts:  Making connections/infrencing
Math: count, recognize, identify and write numbers 0-5
Science:  Living Things
Writing:  Drawing pictures and adding labels
Phonics:  K-O

Important Dates:
August 28th - Sept. 1st:  Book Fair
August 31st: Ice Cream Social 
Sept 4: No School
Sept 6:  Minimum Day
Sept 8: Jog-a-thon

Math:
We have been practicing recognizing, counting and writing numbers 1-5.  Your child should be doing this independently at this point.  Under the 'Homework' tab is a Number Writing paper that you can print out and have your child practice writing their numbers.  You can have your child count out different numbers (1-5) of objects.  You can have your child find the group that has 3 (for example).  One of our goals in kindergarten is to build a strong number sense with numbers 1-5.  You can also talk with them about the different ways to make the numbers 1-5.  For example, the number 4 can be 2 and 2 or 1 and 3 or 3 and 1 or 4 and 0 and so on.  You can model this using objects and use number talk such as, "there are 3 skittles here and 1 over there and 3 and 1 make 4."

PTSA:
Our class is in 3rd place for the pizza party!  We are closr!  Let's see if we can get EVERYONE to join and win the kiddos a pizza party!  Please let me know if you need another PTSA envelope by sending me a message on Remind.  

Jog-a-thon:
Jog-a-thon is coming up on September 8!   
Any donations are GREATLY appreciated!!
Cash and checks can be turned in on or before Sept. 8th.

Emergency Release Card:
I MUST HAVE THESE ASAP
This can be found by accessing Parent Portal.  Please print it out and send it in your child's Take Home Folder ASAP.  If you need help accessing Parent Portal, they can help you in the office anytime between 7 and 4.  

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!  

Bookfair
The bookfair is coming to our school next week!  I will take the students to the bookfair on Wednesday. You are welcome to send money in an envelope and I will take them shopping.  They do sell toys at the bookfair so if you only want your child purchasing books with the money you send, please clearly label your envelope with 'BOOKS ONLY' and I will see to it that your child does not spend money on the toys.

Ice Cream Social
This is a fun family event that PTSA puts on every year.  Come with your family and enjoy free ice cream and shop the book fair anytime on Thursday from 6pm-8pm.

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

Week of August 21st

The kids did great with their first FULL week of kindergarten.  I think we all got a little tired by the end of the week, but that should get easier as we adjust.  Thanks for all your support and as always, please do not hesitate to come talk to me about your kiddo and their needs.

This week:

Sight Words:  like
Theme:  Friendship
Language Arts:  Making connections/characters, problem and solution
Math: count, recognize, identify and write numbers 0-5
Social Studies: Rules
Writing:  Drawing pictures and adding labels
Phonics:  F-J

Important Dates:
August 24th:  Picture Day
August 28th - Sept. 1st:  Book Fair
August 31st: Ice Cream Social 
Sept 4: No School
Sept 6:  Minimum Day
Sept 8: Jog-a-thon

Red Take Home Folders:
Your child should be placing his/her Take Home Folder in the red basket every morning before they go to the playground.  Anything for me, sight word cards/signed forms/etc, can be put in the red folders and placed in the red basket before school.  If your child finishes their homework early, I will leave it in their red folder until Friday.  

Jog-a-thon:
 Jog-a-thon information will be in your child's take home folder on Monday.  All the money raised will go DIRECTLY TO OUR CLASSROOM.  This helps me buy supplies (construction paper, glue, books, crayons, etc) for the remainder of the year.  
Any donations are GREATLY appreciated!!
Cash and checks can be turned in on or before Sept. 8th.
I will need a few parent volunteers that day, some bottles of water (24), and some popsicles donated for the day.  Let me know if you can help me with any of those things by messaging me on remind.  
*We do not have incentive prizes in Kindergarten.  It's just a fun activity to earn money for our class!

PTSA:
In your child's Take Home Folder on Monday you will find information and an envelope for you and your family to join PTSA.  Lets will the pizza contest by having the most memberships!

Emergency Release Card:
I MUST HAVE THESE ASAP
This can be found by accessing Parent Portal.  Please print it out and send it in your child's Take Home Folder ASAP.  If you need help accessing Parent Portal, they can help you in the office anytime between 7 and 4.  

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!  

Solar Eclipse:
I will NOT be taking the students out to view the eclipse on Monday due to their young age.  Homework:
Please click on the 'Homework' tab to see the homework for this week

Week of August 14th

We had a wonderful first few days of school!  We got to know each other a bit and learned lots of routines.  We will continue to learn routines next week.  I'm really looking forward to next week as we begin our curriculum and getting into our regular daily routine.  Again, thank you for sharing your children with me and please stop by and see me if you have any questions or concerns.

This week:

Sight Words:  I, see
Theme:  Friendship
Language Arts:  Making connections/characters
Math:  Become familiar with math manipulatives
Social Studies: Rules
Writing:  Drawing pictures and adding labels
Phonics:  A-E

Important Dates:
August 24th:  Picture Day
August 28th - Sept. 1st:  Book Fair
August 31st: Ice Cream Social 
Sept 4: No School
Sept 6:  Minimum Day
Sept 8: Jog-a-thon

Red Take Home Folders:
Your child should be placing his/her Take Home Folder in the red basket every morning before they go to the playground.  

Behavior:
So far, I'm so impressed with the class' behavior overall!  We have been earning Brag Tags so be sure to "pump" the kiddos up on that.  As of now, I see no need to incorporate the clip system into our day.   If I feel the need for this, later in the year, I will begin using it, but for now, I'm very happy with the class' behavior.    

PTSA:
In your child's Take Home Folder on Monday you will find information and an envelope for you and your family to join PTSA.  

Emergency Release Card:
This can be found by accessing Parent Portal.  Please print it out and send it in your child's Take Home Folder ASAP.  If you need help accessing Parent Portal, they can help you in the office anytime between 7 and 4.  

Sight Words:
You will find your child's first sight word list in their Take Home Folder on Monday.  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

Welcome

Hello!  Thank you for coming to check out our website! I will update this blog weekly (usually over the weekend) with the latest happenings in our classroom.  Please take some time to explore the different links and familiarize yourself with our website.  There are many valuable sources here for you!
I'm so excited to begin this year!  I'm looking forward to getting to know your little one and want to encourage you to come to me with ANY questions you might have.
Remember:
Sign-up for our Remind App by texting 4k392d to 81010

You can find the first homework assignment (At Home Book Box) by clicking the homework tab.  If you are not seeing the homework tab, you may need to click "desktop version" at the bottom of this page by scrolling down on your cell phone.  If you need help navigating the website or signing up for the Remind App, please come see me, I'm happy to help!

This Week: 

We will be working on classroom routines and getting to know each other

Important Dates:

August 10:  Minimum Day 
August 24th:  Picture Day
August 28th - Sept. 1st:  Book Fair
August 31st: Ice Cream Social 
Sept 4: No School
Sept 6:  Minimum Day
Sept 8: Jog-a-thon
Box Tops:

Our school collects Box Tops to help earn money for the school!  You can trim them and place them in a baggie and send them in your child's take home folder anytime!

PTSA Membership:

We have a contest here at Cram and I LOVE to win!  (haha)  Help us win a pizza party by having the MOST PTSA memberships!  Anyone in the family can have a membership.  An envelope will be coming home to join!  Lets win the kiddos a pizza party!!

Homework:
Thank you for supporting your child in the homework process.  You are helping to instill good habits that will help them be successful in future grades.

Click the homework tab to learn about our first homework assignment.

Last Week

No written homework. Please remember to have your child read nightly but I will not be sending guided reading books home.

This Week: 

sight words:  

soon, up, that, who, your, into, where, but, from, which, many, of, so, said, good, play, make, they, go, for, will, be, this, find, is, how, now, you, are, what, with, me, come, my, we, go, see, a, I, the, like,  to, can, and

Theme: Community helpers
Math: Graphing


Important Dates:

June 2:  Minimum Day/Family Picnic
June 8: Last Day or school/minimum day/Kindergarten Celebration

Kindergarten Field Day:

This will begin right away on the last day of school.  We need about 5 board approved parent volunteers for this event.  We will have stations set up and all kinder students will rotate through the centers.  We will finish up field day with a kindergarten picnic on the playground.  I have sent home info home this week about what your child has chose to contribute to our field day/picnic.  Please send in your item by this Tuesday or Wednesday.  Thanks for your support!

Kindergarten Celebration:

This is by far my favorite event of the year as well as the most difficult one for me to get through .  I want to warn you, as well as the students, that I tend to be very emotional and will do my best.  I would love for every student to have at least one adult present for the kindergarten celebration.  YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE BOARD APPROVED TO ATTEND!  Everyone is welcome to come and it can be quite crowded.  It is a special event that you won't want to miss.  This will begin at 10 am in the classroom on June 8.  I will unlock the gate by our classroom door.

Report Cards:

Report cards will come home on the final day of kindergarten.

Summer:

I can not stress how important it is for your child to continue reading daily over the summer.  If they do not, they will regress and could possibly begin 1st grade reading below grade level.  Be sure they are reading their book boxes at home and check the library for leveled readers.