Weekly Update

December 13, 2011

A note from Mrs. Horn…

What an exciting time of year!  We are continuing a Harmony student tradition of a holiday sing a long on Thursday, December 9^th.  Please be on the lookout for your child’s letter to Santa in the Oldham Era on December 22^nd.   

Our class Christmas Party is scheduled for December 16^th at 12:00 am.  Parents are welcome to volunteer to help out.  Please contact our lovely room mom, Ami Whitlow (awhitlow@insightbb.com) for more information.  Students will need to bring their own special sweet treat for the party (as we cannot share food and carrot sticks aren’t too festive) and a regular snack for our normal morning snack time.    

What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

We are using Jan Brett’s books to compare and contrast and make text-to-text connections as well as learn about her writing style and characteristics.     

Writing Workshop

This week we are writing friendly letters and holiday greeting cards.  Be on the lookout for a card from your kinderpup!   

Word Study

This week, we will explore the word families –ut, -un, --ug, -um.  Ask your child about the word family chants for all four.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: were, like, one. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

In math we are learning how to look at a group of objects and decide how to sort them.  We will also count, label and compare these group and learn how to explain “your rule” used for sorting (ex. By color, things that roll, heavy vs. light, etc.) 

Social Studies

We are having a ball “traveling” around the world and learning about different holidays.  We will continue our study of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, German Christmas trees, China and more.    

Reminders

*Send in a healthy snack and water bottle every day.

* Our classroom gets very chilly sometimes.  Please send in a light jacket or sweater for your child to keep in their back pack. 

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night!

* Library book due every Friday!

Related Arts Schedule

Monday                      Art

Tuesday – Friday     Music

Thank you for all you do,

Christie Horn

Weekly Update for Week of November 28th- December 2nd

November 28, 2011

A note from Mrs. Horn…

Hope you all had a bountiful Thanksgiving, with good food and even better loved ones!  Now it’s time to prepare for the holidays.  We will do our best to maintain our learning routines during this busy season, as well as have fun with holiday traditions. 

We will be going to see, “Nutcracker in a Nutshell,” on Friday.  The performance will be held at the Louisville Palace.  We are learning about what it means to be part of an audience, manners and how to enjoy a live performance.  As this is a theater, our class has voted and decided it would be appropriate to “dress fancy”.  They are very excited to see the ballet and dress up for the occasion.  This is going to be so much fun!  We will eat lunch at school, but it would be helpful to pack a lunch, as we will eat in the classroom.  We will have PE later that afternoon, so be sure to put sneakers in your child’s school bag.

Please continue to send in non-perishable goods for our Canned Food Drive.  All of the food will go to needy families in Oldham County.  We are collecting canned goods (soups, meats, vegetables, juice, fruit, pasta sauce, pie filling), cereal, rice, baby food, Jello, pudding, packaged food, beans, croutons, dried fruit (raisins, apricots), nuts, and any other non-perishable food. Thank you for your support in helping out children to learn about caring and sharing with others.  The food needs to be sent in by December 2, 2010. 

Need some adult time? December 9^th is our class “Pretend Sleepover.”  We will have s’mores, popcorn, watch a classic movie and have a great time with friends in our P.J.s.  Send me an email or a note along with a $25 check (made out to Harmony PTA) if you would like your child to join us on this fun night.  Proceeds go into our class budget, and will be used for instructional materials.

The next Scholastic Book Fair is coming next week; we will preview the fair on Thursday.  WE will shop at the book fair on Wednesday, December 7^th at 10:00.  Please feel free to join us. 

What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

We will learn more about Schema, and how to use our background knowledge to make connections. We will visit the school library on Monday.

Writing Workshop

This week we will continue to develop our persuasive letters to Santa, or a special person.

Handwriting

Handwriting instruction will focus on developing fine motor skills as well as the proper formation of the following word families:  -op, -od, and -ot.

Word Study

This week, we will explore the word families -op, -od, and -ot.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: could, when, have. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

We will complete our on comparing numbers and begin our unit on addition and subtraction strategies, and we will begin using addition and subtraction symbols. 

Everyday Math Home Link Family Note: “Top It” reinforces number recognition and helps children learn to compare 2 numbers, to decide which number is more or less. (You may remember this game as “War.”) Activity: 1.          Shuffle a deck of number cards (or a regular deck of cards with the face cards removed) and divide the cards evenly between 2 players, face down. 2.       Players turn their top card over at the same time.  The player with the greater numbered card keeps both cards.  If the cards are equal, turn over the next card to see who has the greater card.  3.       Play continues until one player has all or most of the cards. 4.       Vary game play by playing for the least numbered card.

Social Studies

What are maps and what do we use them for?  We will learn the difference between political maps and physical maps, as well as how to make maps.

Important Dates

* Friday, December 2^nd: Field trip to, “Nutcracker in a Nutshell.”

* Wednesday, December 7^th: our class shopping day at the Book Fair

* * Friday, December 9^th:  items for Husky Helping House are due.

* Friday, December 9^th:  Pretend Sleepover 7 – 10 p.m.

*Saturday, December 10^th: Donuts with Santa.

Reminders

*Send in a healthy snack and water bottle every day.

* Always dress appropriately for outdoor recess. 

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night.

* Library book due every Friday.

Related Arts Schedule

Monday         -Friday PE

                                                                                                                                                    

Weekly Update for Week of November 14-18th

November 14, 2011

A note from Mrs. Horn…

I sent home the book order forms for November and December.  December is a short month in school and Scholastic orders can take a bit longer after Thanksgiving, so I wanted to get them out earlier.  There are oodles of great books and these make terrific gifts.  If you would like to order something for your child as a present and don’t want them to see it, just let me know and we can make arrangements to pick it up. 

Book orders are due by November 18th so we are sure to get them back early.  You can order using the order form on the back of the flyer, and return the order form to me with payment in cash or check made payable to Scholastic Book Clubs.  Or, order online by visiting www.scholastic.com/bookclubs.  The class activation code is:  GP3JL.  Best of all, we earn a FREE book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.  The books typically arrive within a week of placing the order.  Each order helps earn free books and teaching materials for our classroom, however, there is never any obligation to order.

If your child would like to join our Pretend Sleepover, it’s not too late!  Our Pretend Sleepover is on Friday, December 9^th, from 7:00-10:00pm.  Mom and Dad can enjoy a quiet dinner out, or do some sneaky holiday shopping without your kinderpup.  The kids will have a blast in their pajamas playing flashlight tag, dancing, eating S’mores and popcorn and watching a holiday movie!  Our pictures even ended up in the yearbook last year!  Send an email or note and $25 (made out to Harmony PTA) to join in the fun!

  Mark your calendar…  Our Thanksgiving Play will be on Tuesday, November 22^nd at 11:20 am.  All families and friends are invited.  You are encouraged to stay afterwards for lunch.  Please return the lunch order form sent home last week by Wednesday if you plan to purchase lunch from the cafeteria.  The Kindergarten Team is looking for parents interested in revamping last year’s props for the play.  If you are interested please e-mail me!

Now that all students know how to check out books from the library, your child may visit the library before school throughout the week to check out a book.  Before students may check out a new book, they must finish their morning responsibilities in class. After completing their responsibilities, I will send them down to the library.  They must return to class before 7:50 am.  This is a privilege that Ms. Clark and Ms. Wanda permit kids to do.  If they aren’t make good choices in the library (Ms. Sue and I will not be in the library with them), they will lose the privilege to check out books independently.  We will continue to visit the library on Fridays. 

It is starting to get chilly outside.  Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately because we will go outside everyday unless it is raining or below 40 degrees.

What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

This week we are learning about schema.  Students will work on making self-to-text connections.  We will be visiting the school library on Friday.

Writing Workshop

With the Holiday’s just around the corner, we are going to take advantage of the kid’s excitement of Santa coming.  On Monday, we are going to start our persuasive letters to Santa or to our family if you don’t celebrate Christmas.  We will focus on writing a greeting, introduction and persuading Santa to bring us our desired gift.  I will continue to remind kids of the audience of their letter (Santa or their family).  On Friday, we are writing in our Family Journals.  Please take time over the weekend to read your child’s letter to you and respond. 

Word Study

This week, we will explore the word families -ad, -ap, & -ag.  Ask your child about the word family chants for all three.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: little, down, do. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

We are learning how to add and subtract in our heads, reviewing counting, number recognition, and sequencing numbers 0-20.

Math Home Link Family Note: Children enjoy counting, and they find ways to practice this skill all the time.  In addition to counting by 1s, children are learning to “skip count” by 10s.  When your child counts by 10s help him or her connect the counting words with the concept of making groups of 10.  Counting fingers (and toes) is an excellent way to begin. Activity:  Count all the fingers in your family.  Count by 10s.  Count by 1s to double check.  Draw the fingers of all the people in your family.  Try to write the numbers of fingers.  What else could you count by 10s?  (Practice counting several different objects by 10s.)

Social Studies

For the next couple of weeks, we will visit the gym the practice for our Thanksgiving Play. Throughout week we will discuss how the pilgrims lived on the Mayflower and in the new land.

Reminders

*Send in a healthy snack and water bottle every day.

* Our classroom gets very chilly sometimes.  Please send in a light jacket or sweater for your child to keep in their back pack. 

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night.

* Library book due every Friday.

Related Arts Schedule

Monday                      Art

Tuesday-Friday        Music

Weekly Update for Week of November 7-11th

November 7, 2011

A note from Mrs. Horn…

We are off to a great start with our Thanksgiving play!  The students are learning songs, how to use props and are having a terrific time preparing to perform for you.  We will be making Native American headdresses for our play.  Please send in a pack of long feathers for your child to use in their headdress by Tuesday, November 15^th. 

We have had to change our daily schedule to access the gym for our practice.  Our class now eats lunch from 10:45-11:15.  This is early, so we are saving our snack until the afternoon.  The new lunch time will be in place until Thanksgiving break.  Please share this info with any grandparents, aunts, uncles who may come to join your child for lunch. 

Field trip permission slips and payments are due on Wednesday, November 9^th. 

As a school policy, kindergarteners do not bring home their first progress report like the other kids do.  During our conference I will be able to thoroughly go over your child’s progress report and explain how they are performing and being assessed.  Parent-Teacher Conferences begin November 10^th.  If you haven’t had a chance to do so, please call the office at 228-2228 after 9:00am to schedule a meeting. 

What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

We will read a variety of Native American stories and folk tales.  We will also do DRA reading assessments. 

Writing Workshop

This week we will continue to “Fancy Up” our writing.  After Halloween there were so many new stories to tell!  We will now pick one story to rewrite, using our best handwriting, spelling and punctuation.  On Friday, we are writing in our Family Journals.  Please take time over the weekend to read your child’s letter to you and respond. 

Handwriting

Handwriting instruction will focus on developing fine motor skills as well as the proper formation. 

Word Study

This week, we will explore at, am, & an word families.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: am, then, little. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

We will begin a new unit on comparing numbers.  We will make macaroni necklaces to compare numbers and patterns and write about the patterns we create.

Social Studies

Native American studies: we practice our Thanksgiving play. 

Important Dates

* Tuesday, November 8^th: Election Day- No School

* November 10^th & 15^th: Parent-Teacher Conferences

* November 22^nd: Kindergarten Thanksgiving Play (Parents invited)

* November 23^rd-25^th: Thanksgiving Break- No School

Reminders

*Send in a healthy snack and water bottle every day.

* Always dress appropriately for outdoor recess. 

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night.

* Library book due every Friday.

Related Arts Schedule

Monday         - Friday Art

Weekly Update\

Weekly Update

October 24, 2011

A note from Mrs. Horn…

Welcome Back!  I hope everyone had a terrific October Break!  I can hardly believe it but Wednesday is the 50^th day of school!  Time sure fly’s by fast!

This week is Red Ribbon Week!  Each day of the week students are encouraged to support our “A Drug Free Life Rocks” campaign.

          Monday: A Healthy Life Rocks! - Wear Red Today

          Tuesday: Rockin’ Out with Better Things to Do - Wear Sunglasses Today

          Wednesday: Drugs Turn You Inside Out! – Wear Clothes Inside Out Today

          Thursday: Say Peace Out to Junk Food! - Wear Tie-Dye today

Friday: Our Future Goals Rock – Wear something that represents a goal for their future today (Ex: football jersey if you want to play football in the future, a favorite book to represent wanting to publish books as a career, etc.  This should be just one item, not a complete costume.

We are having a Pumpkin Pack Party this week.  Don't forget to send in your pumpkin and supplies you need to decorate your pumpkin by Thursday.  You can send it in early and I will set it aside for them. 

Parent-Teacher Conferences are November 10^th and 15^th from 3:00-6:00pm.  Please call the office at 228-2228 after 9:00am to schedule a meeting.  If you are not able to meet on the 10^th or 15^th please e-mail me and we can schedule an alternative conference time. I look forward to meeting with everyone and discussing your child’s progress. 

Field trip forms are coming home Monday.  Please sign and return them on Friday.  We are going to walk to the North Oldham Fire Department to learn about fire safety.  This is a FREE field trip!  Don’t worry we will have a police escort to walk across the road. 

What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

We will kick off our Comprehension Strategies Unit by learning about metacognition (thinking about our thinking).  During your nightly reading, encourage your child to tell you what they are thinking about the book using Metacognition Thinking stems (I’m thinking…, I’m noticing…, I’m wondering…, I’m seeing…, and I’m feeling…). We will be visiting the school library on Friday.

Writing Workshop

This week we are beginning our Small Moments (Personal Narratives) Unit.  We will focus on stretching out our small moments and writing about everyday occurrences.  On Friday, we are writing in our Family Journals.  Please take time over the weekend to read your child’s letter to you and respond. 

Handwriting

Handwriting instruction will focus on developing fine motor skills as well as the proper formation of the following letters:  A, a, E, e, I, i

Word Study

This week, we will explore the letters Aa, Ee, & Ii. Ask your child about the letter sound chants for both.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: some, as, out. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

We are continuing to practice counting and writing our teen numbers, learn about estimation, and solve number stories with pictures.

Everyday Math Home Link Family Note: Units of measurement originated from things familiar to people.  Using objects around the house to measure items is one way to help children understand the concept of nonstandard measurement and to practice measuring techniques. Activity: Measure the length of a shoe using pennies instead of inches.  Then, measure someone else’s shoe using pennies.  Did it take more pennies or fewer pennies? Now measure another object, such as a pencil or a floor tile, using pennies. Find something else to measure with- like raisins or a small toy.

Social Studies

Red Ribbon Week- We learn about make healthy choices by eating right and exercising.

Important Dates

* Wednesday, November 2^nd: Early Release Day

* Friday, November 4^th: North Oldham Fire Department Field Trip 

* Tuesday, November 8^th: Election Day- No School

* November 10^th & 15^th: Parent-Teacher Conferences

* November 22^nd: Kindergarten Thanksgiving Play (Parents invited)

* November 23^rd-25^th: Thanksgiving Break- No School

Reminders

*Send in a healthy snack and water bottle every day.

* Our classroom gets very chilly sometimes.  Please send in a light jacket or sweater for your child to keep in their back pack. 

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night.

* Library book due every Friday.

Related Arts Schedule

Monday                   Music    

Tuesday        Music

Wednesday    Music

Thursday       PE

Friday           PE

                                                                                                                                                    

Weekly Update

October 11, 2011

A note from Mrs. Horn…

Wow!  What a fantastic field trip we had a Huber’s on Friday.  The children were so excited to pick their own bag of apples and select a pumpkin.  It was a super fun day.  Thank you to all of our chaperones for their help. 

We will go to see Ferdinand the Bull at Stage One and have a picnic at Waterfront Park on Friday.  Please have your child wear their green class t-shirt and bring a lunch and drink in a disposable bag.  It’s going to be so much fun!

What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

This week we will learn about two more strategies good readers use.  We will focus on “rereading” and “ask a friend”.  Due to our field trip to Stage One on Friday, we will try to get to the library on Wednesday or Thursday.   

Writing Workshop

In writing we are learning how to use booklets to tell a complete story from beginning to end.  Due to Fall Break, we will not send Family Journals home on Friday.  Those will continue when we return. 

Handwriting

Handwriting instruction will focus on developing fine motor skills as well as the proper formation of the following letters:  Vv, Xx, Yy & Zz.

Word Study

This week, we will explore the letters Vv, Xx, Yy & ZZ. Ask your child about the letter sound chants for these.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: is, there, some. Have your child sing you the songs for these words and practice reading and writing them each day.  This is very important. 

Math

We are learning to how to count and label (writing that number) groups of items up to 50.  This is a big task.  Please practice counting at home with items such as:  Cheerios, beans, pennies, etc.

Social Studies

We are learning more and more about Native American culture of the Eastern Woodlands group.  We will study what they ate and the clothes they wore.  We will also create our own Native American vests.

Reminders

*Send in a healthy snack and water bottle every day.

* Our classroom gets very chilly sometimes.  Please send in a light jacket or sweater for your child to keep in their back pack. 

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night.

Related Arts Schedule

Monday                   Art

Tuesday        Art

Wednesday    Music

Thursday       Music

Friday           Music