Our Picnic!

Wow!  What a fun day we had today!  We all enjoyed our picnic in the nice shade.  So much fun!

Next week

For the week of:

August 29, 2011

A note from Mrs. Horn…

Thank you for coming to Parent Orientation.  It was great to see so many faces.  Kindergarten students’ reading skills progress so quickly, but I need your help.  I would like to have every child meet with their reading group every day.  That is such an amazing opportunity for the children.  To do this, I need about three more people to be a weekly reading group volunteers, or to commit to two days/week.  Dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles are always welcome volunteers!  I promise it is easy and fun and only takes 30 minutes per week.  If you are able to do this, please email me.  J

I will be posting the class handbook on our blog (www.kinderpupnews.blogspot.com).  If you’d like a paper copy, please let me know and I’d be happy to print one for you.  Thank you for sending healthy snacks and water bottles every day!  They sure enjoy snack time.   

We will go to the Scholastic Bookfair on Wednesday at 9:00.  Families are invited to join us and help them shop for books. 

Keep practicing those lunch numbers! 

In the middle of September, I will begin “Shoe Tying Awards” for those who know how to tie their own shoes.  Practice, practice!  J

What are we learning?

 Reading Workshop

We are learning how to take care of book and how to find them and put them away in our classroom library.  We will learn how to use symbols and pictures on the backs of the books to help us find the correct basket. 

Writing Workshop

This week, we are learning how writing workshop looks and sounds.  We are also learning how to put a capital at the beginning and a period at the end of our sentences.  Be sure to look for those family journals on Friday.  They sure loved reading your responses on Monday!

Handwriting

Handwriting instruction will focus on developing fine motor skills as well as the proper formation of the following letters:  G, g, T and t.

Word Study

This week, we will explore the letters Gg and Tt. 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: you, if, of.  Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

 Math

We are learning how to count and represent numbers, graphing our birthday and sorting coins.  We are also working on sound, motion and color patterns.

 Science

This week we are learning about the four seasons and how the sun affects us.  We will also explore local weather forecast and learn about types of clouds, precipitation and climate zones.

Related Arts Schedule

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Music	PE	PE	PE	PE

Weekly News

Hello Kinderpup Families!

What are we learning?

 Reading Workshop

We are reading many of the wonderful stories written by Eric Carle.  We will also write our own class book, “Hero, Hero, What do you see?”  If you have Eric Carle books at home, this would be a perfect time to use them as your night time stories!

Writing Workshop

This week, again, we are learning that we are all writers and how to use our Writer’s Notebooks.  On Friday, we are writing our first entry in our Family Journals.  Please take time over the weekend to read your child’s letter to you and respond.  If you have your child’s Family Journal at home still, please make sure to return it soon. 

Handwriting

Handwriting instruction will focus on developing fine motor skills as well as the proper formation of the following letters:  R, r, S, and s. 

Word Study

This week, we will explore the letters Rr and Ss. 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: a, and, he.  Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

 Math

We are learning how to count objects by one, count orally, and show numbers 1-9. 

Everyday Math Home Links When children are read to, they learn to love books and want to become readers.  In a similar way, children develop positive feelings about mathematics by sharing pleasurable experiences as they count, measure, compare, estimate, and discover patterns in everyday life.  Kindergarten Home Links provide a guide to a variety of activities that parents and children can share in a spirit of exploration and enjoyment, much as they share interesting stories.  The reward for young children is not mathematics will not be a puzzling abstraction but will make sense to them as part of their real world. Take a moment to look at the Family Note.  Then, together with your child, read and do the activity described below.  Family Note: Your children are learning that they are readers.  As you drive though the community, encourage them to read the street and business signs that they know.  When you are at the grocery store, encourage them to read the brand names that they recognize.  They’ll feel great about themselves, and you’ll get a kick out of seeing how excited they are to read! Activity: Count the steps you need to walk from the sidewalk to the front door (or any two places).  Try to walk the same distance with fewer steps or more steps.  Get into the counting habit!  When you take a walk, try hopping, skipping, jumping, or sidestepping a certain number of times.

 Social Studies

Teamwork is our MegaSkill this month, and that is our focus in class, as well.  We will engage in fun activities that teach teamwork.

Remember, our Parent Orientation Night on August 25^th from 6:30-8:00pm.  You will learn all about our classroom, homework procedures, and volunteer opportunities.  This is the best way to prepare yourself for the upcoming year. I hope to see you there!  Remember, this is for parents; no little ones please!

Don’t forget to send in a healthy snack and water bottle every day! 

Does your child know their lunch number yet?  Please work on this, as it will make the cafeteria run a lot smoother.

Does your child know how to tie their shoes? Again, now your child is at the perfect age to learn.  Help your child gain confidence through independence.

Handwriting is so much fun!!!!

What a big week!

Last week we had such a great week.  Mrs. Hammons came to teach us about how to get along with others by listening to them, using helping hands, "I-Care Language", caring about other's feelings and being responsible for what we do and say. 

Mrs. Pfaff, our literacy coach came on Friday and read a fun book to the class. 

Welcome to Kindergarten!

Hello Kinderpup Families!
This is our class blog page where you will be able to find out about our classroom.  I will update this blog weekly and email you with important news, announcements and anything you might need to know.