Weekly Update

April 24, 2012

A note from Mrs. Horn…

I am sure your Kinderpup has told you all about our new classroom pets!  Last week, we introduced our goldfish and guppies to our classroom.  This week, we are learning all about redworms and night crawlers. We also have chicken and guinea hen eggs in our incubator.  Very exciting!

As you know, we are in the Derby Festival season.  Next week, we will celebrate the Kentucky Derby on May 2^nd by making Derby floats and hats.  Please send the following items in with your child on Monday or Tuesday next week: a shoe box covered in plain or wrapping paper (this will be the base of their float), and items to decorate their float and hat.  Some ideas for decorations are stickers, fake flowers, feathers, and ribbons.  Be creative!

The final book fair of the year is here.  Our “official” shopping day is Friday, April 27th.  Come eat lunch at 11:27 on the 27th with your child and visit the book fair afterwards.  This event was very popular with parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family members last year . . . and it helped Harmony have its most successful book fair ever.  We’re hoping for a repeat performance with this year’s fair!  Invitations were sent home last week.   If you cannot participate on the 27^th, but would like your child to shop, they can bring money any day this week, and I will make sure that they shop that day.  Please send money in a bag or envelope with your child’s name on it.  If you have any specific shopping directions for your child, be sure to include that with the money.

Harmony Elementary’s annual trip to The Louisville Zoo will be Friday, May 3^rd.  We plan to leave school around 9:15a.m.  Upon arriving at the zoo, we will split into chaperone-led groups.  Groups will have the opportunity to take a self-guided trip through the zoo and have a picnic lunch.  We will depart from the zoo around 1:15p.m. and return to school by 2p.m.  Field Trip permission slips and fees are due April 25th. This is a community event and we encourage all parents to attend.  There is no limit to the number of chaperones we can have for this trip, so anyone who signs up will be able to attend.  To be an official chaperone you must have a current background check and have completed Harmony’s confidentiality training.  If you would like to bring younger siblings you are welcome too but cannot be an official chaperone (you will be considered a tag-a-long with your child’s group). 

Each student needs to:

• Wear weather appropriate clothing (don’t forget to wear our class T-shirt)!  Also, please wear tennis shoes, and hats or sunglasses are acceptable.
• Apply sunscreen before school.
• Pack a snack, a disposable water bottle, and sack lunch. A disposable camera will be allowed.
• NO MONEY.  To be fair to everyone, we (teachers, chaperones, and students) will not make any purchases on this trip.

Information for chaperones:

• Meet inside the front gates in front of the restrooms to the right no later than 10:00am to get your child/group and as well as an itinerary.  
• Please bring a backpack to carry children’s lunches and water bottles. 
• You may not make any purchases for any students (including your own) or allow them to spend any money.  This includes food, rides, gifts, etc.
• Meet us back at the same spot (near first aid, zoo membership area) near the front entrance promptly at 1:00. We have to be loaded on the buses by 1:15pm.
• Please e-mail me your cell phone number.  This is a safety measure that will allow us to have access to every student since we will be touring the zoo in small groups. 

Important Dates this Month:

April 27^th: Eat Lunch with Someone you Love/ Book Fair at 11:27-11:53

April 27^th: Earth Day Activities

May 2^nd:  Derby activities, and last day for volunteers

May 3^rd: Zoo Field Trip

May 4^th: No School

May 7^th-15^th: State Testing (Volunteers are not permitted in classrooms and families may not eat lunch in the cafeteria)

May 18^th: Last Day of School

 What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

We are going to read several fairy tales and practice retelling the stories.

Writing Workshop

We are writing small moments focusing on adding details, using dialogue, and focusing on the most important part.

Word Study

This week, we will explore short and long I (-ice, -ide, -ine)  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: red, orange, yellow. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

Students will learn about the tricky teens.

Social Studies

Students will observe the structures and behavior of redworms and night crawlers.  We will compare how redworms and night crawlers are alike and different. We will learn all animals deserve respect and gentle care.

Reminders

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

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night.

Related Arts Schedule 

Monday-Wednesday: Music

Thursday-Friday: PE

Weekly Update for Week of April 16th-20th

April 16, 2012

A note from Mrs. Horn…

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I was so surprised and overwhelmed by the baby shower!  It was so nice of all of you and I feel so blessed.  The children were so sweet and excited.  I plan to use the class gift card towards a baby swing.  We have been out of the "baby business" for quite a while!  I really appreciate all of your generosity.  Thank you so much!

I plan on working until I have this little guy.  Ms. Molly Harterfield is “on call” and ready to step in when I have to leave.  She is a certified teacher and a wonderful sub.  Our routines and schedule will remain the same and of course Ms. Sue will be here.  The transition will be very smooth.   

The Poetry Potluck dinner was a huge success!  It was so fun to see how proud your children were to share their poem with you, and how proud the families were of their Kinderpup! 

Important Dates this Month:

This week: Earth Day Change wars

A note about this came home last week. Please participate in any small (or large) way. Each day, we will collect, add, and chart our income as part of our Math lesson.

Wednesday: Book Fair preview

Next week: Lunch with someone you love, followed by Book Fair shopping. Lunch times will remain the same, but when you are finished eating you may take your child to the Book Fair.  When you are finished shopping, you may bring your child outside to meet the class.  If it’s raining, the class will be having indoor recess.

                   Wednesday: Mrs. Tabor’s class (11:36-12:01)

                   Thursday: Miss Poteet’s class (11:32-11:57)

                   Friday:  Mrs. Horn’s class (11:28-11:53)

 What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

This week, we will use visualization to understand Aesop’s Fables. We will compare and discuss how and why our visualizations differ. 

Writing Workshop

This week we will return to writing personal narratives, or “Small Moment” stories. 

Word Study

This week, we will explore word families (-ink, -ank, -unk).  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: because, why, red.  Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

Students will explore different ways to make a number, and add and chart money coming in for Change Wars.   

Social Studies

We will begin a unit on animals.  This will be very exciting! We will begin by comparing the physical structures of gold fish and guppies.  We will also “grow” chicken eggs in our classroom over the next few weeks, so be ready to hear about that!

Reminders

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

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night.

* Library book due every Friday.

Related Arts Schedule 

Monday & Tuesday: Art

Wednesday-Friday: Music

Weeky update for March 19-23rd

March 19, 2012

A note from Mrs. Horn…

What a great field trip we had!  Thank you so much to those parents who came with us to see The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales.  The children really enjoyed the show, especially Rumplestilskin. 

I’m sure you heard about the leprechaun visit on Friday!  Our room was quite tossed up after we returned from Music class, which caused a lot of excitement!  He did leave a treat for everyone.  They had so much fun discovering the chairs on the table and his sneaky escape route through the open window!

 

Raz-Kids is off and running!  We all logged in while in the computer lab on Friday and they really enjoyed it.  The purpose of Raz-Kids is to provide a variety of books that are on your child's reading level that they can practice with at home.  Plus, it is fun and novel!  Remember to record the titles on the planner sheet the titles of books they read (regular books or Raz books) for their homework. 

Here's how your child can log on:

Go to:  www.raz-kids.com

Click the tab that says "Log in"

Then type "ChristieHorn" in the teacher username box.

You will then see a bunch of icons with the kids' names.

Find your child's name and click the icon above.

It will then ask for your child's password.  The password is their last name (Jimmy Smith's password is "smith")

 It will then show a variety of books that are on your child's independent reading level.  They can to listen to book, read a book, then take a quiz on the book.  They need to listen to and read it before they try the quiz.  As they do each task, they earn "Raz Rockets" that they can "spend" in the virtual store.  They can then "decorate" their virtual rocket room (kind of like WebKinz if you are familiar with that).  When they read all the books in their level, it will move them to the next reading level. 

Important Dates this Month:

March 21^st: Early Release Day

March 29^th: North Campus March Mania at 5:30

April 5^th: Kindergarten Poetry Potluck from 6:00-7:30 (more information to come home soon)

 What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

We will begin a unit about visualizing.  Good readers make pictures in their minds as they read.  We will close our eyes and listen to poems and stories, illustrate those visualizations and share them with each other.    

Writing Workshop

We are continuing our Poetry Unit.  Students are reading and writing a variety of poems and exploring poetic devices.      

Word Study

This week, we will explore –ill, , -ell, -all word families.

We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: two, again, play. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

Students will create and solve story problems, create a class number story book, play addition games with dice and learn about the quarter. 

Social Studies

This week we continue our unit on Geography and the seven continents.

Reminders

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

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night.  Be sure to write down the title of the book they read/listened to so they can earn the “Super Reader” award. 

* Library book due every Friday.

Related Arts Schedule 

Monday-Thursday: Music

Friday: PE

Weekly Update for Week of March 12-16th

March 14, 2012

A note from Mrs. Horn…

We have our field trip to see The Brothers Grimm tomorrow at Memorial Auditorium.  We will return around 12:00, so we will have lunch in the classroom.  Please send a sack lunch that day.  If you should forget, don’t worry.  Your child will be able to purchase a lunch in the cafeteria. 

Volunteer appreciation:  You have all been so helpful this year, and supportive of your children’s learning experience.  However, we have some parents that have been able to take time out of their busy schedules to help all of the children in reading groups; we want to thank you for being a helper.  If you have volunteered at all this year, please come Friday morning at 8:30 to our Volunteer appreciation.  The children will want to celebrate you!  We’d love for you to stop in, even if it is for just a few minutes.

Important Dates this Month:

March 15^th: Brothers Grimm Field Trip

March 16^th: Volunteer appreciation 8:30-9:30

March 21^st: Early Release Day

March 29^th: North Campus March Mania at 5:30

April 5^th: Kindergarten Poetry Potluck from 6:00-7:30 (more information to come home soon)

 What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

Too many Seuss books!  This week we will continue to read several of Dr. Seuss’s books and complete activities to go along with each book. 

Writing Workshop

We are continuing our Poetry Unit.  Students will read various poems written by children their own age, notice repeating words, usage of sensory descriptors and other poetic devices.  Then they will try their own.    

Word Study

This week, we will explore -ed, -est, -ab, -ob word families.

We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: make, two, again. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

Students solve and create comparison stories, practice counting by 2s, and learn how to divide objects in half.  

Everyday Math Home Link Family Note: Counting by numbers larger than 1 can make counting more efficient and help children recognize and understand number patterns.  These skills are beneficial in later grades.  In school, we call this skip counting.  Children are learning to skip count by 2s, 5s, and 10s.  Look for opportunities to help your child practice skip counting.   Activity: Counting by 2s -      Look for things around the house that come in pairs (socks, shoes, eyes, and mittens).  You can count the pairs by 2s. Counting by 5s -      Count the fingers in your family by 1s.  Now count them by 5s.  Count the nickels in your money jar by 5s, too. Counting by 10s -      You’ve had lots of practice counting fingers by 10s.  Now count toes.  Try to count dimes by 10s, too.

Social Studies

This week we begin our unit on Geography.  Students will begin learning about the continents.

Reminders

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

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night.

* Library book due every Monday.

Related Arts Schedule 

Monday-Wednesday: Art

Thursday-Friday: Music

 

Weekly Update

March 5, 2012

A note from Mrs. Horn…

It’s Dr. Seuss week in kindergarten!  Get ready to hear all about the rhyming fun we’re having in reading!  Don't forget to record your child's reading each night on the planner.  They really like receiving the "Super Reader" award on Mondays. 

Important Dates this Month:

March 5^th: Parent-Teacher Conferences

March 7^th: PTA Skating Party from 6:00-8:00pm at Champ’s.

March 15^th: Brothers Grimm Field Trip

March 21^st: Early Release Day

March 29^th: North Campus March Mania at 5:30

April 5^th: Kindergarten Poetry Potluck from 6:00-7:30 (more information to come home soon)

 What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

March 2nd was Dr. Seuss’s birthday!  This week we are going to read several of Dr. Seuss’s books and complete activities to go along with each book. 

Writing Workshop

We are continuing our Poetry Unit.  Students will read various poems written by children their own age, notice repeating words, usage of sensory descriptors and other poetic devices.  Then they will try their own.    

Word Study

This week, we will explore short i (-in, -ing, -it, -im)  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: their, here, help. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

Students practice making coin exchanges with pennies, nickels, and dimes, solve comparison stories, practice counting by 2s, and learn how to divide objects in half.   

Everyday Math Home Link Family Note: Counting by numbers larger than 1 can make counting more efficient and help children recognize and understand number patterns.  These skills are beneficial in later grades.  In school, we call this skip counting.  Children are learning to skip count by 2s, 5s, and 10s.  Look for opportunities to help your child practice skip counting.   Activity: Counting by 2s -      Look for things around the house that come in pairs (socks, shoes, eyes, and mittens).  You can count the pairs by 2s. Counting by 5s -      Count the fingers in your family by 1s.  Now count them by 5s.  Count the nickels in your money jar by 5s, too. Counting by 10s -      You’ve had lots of practice counting fingers by 10s.  Now count toes.  Try to count dimes by 10s, too.

Social Studies

This week we are continuing to learn about US Symbols.

Reminders

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

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night.

* Library book due every Friday.

Related Arts Schedule 

Monday-Tuesday: PE

Wednesday-Friday: Art

Weekly Post for 2/27-3/2

February 27, 2012

A note from Mrs. Horn…

Thank you for the pet donations for the Humane Society.  The children were very proud to give them bags of dog/cat food, treats and blankets.  Our visitors were informative and really showed them how their donations would be used and how we can help take care of animals.  Thank you for caring!

Progress reports come home on February 29^th.  You may keep the copy in the envelope, as well as the attendance report.  Please sign the envelope and return in the take home folder the next day. 

Please call the office at 228-2228 to set up a parent-teacher conference on March 1^st or 5th.  If you need an alternative date please just call or e-mail me.  Ms. Tina prefers that you call during quieter times in the office (between 9 and 2 is best).

Don’t forget-March 1^st is our second picture day.  This is a full length picture.  You can also bring something to be in the picture with you (i.e. a favorite doll, a basketball, etc.).  The class photo will be taken too, so be sure to be there and on time for school.  We are scheduled first thing (so we don’t have a picture with snack or lunch on usJ). 

Important Dates this Month:

February 22^nd: Early Release Day

February 29^th: Progress Reports Go Home

March 1^st: Picture Day

March 1^st & 5^th: Parent-Teacher Conferences

 What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

We are continuing our Story Element unit.  Students are learning how to identify problems/solutions, compare/contrast characters, and identify the main idea in the story and to retell.   

Writing Workshop

We are continuing our Poetry Unit.  Students will read various poems written by children their own age, notice repeating words, usage of sensory descriptors and other poetic devices.  Then they will try their own.    

Word Study

This week, we will explore R blends (pr, tr, dr, br, cr, fr, gr).  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: jump, away, by. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

Students will be introduced to the penny, nickel and dime and practicing counting by 1’s, 5’s, and 10’s.  Students will also create graphs with unifix cubes and analyze their data. 

Social Studies

This week we are continuing to learn about the United States presidents and US Symbols.

Reminders

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

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night and write down the title of the book your child read/or listened to each night.  There is a special certificate given on Mondays for those who completed their reading homework for the previous week. 

* Library book due every Friday.

Related Arts Schedule 

M-Music

Tu-F: PE

Thank you for all you do,

Christie Horn

Weekly Update

February 21, 2012

A note from Mrs. Horn…

Our hallway is showing how much we care (MegaSkill) by bringing in things to donate to the Humane Society.  Please send in:  dog/cat food, cat litter, pet toys, towels, treats, etc. to help.  A representative from the Humane Society is coming to school on Friday to talk to us about how to take care of pets and how they will use our donations.  The children are looking forward to their visit and the "friends" they will bring with them.

We had a great time at our Valentine’s Day party.  Thank you so much to Mrs. Whitlow for organizing such a great party and to the parents who helped out.  Thank you for taking the time to help your child with their Valentine boxes.  They were so excited to share them with the class. 

Last week, Mrs. Hammons came to our class to teach us about stranger danger. You received a letter from her explaining more about it.  If your children haven’t talked to you already about what they learned, please sit down with your children and engage them in a discussion on this topic.

Currently, we are assessing students on their progress in reading.  I am doing this during reading group time, so if your child doesn't not bring home a book from group, it is because I was assessing.  It’s so awesome to see how much growth is happening.  It’s obvious that you are taking the time to read with your children nightly.  When you take the time to read with them, it pays off!  I can’t wait to share your child’s growth with you.

Please call the office at 228-2228 to set up a parent-teacher conference on March 1^{st &} 5^th.  If you need an alternative date please just call or e-mail me.  Ms. Tina prefers that you call during quieter times in the office (between 9 and 2 is best).

March 1^st is our second picture day.  For these set of photos, the children will have a full length picture, and you can also bring something to be in the picture with you (i.e. a favorite doll, a basketball, etc.).  We will also have a class picture taken, so it’s important that your child be there!  Our pictures will be taken first thing in the morning.

Important Dates this Month:

February 22^nd: Early Release Day

February 29^th: Progress Reports Go Home

March 1^st: Picture Day

March 1^st, 5^th: Parent-Teacher Conferences

 What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

We are continuing our Story Element unit.  Students are learning about problems and solutions, story sequences, and morals.

Writing Workshop

Poetry Unit!  Students will learn how poets listen to poetry, read several poems, and begin writing their own poems. 

Word Study

This week, we will explore L blends (pl, sl, bl, fl, cl, gl).  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: put, too, where. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

Students are practicing counting by 5’s, learning to use a number grid, and learning how to use the “Count On” strategy to solve addition problems. 

Social Studies

This week we are continuing to learn about the United States presidents. 

Reminders

*Send in a healthy snack and water bottle (with a pull up spout) every day.

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night!

* Library book due every Monday!

Related Arts Schedule 

Tu-F: Music