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

February 13th

February 13, 2012

A note from Mrs. Horn…

Our Writing Celebration on Friday was a success!  The students LOVED sharing their All About Me books with you! 

Tuesday, February 14^th is our Valentine’s Party.  Please have your child bring in 24 Valentine’s cards.  I sent a letter on Thursday with all of the students’ first names so the children could address their cards.  It’s good practice for them to read and write their classmates’ names and they have a great time finding each other’s mailboxes.  Students may also bring a special sweet treat  (individual) and juice box for the party.  Please do send a regular healthy snack for our morning snack time. 

Please call the office at 228-2228 to set up a parent-teacher conference on March 1^st or 5^th.  If you need to set up a phone conference, please email me and we can arrange a time for that.   

Important Dates this Month:

February 14^th: Class Valentine’s Party

February 20^th: No School

February 22^nd: Early Release Day

February 29^th: Progress Reports Go Home

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

We are starting our 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: from, good, over. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

Students are practicing counting my 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 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-Thursday   Art

Friday                         Music

Thank you for all you do,

Christie Horn

Weekly Update for Week of February 6-10th

February 6, 2012

A note from Mrs. Horn…

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching.  The children are very excited to celebrate with their school family.  During our Valentine’s Day party we will exchange valentines.  I will send home a printed list of all the kids’ first names for your child to use to fill out their valentine cards.  Please remember we cannot give out any candy/gum with the Valentines.  I have seen some new Valentine’s at Target that come with super cute erasers! 

Creative project time!  Help your child decorate a shoebox or similar container at home to use as their Valentine mailbox.  The sky is the limit!  Feel free to use stickers, paint, pom-pom balls, lace, decoupage, etc. Be sure that their name is easy to see on the box.  Please send in all Valentine mailboxes on Monday, February 13^th. 

The children have been working so hard on their All About Me books.  Don’t forget, our Kindergarten Writing Celebration is February 10^th from 11:00-11:30 in our school library.  You are welcome and encouraged to stay for lunch from 11:28-11:53.  Please let me know if you will not be able to attend, I will try to ask a school friend to come read with your child. 

Please send in your payment and forms for our “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” ASAP as we have to remit our payment to the theater. 

Important Dates this Month:

February 10^th Writing Celebration with lunch to follow.

February 14^th Valentine Party (information coming home soon).  Before you buy your Valentine’s, know that we are not allowed to give Valentine’s with candy (school policy). 

What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

We will begin our unit on story elements (sequencing, character traits, setting, plot, etc.) using Berenstain Bears books.    

Writing Workshop

This week we will fancy and fix our All About Me books.    Family journals will be sent home on Friday.  Please take time over the weekend to read your child’s letter to you and respond. 

Word Study

This week, we will be learning s blends (sp, sk, sm, sc, sn, and sw). We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: want, how, put. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

In math, we are creating a number tree, exploring our calculators and counting by fives in various ways. 

Science

We are beginning a unit on famous US presidents.  We will learn about George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt and Barack Obama this week.     

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-Wednesday           PE       

Thursday-Friday               Art

Thank you for all you do!

Christie M. Horn, NBCT