We've had a great start to Kindergarten! I hope your children were able to share some details with you. If you are not getting much information from your child there is good news.... I will be using this blog to update you on all the learning and fun that is happening in our class. I have created a group email list using the email addresses you have provided to the school and I will send out an email each time I update the blog.
During the first weeks we established routines and talked a lot about safety and school rules. We had our 1st fire drill and your children did an excellent job lining up then walking out safely and quietly! We visited the playground each day and reviewed playground safety. We also read many stories over the course of these two weeks. (See the link below to a class favorite).
During the first weeks we established routines and talked a lot about safety and school rules. We had our 1st fire drill and your children did an excellent job lining up then walking out safely and quietly! We visited the playground each day and reviewed playground safety. We also read many stories over the course of these two weeks. (See the link below to a class favorite).
Lively Letters
Over the last 2 weeks we have met 4 Lively Letters or "Letter Friends" as we call them in Kindergarten! You should have received copies of these letters in your child's folder. Ask your child to share each sound with you as they come home. Please be on the lookout for more letters each week as I will send them home as children are introduced to them. Children are making a book at school with all the letters. When we have finished meeting all of our "Letter Friends" the completed book will come home. Below are some pictures of the activities we did connected to those sounds. We Tie-Dyed for the letter t & d. For the sounds p & b we painted with blue and purple and used play-doh to make the letters p & b.
**** If you do not see your child in photos or if you see a smiley face over your child's face it is because you did not approve to have pictures on the web in the paperwork you returned OR you have yet to return the paperwork giving me permission to post. Please email me if you would like to change your decision to have pictures posted or if you need a new permission slip sent to you.*****
Handwriting
We met Mat Man last week. This is part of our Handwriting program, Handwriting Without Tears. It is a way to introduce children to the materials we use to build the numbers and the capital letters of the alphabet. Ask your child to tell you about the names for the different wood pieces. (Big line, little line. Big curve, little curve). For more info you can check on the HWT link in my curriculum section. |
ABC's and getting to know Names Practice
During the first 2 weeks we spent a lot of time with the alphabet, getting to know our friends names and practicing writing our own names. In Kindergarten we are asking students to use a capital letter for the first letter of their name and lowercase letters for the remaining letters. Please encourage your child to do this whenever they write their names. Here are some pictures of the fun we had as well as an sign language song we have been practicing. Ask your child to show you some of the signs they have learned.
Chromebooks & Technology
We had our first lesson with the chromebooks yesterday. The kids were so excited. There is a lot to learn and it will take patience and practice, but eventually they will become skilled at using the trackpad and keyboard. They practiced using their passwords to sign in and we reviewed how to safely use the devices. Then they had time to use a sorting game to practice using the trackpads. We will use the chromebooks and ipads a few times each week. Please remember to send in headphones for your child to keep at school. Thank you!
More pictures from our 1st weeks
Helpful tips and Info....
- Back to School/Curriculum Night is October 18th- This will be virtual. A Google Meet link will be sent to you.
- Folders- Please be sure to check/empty your child's purple folder each day.
- Classroom Volunteers- If you are interested in helping out in our room you will need to fill out a CORI form with Joanne in the office between 10:00-2:00. Please do so by October 15th. At this time I am unable to predict when I will be needing volunteers in my room. However, having your CORI done now will enable me to create a schedule quickly or ask for short notice volunteers when I need them. Thank you for your support.
- Snacks- We have 1 morning snack time each day. Each snack time is approximately 15 minutes. Please pack snacks your child can eat in this time frame. Please also pack a drink for each snack time. (Water bottles can be used in lieu of packing drinks and can be refilled throughout the day).
- Rest Time- We have a 15-20 minute rest time each day after lunch. Children do not need to sleep during this time, but are asked to lay quietly and relax to gear up for the rest of our busy day. If you could send a small, towel sized blanket or beach towel into school with your child for rest that would be great. Items will come home each Friday to be washed.
- Bus & Dismissal Changes: Please communicate any changes in writing. Place the notes in your child's home-school folder as we check them each day.
- Friendship List- A list will be sent home shortly. When it does arrive please review your information and notify me if there are any changes that need to be made.
Our Weekly Schedule
Here is a quick look at a typical week in our kindergarten class. These are the pictures and words your children are becoming familiar with when they read our daily schedule.