The End of October!

Our field trip to the pumpkin patch is this Thursday.  The school buses are leaving the parking lot at 8:30 which means we will start boarding at 8:20.  Please make every effort for your child to be at school by 8:00 on Thursday so that I can get everyone situated, bathroom visits and field trip expectations conveyed to the children.  Your child must be dressed in the yellow field trip t-shirt.  The pumpkin patch will be crowded and those yellow shirts allow me to keep track of the children quickly.  The office will call you to bring the yellow t-shirt to school if your child comes dressed without it.  I will send an email out to chaperones on Tuesday with detailed information about the day. Lunch was included in the price of the field trip so do not send lunchboxes.  Do send a snack for your child to eat once we return to school.

 The children will wear the pumpkin t-shirts (pictured above) on Friday.  I will keep them at school and help the children change into them on Friday morning.  Friday is a regular day with quiet learning because I know there will be loud, crazy fun for the families on Friday night.

Monday is Italian Ice for $1.00.  Snack/juice for $5.00.  Also Monday is library day and the return of library books. While you are packing the back pack for Monday make sure the poetry journal is inside.

Our system does not set aside a day for parent/teacher conferences.  However, I am always willing to sit down with your and discuss your child.  Just contact me and we can find a time that is convenient for both of us.

 Our poetry journal last week allowed us to use our growing writing skills by practicing labeling a picture.  We know that good writers can label pictures.  Plus the poem entry is just a lot of fun to do and results in big, big giggles when we get to super sonic speed.  I hope your member of Room 114 shared it with you and made mom and dad participate.  Return poetry journals on Monday.

Book orders will be in binders on Monday for the month of November.  You may send one check (made payable to Scholastic) if you choose to order from more than one flyer.  Or you may order on line using our class code of GL88R . Book orders are due Friday.  I will place the order on Saturday with a turn around time of 5 school days.  Let me know if any of the books you purchase are Christmas Secrets.  I can arrange for the books to be delivered to you without your child knowing.  Book orders are optional and come home once a month. 

The children are working very hard with their reading.  We know that  practice makes better so don't skip your twenty minutes a night of reading, reading the decode-able paper book in Tuesday's binder, reading Monday's Family Times, plus high frequency word practice.  In reading this week  we will be working with the letter Ss.  Our high frequency words are:  see, look.   

In Friday's book bag there will be a special literary treat for your child.  Please read the note found in Friday's binder that will give you more information about the treat.  The information in the note will include how to use it at home with your reading practice.

 The Queen of Ten made a visit to celebrate the fiftieth day of Kindergarten. She brought a sweet treat that she called Zeros but some of the students called doughnuts. She even left us with an assignment to find different ways to make the number ten.  How did she know that was the next math concept that we will working on in math.  We will be spending a lot of time with the number ten because of its importance with our number system.  You can help out at home by helping us learn to read the number words zero through ten,

Last week we celebrated Red Ribbon/Drug Free Week.  We discussed keeping our bodies healthy.  We had a week of cowboys/cowgirls,  favorite hats, future occupations and team spirit  wear.  Check out these sweet, sweet friends by  clicking here! 

The highlight from last week was our first Crafternoon of the school year. We celebrated being a good friend in the same style that Miss Spider was in the book Miss Spider's Tea Party.   Thank you to those that supported our Crafternoon from home by sending in supplies and those that helped out in the classroom.  The children have no idea how well loved they are and how much their parents love every member of Room 114.  These pictures (click right here to view the fun) will make you smile and warm your heart.  Our next Crafternoon will be Friday, November 14.   Be on the lookout for information on how you can help us celebrate.

Thanks for supporting our classroom.  Contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Upcoming Events:
10.30:  Kindergarten field trip to the Pumpkin Patch (wear yellow field trip t-shirt)
10.31  Book orders are due (optional)
11.11:  No school in observance of Veteran's Day  
11.14:  Room 114's Thanksgiving Crafternoon  (classroom set up begins at 1:15 and the Crafternoon with the children will begin at 1:45)
11:19:  Pilgrim/ Native American lunch (10:45-11:10)
11.20  Pilgrim/ Native American lunch (10:45-11:10)
11.24 - 11:28:  Thanksgiving Break - no school

Middle of October

The middle of October is a busy place.  This week the school is participating in Red Ribbon Week to celebrate a drug free lifestyle.  This week we will discuss keeping our bodies healthy.  A handout went home Thursday about the events for each day.  If you choose not to participate then please wear regular uniform attire.

Monday is our library day so please return library books.  In Monday's binder, you will find a special reading log that is to be completed and turned in by October 31.  The prize:  a chance to win tickets to the Auburn/Alabama game!  This contest is optional.

Monday is Nancy's Italian Ice for $1.00.  Snack/juice can be purchased for $5.00.  If your child is tardy on Mondays, snack/money/Italian Ice cannot be purchased for the week.  I'm sorry for any sad hearts that result as of this school wide rule but instructional time must be protected.

I will place a new reading information sheet  in the plastic sleeve located behind the reading log.  Don't forget to keep the high frequency words from the first nine weeks in your evening practice rotation of reading those words quickly and accurately.

This week our sight words will be:  he, for, me, with, she.  We will focus on the initial and medial (middle) sound for the letter Aa.  We will learn the short and long sound for the letter Aa. 

 A couple of weeks ago in our poetry journal, we illustrated the steps from a pumpkin seed to a pumpkin.  Sequencing steps is an important skill for being a comprehending reader.  As you read story books with your child, ask your child what happened at the beginning, middle and end of the story.  This is a hard skill and one that takes practice over and over so don't become concerned if what your child shares is not necessarily the most important events at the beginning, middle and end.  It is hard for young children to identify the most important events so just keep practicing and talking with your child.

On Friday morning, I will tell the children that today will be a fun day to celebrate friendship.  A fantastic way to celebrate friendship is to have a Miss Spider's Tea Party Crafternoon.  Our room parent has been corresponding with you about helping out with the Crafternoon, either by sending items from home or helping out in the classroom.  Thank you for supporting this special event for Room 114.  There is still time to help...check binders from Friday and you will find a letter from our room parent.  If you are able to help set up, please join us at 1:15.  The Crafternoon with the children will begin at 1:45.  Note:  If you are coming for the Crafternoon, go ahead and park your car in the carpool lane.  We will finish shortly before 3:10 so you can scoot to your car and be one of the first to start your weekend.  If you choose to park in a parking space, you will probably have a difficult time joining the carpool line. 

Last week, we had a Fuzzy Wuzzy tongue twister in our poetry journal.  Being able to manipulate sounds is an important beginning reading skill. Be sure to return poetry journals on Monday and look for it to return in Friday's back pack.  

In math, we are working with numbers to nine.  The data we keep up with daily says that the Queen of Ten should be making an appearance this week.

You are invited to join us for lunch any day of the week.  Our lunch time is 10:45-11:10. You do not need to make reservations.   Just sign in at the office and wait for us to pass by and join our line.  It will probably be one of the more lively lunches you have all week.  Look below at upcoming events and make note of two very special lunches in November where the children will be dressed up as Pilgrims/Native Americans. Click here for more lunchroom photos. 

Thank you for your support of the Fall Festival.  It was a successful evening with outstanding weather.  The parents of Room 114 made a large presence of volunteering at the event.  Thank you for supporting our school!

Hope to see you at Friday's Crafternoon.  Thank you for loving all the children in Room 114!  Contact me with any questions or concerns.

Upcoming events:
10:24  Room 114's Miss Spider's Tea Party Crafternoon  @ 1:15 (set up)
10.30:  Kindergarten field trip to the Pumpkin Patch (wear yellow field trip t-shirt)
11.11:  No school in observance of Veteran's Day  
11.14:  Room 114's Thanksgiving Crafternoon (date change)
11:19:  Pilgrim/ Native American lunch (10:45-11:10)
11.20  Pilgrim/ Native American lunch (10:45-11:10)
11.24 - 11:28:  Thanksgiving Break - no school

Contact me with any questions or concerns.

Lots to Celebrate!

There is a fresh box of crayons waiting for everyone on Tuesday.  A new box of crayons has endless possibilities.

Due to the short week, Nancy's Italian Ice will be Tuesday.  A short week means $4.00 for snack/juice.  Send library books on Thursday so that we can exchange for a new book.

Please make sure poetry journals return on Tuesday.  The poem this week is a tongue twister.  Be warned:  tongue twisters are very addictive to Kindergarten age children.  Just enjoy it and know the manipulation of sounds is a great way to become a reader.  Feel free to teach your child some tongue twisters from your childhood. Look for the poetry journal in Friday's book bag.

The first quarter of Kindergarten ended last Friday.  Forty-three days go by quickly when you work with such special people.  We keep track of the number of days in school.  We think in groups of ten.  We are noticing a pattern on our days in school display.  The numbers in the vertical columns contain some of the same numerals.  We are laying the foundation for place value.  In math this week, we are working on the numbers eight and nine. 

 Report cards will be issued at 3:10 on Thursday.  You will receive two copies of the report card.  Sign and return one copy and keep the other copy at home.  Please return the copy on Friday.  I will include an assessment sheet with notes on how your child performed with the report card. 

A change for the second nine weeks is the students will  be expected to write their names with a capital letter at the beginning and lowercase letters for the remaining letters.  Help us with this at home. 

We work on handwriting, number formation,and letter formation with many different tools. We use paper/pencil, playdoh, wipe erase boards and the favorite chalkboards.  Have a variety of writing tools at your house to keep things fresh and exciting.  Check  here for more chalboard photos.

The big news this week is the Fall Festival on Thursday night.  The weather report looks perfect.  The children that purchased a Fall  Festival t-shirt can wear it on Thursday with blue jeans.  Thank you for supporting our school.

Classroom needs:  empty toilet tissue rolls and empty baby food jars.

This is a review week in reading.  We will be working on rhyming words, high frequency words, blending sounds together to make words and learning sounds.  We are learning about the importance role vowels have in words.  Vowels are the glue that keeps the word together.  We can sort vowels and consonants.  We are also learning the sounds that vowels can make.  Look for a new reading log in Tuesday's binder.


We are getting closer to Room 114's first Crafternoon of the school year.   Refer to the room parent's email about signing up for items to send or ways to help out.  We invite parents to join us on Friday, October 24 at 1:15 to prepare the classroom.  The children will begin the Crafternoon at 1:45. We will be learning lots of spider facts in the next few weeks so listen to us as we share our new knowledge. 

Upcoming events:
10.16:  Report cards are issued at 3:10 pm
10.16:  Blount Fall Festival   4:30-7:30  (ball park across the school)
10:24  Room 114's Miss Spider's Tea Party Crafternoon  (set up begins at 1:15...the Crafternoon starts at 1:45)
10.30:  Kindergarten field trip to the Pumpkin Patch (wear yellow field trip t-shirt)
11.11:  No school in observance of Veteran's Day  
11.14:  Room 114's Thanksgiving Crafternoon (date change)
11:19:  Pilgrim/ Native American lunch (10:45-11:10)
11.20  Pilgrim/ Native American lunch (10:45-11:10)
11.24 - 11:28:  Thanksgiving Break - no school

Contact me with any questions or concerns.

October Is a Busy Place for Room 114

Every week for the remainder of October, we have something big happening.  Make sure to keep track of upcoming events.

Thursday is picture day.  The children may dress out of uniform.  No tank tops, spaghetti straps, sandals...etc.   In the ideal world, we would take pictures as soon as school starts so that everyone is neat and tidy.  However, nothing is ever ideal, especially when we leave at 8:30 for  Coach Grant.  You may send a comb/hairbrush to school if you want me to straighten up hair.  Please label any brushes or combs sent to school. There will be no sharing of  hair grooming items. 

Friday is the final day to purchase Fall Festival tickets at the early bird price.  If your flyer about purchasing tickets at the early bird price did not make it home last week, please let me know and I will resend it.  Prices will be higher the night of the fall festival so save a little money and buy your tickets by Friday.

Friday is also the deadline for paying for the pumpkin patch field trip.  Let me know if you need an extension.

 Our poem last week consisted of only two words yet it taught all three punctuation marks. We learned that a period means stop for just a second to take a breath and then keep on reading. A question mark means your voice goes up at the end of the sentence. An exclamation mark means to use emotion in your voice (happy,scared, nervous, shy...) when reading aloud.    Make sure poetry journals are returned every Monday and look in backpacks for them on Friday afternoons. Check out photos of poetry notebook practice by clicking here.

Monday is library day and Nancy's Italian Ice for $1.00. 

In reading we will working with the letter Tt.  We will be looking for initial, middle and ending Tt sounds.  Sight words are:  we, my , like, he, for, a, to, have, is the, little, I, am.  Our story this week is about big trucks so I know there will be a few students in our class very excited about the literature this week.

In math, we are working on numbers 6, 7, 8, 9.  This week we will begin to understand different combinations we can to make these numbers.  For examle:   4 and 2 make 6 but so does 3 and 3.  This is not a mastery concept at this point in Kindergarten, rather noticing how numbers can be created.

I will be assessing phone numbers and birth dates on Tuesday.  I will be assessing report cards all week so reading groups and math groups will be abbreviated.  Report cards are issued on Thursday, October 16.

Class need:  Please send in empty toilet tissue rolls.  Keep sending them until I say we have enough. 

Last week was full of learning to celebrate the letter Mm.  We use a lot of different math manipulatives  in math but the children would probably say the day we used M&Ms was the best math tool yet.   We began the lesson by sorting and recording the data.  Then we worked with ten frames to make sets.  Then the children had free exploration where anything was acceptable.  We worked so hard that we threw our handled M&Ms away and treated ourselves to M&Ms that were meant to be eaten.  Check out the M&M math time by clicking here.

Do you want to watch your child's creativity in action?  Grab a bag of marshmallows and a box of toothpicks.  We did marshmallow exploration focusing on making letters of the alphabet.  That was morphed into making words.  Then the creation of three dimensional shapes made an appearance.   Then of course once everything was cleaned up and thrown away, it was time to eat a few marshmallows.  The children could have explored and created all morning.  Check out the marshmallow learning by clicking right here.

 

Mickey and Minnie Mouse items came to school on Friday.  We shared, sorted, graphed and had time to play with our items.  Check out the mouse learning fun by clicking here.

There is no school on October 13 due to a teacher in-service day. Have extra fun for me because I will be in meetings all day.   Contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.

Upcoming Events:
10.9  Picture day
10.10  Last day to purchase Fall  Festival wristbands at an Early Bird price
10.10 Final day to pay for pumpkin patch field trip
10.13:  No school for students.  It is a teacher in-service day.
10.16:  Report cards are issued at 3:10 pm
10.16:  Blount Fall Festival   4:30-7:30  (ball park across the school)
10:24  Room 114's Miss Spider's Tea Party Crafternoon 
10.30:  Kindergarten field trip to the Pumpkin Patch (wear yellow field trip t-shirt)
11.11:  No school in observance of Veteran's Day  
11.24 - 11:28:  Thanksgiving Break - no school