We have 100 and Cowboys On The Brain

Monday is the day we have been counting towards since the first day of school.  We will do lots of things the 100 way on Monday.  There has been a misconception that tomorrow is the last day of Kindergarten and that First Grade will begin on Tuesday.  I've tried to explain that we are shooting for 180 days but the rumor still exists.    I'm not ready to give up  this class yet so Kindergarten will continue  on Tuesday!

I can't wait to see the children tomorrow morning when they enter the classroom as 100 year old ladies and gentlemen.  If you like to dine with the geriatric crowd then join us for lunch from 10:45-11:10.  Thank you for helping to make the 100th day of school a memorable one.

 We've been thinking about the number 100 for a while now.  We even listed what we wished we had 100 of.  This list makes me smile because you can see their personalities in their wishes. 

In reading this week, we are working with the letter Ff.  Our high frequency words are:  red, black, white.    Last week our words were:  said, what, was.  Last week's words were hard so practice them some more this week along with color words. We will be focusing on how stories have a beginning, middle and end. These parts of a story make up the plot. As you read story books at home, help your child learn the plot by retelling the beginning, middle and end events.

Our poem last week allowed us to practice visualizing words.  I explain visualizing as making a movie in your head as you listen to the words.  The children had to draw the movie in their heads as we read "Ding-a-ling."  We enjoyed looking at each one's drawings and talking about how different they were.  We know every one has a different schema in their head and that contributed to the differences in the pictures.  Enjoy Room 114's version of the Ding-a-ling man by clicking right here.

Be sure to return poetry journals on Monday.  We have a special poem for the 100th day of school.

Later in the week, we will get  a second poem.  Warning:  it is a tongue twister again.  I'm sure you will know when I've introduced it because you will hear it from the lips of your child.  Tongue twisters are great for beginning readers because it requires for sounds to be manipulated.  Look for the poetry journal to come home on Friday.

In math, we continue to work on numbers 11-20.  We work on addition/subtraction daily.    Look for January's calendar pages to come home on Friday.

 Information went home last week about purchasing the Blount yearbook.  Deadline to purchase is March 16.   In Monday's binder will be information about placing an ad in the Blount yearbook.

Monday is Nancy's Italian Ice for $1.00.

Accelerated Reader continues to explode in our classroom.   It is charming when a child makes it into the five or ten point club and the entire class bursts into applause and hugs for the reader.  We have a very encouraging and caring classroom.  Thank you for fostering the love of reading in your house.

Last week, we freshened up our math tools by discovering Geo boards and the creativity that comes with rubber bands.   This exploration is paving the way for our upcoming study on geometric shapes.  For more Geo board photos click here.

Friday is our Western Round Up crafternoon.  If you are able, please come to the classroom at 1:10 to help set up.  The children will return to the classroom at 1:30 for some cowboy/cowgirl fun!  Thank you so much for supporting the learning style of Room 114.  If you are coming to help, be sure to park in the carpool lane so that you can be one of the first to start your weekend!

Don't forget that an empty adult sized shoebox is needed by February 5.  You can send it in at any time.

Look in Friday's binder for a class list of the children's names for addressing Valentines.  Look for more information to come home soon about Room 114's Valentine's Day party.

Tomorrow is a big day as we add the final dot to our 10th ten frame board resulting in the 100th day of Kindergarten!  Contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.  Thank you for loving Room 114.

Upcoming Events:
1.26:  100th day of school:  Dress your child as a 100 year old lady or gentleman
1:30:  Room 114's Western Round Up Crafternoon (come at 1:10 to set up...the children return at 1:30)
2:5:  Deadline for an empty adult sized shoebox
2.10:  Stephen Fite's  "Giddy Up and Learn" concert - Kindergarten Field Trip
2:10: PTA meeting at 6:00 PM
2.13:  Valentine's Day Party 1:30-2:15
2.16:  No school in observance of President's Day:  teacher in-service day
3.12:  Donuts with Dad
3.13:  Donuts with Dad
3.23-3.27:  Spring Break:  no school