Twenty....A Wonderful Number

The best news ever is that we have a new member of Room 114.  Our new classmate loves art, trying new things and is super kind.  Next time you eat lunch with us, please make a point to tell our new friend hello.  So proud of the "old hands" in Room 114 and how everyone has worked together to make our new friend fit right into our classroom.  Life is good in Room 114!  Our class enrollment is twenty...a wonderful number.

I'm still having trouble embedding slideshows and haven't found the time to assess the problem.  So just click on the blue links and you can see all the learning and fun from Room 114.

Wow!  Accelerated Reader is going smoothly and successfully in our classroom.  Several of the students have already reached the 5 point status so new goals had to be set for them.  Students are responsible for telling me when they need to test.  I expect your child to take at least one AR test a week. 

Monday is Nancy's Italian Ice for $1.00.

For the next two weeks, we will be investigating the letter Oo in reading. High frequency words are:  they, you, of. 

In math, the children are doing an excellent job of understanding addition.  This week I'm going to add the word "sum"  (another word for answer) into instruction.  Begin to use both words at home when looking over homework and asking your child questions about number sentences.

Our poetry journal "song" last week was a fun one to act out as a class. I'm trying hard for the children to recognize number words instantly and accurately and that song was perfect for number words one-five.  This week will have two new entries.  Heads up:  one is a tongue twister and remember how addictive tongue twisters are to a Kindergarten student.  I'm sure you will hear the tongue twister all week long starting Monday afternoon.  Just embrace the addiction and go along with the fun of trying to say it five times fast!

Classroom Need:  bandaids. Thanks for helping to make sure the learning in Room 114 doesn't have to stop because of an "owie." 

I tried something new on Friday afternoon.  Simultaneously I had a science activity that required a parent, an art activity with a parent, silent reading to practice our emerging reading skills and one group was working with me on addition instruction.  Check out as the students discovered that matter takes up space as they counted how many mini marshmallows, jumbo marshmallows and Hershey kisses it took to fill a cup.  It required measuring, counting and logic that comes only with a Kindergarten mind.  Our art activity was painting with the tip of a pencil eraser.   The activities went smoothly and were successful.  I'll be planning more afternoons like this so look for an email soon about how to volunteer if you are interested.  Click on the link to see more photos from our afternoon.  Marshmallows and Kisses

We love to hear new voices read books so excitement came the day this dad arrived with books in hand to celebrate his daughter,   Check out the slide show from her week of being the Special Person of the Week.  Special Person #9

We celebrated another very special member of Room 114. We love to hear the answers to all the questions and compare and contrast them to the answers of the previous special people of the week.  We are discovering that pizza is a favorite food for a lot of people in Room 114.  It is such a sweet, sweet time as we write a book for our classmate. Check out the tenth celebration of a very special person. Special Person #10









 

 Friday is the day we will celebrate the 100th day of school.  Don't forget to send in a collection of 100 pennies by Friday.  I can't wait to see how the children come to school dressed as 100 year old ladies and gentlemen on Friday.  Please feel free to join us for lunch (10:40-11:05), especially if you like to eat with the geriatric crowd.  We will do everything the 100 way all day long.  But we will take a break during the day to have some Groundhog Day fun.  Groundhog Day is Sunday, February 2.  Please assist your child in finding out if the groundhog saw his shadow or not.  Here is Punxsutawney Phil's official website Groundhog Day to make things easier for you on Sunday morning.

This entry will end with an updated class picture. Contact me with any questions or concerns. 

Upcoming Events:
1.31  Dress up as 100 year old ladies and gentlemen
1.31  Box Top Collection
2.3  Stephen Fite concert:  dress up as a superhero (yellow t-shirt must be visible)
2.4  PTA Meeting/ Multicultural Night @ 6:00
2.11 and 2.12  Donuts with Dad
2.14  Valentine's Day Party  1:30-2:15
2.17  No school for students:  teacher in-service day
2.21  Box Top Collection
3.14 Room 114's March Crafternoon  @ 1:30  (Come at 1:00 to set up)
3.24-3.28  Spring Break

Thinkers, Snow and a Hero

This cold weather is hanging around but not cold enough for snow.  So we decided to make our own blizzard in Room 114.  If you need fifteen minutes of peace, give your child a stack of coffee filters and a pair of scissors.  Beware it is a messy craft but your child should know that it is okay to make a mess as long as he/she cleans it up.
 (I'm having difficulty uploading slideshows again this week.  Click on the link below to take you to the slideshow.)

Alabama Snow

Nancy's Italian Ice will be Tuesday for $1.00.

This is a short week so send $2.00 for snack and $2.00 for juice if purchasing from school.

In math, we begin the process of addition.  Our new vocabulary words are:  add, is equal to,  and plus.   Math homework will begin on Wednesday.

In reading,  we will be investigating the letter Ff.  Our high frequency words are:  see, look.

 We had two additions to our poetry journal last week. One of them celebrated the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King. One of the students pointed out that Room114 wouldn't be the same class if it wasn't for Dr. King. A favorite fact we learned about Dr. King was that he loved to read!  Return poetry journals for a new poem.

Due to the cold weather days, the 100th day of school is now scheduled for Monday, February 3.  That is the day of our  Stephen Fite field trip where the children can dress up as super heroes.  So.... things change.  We will NOT be having our Super Power Crafternoon on Friday, January 31.  The January Crafternoon has been canceled.  We will do all of our 100 day of school activities on the 99th day of school and save the 100th day of school for our super hero field trip. 

On Friday, January 31, the children are to come to school dressed up as 100 year old ladies and gentlemen.  The children will also need a collection of 100 pennies (that is to be brought on Friday, January 31.)  Here are links to blog entries from the past several years if you need ideas on how to dress up as a 100 year old lady or gentlemen.
100th day of school 2013
100th day of school 2012


On Monday, February 3, the children will come to school dressed up as Super Heroes for our Stephen Fite Field trip.  For security measures, please make sure the yellow field trip t-shirt is visible.

Our next Crafternoon will be Friday, March 14 with a St. Patrick's Day theme so save the date.

Room 114 hasn't had perfect attendance since the middle of November .  This week we should have everyone back safe and happy .  Last week, we were missing  "S"  so bad that we checked the weather in India and had a lesson on time zones.  It will be good to have everyone back!
 
If you haven't sent in an adult sized shoe box, please do so by Friday.   We will be using those shoe boxes for our Valentine's Day mailboxes.  I will send home a class list for addressing Valentines on Thursday.  Our Valentine's Day party will be Friday, February 14 from 1:30-2:15.  Information will be sent home soon about our class party.  Please try to join us on this day if your schedule allows.

 I love to watch children write. They take a blank paper and put their thoughts on paper.  Their writing is evident of their thinking.  Thinkers lead to problem solvers and problem solvers  are leaders.  Room 114 is on the right track to being leaders.  Click on the link to see the writers from last week.
Writers in Room 114


Spirit Night is Wednesday evening at Mugshots.

Please make sure I have updated phone numbers. Remember to send in absence letters within the second day of returning to school. I must have in writing if your child is changing the mode of afternoon transportation.

Let me know of any questions or concerns.  

Upcoming Events:
1.22 Spirit Night at Mugshots
1.31  Dress up as 100 year old ladies and gentlemen
1.31  Box Top Collection
2.3  Stephen Fite concert:  dress up as a superhero (yellow t-shirt must be visible)
2.4  PTA Meeting/ Multicultural Night @ 6:00
2.11 and 2.12  Donuts with Dad
2.14  Valentine's Day Party  1:30-2:15
2.17  No school for students:  teacher in-service day
2.21  Box Top Collection
3.14 Room 114's March Crafternoon  @ 1:30  (Come at 1:00 to set up)
3.24-3.28  Spring Break

That Was A Very Short Week

Note:  I apologize for the layout of this entry. I have been unable to load slideshows so I opted for individual photos.  Hopefully, next week the old layout will work. 


A three day week, including a field trip,  coming off an 18 day break means for an incredibly short week.   We squeezed a lot in those three days but I prefer the normal pace of a five day week.  The children had so much to tell me about their holidays and the 18 days we had been apart.  Several of the students wanted to share their writings with the entire class.

This Tuesday and Wednesday the PTA is hosting "Mornings With Mom."  Mom can come (or another adult if mom is unavailable) to have a special breakfast treat with her Blount student before school.    Tuesday, January 14 is for last names A-L from 7:15-8:00.  Wednesday, January 15 is for last names M-Z from 7:15-8:00.

 Monday is Italian Ice for $1.00.  Please return poetry journals on Monday and look for a new poem on Friday.

Please send in one adult sized shoebox for us to turn into a Valentine's Day mailbox.  The ones with a removable lid work the best but I realize shoe manufacturers like to produce boxes with a lid attached.  If you have an extra box, please send that in too.  You can send in a shoebox any day this week.

I sent several book orders home last Friday.  Book orders are optional.  You may order online using our class code of GL88R or send the order form/payment to school.  Book orders are due Thursday, January 16.  Turn around time for book orders is usually one week.

Everyone took at least one AR test last week.  The children were very excited to get started.  To protect instructional time, I do not send home correspondence about the result of the AR test taken. I expect you to sign up for email notification from Renaissance Home Connect.   If you have questions about this process, please contact me.

I will have a volunteer this  Friday to help the students become comfortable typing in the user name and  password.  I expect every student to take at least ONE AR test a week.  If your child is motivated to take more than one test a week, I do allow testing before school, during snack time and any other times in the day where I have a few minutes of down time. 

We worked very hard on reading last week but we didn't  have our usual five days.  Please listen to your child read the booklet from last  Friday's binder about Rin the Rat.  A common error is for ran to be read as "run."  If your child is making this error, please remind your child  that good readers have to look at the all the letters in a word when reading. 

This week in reading we will be working with Dd and Kk.  The high frequency words are:  see, look.


In math, we are focusing on the number 10. There will be math homework in binders every night this week.  We had fun playing a class game of numbers up to ten.  I love the concentration seen in some of these photos.

Thanks to the parents that helped out with the Goodnight Moon field trip to ASF.  ASF is pretty strict with no photos so there isn't much documentation.  ASF successfully took a two minute book and turned it into a one hour musical.  I could relate to the play because sometimes bedtime rituals at my house seem like there should be a unicyclist, roller skates and dollhouses that spew out glitter. 

Contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.  Thanks for supporting our class.  
1.14  Report cards are issued
1.20  No school in observance of  King/Lee birthdays
1.31  Room 114's Superpower Crafternoon
2.3  Stephen Fite concert:  dress up as a superhero (yellow t-shirt must be visible) 
2.3    100th Day of School (new date due to lost weather days)

The Learning Resumes!

Happy New Year!  Look at these special children I get to spend my day with.  Looking at this slideshow makes me ready to return.  I hope your break has been full of cherished memories.


The big news this week is Room 114 will begin Accelerated Reader.  There will be a handout in Monday's binder explaining Accelerated Reader and how it will work in our classroom.  It is a very important that you understand the  AR process so please take the time to read the handout carefully.  The children will be able to take their first test on Friday - no earlier so follow my handout.  After Friday, I will help them take tests any day of the week before school or during snack time. I do not take away instructional time for AR.

There is a Renaissance Home Connect letter in binders on Monday.  You can sign up to receive an email when your child takes an AR test and the score received.  As a parent I love this feature and can keep track of my children's AR progress.  I encourage you to sign up for the email notification.  You are unable to take AR tests at home. 

Our library books are AR books so please make sure your child knows where his/her book is.  We will be going to the library on Monday.

Monday is also Nancy's Italian Ice for $1.00.  I do allow you to prepay for Italian Ice if  Monday mornings are stressful as you try to find $1.00.  I will notify you once your Italian Ice money runs out.

Please return poetry journals on Monday and look for it to return on Friday.

The children worked so deliberately on making napkin rings for your family.  I wish you could have heard their thinking.  They spent time and logic selecting out the perfect fabric for each family member.  I know your evenings are busy but it is so important to listen to your child and have conversations.  You can learn a lot about your child and his/her personality by just listening and watching. 


In Monday's binder will be a new reading log and reading instruction information for this quarter.

In reading this week, we are working on the letter Rr.  Our high frequency words are:  me, with, she. 

In math, we are beginning to work with the number 10.  Look in binders for homework practice sheets. 

We have a field trip on Thursday of this week.   Please dress in yellow field trip t-shirts (and jeans if desired ) as we go to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival to see the theatrical production of Goodnight Moon.  We will be eating lunch at 10:00  on Thursday to accommodate our field trip schedule.  We will leave the school at 10:30 and return around 1:00.  Please be sure to send a snack on Thursday because of our early lunch time.  The office will call you to bring the yellow field trip t-shirt  to school if your child comes without it.

We celebrated another classmate the last week of school in December.  There is nothing quite as special as having your classmates spend time making a page for a book that is written all about you!

We will start Monday morning off with a class meeting.  We will listen to everyone share their adventures from the past two weeks.  We will review our five life skills of being helpful, careful, patient, respectful, and responsible to one another.   We will also talk about being responsible for doing our best on all classwork!  The second half of Kindergarten has more responsibility as we prepare to become first graders.

A party is a great way  to end the first semester of Kindergarten.  Thanks to the room mothers for coordinating  and to all of you for providing the necessary details for the fun.  Room 114 is one of my favorite places on earth and it is because of the 19 children who come to work and play.


Contact me with any questions or concerns. 

Upcoming events:
1.9  Goodnight Moon at ASF - wear yellow field trip t-shirts
1.9  Report cards are issued
1.20  No school in observance of  King/Lee birthdays
1.30  100th Day of School
1.31  Room 114's Superpower Crafternoon
2.3  Stephen Fite concert:  dress up as a superhero (yellow t-shirt must be visible) 

The End of the First Semester

Sorry for the delay in posting.   I overbooked my weekend with family time!

Can you believe this is the end of the first semester of Kindergarten?  Unfortunately, the second semester goes by just as quick.  We will just have to cherish each day!  We were busy last week working on a few art projects.  Thanks to all the moms who have helped out recently.


We are going to have as normal of a week as possible up until Thursday afternoon.  Be sure to check book bags on Friday afternoon for December artwork you may want to keep or display.

Nancy's Italian Ice is $1.00 on Monday.  Our library day is also Monday.  Please return poetry journals on Monday for a new poem to come home on Friday.  

I will continue to assess for report cards this week.

There will be an assessment on counting, representing and writing numbers 6-9.  Look for December calendar pages to come home in Friday's backpack.

In reading we will be investigating the letters Bb and Nn.  Our new sight words are:  me, with, she. 

The following are slide shows from our recent special people of the week.


And one more great kid!


A permission slip will be sent home this week for our January 9 field trip to Good Night Moon at ASF.  Everyone has paid for this field trip so all you need to do is sign and return the form.

If you asked the students the most important thing about this week the answer would be Thursday, December 19.  We've been counting down the days until we take a break from learning and have a party!  Our classroom party will be Thursday, December 19 from 1:45-2:30.   Contact the room moms for more details about assisting with preparations for the party.  You may check your child out after the party.  The following is the most efficient way to check your child out:
1.  Before the party begins, there will be a table set up for check outs in front of the office.  Once you fill out the necessary paperwork, you will be given a slip of paper to hand me.  This paper allows me to release your child at the end of the party.
2.  Be sure to hand me the slip of paper once you enter the classroom.  If I do not have the slip of paper then you must go to the office at the end of the party and check your child out.
3.  I will not release your child without the slip of paper from the office!

Friday is another fun day in Kindergarten.  We are going to watch the G-rated movie The Polar Express in our pajamas! Please let me know by Thursday if you prefer your child not to watch the movie.

Thank you for your quick response to our classroom need of liquid soap.  Our supply will get us through the flu season!

Have a wonderful winter break! Enjoy spending time with your child without the demands of a school schedule.  Read a lot of books,  do a lot of listening to all that your child has to say and cuddle!  Be safe and I'll see the members of Room 114 in 2014.  Thank you so much for loving and supporting our classroom!  Contact me with any questions or concerns.

Upcoming Events
12.19  Room 114's Christmas Party at 1:45-2:30
12.20  Kindergarten Polar Express Movie Day - wear pajamas
12.23 - 1.3  Winter Break
1.6  Resume learning in Room 114
1.9  Goodnight Moon at ASF - wear yellow field trip t-shirts
1.20  No school in observance of  King/Lee birthdays
1.31  Room 114's Superpower Crafternoon
2.3  Stephen Fite concert:  dress up as a superhero (yellow t-shirt must be visible)
 

Thank You for Loving Room 114!

I know your lives are busy with December activities.  I hear daily about the elf adventures that are going on in your homes and the letters that are being written to Santa.  Don't forget to be thankful for the "busy"ness of the season and experiencing Christmas with young children.  Thinking of thankful thoughts is a great way to celebrate this slideshow from our Thanksgiving Crafternoon.  So much love, kindness, support and fun can be found in these photos.  Room 114 is a blessed classroom.


Monday is library day and Nancy's Italian Ice for $1.00.  Please return poetry journals on Monday and look for it in book bags on Friday.

Please pay chaperone and student (if applicable) field trip money by Wednesday for the Stephen Fite concert.

This is a review and benchmark week for reading instruction. No new letters or word wall words.   I will begin assessing the students for report cards this week. 

In math, we continue to work on investigating the numbers 6-9.  The focus is understanding all the different number combinations to make a certain amount.  We are laying the foundation for addition.

Here is our special person of the week before Thanksgiving.   Can't beat the sweetness when everyone focuses on one member of our class and enthusiastically writes a page for a very special book. 

This Friday, the children will rotate to all of the Kindergarten classrooms for a bit of December fun!  Be sure to check book bags on Friday for several fun mementos from the day. 

Thanks for saving toilet tissue rolls. We have our supply so no need to send them to school anymore.  You will see the results of your savings very soon.  The next thing to save is a shoe box.  An adult sized shoe box works best - especially one with a lid that lifts off instead of a flap style lid.  If new shoes are under the Christmas tree this year, please save the box.  I will ask for the shoebox to be brought  to school in late January.  Please wait to send the shoebox to school when I ask for it. 

 We are busy decorating our classroom for our Christmas party on Thursday, December 19.  The party will be from 1:45 - 2:30.  You are invited to attend.  Information will come home this week in take home binders on how you can help make our party special.

On Friday, December 20, the Kindergarten classes will be watching the movie The Polar Express.  The children may wear their pajamas to school on this day.


Classroom Need:  liquid soap.   We are down to two bottles from the beginning of the school year.  Please donate a bottle or two to help keep the germs away as we enter the flu season

Contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.  I updated this blog while the Michigan State-Ohio State game was on in the background.  So I begin this week with a huge War Eagle!!!

Upcoming Events
12.19  Room 114's Christmas Party at 1:45-2:30
12.20  Kindergarten Polar Express Movie Day - wear pajamas
12.23 - 1.3  Winter Break
1.6  Resume learning in Room 114
1.9  Goodnight Moon at ASF - wear yellow field trip t-shirts
1.20  No school in observance of  King/Lee birthdays
1.31  Room 114's Superpower Crafternoon
2.3  Stephen Fite concert:  dress up as a superhero (yellow t-shirt must be visible)

Happy December!

Welcome back!  No slideshow this week...my home computer needs maintenance.  The photos from our wonderful Thanksgiving Crafternoon will be included in next week's  blog entry.  A big thanks to all the families who supported our Crafternoon, either from home or  volunteering in the classroom.  The students of Room 114 have no idea how much they are loved and supported!  Our next Crafternoon will be Friday, January 31 with a superpower theme! 

We should be allowed to go to the library Monday as a class.  Please make sure library books are in book bags. 

Nancy's Italian Ice is Monday for $1.00.

Please return poetry journals on Monday.  Don't forget to check  for our new poem on Friday in book bags.

In the month of December, I will introduce Accelerated Reader to the students.   The students will begin to take comprehension tests on their library books beginning in January.  For the month of December, we will practice as a total class.  I will send home more information about my philosophy on AR the week of December 16.  I need a volunteer to assist me with the children on taking AR tests in January.  You will be responsible for helping students log-in into the computer program and read the questions and multiple choice answers for the test.  It is very easy and not intimidating.  The time frame would be 9:30-10:35 for the following dates:  Monday, January 13; Tuesday, January 21; Monday, January 27.  Let me know if you are interested in helping.

I am sending home an optional December book order  on Monday. If you choose to order on-line, our class code is GL88R.  The link to order on-line is on the right side of the blog.  Please return order forms by Thursday, December 5.  Let me know if your purchase is for Christmas Secrets and I can get your order to you in a way your child doesn't know.

I will assess address knowledge on Wednesday, December 11.  Thanks for helping your child learn his/her address.

In math, we are starting a new chapter.  We are going to be representing, counting and writing numbers 6 to 9.  We will be thinking of all different ways to make these numbers (example:  to make the number 6:  1 and five more, 2 and four more, 3 and three more, 4 and two more, 5 and 1 more, 6 and 0 more).  This chapter is where I usually see children begin to have difficulty.  Check binders for homework starting on Wednesday night.  Don't let homework be stressful, if you need an extra night to complete, no problem.

In reading, we will be investigating the letter Ii for an additional week.  The word wall words are:  he, for.   I will begin report card testing the week of December 9 so make sure you are practicing the entire list of sight words at home nightly.


I will be out of the classroom on Friday.  I have secured a substitute who is very excited to work in Room 114.  I'm sure it will be a great day for everyone.

Contact me with any questions or concerns.

Upcoming dates:
12.5  Book orders due
12.19  Room 114's Christmas Party at 1:45-2:30
12.20  Kindergarten Polar Express Movie Day - wear pajamas
12.23 - 1.3  Winter Break
1.6  Resume learning in Room 114
1.9  Goodnight Moon at ASF - wear yellow field trip t-shirts
1.20  No school in observance of  King/Lee birthdays
1.31  Room 114's Superpower Crafternoon