Weekly Update

Hello Families,

I hope everyone has enjoyed their three day weekend.  I just got home from a weekend at the beach and lovely Labor Day Weekend wedding : )

 Week two of Kindergarten is in the books! Your students are doing a great job learning and practicing our daily routines.  This month we will really focus on our literacy centers so we can begin reading groups in October. Here's what we're getting into this week...

In Language Arts, we will: 
- practice rhyming

- preview books and discuss our purpose for reading 

- learn and practice new centers in preparation for reading group rotations

- learn the job of the photographer of the book and compare it to an illustrator's job

In Writing, we will: 

- participate in a variety of fine motor activities to get our hands strengthened for writing

- build writing stamina and independence

- add details to our pictures and begin to write words or letters to tell a story

- practice perseverance for "hard to draw" ideas

In Social Studies, we will: 

- discuss the meaning of friendship 

- complete direction following activities

- discuss the importance of sharing

In Math, we will: 

- practice 1-1 correspondence when counting (pointing to one object when counting) 

-define the word attribute

- sort by multiple attributes (color, shape, size) 

- count groups of objects to tell how many are in a set

- practice writing numerals

***Volunteers***

I would love to have you spend time with us in the classroom!  There will be information coming home about our mandatory volunteer training.  After you have completed this training we can set up a time for you to work with students, or help with teacher tasks!  We are also looking for parents to help with our ABC/123 team.  If you have an older child and you have already take the volunteer training you are welcome to begin volunteering!

***Thursday Folders***

Please sign and return Thursday Folders on Friday morning.  The competency scores serve as a weekly report that is returned in the folder.  If you have any questions about this please let me know!

***Pictures***

I had planned to upload some pictures to the blog today.  I have so many wonderful photos of the students practicing buddy reading, read to self, poetry and working together to build a rainbow!  I forgot my blog release forms at school : (  I will send you an email when I have added the photos. 

***Questions to ask your child***

Tell me about the Warm Fuzzy Jar….

What does it mean to have your clip on green or reach for the stars?

How can you earn HERO Slips?

What can you buy with your HERO Slips?

Tell me what buddy reading looks like….(knee to knee, elbow to elbow)

What is your favorite special?

Important Dates in September

• Tuesday, September 8 – Our first library book exchange (I believe students will bring a book home – Please send their library book back to school next Tuesday)
• Monday, September 14 - No School
• Wednesday, September 23  -No School
• Friday, September 25  -2 hour early dismissal (students leave at 1:25.)  Please send in a note if your child's transportation will change this day

Lastly, I just want to say that we have a wonderful group of students in our classroom!  I am already so impressed with their kindness and love for learning!  I’m looking forward to a wonderful year.  Thank you for all that you do!  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Ms. Grimes