Week 5

I was so excited this week!  Our stamina for independent reading is building!  We have been reading for 10-15 minutes independently, but needing lots of support to stay on task.  This week we introduced partner reading.  Now we are reading for 15 minutes independently, followed by 15 minutes of EEKK (Elbow to Elbow, Knee to Knee) partner reading.  The kindergarteners are needing less support to read the whole time, so I will be ready to start working with small groups and conducting reading conferences with all students!

Thank you to everyone who donated apples this week.  We used the apples to conduct a taste test of red, green and yellow apples.  Many students were surprised to find they really liked green and yellow apples too!  We also used the apples to do apple prints for a project to go along with the book Ten Apples Up On Top.  At a math center, students used classroom objects to find out what was heavier or lighter than an apple using a balance scale.  We tried some apple chips and found that they were pretty tasty.  Friday we hope to use the extra apples to make applesauce in a crockpot.

In math, we have been working on adding one more.  Our goal is to add one more object to a group and know how many there are without recounting.  We also tried taking one away.  We continue to work on subitizing or recognizing how many is in a group without recounting (dice, dominoes).  You can practice the skill of adding one more at home at dinner time.  Ask, "How many chicken nuggets are on your plate?" "Here's one more.  How many do you have now?"  You can also make up stories during playtime.  "There are 5 Littlest Pet Shop characters going for a walk.  Oh, look, another friend is joining them.  How many are there now?"

Our popcorn words this week are yes and no.  We have been asking many yes or no questions and spelling the answer.  We learned how to form the letter Ll and its sound.  We had lollipops.

Book orders were sent home this week.  They are due back October 11.  You can order with a check sent to the school and made out to Scholastic.  You can also order online with our class activation code GNNTW at www.scholastic.com.  Look for the link to Reading Club.

Week 4

This week in Reader's Workshop we concentrated on concepts of print.  We know that we read from left to right, top to bottom, and every page.  We point to words as we read so that we don't miss any.  We used the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? to help us learn these skills.  Pointing to the words is important for beginning readers who have memorized the texts.  It helps them to learn the popcorn words.  It helps students who are reading words too because it is important not to skip any words.  We wrote our own version of Brown Bear also which will be coming home soon.

In math, we are learning to recognize groups without counting.  We continue to work with ten frames, dominos, dice, and objects.  We are working on correct number formation and beginning to look at number words.  We will begin to talk about adding one more to a set of objects.  Students will count or recognize that there are five objects in the group and add one more object.  They will know that there are six objects without recounting.  Although students are not expected to rote count to 100 until later in the year, we have started singing and dancing to songs that count to 100.  The car is a great place to practice counting.  To make it fun, you can do it in silly voices.

Just to review, we have talked about the letters Aa, Tt, Mm, and Dd.  We are recognizing them, producing the sounds, and forming them.  We are reading the popcorn words:  I, is, the, and see.  As we learn more popcorn words, you can play memory or Go Fish with the words.  Another thing I have done is taken a Candy Land game and written popcorn words on the cards so that students read the words before moving their token.  You can make a Tic-Tac-Toe board with letters or popcorn words in each space.  Your child can name the letter, sound, or a word that begins with the letter before taking his or her turn.

We are looking for donations of glue sticks.

Week 3

This week we read many Pete the Cat books.  We just love joining in and singing along with these books!  They are perfect for beginner readers because they are high interest, entertaining, and predictable.  When we read books like this, we practice following along from left to right, turning the pages from the front to the back, pointing to each word (1:1 correspondence), finding popcorn words, and having fun with books!

This week we started filling our book bins for Independent Reading time.  We chose books by looking at the cover and turning the pages inside to look for things that might interest us.  When you are reading at home, you might want to share with your child how you picked a book (a favorite author or subject, required reading for classes or work, something you want to learn more about).  It is important for children to see all the adults in their lives reading.  Although the students don't often get to see me reading, I do share when I finish a book at home or show the cover of a book I am reading at school.  If you are interested in reading more about reading aloud to children, I read a great book this summer called The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease.  The second half of the book contains lists of great books to read with your child.  I checked, and the book is available at the Derry Public Library.

We are continuing to work on numbers within 10.  Students will be able to show numbers to ten in multiple ways such as with drawings, numerals, and ten frames.  They will be able to recognize how many in a group without counting.  We play lots of games with dominos and dice to help the students practice these skills.  You can play games at home to help your child with math skills and social skills like taking turns.  Some games to consider are Chutes and Ladders, Yahtzee, Candy Land, Go Fish, Hi-Ho Cherrio, Caribou, Trouble, and Guess Who.

Reminder:  Please put your child's FIRST and LAST name on an envelope or baggy containing money.  Also write the purpose (i.e. popcorn, lunch, school store, book order, etc.).  For our families who are new to Grinnell, you do not have to send in money for lunch or snack drink each day.  You can prepay for as much as you want and it will be deposited to your child's account.  The cafeteria can answer any questions about the balance on your child's account.

Say Cheese!  I have had some questions about Picture Day, and it is September 24!

Finally, we are running low on glue sticks!   We will also start using Post-It Notes in our Reader's Workshop. If you can donate Pos-Its or glue sticks we would appreciate it!

Week 2

Our second week is coming to a close!  We are continuing to learn the routines of kindergarten.  We are working on moving around the classroom safely by walking.  We have had the chance to go to math and literacy centers, reader's workshop, and do whole class lessons.  

Our "theme" this week was the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.  The students were given the opportunity to try coconut.  We observed a whole coconut.  We are also planning an experiment to find out if coconuts sink or float.  

We practice the whole alphabet every day with fun songs.  A popular one this week was "The Karate Alphabet."  We also paid close attention to the letter Mm.  Writing or forming letters can be tricky for kindergarteners.  You can practice at home in fun ways!  Go outside and write with chalk or in the dirt with a stick, spread shaving cream on a table and write the letters with your finger, use a wet paint brush on dark paper, finger paint, use a magna doodle, build the letter out of play dough, spread flour on a table and use your finger, or have your child "write" the letter on your back for you to guess.  The best learning happens while kids are playing!

This week I was able to assess all the children to find out how high they can rote count and what numerals (to 30) they can recognize.  By the end of kindergarten, we will all be able to count to 100 by ones, starting from a number other than one, and by tens.  Often, kindergarteners go fast through the 12, 13, 14, 15 sequence and miss numbers.  Students will also be able to recognize numerals to 20.  The teens are often tricky.  Kindergarteners often confuse 12 and 21.  They sometimes call 14 forty, call 15 fifty, etc..  Practicing rote counting once a day is a great reinforcer.  You can practice when taking a walk (count how many steps) or in the car.  We like to practice using funny voices!  To practice numeral recognition, point out numbers as you come across them-on the calendar, tv channels, exit signs while driving, and on the clock.  

Free choice continues to be a favorite part of our day.  It is such an important time for children to build friendships, increase their vocabulary, use their imaginations and more!  The favorite centers this year are the computer and ipad, home living, dollhouse, puppet theater, cars, and play dough. 

We are hoping to meet Mr. Marc of Adventures to Fitness Friday afternoon.  It is a web based adventure that encourages children to use their imagination, learn about different cultures, and exercise. Hopefully the technology will cooperate!  In the past, it has been a favorite activity!  

I enjoyed seeing so many of you at Open House.  If you were not able to attend, I sent home the email sign up sheet and a list of the math and reading units we are covering this year.

Just a reminder, please send money in an envelope labeled with your child's name and the purpose of the money.