Playing Outside

Playing Outside

December 30, 2010

January 3, 2010

A note from Ms. Poteet…

Welcome Back!  I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break!  I am excited to get back into the groove of things and to see what the New Year brings. 

What are we learning?
Reading Workshop
We are going to begin exploring nonfiction texts.  We will look for nonfiction text features; compare nonfiction and fiction books, and relate our schema to the new information we learn from the book.

Writing Workshop
This week we are going to start writing our All About Books.  First we will look at other All About Books and make a list of their ingredients.  After exploring various All About Books, students will get to choose their own topic for their All About Book.  You might want to discuss possible topics with your child at home.  Some great examples include dogs, soccer, colors, swimming, etc.  Family journals will be sent home on Friday.  Please take time over the weekend to read your child’s letter to you and respond. 

Word Study
This week, we will explore the word families –ug, -ut, -un, -um (Yes, these are the same chucks from the week before winter break).  Ask your child about the word family chants for all three.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: not, were, like. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math
In math, we will practice adding two-digit numbers, making shapes with string and our bodies, making different types of triangles, learn about sides, vertices (corners), and angles, and solve subtraction problems.
Everyday Math Home Link
Family Note:
Your child can create patterns with many things found in your home.  The word pattern has many different meanings.  Here it is defined as a simple arrangement of items in which one can tell what will come next if the arrangement is continued.  In school, your child is learning to create, extend, and describe patterns.

Activity:
Collect different kinds and sizes of objects.  Look for buttons, coins, and lids from juice bottles and soda bottles.  Use the objects to make patterns.  Try to describe the pattern to someone.  See if someone can extend your pattern.  Ask someone to create a pattern for you to extend.   



Social Studies
This week we are finishing up our imagination lessons.  They are lessons to help us learn whether or not your child may possess certain gifted and talented attributes.

Reminders
*Send in a healthy peanut-free snack and water bottle (with a pull up spout) every day.
* Our classroom gets very chilly sometimes.  Please send in a light jacket or sweater for your child to keep in their back pack. 
* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night!
* Library book due every Friday!

Related Arts Schedule
Monday                      PE
Tuesday                     PE
Wednesday               PE
Thursday                   PE
Friday                         PE

December 11, 2010

December 13, 2010

A note from Ms. Poteet…

Our class Winter Celebration is scheduled for December 17th.  Kids are permitted to bring a special sweet treat and drink (NO soft drinks please) to eat at the party.  Kids are not allowed to share treats or drinks due to allergies.

We do not have school for the next two weeks!  I hope you and your family have a wonderful winter break! 

I would love to take a little time to thank our terrific classroom volunteers.  Thanks to Ms. Skelton and Ms. Roberts for being our fabulous room parents.  Thanks to Ms. Zimmerman, Ms. Kastman, Mr. Kastman, Ms. Skelton, Ms. Roberts, and Ms. Pennybaker for volunteering every week to help our kids learn to read.  Thanks to Ms. Roberts, Ms. Skelton, Ms. Crosiar, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Esterle, Ms. Pitchford, Ms. Monarch, Ms. Clingerman, Ms. Jordan, Ms. Zimmerman, Ms. Middleton, Ms. Edward, and Ms. Kastman for chaperoning our field trips.  Thanks to all parents who have provided endless support at home to help your child get ready for school each day and complete nightly homework assignments.  Your support at home definitely shows at school because all of the kids are making tremendous progress as learners and as good citizens in our school community.  Thanks for all you do!

Our class is participating in the annual Husky Holiday Sing-Along!  Kinderpups are going to lead the school in singing Santa Claus is Coming to Town!  For added fun, we decided to dress like Santa.  Please help your child buy, find, or make a Santa hat and wear red or black to school on Wednesday, December 15thWe will make Santa beards at school.  Children will be allowed to wear their Santa hats all day.  We are really looking forward to this exciting event!  (Helpful hint:  I was at Dollar Store last week and they had Santa hats galore for $1). 
Look for your child’s persuasive letter to Santa in the Oldham Era on December 23rd!  The kids worked really hard and are eager to be local “celebrities.”

If your family signed up to donate an item for the Husky Helping House, please the item in by December 15, 2010.  We will be wrapping the gifts with Ms. Whitley’s class on Thursday.  If you have a knack for wrapping and would like to help us, please send me an e-mail.  Our wrapping party will be at 10:20-10:50. 

As of Monday, December 13th students will NOT be permitted to go to the cafeteria to purchase a snack during snack time.  Please have your child bring a snack from home.  Several students have been “forgetting” their snack recently and have been asking to go to the cafeteria.  Often they come back with Fruit-Roll Up, Doritos, or other unhealthy snacks.  Later we find their snack from home reappears in their coat pocket or under their folders in their cubby. 



What are we learning?
Reading Workshop
We are continuing our author study on Jan Brett.  We are going to read several of her books and make text-to-text connections to each of the books.   

Writing Workshop
This week we are practicing writing friendly letters.  Remember to look for your child’s Santa letter in the Oldham Era on December 23rd.   Family journals will NOT be sent home on Friday. 

Word Study
This week, we will explore the word families –ug, -ut, -un, um.  Ask your child about the word family chants for all three.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: not, were, like. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math
In math we are learning to how to use calculators and make shapes with our bodies and string.

Social Studies
We are continuing our unit on Celebrations around the World.  This week we will learn about Christmas and Advent.

Reminders
*Send in a healthy peanut-free snack and water bottle (with a pull up spout) every day.
* Our classroom gets very chilly sometimes.  Please send in a light jacket or sweater for your child to keep in their back pack. 
* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night!
* Library book due every Friday!

Related Arts Schedule
Monday                      Music
Tuesday                     Music
Wednesday               PE
Thursday                   PE
Friday                         PE

December 4, 2010

December 6, 2010

A note from Ms. Poteet…



On Tuesday we are going to visit the Book Fair at 12:00. Parents are welcome to attend and eat lunch prior to visiting the Book Fair (at 11:29) if they would like. If you would like your child to purchase books please send in a check made out to Harmony Elementary or send in cash. A flyer containing some of the books that will be available at the Book Fair was sent home last week in the Wednesday Folder.


Our class Christmas Party is scheduled for December 17th at 8:30 am. Parents are welcome to volunteer to help out. More information will be sent out soon!

Look for your child’s persuasive letter to Santa in the Oldham Era on December 23rd! The kids worked really hard and are eager to be local “celebrities.”

Please continue to send in non-perishable goods for our Canned Food Drive. All of the food will go to needy families in Oldham County. We are collecting canned goods (soups, meats, vegetables, juice, fruit, pasta sauce, pie filling), cereal, rice, baby food, Jello, pudding, packaged food, beans, croutons, dried fruit (raisins, apricots), nuts, and any other non-perishable food. Thank you for your support in helping out children to learn about caring and sharing with others. The food needs to be sent in by December 2, 2010.

Our class has adopted a 13 year old boy for the holidays. He enjoys playing basketball, football, and soccer. He attends one of the Oldham County’s middle schools. If your family would like to help this boy and haven’t signed up please send me a note or e-mail me. I will let you what the child needs and what size clothes he wears. Please don’t just send an item in, because we want to make sure all of his needs are taken care of. Thanks for all of the families who have already sent in the pink flyer pledging to donate an item. All items need to be sent in by December 15, 2010.

What are we learning?

Reading Workshop
We are continuing our author study on Jan Brett. We are going to read several of her books and make text-to-text connections to each of the books.

Writing Workshop
This week we are practicing writing friendly letters. Remember to look for your child’s Santa letter in the Oldham Era on December 23rd. Family journals will be sent home on Friday. Please take time over the weekend to read your child’s letter to you and respond.

Word Study
This week, we will explore the word families –et, -eg, -en. Ask your child about the word family chants for all three. We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: did, what, see. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math
In math we are learning to use a number line to solve addition and subtraction problems, skip counting by tens, making and extending patterns using pattern blocks, and practicing using counters to solve addition problems.

Everyday Math Home Link
Family Note:
Top-It reinforces number recognition and helps children learn to compare two numbers to decide which one is greater or less. (You may remember this game as War.)
Activity:
You will need a deck of cards and at least two players. Shuffle the deck of cards and divide it between two players, turning the cards face down on the table. Players turn over their top cards and read the number aloud. The player with the greater number keeps both cards. If both players get the same number, they turn over the next card on their stacks until one player wins and takes all of the cards for the round.

Social Studies
The students are going to be overjoyed that we are starting our unit on Holidays around the World. We will discuss our own holiday traditions and learn about Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the legend of the poinsettia.

Reminders
*Send in a healthy peanut-free snack and water bottle (with a pull up spout) every day.
* Our classroom gets very chilly sometimes. Please send in a light jacket or sweater for your child to keep in their back pack
* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night!
* Library book due every Friday!

Related Arts Schedule


Monday Art
Tuesday Music
Wednesday Music
Thursday Music
Friday Music

November 27, 2010

November 29, 2010

A note from Ms. Poteet…

Welcome Back!  I hope everyone had a terrific Thanksgiving with family and friends.  Our Thanksgiving Play was wonderful!  Thanks for showing your support for your child by attending the play and getting your child ready in the morning.  They all looked adorable!  I would like to especially thank Ms. Monarch, Ms. Jordan, and Ms. Roberts for lending an extra hand before the play! 

On Thursday we will be going to see the Nutcracker in a Nutshell (This is a shortened version without the scary parts).  Please have your child wear their orange class t-shirt and bring a sack lunch and drink.  We will eat lunch at school when we return from the play.  

Please continue to send in non-perishable goods for our Canned Food Drive.  All of the food will go to needy families in Oldham County.  We are collecting canned goods (soups, meats, vegetables, juice, fruit, pasta sauce, pie filling), cereal, rice, baby food, Jello, pudding, packaged food, beans, croutons, dried fruit (raisins, apricots), nuts, and any other non-perishable food. Thank you for your support in helping out children to learn about caring and sharing with others.  The food needs to be sent in by December 2, 2010. 

Our class has adopted a 13 year old boy for the holidays.  He enjoys playing basketball, football, and soccer.  He attends one of the Oldham County’s middle schools.  If your family would like to help this boy and haven’t signed up please send me a note or e-mail me.  I will let you what the child needs and what size clothes he wears.  Please don’t just send an item in, because we want to make sure all of his needs are taken care of.  Thanks for all of the families who have already sent in the pink flyer pledging to donate an item.  All items need to be sent in by December 15, 2010.



What are we learning?
Reading Workshop
This week we will start our author study on Jan Brett.  We will read several of her books and complete activities to go along with each book. 

Writing Workshop
We are finishing our letters to Santa.  I will type and send a copy of your child’s letter to Santa to the Oldham Era.  They should be published in the paper the following Thursday.  Family journals will be sent home on Friday.  Please take time over the weekend to read your child’s letter to you and respond. 

Word Study
This week, we will explore the word families –op, -ot, -og, -od.  Ask your child about the word family chants for all three.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: could, can, when. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math
On Tuesday we will complete a show me what they know about probability by writing about it.  Look for this graded assignment to come home soon.  The rest of the week we will work on skip counting by ten and using a number line.
Everyday Math Home Link
Family Note:
Children enjoy counting and they find ways to practice this skill all the time.  In addition to counting by ones, children are learning to “skip count” by tens.  When your child counts by tens, help him or her connect the counting words with the concept of making groups of 10.  Counting fingers (and toes) is an excelled way to begin. 

Activity:
Count all of the fingers in your family.  Count by tens. (Don’t forget yourself!)  Count by ones to double check.  Draw the fingers of all the people in your family.  Try to write the number of fingers.  What else could you count by tens? 


Social Studies
We are starting our unit on Geography focusing on maps.  On Monday, students will learn about the purpose of map and the different parts of a map.  On Tuesday, we learn about the difference between political and physical maps.  On Wednesday, we will make our own map.  On Friday, we will learn about globes and make our own globe.

Reminders
*Send in a healthy peanut-free snack and water bottle (with a pull up spout) every day.
* Our classroom gets very chilly sometimes.  Please send in a light jacket or sweater for your child to keep in their back pack. 
* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night!
* Library book due every Friday!

Related Arts Schedule
Monday                      Art
Tuesday                     Art
Wednesday               Art
Thursday                   Art
Friday                         Art

November 20, 2010

November 22, 2010

A note from Ms. Poteet

Please continue to send in non-perishable goods for our Canned Food Drive.  All of the food will go to needy families in Oldham County.  We are collecting canned goods (soups, meats, vegetables, juice, fruit, pasta sauce, pie filling), cereal, rice, baby food, Jello, pudding, packaged food, beans, croutons, dried fruit (raisins, apricots), nuts, and any other non-perishable food. Thank you for your support in helping out children to learn about caring and sharing with others.  The food needs to be sent in by December 2, 2010. 

Our class has adopted a 13 year old boy for the holidays.  He enjoys playing basketball, football, and soccer.  He attends one of the Oldham County’s middle schools.  If your family would like to help this boy, please send in the pink Husky-Helping House flyer sent home last week in our Wednesday Folder, send me a note, or e-mail me.  I will let you what the child needs and what size clothes he wears.  Please don’t just send an item in, because we want to make sure all of his needs are taken care of.  Thanks for all of the families who have already sent in the pink flyer pledging to donate an item.  All items need to be sent in by December 15, 2010.


Our big performance is finally here!  On Tuesday we will perform our Thanksgiving Play at 11:20 am.  All families and friends are invited.  You are welcome to stay afterwards for lunch.  Don’t forget to have your child wear their costume to school.  Below is a description of the costumes.  If you forgot what character your child is playing, please call me. 

Pilgrims – Boys will need to wear black pants and a black shirt. Girls will need to wear a black dress or skirt and shirt. Girls may also wear white aprons, but they are not required. We will make hats and collars at school.

Native Americans – Boys and Girls will need to wear dark clothing. We will make head dresses and vests here at school.
 
Tuesday is the last day to order yearbooks.  Buy your yearbook at www.JostensYearbooks.com
All sales will be online this year.  The cost of the yearbook is $17.75.  THE DEADLINE TO ORDER IS NOVEMBER 23rd.  If you do not have access to a computer and need assistance with placing your order, please contact Mrs. Kinnison 228 2228 ext. 316.

We do not have school on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday of this week.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends!


What are we learning?
Reading Workshop
We will wrap up our unit on questioning.

Writing Workshop
This week we are continuing our persuasive letters to Santa.  We will focus on writing a greeting, introduction and persuading Santa to bring us our desired gift.  I will continue to remind kids of the audience of their letter (Santa).  Family Journals will not be sent home this week.    

Word Study
We will review our previous Word Wall Words, letter sounds, and word families.

Math
We are continuing to learn how to add and subtract.


Social Studies
On Monday we will have dress rehearsal for our play.  On Tuesday, is our big day!  Hope to see you there!

Reminders
*Send in a healthy peanut-free snack and water bottle (with a pull up spout) every day.
* Our classroom gets very chilly sometimes.  Please send in a light jacket or sweater for your child to keep in their back pack. 
* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night!
* Library book due every Friday!

Related Arts Schedule
Monday                      PE
Tuesday                     PE
Wednesday               No School
Thursday                   No School
Friday                         No School

November 13, 2010

November 15, 2010

A note from Ms. Poteet

Please continue to send in non-perishable goods for our Canned Food Drive.  All of the food will go to needy families in Oldham County.  We are collecting canned goods (soups, meats, vegetables, juice, fruit, pasta sauce, pie filling), cereal, rice, baby food, Jello, pudding, packaged food, beans, croutons, dried fruit (raisins, apricots), nuts, and any other non-perishable food. Thank you for your support in helping out children to learn about caring and sharing with others.  The food needs to be sent in by December 2, 2010. 

Our class has adopted a 13 year old boy for the holidays.  He enjoys playing basketball, football, and soccer.  He attends one of the Oldham County’s middle schools.  If your family would like to help this boy, please send in the pink Husky-Helping House flyer sent home last week in our Wednesday Folder, send me a note, or e-mail me.  I will let you what the child needs and what size clothes he wears.  Please don’t just send an item in, because we want to make sure all of his needs are taken care of.  Thanks for all of the families who have already sent in the pink flyer pledging to donate an item.  I will let you know by this Friday, what your family can donate so you may shop over the Thanksgiving Break.  

Now that all students know how to check out books from the library, your child may visit the library before school throughout the week to check out a book.  Before students may check out a new book, they must finish their morning responsibilities in class. After completing their responsibilities, I will send them down to the library.  They must return to class before 7:50 am.  This is a privilege that Ms. Clark and Ms. Wanda permit kids to do.  If they aren’t make good choices in the library (Ms. Theresa and I will not be in the library with them), they will lose the privilege to check out books independently.  We will continue to visit the library on Friday’s. 

Don't forget, due to our Thanksgiving Play practice our lunch time has changed to 12:09-12:34.  We will go back to our old lunch time after the Thanksgiving break.

Mark your calendar…  Our Thanksgiving Play will be on Tuesday, November 23rd at 11:20 am.  All families and friends are invited.  You are welcome to stay afterwards for lunch.  Look for more information to come home soon about your child’s costume on Monday.  The Kindergarten Team is looking for parents interested in revamping last year’s props for the play.  If you are interested please e-mail me!

Don’t forget to send in a bag of large colored flowers by Friday.  We will use them to make Native American headdresses.   All students will get to make a headdress even if they are not a Native American in the play.  If your family would be willing to donate a bag of large colored feathers, we would appreciate it!  I found them last year at Wal-Mart for two dollars. 

It is starting to get chilly outside.  Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately because we will go outside everyday unless it is raining.


What are we learning?
Reading Workshop
Good readers ask questions about their book before, during, and after reading.  Throughout the week, we will learn about thick (Why do you think?, What if?, How would you feel if?, What might?) and thin (When?, Where?, Who?, How many?) questions and when readers ask questions.  We will be visiting the school library on Friday.

Writing Workshop
With the Holiday’s just around the corner, we are going to take advantage of the kid’s excitement of Santa coming.  On Monday, we are going to start our persuasive letters to Santa.  We will focus on writing a greeting, introduction and persuading Santa to bring us our desired gift.  I will continue to remind kids of the audience of their letter (Santa).  On Friday, we are writing in our Family Journals.  Please take time over the weekend to read your child’s letter to you and respond. 

Word Study
This week, we will explore the word families -ad, -ap, & -ag.  Ask your child about the word family chants for all three.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: little, down, do. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math
We are continuing to learn about probability, weight, and how to add and subtract. 
Math Home Link
Family Note:
In school, we have started to talk about different kinds of measurement, such as volume, length, and weight.  Children will find many ways to explore measurement at home and elsewhere.  Encourage the development of measurement skills by helping your child find and recognize the many uses of measurement in everyday life.  Model the correct usage of words and look to describe and compare sizes, amounts, and weights of different things.  (We have been learning about pan balances in school.)

Activity: 
Compare the weights of two objects by holding one in each hand.  Can you tell which one is heavier?  Lighter?  Draw a picture on a piece of paper that shows which object felt heavier and which object felt lighter.  How did your arms look?  What tools could you use to check which objects weighs more?



Social Studies
For the next couple of weeks, we will visit the gym the practice for our Thanksgiving Play. Throughout week we will discuss how the pilgrims lived on the Mayflower and in the new land.

Reminders
*Send in a healthy peanut-free snack and water bottle (with a pull up spout) every day.
* Our classroom gets very chilly sometimes.  Please send in a light jacket or sweater for your child to keep in their back pack. 
* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night!
* Library book due every Friday!

Related Arts Schedule
Monday                      Music
Tuesday                     PE
Wednesday               PE
Thursday                   PE
Friday                         PE

November 6, 2010

November 8, 2010

A note from Ms. Poteet

Our Food Drive begins this week.  We hope to meet our goal of filling 12 grocery carts with non-perishable goods.  We would like to ask for your help to help assist some of Oldham County’s families to have a brighter holiday.  We are collecting canned goods (soups, meats, vegetables, juice, fruit, pasta sauce, pie filling), cereal, rice, baby food, Jello, pudding, packaged food, beans, croutons, dried fruit (raisins, apricots), nuts, and any other non-perishable food. Thank you for your support in helping out children to learn about caring and sharing with others.  The food needs to be sent in by December 2, 2010. 

Field trip permission forms and money are due this Wednesday.  We must pay for your child’s seat in advance, so late permission forms and money cannot be accepted. 

Wednesday is an Early Release Day.  School will end at 12:25 pm.  Please send me a note if your child’s transportation will be changed. 

Mark your calendar…  Our Thanksgiving Play will be on Tuesday, November 23rd at 11:20 am.  All families and friends are invited.  You are welcome to stay afterwards for lunch.  Look for more information to come home soon about your child’s costume on Monday.  The Kindergarten Team is looking for parents interested in revamping last year’s props for the play.  If you are interested please e-mail me!

We don’t have a mystery reader this Friday the 12th or next Friday the 19th.  If you are interested, please send me an e-mail. 

It is starting to get chilly outside.  Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately because we will go outside everyday unless it is raining.


What are we learning?
Reading Workshop
This week we are finishing our unit on Schema and starting our unit on Questioning.  On Tuesday, students will complete writing about schema.  Look for these graded assignments to come home shortly.  The rest of the week we will learn why good readers constantly ask questions while reading.  We will be visiting the school library on Friday.

Writing Workshop
This week we are finishing up our first small moment.  Students will work on revising, editing, and fancying up their small moments.  On Thursday, we will have our first Writing Celebration.  Students will get to share their published small moments with the whole class.  On Friday, we are writing in our Family Journals.  Please take time over the weekend to read your child’s letter to you and respond. 

Handwriting
Handwriting instruction will focus on developing fine motor skills as well as the proper formation of the letters.  This week we are reviewing our tricky letters.  

Word Study
This week, we will explore the word families -at, -an, & -am.  Ask your child about the word family chants for all three.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: we, am, and then. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math
We are practicing using nonstandard units of measurement to measure the length of various objects around the room, learning how to add and subtract, count, sort, and recognize our numbers, and solve probability problems.
Math Home Link
Family Note:
Probability- the likelihood of a given event- is a mathematical concept with many applications in everyday life.  Children should begin by using their own experiences to describe probability in qualitative terms (certain, likely, possible, and unlikely).  This exposure to probability builds a foundation for calculating and understanding quantitative representations of probability beginning in third grade. 

Activity:  You and your child take turns coming up with likely and unlikely events.  For example, a likely event would be being able to go outside and play on a sunny day.  An unlikely event would be going to Disney Land that night.  Practice using the terms certain, impossible, likely, unlikely, and possible to describe the events. 



Social Studies
For the next couple of weeks, we will visit the gym the practice for our Thanksgiving Play. Throughout week we will discuss how the pilgrims lived on the Mayflower and in the new land.

Reminders
*Send in a healthy peanut-free snack and water bottle (with a pull up spout) every day.
* Our classroom gets very chilly sometimes.  Please send in a light jacket or sweater for your child to keep in their back pack. 
* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night!
* Library book due every Friday!

Related Arts Schedule
Monday         Music
Tuesday        Music
Wednesday    Music
Thursday       Music
Friday           Music