Playing Outside

Playing Outside

January 28, 2011

January 31, 2011

A note from Ms. Poteet…

I am not sure we are going to ever get back to our regular schedule.  Hopefully this week we can come to school every day! 

We really like sharing what we do in class by bringing family journals each week.  The students love showing off their hard work!  Please make sure you are looking through their notebooks and discussing what they are learning in school.  Then, make sure it is placed back in their backpack to bring back to school.  Our journals are very important learning logs that show amazing growth by the end of the year.  Hope you are enjoying them!

Please help your child learn how to tie their shoes at home!  Our goal is for all kids to learn how to tie their shoes before going to first grade!

Due to the snow day last week, our new 100th day of school will be February 7th (depending on no more snow days)!  Please have your child wear their 100th day of school shirt to school on the 7th (see below for more information).

100th Day Project

Our class has been adding one number for each school day to our Growing Number Line.  The 100th day of school is coming up soon, and it will be a major celebration!

One of the things we will do to celebrate is to hold a “100th Day Fashion Show.”  Please help your child glue, safety pin, or sew 100 things on a plain t-shirt.  Children have been thinking about things they could glue to their shirt including buttons, beads, pennies, paper clips, cereal, etc.  Be as creative as possible!  We have been talking about ways to count the collections without losing track of the numbers.  Making groups of 10 is a good way to count and display the objects. 

Children may need a little help gathering materials, but they should be able to do most of the counting themselves. 

Please have your child wear their 100th day t-shirt to school on February 2nd (may change if we have any snow days)!


 

Important Dates this Month:
February 7th: 100th Day of School! 
February 11th: Kindergarten Writing Celebration from 11:05-11:30am.  Please make all efforts to attend!  If you will not be able to attend, please send me an e-mail so I can try to have a special friend from school (siblings, husky hideout employee, Ms. Horn, etc) read with your child. 
February 14th: Class Valentine’s Party
February 21st: No School- President’s Day
February 23rd: Early Release Day
February 25th: Mega Skills Assembly
March 2nd: Progress Reports Come Home



What are we learning?
Reading Workshop
We are starting our Developmental Reading Assessments (DRA) this week.  While I am assessing the kids, Ms. Theresa will be review various reading concepts including metacognition, schema, connections, and questioning.

Writing Workshop
This week we will continue working on our All About Me books.  The kids are so excited about writing a book all about themselves and their family!  Our Writing Celebration will be held on Friday, February 11th at 11:05 am in the school library.  They cannot wait for you to read them.  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 short vowels, focusing on CVC words (consonant-vowel-consonant words; examples- cat, hot, wet, hum).  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: yes, no, big. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math
In math, we are continuing to learn about nonstandard and standard units of measurement, learning to count by 5s, and use tallies to count.
Everyday Math Home Link
Family Note:
-      Collecting data helps children count, sort, compare, and record information.  In school, we are learning about using tally marks to record data.  Explore data collection with your child by using tally marks to record the color of cars in your neighborhood.

Activity:
What car color do you think is the most popular?  Make a guess, and then count car colors in your neighborhood (If most people in your neighborhood keep their cars in their garage, count house color).  Use tally marks to record as you count.    



Social Studies
For the next couple of weeks we will be learning all about the five senses and associated body parts (sight-eyes, hearing-ears, smell-nose, taste-tongue, touch-skin).  This week we are going to focus on our sight and touch.   

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                         PE

January 23, 2011

January 24, 2011

A note from Ms. Poteet…

Wow, the last couple of weeks have been crazy.  We haven’t had a normal 5 day week since the week of December 13th.  This week we even have an Early Release Day on Wednesday.  I don’t know how we are going to make it next week when actually get to go to school 5 full days in row (hopefully). 

Due to the snow days last week, our new 100th day of school will be February 4th (depending on no more snow days)!  Please have your child wear their 100th day of school shirt to school on the 4th (see below for more information).

100th Day Project

Our class has been adding one number for each school day to our Growing Number Line.  The 100th day of school is coming up soon, and it will be a major celebration!

One of the things we will do to celebrate is to hold a “100th Day Fashion Show.”  Please help your child glue, safety pin, or sew 100 things on a plain t-shirt.  Children have been thinking about things they could glue to their shirt including buttons, beads, pennies, paper clips, cereal, etc.  Be as creative as possible!  We have been talking about ways to count the collections without losing track of the numbers.  Making groups of 10 is a good way to count and display the objects. 

Children may need a little help gathering materials, but they should be able to do most of the counting themselves. 

Please have your child wear their 100th day t-shirt to school on February 2nd (may change if we have any snow days)!


 

Important Dates this Month:
January 26th: Early Release Day
January 29th: MegaSkills Assembly


What are we learning?
Reading Workshop
The kids are keyed up over the nonfiction books we have been exploring.  They have learned all about bees, pumpkins, sharks, spiders, France, and even penguins while searching nonfiction text features (table of contents, labels, diagrams, maps, charts, fun facts, etc).  We will continue investigating nonfiction text features this week. 

Writing Workshop
This week we will continue working on our All About Me books.  The kids are so excited about writing a book all about themselves and their family!  They cannot wait for you to read them.  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 short vowels, focusing on CVC words (consonant-vowel-consonant words; examples- cat, hot, wet, hum).  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: would, me, will. Yes, these are the same words form last week.  Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math
In math, we will practice using pan balances, learn how to count forwards and backwards on a calculator, measure objects with our foot (a nonstandard unit of measurement), and begin learning how to use a ruler (a standard unit of measurement).   
Everyday Math Home Link
Family Note:
Before children learn to measure with standard measuring tools, they can learn to measure with body parts, such as feet.  When they notice that this method produces different measurement- depending on whose foot is used- they begin to understand why standard measurement units are important.  As your child measures with foot cutouts at home, reinforce good measurement techniques, especially by:
-      Lining up the measuring tool with the end of the object being measured
-      Laying the tool end-to-end (without overlaps or gaps) as they measure. 

Activity:
Trace around two different people’s feet.  Cut out both feet.  Whose foot is longer?  Use both cutout feet to measure things around your house. 



Social Studies
For the next couple of weeks we will be learning all about the five senses and associated body parts (sight-eyes, hearing-ears, smell-nose, taste-tongue, touch-skin).  This week we are going to focus on our nose and ears.  

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               Music
Thursday                   Music
Friday                         Music

January 17, 2011

January 17, 2011

A note from Ms. Poteet…

I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend and spent a little time talking about the accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr.  Due to the snow days last week, our new 100th day of school will be February 2nd (depending on no more snow days)!  Please have your child wear their 100th day of school shirt to school on the 2nd (see below for more information).

100th Day Project

Our class has been adding one number for each school day to our Growing Number Line.  The 100th day of school is coming up soon, and it will be a major celebration!

One of the things we will do to celebrate is to hold a “100th Day Fashion Show.”  Please help your child glue, safety pin, or sew 100 things on a plain t-shirt.  Children have been thinking about things they could glue to their shirt including buttons, beads, pennies, paper clips, cereal, etc.  Be as creative as possible!  We have been talking about ways to count the collections without losing track of the numbers.  Making groups of 10 is a good way to count and display the objects. 

Children may need a little help gathering materials, but they should be able to do most of the counting themselves. 

Please have your child wear their 100th day t-shirt to school on February 2nd (may change if we have any snow days)!


 

If you haven’t been able to sign up to be a mystery reader yet or have a family member coming into town the following dates are still available:
-      February 25th at 9:10am
-      March 25th at 9:10am
-      April 22nd at 9:10am


Important Dates this Month:
January 26th: Early Release Day
January 29th: MegaSkills Assembly


What are we learning?
Reading Workshop
The kids are keyed up over the nonfiction books we have been exploring.  They have learned all about bees, pumpkins, sharks, spiders, France, and even penguins while searching nonfiction text features (table of contents, labels, diagrams, maps, charts, fun facts, etc).  We will continue investigating nonfiction text features this week. 

Writing Workshop
This week we will continue working on our All About Me books.  The kids are so excited about writing a book all about themselves and their family!  They cannot wait for you to read them.  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 short vowels, focusing on CVC words (consonant-vowel-consonant words; examples- cat, hot, wet, hum).  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: would, me, will. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math
In math, we practice reading and writing two-digit numbers, identify objects by attributes, practice using pan balances, and learn how to count forwards and backwards on a calculator.
Everyday Math Home Link
Family Note:
Children love to play guessing games.  Guess my Number is a great way to help your child solve problems and develop number sense.  It is a good game to play in the car, on the bus, or while waiting in line at the grocery store. To play, give different types of clues that describe a number and see if your child can guess the correct number.  Let your child choose a number and give you clues, too!

Activity:

Guess my Number
 Use clues to guess the correct number.  For example:
-      What number is 1 more than 5?
-      What number is between 6 and 8?
-      What number is 1 less than 7?
-      What number is 2 more than 8?
-      What number is in the teens and has a 3 in it?
-      What number tells how many legs a dog has?
-      What two-digit number has a 2 on the left and a 4 on the right?

Can you think of clues for other numbers?



Social Studies
For the next couple of weeks we will be learning all about the five senses and associated body parts (sight-eyes, hearing-eyes, smell-nose, taste-tongue, touch-skin) and how to take care of your body through exercise, cleanliness, healthy foods, and rest.  On Wednesday, Nurse Green will even come to class and teach use proper hand washing techniques.

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                                                                                                                                                   

January 9, 2011

January 10, 2010

A note from Ms. Poteet…

As you know, your child has been bringing home books from their guided reading groups all year.  Please make an effort to read these books with your child when they bring them home.  Rereading books helps build fluency, an important skill for proficient readers. Your child may read the book to older or younger sibling.  This can even be considered all or part of their nightly reading homework (depending on the length of the book).  Please feel free to call or e-mail if you think the books your child is bringing home are too hard or too easy (Keep in mind that shorter books are often read at least twice during school).  Thanks for your help!

Look for information to come home about our 100th Day of School Fashion Show! 

If you haven’t been able to sign up to be a mystery reader yet or have a family member coming into town the following dates are still available:
-      February 25th at 9:10am
-      March 25th at 9:10am
-      April 22nd at 9:10am


Important Dates this Month:
Reading Assessments: Week of January 10th
January 17th: Martin Luther King Jr. Day- No School
January 26th: Early Release Day
January 29th: MegaSkills Assembly


What are we learning?
Reading Workshop
The kids are keyed up over the nonfiction books we have been exploring.  They have learned all about bees, pumpkins, sharks, spiders, France, and even penguins while searching nonfiction text features (table of contents, labels, diagrams, maps, charts, fun facts, etc).  We will continue investigating nonfiction text features this week. 

Writing Workshop
This week we will continue working on our All About Me books.  The kids are so excited about writing a book all about themselves and their family!  They cannot wait for you to read them.  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 –ill, ig, and ip. 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: one, this, my. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math
In math, we sort objects by attributes, solve subtraction and addition number stories, and practice reading and writing two-digit numbers.
Everyday Math Home Link
Family Note:
Attributes describe the physical characteristics of an object, such as its size, color, and shape.  Your child has been identifying attributes and sorting by attributes at school. These skills lay a foundation for later work in geometry and algebra.  Help your child become comfortable with describing and organizing objects according to multiple characteristics.  A treasure hunt is a great way to encourage your child to use descriptive words to identify the size, color, and shape of objects around your home.

Activity:
Have a treasure hunt using clues to describe the object to find. 
Examples:
-      Find a small and a large ball.
-      Find a little pillow and a big pillow.
-      Find a thin book and a thick book.   
-      Find something taller than you and something shorter than you.



Social Studies
For the next couple of weeks we will be learning all about the five senses and associated body parts (sight-eyes, hearing-eyes, smell-nose, taste-tongue, touch-skin) and how to take care of your body through exercise, cleanliness, healthy foods, and rest.

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                     Art
Wednesday               Art
Thursday                   Art
Friday                         Art