Playing Outside
August 29, 2011
Parent Orientation PowerPoint
FYI Families- I am having trouble loading the PowerPoint from Parent Orientation. I will post it as soon as I figure out the problem. Sorry! In the mean time take a look at our Classroom Handbook (on the tab to the right).
August 28, 2011
Explore Time!
After learning about the differnt pattern block shapes, the students took a little time to make patterns and experiment with the blocks. They had so much fun! Check out some of their creations.
August 27, 2011
August 29, 2011
A note from Ms. Poteet…
Thank you for coming to Parent Orientation. It was great to see so many faces. Kindergarten students’ reading skills progress so quickly, but I need your help. I would like to have every child meet with their reading group every day. That is such an amazing opportunity for the children. To do this, I need about three more people to be a weekly reading group volunteers, or to commit to two days/week. Dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles are always welcome volunteers! I promise it is easy and fun and only takes 30 minutes per week. If you are able to do this, please email me. J
Check out our Classroom Handbook Tab to the right. You will find a downloadable copy of our classroom handbook. If you’d like a paper copy, please let me know and I’d be happy to print one for you. Thank you for sending healthy snacks and water bottles every day! They sure enjoy snack time.
If your family purchases apples from Costco (I am not sure if Sam's Club also sells apples in large plastic egg crate type containers), I would love it if you would be willing to donate the plastic containers. Feel free to send them in through out the year. These containers make great sorting trays for the students. Thanks in advance!
If your family purchases apples from Costco (I am not sure if Sam's Club also sells apples in large plastic egg crate type containers), I would love it if you would be willing to donate the plastic containers. Feel free to send them in through out the year. These containers make great sorting trays for the students. Thanks in advance!
We will go to the Scholastic Bookfair on Wednesday at 8:30. Families are invited to join us and help them shop for books.
Keep practicing those lunch numbers!
In the middle of September, I will begin “Shoe Tying Awards” for those who know how to tie their own shoes. Practice, practice!
What are we learning?
Reading Workshop
We are learning how to take care of book and how to find them and put them away in our classroom library. We will learn how to use symbols and pictures on the backs of the books to help us find the correct basket.
Writing Workshop
This week, we are learning how writing workshop looks and sounds. We are also learning how to put a capital at the beginning and a period at the end of our sentences. Be sure to look for those family journals on Friday. They sure loved reading your responses on Monday!
Handwriting
Handwriting instruction will focus on developing fine motor skills as well as the proper formation of the following letters: G, g, T and t.
Word Study
This week, we will explore the letters Gg and Tt. Ask your child about the letter sound chants for both. We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: you, if, of. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.
Math
We are learning how to count and represent numbers, graphing our birthday and sorting coins. We are also working on sound, motion and color patterns.
Everyday Math Home Links When children are ready to, they learn to love books and want to become readers. In a similar way, children develop positive feelings about mathematics by sharing pleasurable experiences as they count, measure, compare, estimate, and discover patterns in everyday life. Kindergarten Home Links provide a guide to a variety of activities that parents and children can share in a spirit of exploration and enjoyment, much as they share interesting stories. The reward for young children is not mathematics will not be a puzzling abstraction but will make sense to them as part of their real world. Take a moment to look at the Family Note. Then, together with your child, read and do the activity described below. Family Note: Sorting helps children develop the ability to examine a variety of items and to develop classification categories into which they can be grouped. Activity: Before unpacking the grocery bag, try to guess how many items are inside it. Then count to see how close you were. Sort the grocery items into groups. Explain why you put certain items together. Can you think of a different way to sort the items? You can also practice sorting other items at home such as toys, books, or coins. |
Science
This week we are learning about the four seasons and how the sun affects us. We will also explore local weather forecast and learn about types of clouds, precipitation and climate zones.
Related Arts Schedule
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
PE | Art | Art | Art | Art |
August 18, 2011
August 22, 2011
A note from Ms. Poteet…
We had a wonderful first full week of school! I have enjoyed getting to know all of the students and watch them learn the classroom routine and make new friends.
Please make every effort to attend our Parent Orientation Night on August 25th at 7:00pm (come at 6:30 pm if you would like to receive confidentiality training- a requirement for all volunteers). You will learn all about our classroom, homework procedures, and volunteer opportunities.
Wednesday is our first early release day. School will end at 12:25pm. Please let me know in writing if your child’s transportation will change.
School officially begins at 7:50 am, but students have many morning responsibilities including review work. Please try to get your child to school between 7:30 and 7:35 (All bus riders already arrive at this time). By getting your child to school early they will be able to take care of their morning jobs, review concepts we are learning in class, and start their day off fresh.
Please sign or initial your child’s Weekly Planner every night and return it to school the following day. Feel free to leave me a comment or ask a question in the open space.
Your child will need to bring a snack with at least 15 pieces on Thursday, August 25th. Some examples include Cheerios, raisins, Gold Fish, or grapes. We will be using our snack to practice counting backwards.
In order to make our classroom feel more like home, please send a photograph of your child and your family in a picture frame (please take out the front piece of glass). It will be returned at the end of the year.
What are we learning?
Reading Workshop
This week we are starting our author study on Eric Carle. We will read several of his books, discuss the characters in the books and complete many engaging activities to go along with each book. On Friday we are going to create a bar graph of our favorite Eric Carle books.
Writing Workshop
We are going to start our Kid Writing unit this week. Students will begin adding spaces in between their words, try to write each word the best they can and then move on, and try to sound out their words. On Friday, we are writing our second entry 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 following letters: S, s, R, & r
Word Study
This week, we will explore the letters Ss and Rr. Ask your child about the letter sound chants for both. We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: and, he, a. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.
Math
We are learning how to make comparisons using length, compare pattern blocks, count objects by one, count down by zero, and show the numbers 1-9.
Everyday Math Home Links When children are read to, they learn to love books and want to become readers. In a similar way, children develop positive feelings about mathematics by sharing pleasurable experiences as they count, measure, compare, estimate, and discover patterns in everyday life. Kindergarten Home Links provide a guide to a variety of activities that parents and children can share in a spirit of exploration and enjoyment, much as they share interesting stories. The reward for young children is not mathematics will not be a puzzling abstraction but will make sense to them as part of their real world. Take a moment to look at the Family Note. Then, together with your child, read and do the activity described below. Family Note: The process of filling containers and comparing how much each can hold gives your child the opportunity to experiment with the measurement of volume without worrying about exact answers. For this activity, make sure that the containers are nonbreakable. Bath time provides an excellent opportunity to experiment and play with containers of all shapes and sizes. Activity: Collect some containers that are different shapes and sizes, such as cottage cheese cartons, plastic bottles, and juice containers. Use the containers to pour water back and forth. Try to find out which containers hold the most, which containers hold the least, and which containers hold the same amount. |
Social Studies
This week we are continuing our community unit. We are learning how to take turns, work as a team, and listen to learn.
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.
* Have your child practice memorizing their lunch number at home.
* It’s time for all kindergartners to practice tying their own shoes. Thanks for your help with this at home! J
Related Arts Schedule
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
PE | PE | PE | PE | PE |
August 12, 2011
August 15, 2011
A note from Ms. Poteet…
Our first week of school went off without a hitch! Mark your calendars for our Parent Orientation Night on August 25th from 6:30-8:00pm. You will learn all about our classroom, homework procedures, and volunteer opportunities.
Don’t forget to send in a healthy peanut-free snack and water bottle every day!
What are we learning?
Reading Workshop
We are learning what strong readers do! Strong readers read every day, think and talk about the books they read, and read everything in sight.
Writing Workshop
This week, we are learning that we are all writers and how to use our Writer’s Notebooks. On Friday, we are writing our first entry 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 following letters: B, b, M, & m
Word Study
This week, we will explore the letters Bb and Mm. Ask your child about the letter sound chants for both. We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: to, the. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.
Math
We are learning how to count objects by one, count orally, and show numbers 1-9.
Everyday Math Home Links When children are read to, they learn to love books and want to become readers. In a similar way, children develop positive feelings about mathematics by sharing pleasurable experiences as they count, measure, compare, estimate, and discover patterns in everyday life. Kindergarten Home Links provide a guide to a variety of activities that parents and children can share in a spirit of exploration and enjoyment, much as they share interesting stories. The reward for young children is not mathematics will not be a puzzling abstraction but will make sense to them as part of their real world. Take a moment to look at the Family Note. Then, together with your child, read and do the activity described below. Family Note: Children enjoy counting things. Be on the lookout for opportunities to practice this skill. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how counting things brings about many playful and productive mathematics activities. Counting hops, skips, jumps, and sidesteps helps children develop counting skills as well as coordination. Activity: Count the steps you need to walk from the sidewalk to the front door (or any two places). Try to walk the same distance with fewer steps or more steps. Get into the counting habit! When you take a walk, try hopping, skipping, jumping, or sidestepping a certain number of times. |
Social Studies
We are creating a list of our class rules, learning our class promise, and learning how we behave during class meetings.
Reminders
* Our classroom gets very chilly sometimes. Please send in a light jacket or sweater for your child to keep in their back pack.
* It’s time for all kindergartners to practice tying their own shoes. Thanks for your help with this at home! J
Related Arts Schedule
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
Music | Music | Music | Music | Music |
August 7, 2011
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