Playing Outside

Playing Outside

August 31, 2012

September 4, 2012

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

Our first Early Release Day is on Wednesday.  School will dismiss at 12:25pm.  Please make sure your child knows where they will be going after school.

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!  J

Check out our class blog (http://mspoteetsclass.blogspot.com/) for more information about what we are learning in school and to look at our new pictures.

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 sound out our words like “bubble gum” and add spaces in between our words.   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: I, he, it.  Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

 Math
We are learning how to sort objects according to their measureable attributes. 
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.

 Social Studies
This week we are learning about the Positive Discipline’s Wheel of Choice. 

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


Support your Team Day!

On the Husky Team!  Go Huskies!


On the UK Team! Go Cats!


On the UofL Team! Go Cardinals!



August 27, 2012

August 27, 2012

A note from Ms. Poteet…

Remember… our Parent Orientation Night on August 30th from 6:30-8:00pm.  The first half hour (6:30-7:00) is confidentiality training in the gym.  If you plan on volunteering in any capacity, you must have this training. Afterward, you will be sent to the classroom. You will learn all about our classroom, homework procedures, and volunteer opportunities.  This is the best way to prepare yourself for the upcoming year- attendance isn’t mandatory, but…. You should be there!  Remember, this is for parents; no little ones please!  If you have more than one child, you will have time to visit the other classrooms.

Don’t forget to send in a healthy snack and water bottle every day! 

Does your child know how to tie their shoes? Again, now your child is at the perfect age to learn.  Help your child gain confidence through independence.

What are we learning?
 Reading Workshop
We are reading many of the wonderful stories written by Eric Carle.  We will also write our own class book, “Hero, Hero, What do you see?”  If you have Eric Carle books at home, this would be a perfect time to use them as your night time stories!

Writing Workshop
This week, again, we are learning that we are all writers and how to use our Writer’s Notebooks.  Our first week of Family Journals was a success!  Please take time over the weekend to read your child’s letter to you and respond.  If you have your child’s Family Journal at home still, please make sure to return it soon. 

Handwriting
Handwriting instruction will focus on developing fine motor skills as well as the proper formation of the following letters:  R, r, S, and s. 

Word Study
This week, we will explore the letters Rr and Ss. 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: a, to, in.  Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

 Math
We are learning how to use linear measurements as a way to compare objects, and comparing coins by attributes.
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. 

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.



Family Note: Take a moment to look at the Family Note.  Then, together with your child, read and do the activity described below. 

Your children are learning that they are readers.  As you drive though the community, encourage them to read the street and business signs that they know.  When you are at the grocery store, encourage them to read the brand names that they recognize.  They’ll feel great about themselves, and you’ll get a kick out of seeing how excited they are to read.



 Social Studies
Teamwork is our MegaSkill this month, and that is our focus in class, as well.  We will engage in fun activities that teach teamwork.

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


August 17, 2012

August 20, 2012

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 30th from 7:00-8:00pm.  You will learn all about our classroom, homework procedures, and volunteer opportunities.   If you would like to participate in field trips or volunteer at school you may attend the confidentiality training right before Parent Orientation starting at 6:30 in the school gym.  You must attend the confidentiality training in order to volunteer. 

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, read everything in sight, and read different types of texts for different reasons. 

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: and, the.  Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

 Math
We are learning how to describe measurable attributes of objects, such as length.  We are also learning to compare two objects to see which object is longer/shorter. 

 Social Studies
Ms. Hammons is coming to teach us about I-Care Cat and his rules. 

 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 1, 2012

Welcome Kinderpups!

Welcome to Kindergarten! I hope you and your family had a fabulous summer and are excited to start the new school year. This is our classroom blog. I will update our blog every Monday with important information including what we are learning, important dates, pictures of our classroom adventures, and other school news. Take some time to explore our blog before school starts. If you click on the “Leo the Leopard Gecko” tab you will get to meet our cool classroom pet. Parents also check out the homework, FAQ, and school wide food policy tabs for your information.



I look forward to meeting everyone at the Kindergarten Open House on August 9th from 6-7pm. Please bring your child’s school supplies to our open house.

Important Dates
August 9th: Kindergarten Open House from 6:00-7:00
August 15th: First Day of School!!!!