November 28, 2011

A note from Ms. Poteet…

I Hope you all had a bountiful Thanksgiving, with good food and even better loved ones!  Now it’s time to prepare for the holidays.  We will do our best to maintain our learning routines during this busy season, as well as have fun with holiday traditions. 

We will be going to see, “Nutcracker in a Nutshell,” on Friday.  The performance will be held at the Louisville Palace, so please make sure your children look nice.  I’m sure your children will love dressing up! We will eat lunch at school, but will need sack lunches and drinks. 

Thank you to all who have asked to participate in the Harmony Helping House.  Our child that we are helping this year is a 16 year-old girl who is interested in painting her nails, wearing jewelry and hanging out with her friends.  If you haven’t responded, and you would like to participate, it’s not too late! Please contact me before Thursday for more information.

Need some adult time? December 9^th is our class “Pretend Sleepover” from 7:00-10:00.  We will have S’mores and popcorn; watch a classic G-rated movie in our P.J.s and sleeping bags.  Contact me if you are interested in signing up for this fun event.  Proceeds go into our class budget, and will be used for instructional materials.  Some families already signed up at the Harmony Harvest. 

What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

We will learn more about Schema, and how to use our background knowledge to make connections. We will visit the school library on Monday.

Writing Workshop

This week we will continue to develop our persuasive letters to Santa, or a special person.

Word Study

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

Math

We will complete our on comparing numbers and begin our unit on addition and subtraction strategies, and we will begin using addition and subtraction symbols. 

Everyday Math Home Link Family Note: “Top It” reinforces number recognition and helps children learn to compare 2 numbers, to decide which number is more or less. (You may remember this game as “War.”) Activity: 1.          Shuffle a deck of number cards (or a regular deck of cards with the face cards removed) and divide the cards evenly between 2 players, face down. 2.       Players turn their top card over at the same time.  The player with the greater numbered card keeps both cards.  If the cards are equal, turn over the next card to see who has the greater card.  3.       Play continues until one player has all or most of the cards. 4.       Vary game play by playing for the least numbered card.

Social Studies

What are maps and what do we use them for?  We will learn the difference between political maps and physical maps, as well as how to make maps.

Important Dates

* Friday, December 2^nd: Field trip to, “Nutcracker in a Nutshell.”

* Tuesday, December 6^th: Our class shopping day at the Book Fair

* Wednesday, December 15^th:  Items for Husky Helping House are due.

* Friday, December 9^th:  Pretend Sleepover 7- 10 p.m.

*Saturday, December 10^th: Donuts with Santa.

Reminders

*Send in a healthy snack and water bottle (with a pull up spout) every day.

* Always dress appropriately for outdoor recess. 

* 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

Mystery Reader

Sarah's Grandmother is our Mystery Reader!

November 21, 2011

A note from Ms. Poteet…

Harmony has started our annual Canned Food Drive.  Please send in non-perishable goods.  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, 2011. 

Our class has adopted a 16 year old girl for the holidays.  She enjoys painting her nails, wearing jewelry, and hanging out with her friends.  She attends one of the Oldham County’s middle schools.  If your family would like to help this young lady, please send in the 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 she wears.  Please don’t just send an item in, because we want to make sure all of her needs are taken care of.  Thanks for all of the families who have already sent in the flyer pledging to donate an item.  All items need to be sent in by December 14, 2011.

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 which 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 made head dresses and vests here at school.

 

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 schema.

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 14, 2011

A note from Ms. Poteet…

Mark your calendar…  Our Thanksgiving Play will be on Tuesday, November 22^nd at 11:20 am.  All families and friends are invited.  You are encouraged to stay afterwards for lunch.  Please return the lunch order form sent home last week by Wednesday if you plan to purchase lunch from the cafeteria.  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 feathers by Tuesday.  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. 

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. 

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 learning about schema.  Students will work on making self-to-text connections.  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 learning how to add and subtract in our heads, reviewing counting, number recognition, and sequencing numbers 0-20.

Math Home Link Family Note: Children enjoy counting, and they find ways to practice this skill all the time.  In addition to counting by 1s, children are learning to “skip count” by 10s.  When your child counts by 10s help him or her connect the counting words with the concept of making groups of 10.  Counting fingers (and toes) is an excellent way to begin. Activity:  Count all the fingers in your family.  Count by 10s.  Count by 1s to double check.  Draw the fingers of all the people in your family.  Try to write the numbers of fingers.  What else could you count by 10s?  (Practice counting several different objects by 10s.)

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

North Oldham Fire Department Field Trip 2011

10 Fire Safety Rules

1.) Don't play with matches and lighters. If you see matches or a lighter where you can reach them, don't touch them. Go tell a grown up right away.
2.) Ask your parents to install smoke detectors on every floor and in the sleeping areas of your home. Smoke detectors can save lives. Ask your parents to show you where each one is located.
3.) Remind your parents to test your smoke detectors every month. Make sure everyone in your family is familiar with its piercing sound. Teach them that this sound means danger, and they must escape quickly.
4.) When your parents change the time on your clocks for Daylight Savings, ask them to change your smoke alarm batteries. Give it fresh batteries and your smoke alarm will stay awake and watch for fire while you are sleeping.
5.) In case of fire: DON'T HIDE, GO OUTSIDE! Fires are scary, but you should NEVER hide in closets or under beds when there is a fire.
6.) To escape during a fire; Fall & Crawl. It is easier to breath in a fire if you stay low while getting out.Use the back of your hand to test if a door is hot before you open it. If it is hot, try to use another way out.
7.) If your clothes are on fire; Stop, Drop, and Roll until the fire is out. Shout for help, but don't run. Running makes fire burn faster.
8.) Have an escape plan and practice it with your family. Find two ways out of every room in case one way is blocked by fire or smoke. Practice escaping by both routes to be sure windows are not stuck and screens can be taken out quickly.
9.) Choose a meeting place outside, such as a big tree or the end of the driveway, so you will know that everyone has gotten out safely. NEVER go back into a burning building for any reason. If someone is missing, tell the firefighters. They have the clothing and equipment to safely rescue people.
10.) Know your local emergency number. Put stickers and magnets with emergency numbers on your refridgerator and every telephone in the house. If there is a fire at your house, choose one family member to leave your meeting place and call the fire department from a neighbors phone.

Mr. Turner is our Mystery Reader!

November 7, 2011

A note from Ms. Poteet…

We are off to a great start with our Thanksgiving play!  The students are learning songs, how to use props and are having a terrific time preparing to perform for you.  All families are invited to attend the play on Tuesday, November 22^nd at 11:20.  Families are also encouraged to stay afterwards to have lunch with their child.  A lunch order form will be coming home today in your child’s Take-Home Folder.  You may also bring your own lunch if you would prefer (I would recommend this option because the lunch line tends to get pretty long).  If you would be willing to lend a helping hand before the play to help get the kids dressed I would appreciate it greatly.  Please send me an e-mail if you can come at 11:00 to help.  We will be making Native American headdresses for our play.  Please send in a pack of long feathers for your child to use in their headdress by Tuesday, November 15^th. 

We have had to change our daily schedule to access the gym for our practice.  Our class now eats lunch from 10:45-11:15.  This is early, so we are saving our snack until the afternoon.  The new lunch time will be in place until Thanksgiving break.  Please share this info with any grandparents, aunts, uncles who may come to join your child for lunch. 

Field trip permission slips and payments are due on Wednesday, November 9^th. 

As a school policy, kindergarteners do not bring home their first progress report like the other kids do.  During our conference I will be able to thoroughly go over your child’s progress report and explain how they are performing and being assessed.  Parent-Teacher Conferences begin November 10^th.  If you haven’t had a chance to do so, please call the office at 228-2228 after 9:00am to schedule a meeting. 

What are we learning?

Reading Workshop

We will read a variety of Native American stories and folk tales.  We will also do DRA reading assessments. 

Writing Workshop

This week we are viewing some of our writing strategies that many students have forgotten.  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 at, am, & an word families.  We will also learn how to read and write these words that will be added to our Word Wall: am, then, we. Have your child sing you the songs for these words.

Math

We will begin a new unit on comparing numbers.  We will use the photographs of our macaroni necklaces to compare numbers, patterns, and write about our learning. 

Social Studies

Native American studies: we practice our Thanksgiving play. 

Important Dates

* Tuesday, November 8^th: Election Day- No School

* November 10^th & 15^th: Parent-Teacher Conferences

* November 22^nd: Kindergarten Thanksgiving Play at 11:20!  Families are encouraged to attend!

* November 23^rd-25^th: Thanksgiving Break- No School

Reminders

*Send in a healthy snack and water bottle every day.

* Always dress appropriately for outdoor recess. 

* Sign your child’s weekly planner every night.

* Library book due every Friday.

Related Arts Schedule

Monday - Friday Music