Friday Note

Friday Note 8-21-15

Events of the Week:  I can’t believe how quickly the week has gone and how much we are learning each and every day. The children are working hard to follow the rules and are enjoying their special classes.  Below you will find a “sneak peek” of the week.  Our literature block is divided into different workshops.  These workshops each have a specific format and target.  For example, in Language Workshop we focus on a Shared Reading book and discuss/find vocabulary, sight words, concepts of print (amongst other things) and complete literature responses.  In Writing Workshop, we focus on learning and practicing the strategies necessary to be good writers.

Language Workshop: This week we started our “All About Me” theme.  Our Shared Reading for the week was Things I Like.  We introduced the sight word “I” this week.  Be sure to practice finding "I" in books and other writing. 

Writing Workshop: Our predictable chart was “I am a ____” (boy/girl).  Each student dictates a sentence and then the teacher models writing it on the chart paper (see below).  This week we focused on the fact that words are written from left to right. 

Reading Workshop: We started playing the Name Game.  This is a fun way to learn more about our classmates and the letters in their name.  What a fun way to make new friends!

Math:  In math, we started a unit on Shapes.  We identified and learned the attributes of rectangles, squares, circles, triangles, and hexagons.  

Sight Words:  Sight words are common words that tend to appear often when reading and writing.  By mastering words, such as our sight words, children become more fluent readers.  Each week we will add a sight word or two to our list.  Students will be assessed each quarter over these words.  They should be able to “read” each sight word within 3 seconds. A great way to practice these words with your child is to make a set of flash cards. 

Predictable Chart:  Every few weeks (especially for the first part of the year while your child is still learning about concepts of print) we will make a class book.  It takes us four or five days to do this.  On the first and/or second day we make a list together.  This list is made up of sentences.  Everyone in the class has a sentence that is similar (ex. My favorite color is _____.)  On the third day each child reads his/her sentence and points to each word.  On the fourth day we take two or three sentences and cut them apart between the words.  We practice putting the sentences back together in the correct order.  On the fifth and final day, we make the book.  Each child cuts his/her sentence apart, mixes up the words, and then puts them back together.  Then he/she will glue the sentence on a piece of paper.  To finish the page, the child will illustrate his/her sentence.  All the pages will be put together to make the class book.  We call this whole process a predictable chart. 

I hope you hear your child coming home each day saying, “We are learning to... (Ex: We are learning to find squares.)  These are the learning targets that we focus on each and every lesson.  These learning targets come from our standards that the state of Missouri requires us to teach in Kindergarten.  These standards are called the Common Core Standards.  Every week we will focus on new skills in reading and math.  These skills are posted in our classroom so we can refer to them while learning.  

VOLUNTEER TRAINING We will be conducting our first volunteer training on September 2nd at 2:00 in the Clever Conference Center.  This is a wonderful opportunity for you to be involved in your child's classroom by reading with students, monitoring group and center work, and assisting with other class activities.  Our parent volunteers are required to have a back ground check conducted and the cost is approximately $50.   This is a one time cost to you and will be good for upcoming years (as long as you volunteer at least once a year).  If you are able to volunteer, please consider doing so.  We value our parents and the irreplaceable role that you play in your child's education.  Please contact Ms. Joetta at 743-4810 if you plan to attend.  The Kindergarten teachers would love to have parent volunteers available to help with lunch each day.  Thank you.

Important Dates:

Ø Sept. 7- Labor Day-No School

Ø Sept. 2- Volunteer Training

Ø Sept. 12- Grandparent’s Day 10:00am-11:30am (more info to follow)

~The beginning of the school year can be a difficult time for families.  Getting back into a routine can be challenging both for children and parents.  One idea to help your kindergartner get calmed down for bedtime is to read together each night before tucking him/her into bed.  Reading to your child has SO many benefits—not to mention giving your child some of that precious one-on-one time that kids love so much.  As the year progresses, you’ll be amazed at all the letters and words your child will be able to find while you are reading together.  In fact, we have already learned to look for the word “I”.  Happy reading!

Reading Challenge Information about the first quarter Reading Challenge was sent home this week.  Be sure to work towards meeting your child’s reading goal by reading as often as possible.  Thank you.

 Important Information and Reminders:

• Please be sure to send all money to school in an envelope with your child’s name, teacher’s name, purpose of money (i.e. lunch money), and amount. 

• When the weather gets too hot, too cold, or too rainy, we will have inside recess.  It is a good idea to leave a small toy in your child’s backpack for inside recess. 
• Remember, we are not eating lunch until 12:00 each day.   Even though we eat a small snack, this is a long morning.  Please make sure your child eats a well-balanced breakfast to ensure that they do not become hungry.
• Please make sure to write your child’s name inside of his/her jackets and coats.  It is amazing how quickly our lost and found fence gets filled up! 

*Thanks so much for all the items you have sent in from our wish list.  I really appreciate it! J

    In an attempt to help the environment, we are going to stop sending home paper copies of our Friday Note.  A paper copy will continue to be sent home until August 28^th.   After August 28^th, paper copies will no longer be sent home unless a specific written request for a paper copy is made.  Please fill out the attached paper and return it by Monday.  Our classroom blog is up and running.  Please check it often as I will be posting updates and important information.  Be sure to subscribe to it so you receive an email each time I post on our blog. 

Mrs. Wenger’s Kindergarten Blog:  http://mrswenger-kindergarten.blogspot.com

Next Week:

o   We will continue our All About Me theme. 

o   In math we will begin learning how to sort objects.  Be looking for a math paper coming home on Monday discussing our new unit.  

o   We will continue to do our Name Game each day until every student has had a turn.  

o   We will learn to recognize the letters and sounds for Bb and Mm.

Have a Great Weekend!!

Mrs. Wenger

Note from Mrs. Wallin regarding circle drive:

Our before and after school routines have drastically improved since day one!  We are getting students unloaded, loaded, and safely delivered in a timely manner and for that, we owe you a HUGE THANK YOU!!! 

In order to keep things running smoothly, here are the top 5 ways you can help us in Circle Drive:

1.     Line up beginning at 2:45 (12:45 on Fridays) for afternoon circle drive.  This helps us keep the circle drive clear for emergency vehicles the majority of the school day.

2.    Turn right on Brown Street as you exit and continue going straight on Brown at the intersection.

3.    Please have your student ready for drop-off in the mornings.  Finish your good-byes, kisses, gathering supplies, getting unbuckled, etc. prior to departure. 

4.    We try to maintain a smoke free campus, therefore please refrain from smoking in circle drive.

5.    For the safety and efficiency of traffic flow, please refrain from texting/talking on cell phones in circle drive.

This year I will use a weekly newsletter to keep you informed.  In an attempt to help the environment, we try to communicate through a classroom blog.  Our blog will contain information about what’s going on in our classroom.  Occasionally I will post group pictures of our class on this blog.  Your child will not be photographed alone, nor will he/she be identified by name.  Also, last names are never used on the blog.    

After August 28^th, paper copies of our Friday Notes will no longer be sent home unless a specific written request for a paper copy is made.  Our classroom blog is up and running.  Please check it often as I will be posting updates and important information.  Be sure to subscribe to it so you receive an email each time I post on our blog.  Please sign and return the bottom portion of this Friday Note acknowledging this important information.

Mrs. Wenger’s Kindergarten Blog: 

http://mrswenger-kindergarten.blogspot.com

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Please check what applies to you and return on Monday, August 24, 2015.

___ I am aware that paper copies of the Friday        Note will no longer be         sent home.

____ I will access the Friday Note and other important information           by subscribing to the classroom blog.

____ I would like for Mrs. Wenger to subscribe me to the blog.

        Email Address: ________________________________________

____ I need a paper copy sent home each week. 

Student Name: ___________________________________

Parent Signature: _________________________________ 

Thank you for your

understanding and support!!