Kindergarten Highlights
September 17, 2018
Our first week of kindergarten is in the books. The boys and girls adjusted nicely and spent the week making friends and learning the daily routine. We accomplished a lot both at home and in the classroom. Thank you for your help setting up the drop spot at home and dedicating time to the homework helper work sheet. It is important for children to create good habits and feel a sense of accomplishment.
In the classroom we explored the art, S.T.E.M. and writing areas. We discussed the expected behaviors and use of the tools in each of those spots. These areas will be used to build responsibility, time management, and encourage exploration and cooperation with classmates. We believe in both guiding children to explore new ideas and in fostering good choices which will help build self-esteem and confidence.
The class is enjoying the ThinkEarth unit and learning how we can be more aware of our usage of paper to help save trees. This week we will “make” new paper out of newsprint. It’s a fun way for children to see the importance of recycling paper and how it can be turned into something new. We’ll be sending home a booklet on recycling, distributed by Marlboro Township, that shares ways we can help by being “green.”
Thursday and Friday afternoon we will be joining the school wide initiative recognizing Worldwide Gratitude Day and International Peace Day. The beginning of the school year is a fine time to begin thinking about the things we are lucky to have: new friends, start of a new school year, family and our health.
Looking ahead to the end of September, we will begin the ocean unit to in order to prepare for the upcoming trip to Sandy Hook the first Friday in October.
This week we plan on learning more about our classmates, areas in the kindergarten room, and our Making Meaning Series. The students will hear, think about, and talk about books together. They will learn to cooperatively share their ideas with each other and with the class to become a classroom of readers. In unit 1, the students make text to-self connections and answer questions to understand stories. Just because a student can read text does not necessarily mean there is comprehension.
In math we will review, re-teach as needed and explore number 1 – 5. That includes proper formation, understanding of how many, and other skills incorporating usage of numbers. We will explore ordinals with the help of Beanie Babies and hold Beanie Baby races to determine 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place. We will engage in board games to help reinforce color words and numbers 1- 100.
We will focus this week on the letter Cc through centers, literature, fine motor activities, penmanship and phonemic awareness.
Last week we introduced some vocabulary and terms necessary to play Sudoku. I will be sending home a FYI sheet for parents as well. I hope to introduce the object of the puzzles and model how to play this week. I think we will have great success in introducing this critical thinking game to the students as well. It is another wonderful way to spend time together thinking out loud and modeling higher level skills.
Weather permitting we will be outside so be weather aware and dress accordingly. Don’t forget the refillable water bottle especially in the warmer humid weather. If you haven’t already sent in the 4×6 photo of your child, please do so.
Thank you in advance for your support at home. As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to speak with me.
On we go to week two! I am looking forward to having an amazing year. Don’t hesitate to send in notes or ask questions if there is something you feel I need to know or you would like to know. Again, welcome to kindergarten.
Lynn Krachie
Categorised in: Ms. Krachie, News