Weeks 11, 12, 13

The last three weeks have flown by!  I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving break!

What have we been up to?

Here are some pictures of a giant Turkey that visited our classroom last week!

The students have been learning about story elements such as characters, setting, problem, and solution.  It can be fun to mention one or two of these things at home when reading with your child.  If he/she doesn't remember what the term means, that is a great opportunity for review.  No story is too simple - we even used a wordless story (pictures only) and were able to identify all four!

The Patchwork Pals Kindergarteners have begun meeting with me for small reading groups.  While most of the class immerses themselves in Daily 5 stations, I meet with a small group of children and work with them on reading strategies.  These can include letter recognition, practicing letter sounds, and/or reading short books with repetitive text and sight words.  Watch for your child to bring home a book he/she has read in reading group.  Please enjoy reading the book with your child at home, and return it to school the next day.  This is the beginning of a lifelong love for reading - be sure to make this time positive and enjoyable for your child!  

Students have been building their own names into block towers and comparing with others.  They have also practiced observing details about our classroom and school in order to find patterns.  

* Deck the Halls!  

Monday (Dec 2) the Kindergarteners will adorn the hallway with holiday decorations galore!  The children will be making projects with all the Kindergarten teachers - that's four projects!  

Mrs. Tongen - Paper Garland

Mrs. Jost - Glitter Ornament

Miss Poppen - Stocking

Mrs. Haglin - Christmas Tree

* Please return your Club's Choice Fundraising Envelope on Monday if you haven't already.

* Various health issues have kept me under the weather these last few weeks.  This is a great reminder for us all to make sure we are washing our hands regularly!

* Please send Trash to Cash on Tuesday!

* Our students will visit Santa's Secret Shop on Monday afternoon before we begin to Deck the Halls.  If your child brings a Santa's Secret Shop Envelope (these came home in the Wednesday Envelope) with money, he/she will be helped by a shopping guide to make sure the correct items are purchased.