Letter Focus

Our Phonics curriculum takes us through the letters of the alphabet.  It is important for your child to be able to recognize not only each capital and lowercase letter, but also the sound it makes.  (Begin with short vowel sounds, for the vowels, as in "cat", "set", "pig", "dog", and "bug").

Here are some ways we have been practicing our letters so far:

Alphabet chart - every day we say the letter, the sound, and the picture.  If you read alphabet books at home, be sure to include the "sound" in your reading.  (Example: A, /a/-make the short a sound, Apple)

Letter Videos (click a letter to try):

Forming letters with play-doh.  Another fun one you can have them show you at home!

 Handwriting Books - we have begun practicing the correct way to form each letter.  The first important step is to start each letter at the top.  If you notice your child starting at the bottom, don't make a big deal out of it, but do remind and correct them occasionally to train them in the right way.  Here is a song that has helped us:

Where Do We Start Our Letters?

Week 2

This week we have moved past simple routines into real academics.  We began both reading and math.  The kids were excited to start!

Reading

Each student has his/her own book box.  We learned about different ways to read a book, and practiced.

Our goal is to increase our stamina (yes, our Kinders now know this word!) to read independently for longer and longer each day.  Our longest stamina this week was 1 minute and 5 seconds.  

Classroom Expectations

We reviewed Classroom Expectations by learning about Wiggles the Dog.  Wiggles came to school and didn't know the rules, but he soon learned.  We read the book and made a puppet!  Students used their puppet to tell others how Wiggles followed the rules at school.

Books We've Shared

Ask your child about these books!

Bus Buddies

Our sixth grade bus buddies have been helping us at the end of each day.  They hold hands with our Kindergarten students and help them find the correct bus.  Next week we begin finding our buses on our own!

Picture Day

Friday was picture day, which was an exciting event for everyone.  Sweet smiles all around!

* I am in need of a volunteer to come in this Wednesday, September 18th.  Please click on the VolunteerSpot button on the right side of the blog, email me, or write a note if you would like to be a part of our classroom that day.  All following Wednesdays are open as well!

* Some parents have indicated they would be willing to cut/color/staple items at home.  Thank you!  Be watching for a plastic baggie with supplies and instructions coming home with your child.  Please return the items ASAP so that we can use them!

* Tuesday, September 17th is Volunteer Orientation in the Elementary Media Center from 6 - 6:30.  This is required in order to volunteer, even if you plan to only attend field trips.

* Your child will be learning about Bus Safety on Tuesday.  We will go outside and go on a bus, see some puppets, and learn how to be safe.

* Our book order is due Wednesday, September 18th.  Feel free to order using the paper form that was sent home, or click on the button on the right side of this blog to order online.

What We Love About Kindergarten

Our thoughts on Kindergarten so far:

Kindergarten Rocks from Patchwork Pals on Vimeo.

Wonderful Week 1

* Be sure to check your child's Roundtrip Folder and Family Notebook and return it the next day.

* Please return the scrapbook page as soon as possible so it can be assembled into a class book.

* If you did not choose the Snack Cart Option, please send a shoebox-size plastic bin (with lid) filled with individual snacks for your child.  Dry snacks are preferred.

* Kindergarten Parent Night is Thursday, September 12th from 6:00-6:45.

Watch the video!

It has been a great first week, and we have learned so much!  This week has largely been centered on practicing what it's like to be in school.  Your child is becoming an expert at where his/her supplies belong, how to treat friends and adults with respect, getting in line, walking in the hall, and much more.

We read the book The Quiet Place by Dan Andreasen.  At times, everyone needs to take a break from what is happening at the moment and find a quiet place.  The students and I have a spot in the room where any of us is free to take a break when we need it.  Each student practiced what it looks like and feels like to "Take a Break" - our voices turn off and our hands rest.  We can quietly think, and no one else bothers us. (Any moms and dads want to leave work and come to our quiet place?  It's really great for managing those tough moments when our feelings or our bodies are overwhelmed.)

Aly practicing the Take a Break spot

We also read Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr/Eric Carle.

We put on our "spy glasses" and walked around the school looking for the animals we saw in this book.  They were everywhere!  They helped us tour the school.

We sent home our very first Wednesday Envelope.  Thank you for signing and sending this back the very next day!  We will use these to send most of our important communication.

We work with a calendar daily on the Smart Board.  Part of our daily routine is singing about the months of the year.

Mrs. Nies taught us the Expectations (Rules) for the playground and the hallway.  We got a chance to practice both!

As a class, we came up with our own Classroom Expectations.  All the students signed their names, agreeing to follow these expectations.  We are getting very good at them as we practice!

Happy Birthday Calvin!

Calvin's was the first birthday we celebrated in our Patchwork Pals Classroom!  He was delighted to see his special seat cover, crown, and sunglasses.  He got to sit on the tall stool and answer 3 questions from classmates.

We created a book for Calvin to take home:

Each student drew a picture of what gift they would like to get for Calvin.  We taped flaps over the gifts so they would be a surprise!  We hope you had fun taking this book home and reading it, Calvin!

Happy Birthday!

First Day - Hooray!!!

Greetings!  Our very first day was a time of 

discovery and learning!

Watch a video of our day -

We read The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn and made a project related to the story.

We kicked off the school year with a school-wide assembly at 1:15 to learn about Irish Pride.  

The children explored the room, including pattern blocks, foam and wooden 3-D figures, our creative play kitchen, math counters, puppets, and puzzles.

What a great first day!  Thank you for sharing your child with me as they experienced this milestone!

* Be sure to check your child's Roundtrip Folder and return it the next day.

* Please return the scrapbook page as soon as possible so it can be assembled into a class book.

* If you did not choose the Snack Cart Option, please send a shoebox-size plastic bin (with lid) filled with individual snacks for your child.  Dry snacks are preferred.

* Kindergarten Parent Night is Thursday, September 12th from 6:00-6:45.

One More Day!

Tomorrow is the first day of school!

I hope you have enjoyed your Labor Day Weekend.  If you went to the State Fair, maybe you can relate to this video of Cookie Monster seeing (and wanting) some delicious food.

Cookie Monster Video

See you tomorrow on our first day!