MATH

We are already on our third unit of math.  The first unit was on sorting things into groups:  same color, size and/or shape.  The second unit reviewed position words such as over, under, top, middle, bottom, left, right, etc.

Our new unit in math is making patterns.  In this picture, some students use their time in the morning before school starts to fill in a tray with pattern blocks.  We will make patterns using color, shape and size.  By the end of the year, students are expected to make a three part patter.  An example would be:  red, yellow, green, red, yellow, green.  We are also busy looking for patterns in numbers and letters/words as well!

Lunch!

The lunch room is a place full of chatter and energy.  During lunch, children may sit with whoever they want.  Already there are friendships developing between the Kindergarteners and first/second graders.  Children chat about family, pets, sports, and other things of interest.

The lunchroom is also a great place to practice table manners.  We have had more than one conversation about burping, chewing with your mouth closed, and waiting to be excused!

Children also have an opportunity to practice making choices about what they are going to eat.  Many in our class bring their own lunch, and those that eat hot lunch have two meal choices each day.

Recess and lunch are definitely favorite times of the day for many children!

Children line up when it is time to go back to the classroom.

Puzzle Mania!

There are students in this class that like a good challenge!  When I told them that last year's class LOVED puzzles and were up to putting together 300 piece puzzles, a group this year decided they would take that on and see if they could do it, too!

There were wooden puzzles to start with.  Then a few 24 piece ones, then a few 25 piece ones, :)  then a 60 piece one.  After that, we had to jump to 100!!  Already!!

They needed help building the outside of this first 100 piece puzzle, but it would be long before they can do that part on their own as well!

Heart Words

Heart words (sight words) are here!  The first four words we work on in Kindergarten will be in your Tuesday envelopes this week.  Along with those four words will be a sheet full of ideas for how to make practicing the heart words fun for children.  Check it out!

By the end of the year the children will be exposed to 64 heart words.  The expectation is that they will know 20 of these words 'by heart.'  It is my experience that all children reach that goal and many exceed that goal!

It is also my experience that many children struggle with heart words in the fall.  Then, after the Winter Break, the light bulbs start to go on over their heads and the words start to 'stick' in their memories a lot faster.  Until that happens, make sure to keep the practices fun!!!

The Ever Mysterious Kindie Backpack

Right about this time of the year I start to get questions about the students' backpacks.  There are concerns about papers coming home and papers being turned in at school.  First of all, let me reassure you that having trouble with this is very normal!

In Kindergarten we work on unpacking the backpack and handing in notes, library books, Tuesday envelopes and homework all year long!  It is one of the toughest things to get used to for many children.  I remind them each morning to check their bag to see if there is anything to hand in.  On very important days, such as picture day, I will actually check the bag of anyone who is missing important papers.

The children will clearly hear the message at home and at school:  Check your backpack!  Together we will have each student taking charge of this job by the end of the year!

Magazine Mess

Students were paging through magazines today looking for pictures of things that start with the /s/ sound.  Ask them what kind of things they were able to find!

The letters we have officially studied so far are Mm and Ss.  The next letter will be Ff.

Book Orders!

The September book order arrived yesterday.  I have packaged them up and will be sending them home today in backpacks.  If you ordered books from Scholastic, please check your child's bag!  Please return the protective plastic envelope.  Enjoy your new books!

The Puzzle Table

In the back of the room there is a table for doing puzzles.  At this time of year, the puzzles start out easy.  If some or all of the students take an interest, the puzzles get harder as the children become more skilled.

Here a student uses puzzle pieces to put the numbers in the correct order.

Classroom Rules

On Monday students sat in a circle and came up classroom rules.  We discussed the importance of having rules if we want to achieve our Hopes and Dreams for the year.  These are the rules they all agreed upon.  Each student signed their name at the bottom along with mine.  The signature means they will do their best to follow the classroom rules.

Watch your Tuesday folder for a paper that has our rules written on it and explains the "think spot" and more!

Today's Centers

Job:  Write your numbers in your math journal from 1-9

Practice using stencils when you are done

Job:  Put together a floor puzzle

Work together or alone

Job:  Sort blocks by color, shape, and size

Work together to finish the job

Job:  Make a picture using matching shapes

Job:  Sort the counters by color or shape

Everyone sorts their own 

Job:  Quietly enjoy looking at books in the Reading Nook

"Ms. Tacke, I'm Done!"

It is very typical for a 5 and  6 year old to rush through their work so they can be the first one to say, "DONE!"  Our class is working on slowing down and focusing on our work.  We are also sharing examples of quality work and how that should look.  Other times we know we are practicing and the work will not be shared.

But there are some students who just plain work faster than others.  When that happens, children who are done with their work are encouraged to go to the circle and look at a book quietly while they wait for the other students to finish.  The tubs of books in the circle get rotated at least seasonally to keep it interesting for the student!

Meet Ms. Rakke

Each day the Kindergarteners get a chance to go to music class with Ms. Rakke.  It is one of their favorite times of the day!

If you have not had a chance to meet Ms. Rakke yet, she is always available in Commons B on conference nights to say hello and discuss your child's progress in music class.

No Fair! :)

I often hear this when older students realize that the Kindergarten students do not have to clean up at the bell.  Students in our room get an extra 10 - 15 minutes to 'play' before clean up.  This is important learning time!  Children are practicing their social skills, student manners, and learning as they manipulate different toys in different ways.  It is also a great time for them to stretch their imaginations! I love listening in on the games they make up!

Each week I try to take out a few tubs of toys and replace them with new ones so that there is something fresh to 'play' with.  During this time children can also be reading in the reading nook or writing/coloring at the tables.  

What a great way to learn and practice important skills at school.  Sounds fair and a like wise use of time to me!  

Meet Shar

Shar is a very important person in our Kindergarten classroom!  She helps us with snack, recess, lunch, testing, manners, bathroom, tutoring, fun projects, and so much more!  If you hear Shar's name a lot in the stories at home, it is because she is so important to us!  Thank you Shar!!!

I think the students had a GREAT first week of school.  They are learning to use their classroom manners and share tools and toys with other children.  We are practicing all the names in the room.  Ask your child for the name of a new friend they have made this week!

I look forward to seeing them all again next week!  Have a great weekend!

Help Needed!

Each child is given a lunch number.  They keep the same number all through elementary school.  The Kindergarten students are having trouble remembering their numbers.  There are people to help, but lunch would go so much smoother if you could have them practice their number at home.  Then students will spend a lot less time standing in line and waiting.  THANK YOU!!

First Day of Kindergarten

"So what did you do at school today?"

If your child answers, "Stand in a line," they are correct!  It seems like we spend a great deal of the first day standing in lines.  Good to know that the children get faster at it over a few days so we don't continue to line up so much after the first few days!

Our BEST line today:

Our BEST circle today:  

Lining up to come in from recess:

Finally we get to play!!!!!