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!