Homecoming Week

Our Homecoming week was AWESOME!  Students got to participate in the walk and healthy activities on Friday.  They also got to celebrate our success in raising $21, 300 for our school by throwing pies inthe face of our principal, Mr. Johnson.  Check out the fun below.

Kindergartners on the walk

Our class on the walk

Soccer kick

Ball toss

Tug-o-war

Frisbee throw

Just one of the five pies Mr. Johnson got in the face.

Weekly News

This week was "DYNAMITE"!  We accomplished quite a bit.  In math, we learned about numbers to 5, graphing, and sorting.  Students will need to know how to sort objects two different ways.  We have talked about sorting by color, shape, and size.  We had new math stations this week.  Check out the pictures below.

Practicing counting numbers to 10.

Forming numbers with pattern blocks.

Playing a game called "Color a Number".  Spin and color to see
which number gets to the top first.

Sorting-Here students sorted by shape.

Practicing numbers to 10.



ABC Patterns





In reading we have been practicing the letters in our name and focusing on the first letter.  We read a fun book called A My Name is Alice.  We made an art project and did some writing with our name and first letter.

We have also talked about ways to read a book and learned that even in kindergarten we can read!  We can read the pictures first.  We are practicing "Read to Self" and are learning to build our stamina.  This means that we are learning to read for longer amounts of time each day.  Right now we are up to 5 minutes.  Take a look at some of our superstar readers!

This week we had a special guest talk to us about how to hold a pencil correctly.  It was fun!  We got to do some warm-up exercises for our arms and fingers.  She taught us to use the first three fingers (Go fingers) and the last two fingers should be tucked in toward our hand (Stop fingers).

Warm-ups for our arms

Warm-ups for our fingers

Go and Stop fingers

Practicing our pencil grip and copying shapes

Next week is Homecoming Week.  Students will participate in spirit activities each day.  Please remember to get your pledges for our upcoming "Homecoming Walk" on Friday, September 28th.

Parent Night

Thank you for attending Parent Night and learning all about your child's daily routine and the kindergarten curriculum. I hope I was able to answer any and all of your questions. If you missed us, take a look at the handouts that came home with your child. Also take a few minutes to watch the PTO video below to find out how you can contribute to our school.  Friday we will have our Kick-off to the "Homecoming Walk".  This is our fundraiser for the year.  Students are asked to get pledges from family members.  If each family contributes just $20 our school could raise over $14,000 to fund field trips, classroom supplies, and technology for Pine Meadow Elementary.

 

 

Math Stations

In my last post I talked about math stations.  Here are a few pictures of students participating in them.

Station #1-Number mats with playdough

Station #2-Shapes BINGO

Station #3-Counting/More & Less

Station #4-Shapes book

Station #5-ABAB Patterns

Station #6-Sorting

 

We also learned about our new classroom pet, the monarch caterpillar.  We will be watching it change and grow.  We have 6 new friends! 



Welcome Kindergarten Families!

Our first week of school has come and gone.  This year I have 21 students in my class.  Welcome to all the new faces and families!  I am excited to get to know you all and help your child learn.  This will be our forum for weekly updates and pictures of activities students participate in during our day.  Here are a few pictures of important procedures that were practiced this first week.


Our daily schedule! Students always seem to ask "when is recess" or that all important "when do we go home". This is an easy way for them to look and see. Parents will learn more about our routine on Parent Night (September 18th).

We have 5 simple classroom rules that students are learning to follow.  We recite them every morning and afternoon.  They are as follows.

Rule #1-Follow directions quickly.

Rule #2-Listen when your teacher is talking.

Rule #3-Make smart choices.

Rule #4-Raise your hand to speak.

Rule #5-Respect others, yourself, and your school.

 

 

Have you filled a bucket today?  Ask your child what it means to be a bucket filler.  I use this for classroom management along with "in the zone" which is our whole school behavior plan. 

Our mailboxes!  We check them every afternoon for important notes.  We put papers in and take our folder home to show parents.  Please make sure to check student folders every night.  Send the folder back to school everyday!

 Math Stations began on Thursday.  Students rotate through 6 different activities. 

This week's stations are:

#1-Number formation with playdough

#2-Shape BINGO

#3-Counting/matching to 10

#4-Shapes book

#5-Patterns

#6-Sorting

Students had some play time each afternoon.  I call this part of our day "Choice Time".  Students could choose to play in the kitchen, with cars/tracks, soft blocks, legos, or puzzles.  this will change throughout the year.

 



Well, that's all for now.  Check back frequently!  I try to post at least twice a week.  I will always send an email to let you know about new posts.  Sign up and become a follower!

 

 

Last Day & Field Day!

Today was our last day of school!  Thanks to Jessica Christian and many other parents our students got to participate in 8 different stations for Field Day.  The stations were playground and snack, bounce house, face paint/tattoos/parachute, decorating a t-shirt, gunny sack races/tug-o-war, bubbles/chalk/hula hoops, soccer, and freeze tag.  Here are a few pictures!

On a personal note, I want to say a BIG THANKS to all my dedicated volunteers who helped during centers.  Your time was greatly appreciated as it helped centers to run smoothly.  During this time students were able to practice skills, read, and participate in literacy games.  The students enjoyed working with you.  A BIG THANKS TO MIRIAM, ANGIE, MARK, PAT, PENNY, MEGAN, AND JOY!

To ALL parents-thanks for allowing me to be a part of their learning experience.  I know it has only begun, but it was a joy to have them in my care during their kindergarten year.  Thinking back to the first day of school...they have come so far.  I told them that what I will miss most is listening to them read.  Remember to always do your best!  Enjoy your summer, but don't forget to keep up with some work.  I don't want that dreaded "summer slide" to happen for any of my students.  Use the summer learning packets I sent home, open library times at PME, and READ, READ, READ!