Kindergarten News
September 2015
WELCOME
This is the first newsletter of the school year. A newsletter will be sent home at the beginning of each month. This bulletin along with my classroom blog site () are my main tools for communicating with families about assignments, topics of study for the month ahead, important dates, and more. Please be sure to read each newsletter and place them in a safe place for future reference. An attached calendar will contain dates for specials, parties, assemblies and other fun happenings specific for each classroom.
THINGS WE ARE LEARNING
*Morning Routine (greeting your teacher, hanging up your backpack and coat (if you have one), and putting your folder and pencil box at your desk.)
*Classroom Rules
*Names of classmates and school helpers
*How to find our buses
*Pledge of Allegiance
*Writing our names with correct formation
*Reviewing capital letter formation
*Cut and paste art projects
*Sorting and categorizing
*Listening skills
*Rhyming words
*Listening and counting words in a sentence and syllables in words
*Say-It and Move-It”- children listen for letter-sounds and move one token for each sound they hear.
* Center Skills- staying on-task and appropriate behavior
*Making smart choices- listening to others, following
directions, keeping hands to self, using manners
*Drawing simple shapes and coloring neatly
*Calendar Routine (date, counting the number of days we have been in school, weather, temperature, days of the week, months of the year)
*Classroom Routines (how to line-up, get snack, ask to use the restroom, sit on the carpet, walk in the halls, exit for a fire drill)
LITERACY NEWS
READING STREET
Scott Foresman Reading Street is our core reading program this year. Research has identified 5 major components of an effective reading program (phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension). Reading Street has organized these, as well as writing into 4 strands (Oral Language, Shared Reading, Word Work, and Language Arts) that will become part of our daily routine. The strands work together to meet the needs of all the students in the class and build a solid foundation in reading. Science and social studies are incorporated into the lessons as each Unit is developed around a concept. You will be updated on the lessons and skills we are working on with unit overview sheets and weekly homework activities.
SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION
Sometime in September each kindergarten classroom will begin small group instruction in the
area of literacy. Our goal is to have all kindergarteners moving into first grade being proficient in the skills taught in our Reading
Street program, including high-frequency sight words. Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Anderson, or Ms. Mullikan will work daily with those students who need additional assistance in learning these skills. All of the students in the class will receive reading instruction from me, both in large group and small group settings. All students will be working on literacy activities according to their instructional needs. We want each child to be successful. You may help your child by making sure you read to him/her at least ten minutes everyday. Thank you for your support.
BUS TAGS AND NAMETAGS
Please keep the pink bus tag attached to your child’s backpack until it falls off. If you feel it is necessary, you can make a new bus tag for your child. These tags are very helpful at dismissal time.
BACKPACKS
Please have your child return the large Hershey folder to school each and every day! Papers to you and to me will be safely transported to and
from home this way. It will make it easier for your child if their bagpack is large enough to fit their large Hershey folder. Be sure to check your child’s folder at the end of each school day for papers to keep at home and items that need to be completed and returned. Thank you for promptly returning many of the forms that have been sent home. By returning information to me quickly, my job will be made easier. I sincerely appreciate your help.
MATH CORNER
This month we will be working on patterning, identifying and manipulating pattern block shapes, counting by 1’s to 25, counting backwards from 10-0, writing numerals to 10, and comparing sizes.
LIBRARY
All kindergarten students, both morning and afternoon, will have library once a cycle. Our class will go on Day 5.
HOMEWORK
In Kindergarten, homework assignments are designed to be a fun reinforcement of learning. The assignments also serve as an informal means for you as a parent to see how your child is doing.
~ A weekly Reading Street homework sheet will be sent home at the beginning of each week. Look for the first one to come home the third week in September. Students are asked to return these weekly homework sheets are to be sent back to school on Friday each week.
BOOK ORDERS
I will be sending the first of many book orders in the near future. Please read the classroom handbook for instructions on how to order books for your child at reasonable prices. Also, I prefer if you place your book orders online. Please refer to the letter from Scholastic, that I will be attaching to the book orders. This will also explain how to order online. Books ordered online will be delivered to the classroom and I will send them home with your child. The first book order is due September 18th.
ROOM PARENTS
Room parents will be chosen by the PTO sometime this month. Individual classroom teachers will share the names of the room parents with all families. The room parents will be assembling a class contact list, helping to coordinate classroom parties and volunteers, and sending home reminders about party and treat sign-ups. In order to be included on the class contact list, you need to return the permission form which will be coming home soon. Watch for it!
PARENT VISITORS
If you are coming into school for any reason, please make sure to have your drivers license or photo identification card available. You will be asked to show this identification in the main office. Also, if you are planning to work/attend special activities in the classroom more than 2 times this year, you will need to contact the district office or go on our district website to find out how to obtain the appropriate clearances. Thank you for your cooperation.
FINAL THOUGHT
Kindergarten is such a wonderful and vital year for your child. It is really the foundation for your
child’s entire school career. It is my hope to make this a fabulous year so your child has a solid foundation on which to build their education. I look forward to working together as a team to help your child’s year in Kindergarten be successful. Thank you in advance for being a partner in your child’s education.
NURSE’S REQUEST
Due to the large amount of children in our school and the frequent accidents that can occur, we are asking that each child have a change of clothes in their backpack. This will ensure that your child has back up clothing that is his/her size if need be. Thank you for your cooperation!