Classroom updates!

What a busy first week back! We slowly got back into the groove and many are tired this afternoon. We were able to wrap up the Benchmark stories unit so we can begin Technology next week! The students also began addition for math! Each day we are working on problems. You will see they use dots to count on the packet coming home today. Drawing things is always allowed for tests and you do not run out after 10 like using your fingers! With that being said please don’t ask your child to add with fingers. It is not something they can consistently use as a test helper because they do not have more then 10 🙂 Next week we will continue with addition.

You will notice sight word papers look different this week! We are switching from rainbow sight words to my Montessori sight word lists. They are alphabetical and color coded. Your child picks a list to practice and traces over with the color of the list. It’s a mix up just because they were bored with rainbow sight words.

Yesterday I sent home the first spelling list and an explanation of our weekly spelling tests. Please practice these words throughout the week and they will have a test every Friday morning. Our first test is on Friday, January 14th. Spelling tests are a grade on the report card.

The end of our card marking is on Friday, January 21st. I have been busy assessing them this week for the report card. You will see not much practice with their book bag books during this time because I am spending most of my days assessing.

Kindergarten is required to take the state mandated NWEA reading test each winter. Our class will be taking this on Wednesday, January 12th. They can not “study” for it. The questions are more about topics they should be familiar with- letter recognition, beginning sounds, sight words, rhyming. The students will be taking it first thing in the morning on the computer. Myself, Mrs. Jen Bost, and Mrs. Verrier will be in the room to assist the students. We can not give them answers or re-ask the questions but we can show them how to choose an answer and move on to the next question. This is a great learning experience for them so that when they go to first grade they are already familiar with the test and get a better score. I ask that your child gets a good night rest on Tuesday night and eats a good breakfast on Wednesday morning. That helps us 🙂

We have an in person field trip on Tuesday, March 15th. We do have buses for this field trip for transportation but still need parent chaperones. The Hands On museum has new exhibits and we are very excited that this field trip will be FREE for your child! (Bus is free as well). Please reserve that date in your calendar so you can join us on this fun day!

Next week after testing we will finally be learning new Montessori works! December was such a “fun” month we have detoured from Montessori to have some extra sensorial and practical life works being used. Next week each child will learn their leveled math and language Montessori work from the shelf.

Lastly a t-shirt order form has come home in todays folder! We are making classroom faces t-shirts. This class will be my 12th shirt and I am so excited! The kids enjoy making them and its a great keepsake of the friends in our class. Please remember that I only accept cash for it. Turn in money and order form by Feb 1st to be included. ***Note this is a one time offer. They make the shirts in one batch and they can not be printed after!

Whew! So much info! Have a great weekend! 🙂