Newsletter for Week 14 (RECAP and NEW info)!

What we did during our week:

Language Arts: We worked on recognizing and writing the letter L and the letter O. These are the letters we have learned thus far: Aa, Bb, Cc, Dd, Ee, Ff, Gg, Hh, Ii, Jj, Kk, Ll  and Oo, Pp, Qq, Rr, Ss, Tt, Uu, Vv, Ww, Xx, Yy and Zz.  Make sure to focus on these letters/sounds at home to observe if your child has mastered each letter/ sound that was taught in class.

Writing:  In writing, we finished our star student book and we also wrote a narrative about our field trip to Pete the Cat!  We wrote about what we did at the beginning, middle and end of our field trip.  Here are some pictures to enjoy:

Math: We started our unit on measurement and sorting!  The kids had so much fun measuring with cubes and rulers.  We also started our December centers in the classroom!  We have a little bit of everything: measurement, addition, counting, writing and one to one correspondence!

Math Quizzes: Math quizzes start next week! These quizzes will help the children prepare for first grade and get used to taking tests (what the format looks like, how to follow testing procedures, etc). Each week we will have a math quiz, starting with +0, then +1, all the way to 10. Then, we will begin subtraction with -0, then -1, etc. Flash cards will go home this Friday for our  +0 math quiz on Friday, December 15th. Please cut these up and practice these math facts with your child to prepare them for the quiz. These flashcards are an example of how you could practice math facts each week with your child at home. For the next assessment, you could also use counters (or food) for a visual representation of the math equation or make the flashcards (just like the example I sent home) for your child. You can also practice with your child by having them put the big number in their head and the small number on their hands and then count up. Try to make it fun! Thank you for supporting your child with their addition skills!

Science: We are focusing on Seasons for the month of December and reviewing the different types of weather in each season.  

Social Studies: We learning about what is a good and what is a service!

Other:

• Spelling words to study: the, I, a, cat, bat, rat, mat, hat, sat.  Please practice an extra -at word, as there will be an extra bonus word for number 10 on the test!  Extra word: fat, flat, chat, that, splat
• We had 10 students receive a 100% on their  SIGHT WORD TEST!  I am so proud of them!  For this accomplishment, they get to use a special pen in class on Monday:)  If your child did not receive a 100%, please review the words that are highlighted.  Sight words will help your child become a better reader and writer!  Thank you!
• Please read under “Math” about the math flash cards that were sent home today!  
• If your child ordered Haigh Gear, it was placed in their backpacks yesterday:)  I love seeing all the Haigh Pride!
• Sad news: One of our students lost their grandpa this week.  If you could  please keep the family in your thoughts throughout the weekend and next week it would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

• In writing, we have learned how to use finger spaces in our sentences, writing from left to right and using punctuation at the end of our sentences!  Please practice this at home when writing sentences with sight words!

• **STAR Student: We have officially launched STAR student of the week in Kindergarten!  Each Friday, I will choose one child to be selected for star student.  That child will come home with an ALL ABOUT ME poster to be completed over the weekend and returned Monday morning.  All week we will talk about the star student, look at his/her poster and also write about that student in class.  At the end of the week, the star student will come home with a published book to keep and read with family!  Star student is a great way to highlight all of the amazing kids we have here in Kindergarten!  It’s a feel good activity and makes the kids really excited about writing and learning new things about their friends!  Be as creative as you want with the Star student poster.  Add pictures, drawings, crafts, stickers, objects to the board…there is no wrong answer!  If you have any questions about the Star Student Poster, please feel free to email me at any time!  

Housekeeping items:

• The cover letter of the homework packet has changed!  You will notice a different format when assisting your child in their homework. For spelling words students are asked to only write 5 words in alphabetical order.  Next,  they will use each word in a sentence.  Third, they will draw a picture( in the box) to match the sentence and finally write a word that rhymes with each word. The homework will consist of doing a worksheet each day along with reading a book and logging it onto the reading log. Please complete homework in its entirety.  If you have questions, refer to the cover sheet for directions and or additional concepts to work on at home.  If you have any questions, you can ask me at anytime.  Thank you for your cooperation!

 

• Parents, I need your help! When you send in money for your child, whether it be for lunch, lunchroom snacks, field trip, please enclose the money in an ENVELOPE with your child’s FIRST and LAST name on the front, what the money is for and my name written as well Mrs. Fillmore.  This will cause for less confusion for the lunch room and for the classroom.  Thank you!

 

• The weather outside is getting colder!  Please make sure to send your child to school with the appropriate clothing to play outside in (winter coats, hats, gloves and or scarves).  If the temperature is above 20 degrees, we go outside to play!  It would also be a good idea to put your child’s initials on all of their outdoor clothing: jackets, hats, gloves, etc, incase of a missing clothing!  

• Please make sure to log onto math seeds and reading eggs when there is downtime at home, especially on the weekends!  I have laminated and attached logins/passwords for EACH child on their communication log this week!  Please keep this in a safe place, so it doesn’t get lost.  These programs are free for you to use, how awesome is that?  All you need to do is to show your child how to log in and they can begin learning!  Parents, in the classroom, I am trying to teach each child to login typing their own username and password…independency is the name of the game!   If you could be so kind, to help your child do the same at home, it would help so much!  Thank you!
• Thank you to the families who donated to our classroom fund celebration!  This money will be used to purchase items needed for our holiday celebrations and our end of the year party!  If you weren’t able to send in the donation and would still like to, there is still time!  Thank you:)
• New library books came home today!  Enjoy the new books with your child:)

Upcoming Events:

December 8th- Math flash cards sent home & Spelling words (on the blog & on homework)

December 12th- Family STEM Night!  6-8 p.m.

December 15th- Spelling Test, Math Quiz & Science Assessment!

December 15th- Popcorn Sale!

December 18th- Candy Gram Sale $1

December 19th- 4th and 5th grade Concert!  6:30-8:00 p.m.

December 20th- LATE START!  9:35 a.m.

December 20th– Pajama Day! More information to follow!

December 22nd- PBIS Celebration!

December 22nd- LAST day of school before Winter Break!

Have a nice weekend…stay warm!