Whew, we have been very busy in here!

Miss Sample returned for a book making session.  We sure enjoy our time with her and appreciate her sharing her expertise and ideas with us.

We also have had lots of excitement with some toads and a Swallow Tail Butterfly!  (Perhaps you have already heard about these visitors! 🙂

The butterfly came in her chrysalis on a parsley twig. (Courtesy of Mrs. Anderson-Jason’s mom) We watched it, saw the little thread from which it hung, watched it some more, predicted, and hoped that she would hatch.  Well, 2 days ago she hatched and she is beautiful!  We looked her up online and found out that she is a female because of her blue spots along the bottom of her larger wings.  The students named her “Charlotte Cutie” and have thoroughly enjoyed watching her up close.  Today we will release her back into her habitat so that she can find her butterfly family, lay more eggs, and have more for us to enjoy.  We know she will be happy.

I need to pick up my class from Music so I will finish this post later.

Mrs. Smith

We had fun with this video today.  Check it out (No sound on the video…just watch!)

you tube “Chameleon Camouflages to Sunglasses

I wanted to mention that we had a program this morning called “Animal Magic.”  Here is the website:

www.iwantanimalmagic.com

Thank you PTA!

Another week is upon us!  I will continue with District Assessments.  Math Assessments, Writing and most of Reading Assessments are finished.  Today I started Social Studies.

READING-We will finish our last reading unit…”Let’s Count Down!”  We will read a counting down story about Turtles in a Pond.  Lots of math and science in it.  Today we compared toads (from last week) and worms.  It is amazing how many things they could find in common with toads and worms.

SCIENCE-Speaking of worms, today Jason brought in 6 worms that he and his family found.  They created a great habitat for the worms.  Today I had small groups check out the worms.  We put them on paper towels and dropped a few drops of water on them.  Then we observed how they moved and they recorded their observations in their Science Journal. I hope to finish getting the remaining groups through tomorrow.  We are also making a Pond Life Mural (to compliment our Reading Unit).

WRITING-Lots of writing on every subject!  We are reviewing the words with, my, me, where, has, and look.  We will be making our own count down book (to go along with our reading unit.)

SOCIAL STUDIES-On Thursday I will make a flag with them.

MATH-We will start some number scrolls and play several games.  FUN!!

Today I am sending home an Application for a Dearborn Library Card.  I went to the Centennial Library last week and got the applications.  A parent is needed to accompany the student to the library.  This is a wonderful opportunity for Dearborn residents and the timing is perfect for summer reading!  I hope you take advantage of this opportunity.

Looking ahead…

May 23-26  Memorial Day  No School

June 6  Donuts With Dad 9:00 am

June 9  Field Day for Howard Students   This annual event is sponsored by our PTA.  A day of fun activities for our students. Students will need to wear gym shoes because they’ll be outside on the grass and running, playing games. Nothing needed from parents.  Just wanted to inform you.

June 10  Class Picnic  11:00-12:00  Parents are invited to bring a lunch and enjoy lunch with your child.  Nothing fancy or formal…just enjoy lunch together.

June 12  Last Day for Students-AM ONLY

Looking forward to another busy week in Kindergarten!

Mrs. Smith

We had a great day yesterday on our field trip.  No rain was going to stop us from enjoying the day!  (and I knew the kids would enjoy the bus ride and being out in the rain  🙂  ) Thank you to all parent chaperones.  I hope you enjoyed the time with your child.  Now you can go back during the summer and enjoy some of the rides, the singing entertainment 🙂 and some ice cream at a more leisurely pace.  Thank you again.

I also wanted to mention our Science time last Tuesday.  Since we are talking about Living vs Non-Living Things, Mrs. Anderson (Jason’s mom) brought in 6 toads that reside in her window well.  The students began with going through our steps regarding Science Experiments/Observations.

ASK QUESTIONS- They drafted a list of 14 questions.  They had more questions but I wanted to get on with looking at the toads.  🙂

MAKE AN HYPOTHESIS-They made their predictions with a buddy.  “I think…”

CONDUCT OUR EXPERIMENT-We set up tables, magnifying glasses, and scales for weighing the toads.  We put on our lab coats too.

MAKE OBSERVATIONS-This is where the excitement began!  I’ll share some pictures.  I didn’t get every student’s picture…sorry!

DRAW CONCLUSIONS-Out of the 14 questions, they were able to answer 12 of the questions…and ALL BY OBSERVING!  I wanted them to realize what they can learn just by observing things.

They had a wonderful time with the toads.  Thank you to Mrs. Anderson!!

Tomorrow is our Field Trip to Greenfield Village and we are very excited!

Remember:

wear comfortable walking shoes

bring a lunch

be prepared for any weather

Only Kindergarteners will ride the bus.  Chaperones may follow in cars or meet us at the entrance by the fountain.  $5.00 parking fee per car  We should arrive at the Village about 9:45 ish.

See you tomorrow!

Mrs. Smith

Thank you again for a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week.  Your kindness and thoughtfulness was touching.  I wore my Detroit Tigers charm on my bracelet, enjoyed a special dinner at Roman Village, and love the class picture!  I have a bunch of  “sneaky Petes” in here…great secret keepers!

FIELD TRIP.  MA Y 15. ( this Thursday

Here are some instructions for our trip:

Bring a sack lunch. There are picnic areas at which we can eat.

Wear comfortable walking shoes.

Prepare for weather…we will go, rain or shine!

Only Kindergarten students will ride on the bus.  Chaperones can follow behind the bus or can meet us at the Village Entrance by the fountain.  Bus should leave school around 9:30 and arrive at the Village about 9:45.  I will know our return time when I talk with the bus driver.

Chaperones must be on the Approved Chaperone List.  Please check with the office to get on that list.  Again, you must be on the Approved Chaperone List to chaperone our trip.  Thanks!

NO EXTRA PURCHASES-Gift Shop, Carousel, train, etc   Please visit the Village on another day if you wish to make a purchase.

To help the students focus on the many wonderful sites in the Village, I am asking that each group find things that go along with the alphabet.  For example, “A” might be for “automobile”.  “B for…”.  “C for …”

Again, the trip is only for Kindergarteners.

All permission slips and money have been turned in to me.  Thank you so much for that!

WEDNESDAY is LATE START. Remember that we will take lunch count on Tuesday so check the menu if your child is planning on buying on Wednesday.

READING-Our weekly Theme is “Art All Around!”

Letters-“Y  y  Z  z”

Words-me   Where

Chunks- We have completed all of the spelling chunks!  Their writing shows some great mastery of the chunks.

I will continue to meet with reading groups.  I will also be working on year-end assessments.  Continue reading everyday. It really helps with their Fluency, Accuracy, and Stamina.  These are some of our goals.

Math-We’ll be playing a High Roller Game with a partner and start some Function Machines. I also will be giving a district Math Assessment to each student.

SCIENCE- a fun surprise!

Reading, Math, and Social Studies assessments are individually given to each student.  It is wonderful that the students are so independent and capable to work by themselves while I am assessing a student!  They are amazing!

I hope you had a special Mother’s Day.  Some of my sisters and I played a special handbell piece in church for my mom and then the family came over for brunch.  As I mentioned in December, our daughter Katie gave birth to her second daughter. Now, on April 30, our oldest daughter, Bridgit, gave birth to her third child, a son, Brennan.  Our youngest daughter, Megan,  lives in Ohio  and her husband has some health concerns.  So, I did not expect to see any of our daughters for Mother’s Day.   However, I was surprised when Megan walked in, carrying a bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates from all 3 daughters and their families.  That’s what it’s all about and I know  all of you moms understand how precious each child is to a mom, no matter how old they get.  :). Enjoy every day.  Enjoy each child.

Have a good week.

Mrs. Smith

We have a case of Pink Eye in here.  Note coming home today.

We had such a wonderful, special morning together!! Thank you moms for sharing your kids with me. Happy Mother’s Day!
Thank you also for the lovely week of smiles, hugs, flowers, cards, and gifts. Thanks for the mug &gift certificate to Roman Village…I think that place will be perfect for tonight’s dinner. Thank you too for the wind chime. That’s going on my back porch tonight! The Detroit Tigers charm is perfect for my bracelet, since my husband used to be a pitcher for the Tigers. Thanks for all you do and your support.