We’re closing in on the end of the first semester of this school year.  Time sure flies!

READING-We will continue with week 2 of our Unit on Animals.

This week’s theme is Animals All Around.  We will read a non-fiction book about animal babies and we’ll compare animal babies and adult babies.

Letter-F  f

Word-play

Remember to review the previous words and letters!  C  c  O o  F  f       is  have   to  go  play

WRITING-We will use the information from our non-fiction books to write information about an animal.  We will also be classifying and categorizing animals.

For example, what is an animal that could go in a group with a bear and a panda?

Why would a bear, panda, and _______ be in the same group?  (They all have fur.  or  They all climb trees.)

What could be in a group with a bald eagle and a parakeet?   Why would they be in the same group?(They all have beaks.  or They have feathers.)

MATH-Patterns with Pattern Blocks     Calculators!!   Fun time!

JOURNALS-Students are expected to write every day in their Journals.  Sometimes I give them a topic and other times they can choose their topic.  To be a good reader, one needs to read.  The same is true for writing.  Students need to write every day.  Have them write at home too.  Grocery lists, letter to Grandma, thank you note to Aunt/Uncle for a gift, a letter to a pet 🙂

SPELLING-We will be having weekly Spelling Tests beginning  next week.  Since “at”  chunk was introduced last Sept., I will begin with “at” chunk word family.  ie. bat  hat  mat     I will give the students 3-5 words from the at family.  They also will be tested on the weekly words (play) and previous weeks’ words (is   have  go  to) 

SCIENCE-We’ll be observing animal characteristics.  We also will work with the 3 states of matter. (Pretty advanced for Kindergarten, right?)

SOCIAL STUDIES-We will work with personal timelines, both daily timelines and growth/life timelines.

This week…

WEDNESDAY-LATE START    I will be taking Wednesday’s lunch count on Tuesday, so remember to check the menu for those buying lunch.

I am so glad to be back.  I missed the kids.  Thanks for your support at home.

Mrs. Smith

P.S. I received some Christmas gifts without a card so I don’t know who to thank.  One is a gift set of Adrienne Vittadini lotion, soap, and a white tray.  Another gift was a plate of homemade cookies.  Another was a Lavender Gift Set.  Help??

Thank you for your kindness and generosity.  Mrs. Balaka brought home my books, cards from the kids, and your gifts.  Since my husband was in the hospital through Christmas and New Year’s, it was a different Christmas for us.  In fact, he was unconscious most of those days.  He didn’t even know Christmas had come and gone and that it was a New Year.  So, it was lovely to have something to do during those quiet nights at home. 🙂