Well, it’s been one week since we shared our “Have a good summer” blessings with each other and I’ve thought of my kids every day since then!  I hope you are enjoying relaxed schedules, pool time, popsicles, staying up a little later, and tons of laughs.

Please encourage your child to read and write something every day. There are many pages left in their Math/Science Journal.  Have them use that as a summer Journal or get a new one and title it “_________’s Summer 2017.”  Have them write 2-3 sentences EVERY DAY in the Journal.  Something they did that day or are going to do tomorrow (Narrative). Have them describe how to get to a place (sequencing).  Have them write about their favorite part of the zoo, Greenfield Village, Ann Arbor Hands On Museum, last night’s picnic at Grandma’s house (Opinion).  Of course, with Opinion Writing, the most important part is the “WHY”…“Why did you like that?” Justifying their thoughts, supporting their reasoning.  Not necessarily right or wrong, just can they support their thoughts/choice.  That’s a part of our Social Studies Curriculum–taking a stand on an issue and showing support, reason.  Higher level thinking!

After your child has written an entry in their “Summer Journal,” have them go back and reread their writing AND, before entering the next day’s entry, have them read the previous day’s writing.  Very important and helpful.   As is stated in the “UNITY” poem that I sent the last week of school, behind every child stands both the school and home.  What an awesome team!

On a personal note…thank you for your kind words in the cards and notes that you sent to me.  I treasure them.  You have no idea how much they mean to me…timing is everything!  Thank you also for the flowers and gifts.  They are all around my house, gentle reminders of my kids.  Someone gave me a beautiful silver bracelet with a cross and an “S” on it but there was no card attached…who do I thank for this?

Enjoy your summer!  Your child is welcome to write to me at my school email address:

smiths@dearbornschools.org

I will try to keep on top of checking my emails so I can respond to them.

Thank you for every thing!  I mean it!  I miss my kids but I know they are in good hands.  🙂

Love,

Mrs. Smith

Always remember…

“Don’t become preoccupied with your child’s academic ability,

but instead teach them to sit with those sitting alone.

Teach them to be kind.

Teach them to offer help.

Teach them to be a friend to the lonely.

Teach them to encourage others.

Teach them to think about other people.

Teach them to share.

Teach them to always look for the good.

This is how they will change the world.”

Well, here’s a picture of my class on our last day of Kindergarten.  I will make a final post later.  For now, I hope you read the note and messages I sent home yesterday with your child.  The words are very meaningful to me.

For now, here’s our last day of Kindergarten.  You now have a FIRST GRADER in your house! Congratulations Parents!

Thanks for joining us to our picnic today.   The kids were hungry all morning, beginning at 9:30 am!

Here’s a picture from this afternoon.

Here’s to tomorrow…

Well, we begin our last week of school and end a beautiful, productive and successful year.  We look forward to a summer of fun—riding bikes, sunshine, swimming, trips to different places, visits with Grandparents, arrival of new siblings :), and LOTS OF READING!  Make a little and title it _________’s Summer Journal.  Have your student write 2-4 sentences each day about a topic or something they did the previous day, or a thought, opinion, new discovery, read part of a new story and let them predict what might happen next, Why might that happen, give a reason, (all good reading, writing, math and science thinking) etc.  The topics are endless, just let your mind go and be creative.  Before they write an entry, have them reread the previous day’s thoughts.

Thank you Dads for sharing part of your morning with your Kindergartner.  They were on a high for the rest of the day!  Sorry I don’t have any pictures to post–I have been having trouble with my phone whenever I am in this school.  🙁

READING, WRITING, SPELLING, MATH, SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES-all mine for the week!  I’ll be doing a little of so many things and I just want them to each other and time with each other.  We’ll talk about favorite things that we did this year, what we might want to be when we get older, friends, what would we like to do next year, ….

As I sit here in my room writing this, I am overcome with emotion for these kids.  I will miss them so much.  If I could I would loop with this group for next year.  I envy you with your time with them.  Enjoy every minute.  Don’t worry about the little things.  Love them, support them, encourage them, but let them be themselves with their own thoughts, wishes and dreams.

Reminder-Class Picnic on Thursday. 11:30-12:30  Bring your lunch and a blanket for sitting.

Here’s to a fantastic last week of Kindergarten!

Mrs. Smith

I can’t believe where we are in the school year! Someone please slow down the clock!

Thank you for the help with studying the Spelling Words.  Today I had them work with their READ TO SOMEONE Partner with SPELLING.  They got to play “teacher” and give the words to their partner.  Then they reversed the role of “teacher” and “student.”  Any word that they missed I had them write it 3 times on the back.  ( 3 times writing a word is the magic number in research of trying to learn or reinforce something.  They LOVE being able to spell those big words favorite and because.  They are so cute. Thanks for helping them be so successful.

Tomorrow, Thursday we will put the finishing touches on our Father’s Day things.  They are very excited that DAD will be in their room!!

FRIDAY is ‘DONUTS with DAD.”  Thank you dads for giving of your time for these moments together. Your child will always remember that YOU were there.  🙂   As many of you know, my Dad was the first President of Henry Ford Community College and my Mom taught English at Dearborn High School.  I am the oldest of 5 daughters and with all of my Father’s college commitments and my Mom’s English papers to correct, they never missed an event (band concerts, dance recitals, flute, clarinet recitals) and I remember that they were always there.  My sisters and I always looked for them in the audience.  I know how important it is for parents to “be there.”  Believe me, kids remember these things.  I speak for them…”Thanks Dad.”

Next week…

Thursday will be a class lunch picnic.  You are invited to bring your lunch and enjoy lunch with your Kindergartner. We’ll eat outside on my porch and lawn,  Bring a blanket or towel and your lunch.  If you’d like to share some cookies or watermelon slices or grapes, or, or, or, that would be lovely.  It is supposed to be quite warm so ice cream might melt too quickly.  We’ll meet from 11:15-12:15.

FRIDAY will be half day for students. 11:45 dismissal.

Mrs. Smith

2 weeks to go and I can hardly believe it!!

READING-Shhhh  Can’t tell you but we are very focused and being held accountable for every piece of writing.  Therefore, our READING is quite intense.  🙂  Does it make sense?  Punctuation?  Words spelled correctly?

WRITNG-OPINION Shhhh (about our Dad)

SPELLING-We created our own list today.  Please, please, please spend a few minutes every night with your student.  have them write  each word so that they are writing the correct letters.  Last week’s test results reflected some lack of studying.  I would love to have every one get 100%.  I told them that 100% should be their goal for Friday.  Help them achieve it.

Here are their words…

went  of  make  where  would   should  favorite  because=8 words

SCIENCE-Life Cycle of Frogs and Toads

Also, we’ll compare and contrast frogs and toads  How are they the same?  How are they different?

Happy days continue to happen in here.  Several birthdays and special programs.  Hope you are enjoying this lovely weather too.

Tuesday-Bryant Jazz Band will offer us an assembly

Friday-9:00 AM  “DONUTS WITH DAD!”

Mrs. Smith