While my class is in ART, I can write a few words to you.

We are off to a great start in here in Kindergarten! Lots of fun learning and we’re getting into routines and expectations.

Today we went to the LIBRARY and they each checked out a book. They are bringing home the book, keep it for a week, and bring it back next WEDNESDAY for a new choice. Please help them remember that WEDNESDAY IS LIBRARY DAY. I suggest that the student put their book in their backpack at night so that they will know if they have their book with them or not. THEY DO and THEY will remember.

I have also started a “BLUE”S CLUES” box. Each child will get a turn to bring home the little box and put something in it. Then fill out the card with 3 clues, return the card in the box and we will try to use deductive reasoning to figure out the item in the box. I put a card on the top with instructions.

I also have some students who are interested in reading to the class!!! WOW…this is fantastic, especially for this early in the year. Here’s picture of today’s reader…Ella Vogel. Thanks for sharing Ella!

You might not believe this, but yesterday we made a book! Yes, Day 1 of all day Kindergarten we made a book! It is about the letter “M”. Look for things around your house, car rides, your office, walks home from school that start with “m” sound. Moon, man, map, Minecraft, math, music, media, milk, money, mouth, Max, Malik, Malak, Mariam, and of course our favorite, MOM, were some of our discoveries.

Time to get my kids. Thanks for sharing your child with me.

Mrs. Smith

Howard has an annual “Welcome Back Picnic” every year and this year’s date is Tuesday, September 3 4:00-6:00. It a great opportunity to meet some students in your child’s class. The cost is $5 per PTA member, $7 for non PTA members. Menu is pizza, salad, drinks and Bounce House. If you are able to help serve or monitor the Bounce House, please see me on Tuesday and I’ll sign you up.

Have a great weekend and I’ll see you on Tuesday!

Mrs. Smith

Parents, please be advised that a student of mine has an allergy to peanuts. Therefore, my room will be labeled as a NO NUTS ROOM.

Thanks,

Mrs. Smith

What a great week we are having in Kindergarten! Los of new routines, new friends, new opportunities to grow and learn. I am almost finished with assessing each student in Letter Identification, Sounds to go with each letter, counting, recognizing numbers, sight words, and reading level. This information gives me a baseline for instruction.

Although I have been taking pictures each day, I am having trouble uploading them to my computer so that I can post them on the blog for you to see your student in action. I’ll keep working on it.

Tomorrow will be our last day of half days for Kindergarten. Full days start next week, Tuesday. Tomorrow I will be dismissing again at 12:05. Next week I will dismiss my class at 3:20. Since we have 3 Kindergarten classes, we stagger dismissal times to lessen the crowding.

Tomorrow my class will have MUSIC class. Here’s what my special classes’ schedule will look like:

Monday-am Media pm Gym

Tuesday-am Gym pm Music

Wednesday-am Library pm Art

Thursday-am Music

Friday-pm Art

Students are doing well with their lunches…new fresh, delicious foods this year! Our lunch time is 11:50-12:28.

Looking ahead….

September 12 OPEN HOUSE

September 19 I will have a Kindergarten Parent Meeting in my room. 4:00

Have a relaxing weekend with your family. If you are traveling, be safe.

Mrs. Smith

“Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.”

-Philip Dormer Stanhope

Welcome to Mrs. Smith’s classroom! I am excited that your child will be in my class. I have been attending workshops, conferences, and meeting with colleagues this summer to continue on with my belief of being a “life-long learner.”

A few things you will need to know to help your child begin Kindergarten:

-All they will need is a backpack for now. I have crayons, glue, markers, and scissors in my room.

Clothes-we will be outside and there are wood chips on our playground. Tennis shoes work best to keep those irritants away from little feet and toes.

Label things…lunch boxes, jackets We have MANY similar items every year and things get mixed up easily.

-Birthdays-your child is welcome to bring in a treat (cupcakes, cookies, mini muffins, etc) on their special day. I would appreciate contacting me before sending in a treat, so that I can plan accordingly. Summer birthdays can have their own day too…just contact me and we’ll choose a date for your summer birthday.

-School days run 8:35-3:35. Due to our large number Kindergarteners, I will be dismissing my class at 3:25 so there isn’t such congestion at dismissal time. Please plan to arrive early to pick up your child on time.

Next week’s time schedule will be:

8/26 8:35-11:45 I will dismiss at 11:35

8/27-8/29 8:35-12:15 I will dismiss at 12:05

-School is important. Being on time to begin the day sends a strong message to our students that school is important. Please schedule dental, ortho, doctor appointments after school, if at all possible.

-Homework…There will be MATH packets sent home. Directions, due dates will be included in the packet.

I will usually post on Fridays for the upcoming week. Please check it and let your child know of upcoming topics, new lessons, etc.

-Contacting me…If you need to send in a message to me, email is your best communicating tool. I am in the room early in the mornings and will catch emails at that time. Please notify me of any changes in pickup. If Grandma, babysitter, aunt, is picking up I need to know. Once I get to know the family members, we’ll be fine. Right now I need to know who is picking up your child every day.

Parents always ask what they can do at home to help their child in school. READ, READ, READ to your child!!!! Extend their vocabulary, ask questions about what happened in the story, predict what might happen if…, did the story remind you of another story? Even when your child becomes a conventional reader, still read to them!!

Have a place for your child to empty their backpack each night and show you their work. Notice I said for your child to empty their backpack, not you do it for them. Then have place for them to hang up their backpack so it will be ready for the next morning. Organization and responsibility 🙂

Enjoy the remaining days. I will see you next week, Tuesday, August 26.

Mrs. Smith

“It always seems impossible

until it is finished.”

-Nelson Mandela

This will not be my last post because I took some pictures today but they have not yet appeared on my computer.  🙁  I will add them when they become available.

 

Research has shown that if students read for 20 minutes EVERY day, they do not lose ground over the summer.  They will start off the next year reading, writing, at the progress level that they were at in June.  Moral:READ EVERY DAY FOR 20 MINUTES!  Start off next year with a bang!

 

This has been such a wonderful year.  I have mentioned before what a caring group this class is and it has been true to the last day together.  Parents, I can’t thank you enough for your support.  It shows in your children.  The way you speak to your child, treat your child, the kindness and respect you show your little one is how they act and what they share every day in here.  Each class has its own personality and this class has the personality of helping, being kind to others, showing patience, and love.  I will miss them very much. Please come back to visit me.

As I sit here writing this, I can just hear their voices and feel their spirits with me.  They will always be a part of me.  Thank you for sharing them with me.  They have enriched my life.

Have a restful and safe summer.

 

 

“The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions–

the little, soon forgotten charities of a kiss or a smile,

a kind look, a heartfelt compliment,

and the countless infinitesimals

of pleasurable and genial feeling.”

-Samuel Taylor Coleridge

 

“In a gentle way, 

you can shake the world.”

-Mahatma Ghandi

 

Love,

Mrs. Smith

 

 

 

Tomorrow is our picnic and ALL are welcome!  Bring your lunches and we’ll meet at YORK PARK to share some time together.  Blankets and games are welcome too.

On Wednesday we will have class picnic at the YORK PARK.  All parents, grandparents, siblings, etc. are welcome to attend.  Just bring your lunch, maybe a blanket or lawn chairs to sit on, any lawn games your child might enjoy playing  and, if you have a moment to bring something to share, we would welcome your contribution.  Watermelon slices, popsicles, cookies, etc are favorites.

We’ll meet you at the park about 11:00 and end at 12:30.  If rain tries to join us, we’ll just move into my room. 🙂

This week…

Monday-DONUTS WITH DAD 8:45

-Field Day Please send gym shoes for outside games.  If raining, we’ll be in the gym

Tuesday-Dearborn High School Band will play for us 2:30

Wednesday-11:00-12:30  Our Class Picnic

Thursday-My day with my kids

Friday-Half day for Students  11:45 Dismissal

Here we go…….!!!!

Room is all set.  Donuts ordered. We are all ready to enjoy and celebrate some time with our DADS tomorrow at 8:45 in our classroom.

 

See you then!

Calling in all BOOK BAGS.  6 BOOK BAGS have been turned returned to me.  Please have 1 last read tonight and bring in the BOOK BAG tomorrow.

Thanks!