Kinder News,
Hello friends…the kids are all doing fantastic and progressing. After vacation, the class had a new gem challenge: reviewing our expectations (rules). They quickly filled our bear jar by being safe, kind, and responsible. They were able to shop at my pet store for a desk pet!
I write class news every two weeks. At the bottom of each newsletter, I include possible questions for your child about what we are learning in kindergarten. These are suggestions to get your child talking about their time at school. You can always ask the following questions: What did you do at choice time today? What books did you listen to? What letter/words did you practice in your writing book? What did you do in science today? What special class did you have today? What was your rose? What was your throne? The more specific you are with your questions, the better. I hope this helps.
Save the date: I invite the class to participate in the Lip Sync Battle this year. I did this a couple of years ago with my class…it was so much fun! We will work on a song and dance as a class. The show is on the night of January 24th. Please email me if you have any questions and if your child can participate. More information will follow!
Please remember to send indoor shoes every day. If they would like, they may keep them in their cubbies.
Important Dates:
Monday, December 9th-20th Winter Celebrations Study/
Gingerbread Study (math, science, literacy and traditions)
Friday, December 20th, Winter Solstice/Day in the DARK
Friday, December 20: Decorate Gingerbread Cookies with our 4th-grade buddies
Friday, January 24: Lip Sync Battle
Day in the Dark
On Friday, December 20, the kindergarten classes will have a “Day in the Dark” to reinforce learning about day and night, including solstice - the shortest and longest night of the year! If possible, please send in some flashlights (each child will need one for the day). Please remember to label flashlights with your child’s name. Flashlights should have fresh batteries, too!
The first snow at ECO!
Literacy Snapshot:
Letters and letter sounds (y, w,qu, and z) qu are always with U!
Using letter sounds to blend CVC words (bat, mat, sat, lid, pop, etc.)
Heart words - A, I, the, me, my, is, was
Reading groups
Renstar Kindergarten Early Literacy Assessment (everyone did fantastic)
Syllable count game
Listening for the last sound in words
Segmentation of sounds in words
Blending sounds
Some Books We read:
Mercy Watson
Frederick
The Ninjabread Man
The Gingerbread Cowboy
The Gingerbread Girl goes Animal Crackers
‘Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving
Math Snapshot:
Counting to 100 and beyond starting at different numbers
Teen Numbers (18 is 10 and 8 more)
Double Ten’s Frames
Number Formation
Counting by 10s
Adding with ECO, the Owl
Science/SS Snapshot:
Turkey Science/Turkey Puppets/Turkey Art
Finished our Thankful books (I hope they read them to you:))
Family Traditions/Celebrations: Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, Chinese New Year, Winter Solstice. How are lights used throughout the world?
How do animals stay safe in the winter?
We made spring and winter snowshoe hares.
Designed winter house
Art project with the book Frederick (mouse pictures)
Fourth Grade Buddies -made turkey science waddlers, and game day
SEL (social, emotional learning) Reviewing Expectations after Vacation
Gem celebration -the children all got to visit the pet store for a “pet” for their table spots
Questions to Ask your Kinder:
What sound does x make? Where in a word is x usually found?
What letter is always with q?
How did Frederick help the other mice?
What pet did you get for the gem celebration?
We are learning about family traditions and celebrations. Discuss your family traditions.
How do animals stay safe in the winter?
Fourth Grade Buddies -Turkeys
Our New Class Animal Shelter for Choice Time
Turkey Activities