Oh my goodness, how fast the days are passing! I apologize for the late post for this month. Thank you to everyone who attended Portfolio Conferences! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. It's always a pleasure to see parents involved and interested in what we do at school so thanks again! I also appreciate everyone's feedback. This helps me plan, change and improve what we do for next year. Your input is extremely valuable.
This month we will be working on :
Early Literacy:
We are continuing with learning the letters in the alphabet. This month we'll be focusing on letters Ll to Pp. Make sure you're practicing letter formation, letter recognition and letter sounds with your child at home! We're also continuing the Daily 5 with Word (Letter) Work. We use the Daily 5 format to practice our letters and letter sounds through centres and play based activities.
Early Numeracy
We are focusing on numbers 6-10 and writing our numbers 1-10. We have introduced the Daily 3 format which focuses on "Math Writing" and "Math with Someone". The Daily 3 has a similar format as the Daily 5 except the concepts are math based. The Daily 3 structure is also a centre/play based format for learning.
Citizenship and Identify
We are learning about our community. We have looked at community helpers and are now talking about familiar places in our community. We will continue talking about safety in our community as well.
Environment and Community Awareness
Our theme for the next couple of months is The 5 Senses. Students are completing their goal sheets based on this theme. We will also be talking about special days in March such as St Patrick's Day and Easter. And of course we are all looking forward to Spring!
Personal and Social Responsibility
This month we have done Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood... aka Listen First Then Speak. The students and I have talked about the importance of being a good listener and what characteristics make a good listener. We will also be doing Habit 6: Synergize; how we can successfully work together.
Physical Skills
We will be spending our gym time this month playing with the parachute! We will also have our usual crafts to practice fine motor skill such as writing, cutting and coloring.
Creative Expression
As well with special occasion crafts we have started a dance unit. The students are learning how to keep in time with the music. We are experimenting with following dance routines on the SMARTBoard (JustDance Kids) and having fun making up our own dance moves.
Don't forget to check out the Fun in Photos and Song and Dance sections of my blog for some fun things and cute pictures!
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Friday, January 29, 2016
February
We're back into the swing of things and looking forward to a busy month! Following are some of the things we will be working on this month.
- We will be continuing to learn our letters and sounds with the Animated Alphabet. We have done Aa to Hh so far and will hopefully get to Ll by the end of the month.
- We're continuing to work on writing. I've been very impressed with the writing skills our kids are developing already! We encourage the kids to listen for the sound in the words and write down those letter sounds they hear. This is a good way to prep them for eventually sounding out words which will be a big part of Grade 1.
- Talking about our favorite stories. We talk about our favorite parts and favorite characters. This goes hand in hand with the Daily 5 model. We have introduced Read to Self, Read to Someone and Listen to Reading. Our class has so far been very successful with the Daily 5. The students understand that in Kindergarten we "read the pictures" and they are getting very good at inferring what is happening in the stories by looking at the pictures.
- Focusing on numbers 6-10 - number recognition and relating numbers to respective quantities. We will be completing our math activities in a play based format through math games and hands on activities. This will take place in small groups during center time. Lately, our Grade 2 buddies have been helping us by playing math games with us!
- Community members and how to stay safe in our communities.
- Music with a focus on beat, rhythm and instruments.
- Continuing with the 7 Habits of Happy Kids. We have just completed Habit 4: Think Win Win.
- We will be continuing with our Winter and Ocean themes. Our celebration this month is Valentine's Day!
Please note: We have implemented some "quick skill checks" for students who are struggling with some of the concepts we're doing at school. These concepts include shapes, colors, numbers 1-5, writing their name and recognizing the letters in their name. In the mornings we will be doing a quick activity for students to complete. These will go home with a note asking parents to help us reinforce these skills at home. If you get any of these notes, I thank you in advance for working with me at home! Your teamwork is appreciated!
We have two important events this month!
1. Bowling and Valentine's Day
We will be going bowling on February 9 in the morning. Thank you to those who have volunteered and thank you to those who have already brought back your permission slips!
We will be having our Valentine's Day celebration on February 11 in the afternoon. I will be asking students to volunteer to bring some snacks for our party. If you would like to bring something, let me know. There are 22 students in our class and the help is always appreciated! I will also be sending a class list home for Valentines. If you child does not want to bring Valentine's that is completely fine, but if they are bringing please make sure they are bringing for everyone!
2. Student Involved Portfolio Conferences
We will be having portfolio conferences during the evening on February 25. Please note this is not a formal parent/teacher interview. This will be an opportunity for you to come with your child and have them show you what they have been learning at school. You will have half an hour to explore the different centers and complete activities with your child. You will then be able to look through your child's portfolio and take it home with you. The sign up sheet will be posted outside our classroom. Further information will be sent home soon. Because the Kindergarten classes are not having formal interviews like the rest of the school, if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child please don't hesitate to contact me and I will do the same for you!
Please note we do not have school February 15-19.
Monday, January 11, 2016
January
Welcome back everyone! I hope everyone had a great break and a good first week back! This month we will be continuing with:
- The alphabet - learning our letters and letter sounds, as well as the characters from the animated alphabet
- Numbers - we're focusing on numbers 6-10 as well as comparing numbers and recognizing quantities
- 7 Habits - focusing on Habit 4: Think Win-Win and Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood
- Seasons - Winter
- Daily 5 - Listen to Reading
- Oceans - our new theme/goal sheet
Tomorrow will be our first day of library so bring your library bags to school!
Please remember we go outside everyday! Bring snow pants, hats, mitts, coats to school!
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
December Update
Thank you for those of your who returned your library books yesterday! Yesterday was the last library exchange day until the new year.
Our Christmas Concert will take place Thursday December 17th. All the kindergarten classes will be participating in BOTH concerts. The grades K, 1, 3, 5 concert will take place from 12:15-1:15. The grades K, 2, 4, 6 concert will take place from 1:45-2:45. Feel free to pick whichever concert you would like to attend or both. The kindergarten classes will be performing the same song at each concert.
With the Christmas concert taking up most of the afternoon and rehearsals for the concert taking place that morning, we have decided to have our Christmas party on Tuesday December 15th. This day will consist of a Christmas craft and a short Christmas film accompanied by snacks. I will be asking students to volunteer to bring some snacks to share with the class. If your child volunteers, you will receive a note in their agenda. Thanks in advance for your help!
If you have any questions about either one of these events, please feel free to contact me!
Our Christmas Concert will take place Thursday December 17th. All the kindergarten classes will be participating in BOTH concerts. The grades K, 1, 3, 5 concert will take place from 12:15-1:15. The grades K, 2, 4, 6 concert will take place from 1:45-2:45. Feel free to pick whichever concert you would like to attend or both. The kindergarten classes will be performing the same song at each concert.
With the Christmas concert taking up most of the afternoon and rehearsals for the concert taking place that morning, we have decided to have our Christmas party on Tuesday December 15th. This day will consist of a Christmas craft and a short Christmas film accompanied by snacks. I will be asking students to volunteer to bring some snacks to share with the class. If your child volunteers, you will receive a note in their agenda. Thanks in advance for your help!
If you have any questions about either one of these events, please feel free to contact me!
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
December
Hey everyone!
Thanks so much to everyone who came swimming with us! There were a lot of parent volunteers (and even four dads!!) and it really made the afternoon go a lot smoother and I felt like I could relax a bit more. I really appreciated the help!
December is fast approaching already! We will be carrying on with many of the same things we have been working on this month such as Daily 5 (Read to Self), the 7 Habits of Happy Kids, explorations with dinosaurs and the alphabet. In Math we are starting sorting and patterning which will carry on into the new year. We will also have some centres set up that will pertain to the holidays.
A few things to note:
The kindergarten classes will be participating in the Christmas concert this year! We will be singing a song about Pete the Cat. If you would like to practice the song at home you can find the link here.
http://www.thelearninggroove.com/#!pete-the-cat-saves-christmas/c18k4
It will also be posted on the "Songs and Videos" page of my blog (right hand side). The concert will be taking place December 17th. I will be sending home notices about the Christmas concert once we have more details about it.
We will also be having our class Christmas party on Thursday December 17th. More details will follow about that, as well.
Please remember that we do go outside everyday for recess. Students need to be bringing snow pants, hats and mitts to school everyday!
Our last day of library before the break will be Tuesday December 1st. Please don't forget to return books.
Thanks so much to everyone who came swimming with us! There were a lot of parent volunteers (and even four dads!!) and it really made the afternoon go a lot smoother and I felt like I could relax a bit more. I really appreciated the help!
December is fast approaching already! We will be carrying on with many of the same things we have been working on this month such as Daily 5 (Read to Self), the 7 Habits of Happy Kids, explorations with dinosaurs and the alphabet. In Math we are starting sorting and patterning which will carry on into the new year. We will also have some centres set up that will pertain to the holidays.
A few things to note:
The kindergarten classes will be participating in the Christmas concert this year! We will be singing a song about Pete the Cat. If you would like to practice the song at home you can find the link here.
http://www.thelearninggroove.com/#!pete-the-cat-saves-christmas/c18k4
It will also be posted on the "Songs and Videos" page of my blog (right hand side). The concert will be taking place December 17th. I will be sending home notices about the Christmas concert once we have more details about it.
We will also be having our class Christmas party on Thursday December 17th. More details will follow about that, as well.
Please remember that we do go outside everyday for recess. Students need to be bringing snow pants, hats and mitts to school everyday!
Our last day of library before the break will be Tuesday December 1st. Please don't forget to return books.
Friday, November 6, 2015
November
First of all, thank you to everyone for being so accommodating in regards to having the swimming postponed. I have contacted the pool and our new date is THURSDAY NOVEMBER 19. The staff at Ponoka Aquaplex have assured me that the kiddie pool will be open at this time. I will double check on the Monday before and will also be contacting parents to volunteer that day, as well. If you are available please let me know. It is supposed to be a mild day, but please remember we are walking to and from the pool so dress your child for the weather. Due to the nature of the circumstance, you will NOT have to sign another consent form.
We are continuing to work on lots of fun things in Kindergarten!
1. Early Literacy - We have just started to learn our letters. We use the Animated Alphabet program to assist students with remembering their letters and sounds. Each letter has a character that goes with it and an action. We are continuing with Daily 5. We have learned Read to Self. Students have learned that they can read books by "reading the pictures".
2. Early Numeracy - We are continuing with numbers 1-5. We are about to start sorting and patterning
3. Citizenship and Identity - We have just learned the rules for "Caring and Sharing". Ask your child if they can remember what the rules are and how they follow the rules at school.
The rules are:
5. Personal and Social Responsibility - We are continuing with the 7 Habits. We have done Habit 1: Be Proactive. The students know that they are in charge of themselves and are proactive by taking charge of their actions and doing the right thing. We will begin Habit 2 this month: Begin with the End in Mind.
6. Physical Skills - The students work hard on their fine and gross motor skills everyday by doing activities such as writing, cutting, drawing, coloring and climbing, hanging, running, and different movement games.
7. Creative Expression - For Remembrance Day, we made fingerprint poppies that will go up on the wall in the gym for our assembly. The students also have opportunities to paint, color, draw or work with Plasticine everyday during centers.
Reminders:
Please take note of our November calendar. Kindergarten will NOT have school Thursday, Nov 12 in lieu of parent/teacher interviews.
Parent/teacher interviews will take place WED NOV 18 and THURS NOV 19. Please call or email me to make an appt. or sign up below. Interviews will only be about 15 minutes long and will focus on how your child is adjusting to school.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4fa9a62aa4fc1-parentteacher
Tuesday/Thursday kindergarten students WILL have school on Friday, November 27 to make up for their missed day.
We are continuing to work on lots of fun things in Kindergarten!
1. Early Literacy - We have just started to learn our letters. We use the Animated Alphabet program to assist students with remembering their letters and sounds. Each letter has a character that goes with it and an action. We are continuing with Daily 5. We have learned Read to Self. Students have learned that they can read books by "reading the pictures".
2. Early Numeracy - We are continuing with numbers 1-5. We are about to start sorting and patterning
3. Citizenship and Identity - We have just learned the rules for "Caring and Sharing". Ask your child if they can remember what the rules are and how they follow the rules at school.
The rules are:
- Say nice things
- Ask others to play
- Be helpful and work together
- Be a good listener
- Share and take turns
5. Personal and Social Responsibility - We are continuing with the 7 Habits. We have done Habit 1: Be Proactive. The students know that they are in charge of themselves and are proactive by taking charge of their actions and doing the right thing. We will begin Habit 2 this month: Begin with the End in Mind.
6. Physical Skills - The students work hard on their fine and gross motor skills everyday by doing activities such as writing, cutting, drawing, coloring and climbing, hanging, running, and different movement games.
7. Creative Expression - For Remembrance Day, we made fingerprint poppies that will go up on the wall in the gym for our assembly. The students also have opportunities to paint, color, draw or work with Plasticine everyday during centers.
Reminders:
Please take note of our November calendar. Kindergarten will NOT have school Thursday, Nov 12 in lieu of parent/teacher interviews.
Parent/teacher interviews will take place WED NOV 18 and THURS NOV 19. Please call or email me to make an appt. or sign up below. Interviews will only be about 15 minutes long and will focus on how your child is adjusting to school.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0e4fa9a62aa4fc1-parentteacher
Tuesday/Thursday kindergarten students WILL have school on Friday, November 27 to make up for their missed day.
Monday, November 2, 2015
IMPORTANT NOTICE: RE SWIMMING
Hi parents,
I am so sorry to have to do this again, but we will be postponing our swimming date. I have just talked to Ponoka Aquaplex and the kiddie pool is NOT open as of yet. This is really a safety concern as I don't feel comfortable taking the students to the pool and having them use the big pool. I think it is best for everyone that we hold off until the kiddie pool is open. They have given me Saturday as the opening date, but I will get back to you with a confirmed date as to when we will be going. You will NOT have to sign another consent form due to the circumstances of the postponement. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience of this and the short notice.
- Miss Kenzie
I am so sorry to have to do this again, but we will be postponing our swimming date. I have just talked to Ponoka Aquaplex and the kiddie pool is NOT open as of yet. This is really a safety concern as I don't feel comfortable taking the students to the pool and having them use the big pool. I think it is best for everyone that we hold off until the kiddie pool is open. They have given me Saturday as the opening date, but I will get back to you with a confirmed date as to when we will be going. You will NOT have to sign another consent form due to the circumstances of the postponement. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience of this and the short notice.
- Miss Kenzie
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