I'm not sure about March coming in like a lion....its been a beautiful week.
Progress reports are going home today in your child's folder.
Pennies for Patients went home on Tuesday. The kids are so excited to win the pizza party. Send in that loose change on the floor of the car and in the couches.
Reading levels are on the progress reports. We've seen some great improvements. We finished our expert book writing and we are now writing how-to books. They brought home the one we did as a class on how to make a pink drink (from The Cat in the Hat Comes Back). This week and next they are writing their own books. We are finishing up 2D and 3D shapes in geometry and will focus again on counting. Our end of year goal is to count to 100 but they also need to be able to start at any random number and continue counting (this is trickier). We finished our habitat unit in science and switched to social studies. We are learning about community workers and will soon do goods and services.
Please remember to send permission slips and money in for the field trip.
Stay warm this weekend, we are apparently going back to winter again.
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Thursday, February 23, 2017
February is almost over
Can't you tell by the weather......
Important Reminders:
Progress will be coming home in early March. They will be in your child's folder.
Yesterday I sent home a letter about Read Across America. We are celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday and dressing up all week so make sure to look for that letter.
Reading groups are going strong. Your child's present level will be on their progress report. We are learning about shapes in math, both 2D and 3D shapes. The kids love this unit. Easy practice alert: go on a scavenger hunt around your home, outside or the stores and have them show you different shapes. In writing, we are ending our nonfiction books and will be spending some weeks writing how to books (like how to make lemonade). In science, we are learning about plant and animal habitats and external features of plants, animals and humans.
At the end of March we are having an in-school field trip. Keep a look out for a permission slip to go home in their folder.
Remember, March 3 is an early release day at 1:20,
Enjoy the spring weather.
Wednesday, February 8, 2017
February Updates
So February is flying by with this beautiful spring weather. Are there any snow days in our future?
In class, we switched from narrative writing to writing about things we know a lot about. We made a list of all things we are experts in and we are using graphic organizers to write about them. We are really focusing on our 5Star writing. Ask your child to tell you how we check to make sure we have it! We are switching to plants from animals, now, too. We watched our mealworms change to beetles and will soon say goodbye to our new pals. We started our geometry unit in math, starting with 2D shapes and moving to 3D shapes over the next couple of weeks.
Today was the 100th day of school. We got some great posters in with really cool collections of 100 things. We made a sash with 100 designs, a necklace with 100 fruit loops, an ice cream with 10 scoop of ice creams (counting by 10s to 100!) and I gave each student "100" cookies to take home. I hope they make it.
We are planning our Valentine's Day party for Feb. 14. If you are able to and have not yet sent in a $ donation, please do that ASAP. I also sent home a list of student's names for your child to label their Valentine's if you choose to give some out. We will be decorating bags in school to collect all the goodies.
I would usually end a February post telling you to stay warm. Not today, but tomorrow we're supposedly back to "normal". We'll see....
In class, we switched from narrative writing to writing about things we know a lot about. We made a list of all things we are experts in and we are using graphic organizers to write about them. We are really focusing on our 5Star writing. Ask your child to tell you how we check to make sure we have it! We are switching to plants from animals, now, too. We watched our mealworms change to beetles and will soon say goodbye to our new pals. We started our geometry unit in math, starting with 2D shapes and moving to 3D shapes over the next couple of weeks.
Today was the 100th day of school. We got some great posters in with really cool collections of 100 things. We made a sash with 100 designs, a necklace with 100 fruit loops, an ice cream with 10 scoop of ice creams (counting by 10s to 100!) and I gave each student "100" cookies to take home. I hope they make it.
We are planning our Valentine's Day party for Feb. 14. If you are able to and have not yet sent in a $ donation, please do that ASAP. I also sent home a list of student's names for your child to label their Valentine's if you choose to give some out. We will be decorating bags in school to collect all the goodies.
I would usually end a February post telling you to stay warm. Not today, but tomorrow we're supposedly back to "normal". We'll see....
Thursday, January 19, 2017
January is getting away from me
I didn't realize how long its been since my last post....Here's whats going on in our classroom....
We finished our winter testing for reading. Reading levels will be on your child's report card which will be going home the beginning of February. Reading groups are starting back up again with more books and some word family poems.
We have been fiercely writing narrative stories - stories about something that happened in our lives. We are using graphic organizers to make sure we have a beginning, middle and end to our stories. We are also editing our work for upper and lower case letters, spaces between words, correct spelling of our sight words and punctuation. Yep, all in kindergarten!
In math, we are still counting to 100 but by 1s and 10s now. We also started decomposing numbers. For example, 3 and 4 make 7, 2 and 5 make 7. This will lead us into adding and subtracting.
Our mealworms came in right after winter break. We are watching them change into pupa and then into Darkling Beetles. Its not as bad as it sounds. They don't crawl out of their boxes and the beetles don't fly. We are learning about what animals (including bugs) need to survive and will learn about different animal life cycles.
Remember there's no school Friday, January 20 or Friday, January 27.
A letter will be going home soon about our Valentine's Day party. We are asking for a $ donation to cover snacks and I will send home a list of our students so, if you choose to, your child can make cards for everyone. There will be alternative activities if you prefer that your child does not participate in Valentine's Day. Please send me a note to let me know.
Ok, we're all caught up. Have a nice weekend.
We finished our winter testing for reading. Reading levels will be on your child's report card which will be going home the beginning of February. Reading groups are starting back up again with more books and some word family poems.
We have been fiercely writing narrative stories - stories about something that happened in our lives. We are using graphic organizers to make sure we have a beginning, middle and end to our stories. We are also editing our work for upper and lower case letters, spaces between words, correct spelling of our sight words and punctuation. Yep, all in kindergarten!
In math, we are still counting to 100 but by 1s and 10s now. We also started decomposing numbers. For example, 3 and 4 make 7, 2 and 5 make 7. This will lead us into adding and subtracting.
Our mealworms came in right after winter break. We are watching them change into pupa and then into Darkling Beetles. Its not as bad as it sounds. They don't crawl out of their boxes and the beetles don't fly. We are learning about what animals (including bugs) need to survive and will learn about different animal life cycles.
Remember there's no school Friday, January 20 or Friday, January 27.
A letter will be going home soon about our Valentine's Day party. We are asking for a $ donation to cover snacks and I will send home a list of our students so, if you choose to, your child can make cards for everyone. There will be alternative activities if you prefer that your child does not participate in Valentine's Day. Please send me a note to let me know.
Ok, we're all caught up. Have a nice weekend.
Friday, December 23, 2016
What a week!
After the excitement of the bears and pajama day last week, we really exhausted ourselves with the winter rotations. Everyday we went to a different class to make a snowman. I'm sure you saw the "soup" and great paintings come home.
When we get back in January, though, we get back to work. Our winter formal reading assessments begin right away. We will be reinforcing some counting concepts and for science (drum roll).....
We will have a new class pet - meal worms. They will delivered the first week we get back. We will make them a home as we learn about what things animals need to survive. We will be learning about the life cycle of the meal worm, too (as well as other animals). Eventually, these meal worms will become darkling beetles. Its not as bad as it sounds. The kids love it.
Have a wonderful holiday season.
When we get back in January, though, we get back to work. Our winter formal reading assessments begin right away. We will be reinforcing some counting concepts and for science (drum roll).....
We will have a new class pet - meal worms. They will delivered the first week we get back. We will make them a home as we learn about what things animals need to survive. We will be learning about the life cycle of the meal worm, too (as well as other animals). Eventually, these meal worms will become darkling beetles. Its not as bad as it sounds. The kids love it.
Have a wonderful holiday season.
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
Gingerbread Week
We are all about the Gingerbread cookie this week - if only we were eating them.
We are reading different versions of the story, including the Gingerbread Boy, the Gingerbread Girl, Gingerbread Baby, and more fun and silly stories. We are using gingerbread men to practice our measuring skills in math, too. We will be making gingerbread houses for our friends, too.
In social studies, we are learning about landforms - mountains, hills, caves, and volcanoes. After, that we will switch to bodies of water - oceans, rivers and lakes.
In writing, we are writing about true events in our lives. We are learning about a beginning, middle and end to a story, how to add details to our pictures and writing, and about speech bubbles.
Next week, will be Teddy Bear week. I will be sending a letter home on Thursday with details (they can bring a stuffed animal next week). Another letter will go home later next week, about our Teddy Bear Picnic on the 16th. Keep a look out for those letters.
Have a good week.
We are reading different versions of the story, including the Gingerbread Boy, the Gingerbread Girl, Gingerbread Baby, and more fun and silly stories. We are using gingerbread men to practice our measuring skills in math, too. We will be making gingerbread houses for our friends, too.
In social studies, we are learning about landforms - mountains, hills, caves, and volcanoes. After, that we will switch to bodies of water - oceans, rivers and lakes.
In writing, we are writing about true events in our lives. We are learning about a beginning, middle and end to a story, how to add details to our pictures and writing, and about speech bubbles.
Next week, will be Teddy Bear week. I will be sending a letter home on Thursday with details (they can bring a stuffed animal next week). Another letter will go home later next week, about our Teddy Bear Picnic on the 16th. Keep a look out for those letters.
Have a good week.
oops!
Friday, November 18, 2016
Check out our Germs
We've been learning all about germs, washing hands and how to NOT spread germs. Mr. Mohler, our school nurse, came to talk to us and we read lots of books including one about the Big Bad Wolf who blew down the three pigs houses. Really, all he wanted was a tissue and he kept sneezing and blowing the houses down. He wasn't try to hurt them.
This picture is our apple/germ experiment. We put half the apple in a bag right after it was cut. The other half was passed around so that everyone can touch and spread germs. Can you guess which one has the germs?
We started writing narrative stories instead of informational books. We are writing about stories that really happened to us - somewhere we went or did with friends or family. We will be writing these kinds of stories through the end of the year.
In math we learned about more and less, longer and shorter. We compared the length of our names with that of friends and some storybook characters with really long names like SkippyJon Jones and Tikki Tikki Tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo.
Have a great weekend.
This picture is our apple/germ experiment. We put half the apple in a bag right after it was cut. The other half was passed around so that everyone can touch and spread germs. Can you guess which one has the germs?
In math we learned about more and less, longer and shorter. We compared the length of our names with that of friends and some storybook characters with really long names like SkippyJon Jones and Tikki Tikki Tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, November 11, 2016
What a crazy week
Between the election, one full day of school and two half days, its been a crazy week.
Back to normal next week.
We wrote another informational book in writing. They are working hard on stretching out words and adding details to their pictures. We read a lot of informational books, learning about fiction vs nonfiction. We are finishing up a math unit on comparing the lengths of objects and using words like longer and shorter and we learned how a number line can help us find one more or one less. We also finished up our social studies unit on American Symbols (the flag, Statue of Liberty, Mt. Rushmore, bald eagle and the Liberty Bell). Today, we talked about Veterans Day and what it means to be free.
We also had an assembly with three former Redskins players. They talked to us about teamwork and being respectful even when playing sports.
I'd like to thank everyone for coming in for conferences. It has been shown that students do better in school when parents are involved.
Have a great weekend.
Back to normal next week.
We wrote another informational book in writing. They are working hard on stretching out words and adding details to their pictures. We read a lot of informational books, learning about fiction vs nonfiction. We are finishing up a math unit on comparing the lengths of objects and using words like longer and shorter and we learned how a number line can help us find one more or one less. We also finished up our social studies unit on American Symbols (the flag, Statue of Liberty, Mt. Rushmore, bald eagle and the Liberty Bell). Today, we talked about Veterans Day and what it means to be free.
We also had an assembly with three former Redskins players. They talked to us about teamwork and being respectful even when playing sports.
I'd like to thank everyone for coming in for conferences. It has been shown that students do better in school when parents are involved.
Have a great weekend.
Monday, October 31, 2016
Halloween!!
We had a wonderful Fall Festival. Thank you to Max's mom for the treats and mystery boxes and thanks to all those that helped and joined the fun.
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| Yummy treats! |
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| Yucky Mystery Boxes with Monster Parts inside |
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| The whole Crew |
Friday, October 21, 2016
Upcoming Events
Along with Red Ribbon Week, Singer is having Character Week to teach the 6 Pillars of Character.
Monday, Oct 24 - Respect - Wear wacky or bright colors
Tuesday, Oct 25 - Responsibility - Dress like a superhero (no masks please)
Wednesday, Oct 26 - Caring - Wear a hat
Thursday, Oct 27 - Fairness and Trustworthiness - Wear wacky socks
Friday, Oct 28 - Citizenship - Wear our school colors, purple and white, or a Singer T-shirt
Monday, October 24-28 - Scholastic Book Fair. Our class will visit and make a wish list on Monday the 24th. The list will go home for your review. If you choose to send in money with your student, please send it in a labeled envelope.
Friday October 28 - PTA Movie Night - come join Singer and watch Peter Pan.
Monday, October 31 - Halloween parade and party in our classroom. The parade starts at 2:30 but we will be changing into costumes at 2:15. Anyone who can come at 2:15 can help get us ready.
Tuesday, November 1 - PTA meeting.
In our classroom, we finished up with the water cycle and switched to social studies to learn about American Symbols. We finished our number books and will start a measurement unit. We wrote a book this week about something we know a lot about. I will share their writing with you at our conferences. You will receive their progress report then, too.
Have a great weekend.
Monday, Oct 24 - Respect - Wear wacky or bright colors
Tuesday, Oct 25 - Responsibility - Dress like a superhero (no masks please)
Wednesday, Oct 26 - Caring - Wear a hat
Thursday, Oct 27 - Fairness and Trustworthiness - Wear wacky socks
Friday, Oct 28 - Citizenship - Wear our school colors, purple and white, or a Singer T-shirt
Monday, October 24-28 - Scholastic Book Fair. Our class will visit and make a wish list on Monday the 24th. The list will go home for your review. If you choose to send in money with your student, please send it in a labeled envelope.
Friday October 28 - PTA Movie Night - come join Singer and watch Peter Pan.
Monday, October 31 - Halloween parade and party in our classroom. The parade starts at 2:30 but we will be changing into costumes at 2:15. Anyone who can come at 2:15 can help get us ready.
Tuesday, November 1 - PTA meeting.
In our classroom, we finished up with the water cycle and switched to social studies to learn about American Symbols. We finished our number books and will start a measurement unit. We wrote a book this week about something we know a lot about. I will share their writing with you at our conferences. You will receive their progress report then, too.
Have a great weekend.
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Pictures from Heyser Farm
We had a wonderful day at the orchard. We learned about the apple trees, saw bee hives, smelled the compost pile, watched the chickens, sorted apples by size and watched Mr. Gavin make cider. We all got to taste some and it was delicious.
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| Learning about the chickens |
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| watching the apples take a bath before heading to the cider machine |
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| filling our cider bottles |
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| the cider machine - sorts, grinds and distributes pulp onto trays the cider drips through and the trays are left with dried pulp |
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| listening to Miss Marcy teach us how to make cider |
Monday, October 17, 2016
Field Trip Reminders
Our field trip to Heyser Farm is Wednesday October 19.
- Your child should wear sneakers. We will be walking around the farm.
- We will be back for lunch. You do not need to send in anything special.
- Each student will bring home apples and cider. Make sure you check their backpacks.
It supposed to be a gorgeous 80 degree day. I can't wait.
Thursday, October 13, 2016
BINGO!
Friday night is PTA's Annual Bingo Night at 7:00pm! Win great prizes like principal for a day or breakfast with the kindergarten teachers.
Friday, October 7, 2016
Happy Friday
We had a busy week. We are getting more independent during centers and working together in small reading groups. In writing, we've been thinking of things we know and writing about them. Students are encouraged to add to their daily writing or they can start a new one the next day. I hold the writing until the end of the marking period. You will get the first batch at parent teacher conferences. In math, we have been counting, counting, counting. In science we are almost done with our weather unit. We did seasons, weather and now the water cycle.
Remember to send back reading books on Monday. Have a great weekend.
Remember to send back reading books on Monday. Have a great weekend.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Homework
Our first homework went home today in folders. It is due back on Monday, October 10. The idea of kindergarten hw is to have the child do a little bit every day. They just need to get into the habit of doing homework. The work is not new so your child will need help reading directions, but can do the rest him/herself. PLEASE let them do the work. Have fun.
kindergarten team blog
If you are not already following our kindergarten team blog, check it out at
www.singerkindergarten.blogspot.com
It was just updated with October news!
www.singerkindergarten.blogspot.com
It was just updated with October news!
Monday, September 26, 2016
Heyser Farm Field Trip
Our first field trip!
We are going to Heyser Farm. Look in your child's folder for information and a permission slip. Please return the signed form and money as soon as possible (please wait for both things to send in at the same time).
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Mark Your Calendars - Free Family Event
http://www.makerfairesilverspring.com/
Maker Faire Silver Spring is a free, family-friendly event that brings together Makers of all types for a spectacular display of art, science, technology, craft and engineering.
Maker Faire Silver Spring is a free, family-friendly event that brings together Makers of all types for a spectacular display of art, science, technology, craft and engineering.
Friday, September 9, 2016
We are on our way!
Here we go....kindergarten!
We are up and running. We started our literacy centers so we can learn how to work independently while I'm working with small reading groups. We worked in Books, Computers, Art, Word Work and Magnets. We are staying in centers for 7 minutes and will build up to 15 minutes each rotation. Phew!
We read books and talked about the characters and drew pictures of them. We read Chrysanthemum and did lots of activities with our names. In math, we explored different manipulatives like blocks, magna-tiles, links and shapes.
Please send snack in a separate bag from lunch. Lunch boxes should only have lunch foods in them.
Remember, there's no school on Monday.
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