Happy Halloween

Fundations: we learned the name, sound and correct formation for lowercase p and j.  We had fun celebrating with our PJ Day!  

Please use the verbal prompts below:

p-dow...n, up, around

j-dow...n, curve up, dot

By the end of 1st trimester, which is now, your child should be able to:

*identify 40+ letters of the alphabet (uppercase and lowercase combined)

*name at least 10 letter sounds correctly

Shared Reading/Spelling Words: this week we read the books At the Zoo and Fire Truck. Both books featured our spelling word of the week the, plus several of our old spelling words.  Check our class Facebook page of a friend reading this book.  We are becoming readers! 

I have noticed that many of the students can write the spelling words, but reading them has been more difficult.  I highly recommend practicing both ways: writing and reading.  Get out the good ol' pencil and paper and practice writing the words like we do on the test each week, but make flash cards and practice reading those each night as well.  A great time to do the reading portion is bedtime or whenever you read in the evenings.  Read books to them like you normally do, then pull out the flash cards and have them practice reading to you before bed/when your nightly reading routine is finished.  You can use index cards, post it's, cut up pieces of paper, anything to make flash cards!  Each week, add the new word to the bag.  Keep them in the car, your purse.....you can practice at appointments, siblings ball practices, etc.  

Next week's new spelling word:

like

Writing Workshop: we are learning about where writers get ideas and how to put those ideas down on paper.  Right now "writing" is in the form of drawings and we are writing about everyday things that we do (riding our bikes, going to Level Up, going to the park, etc.)  This is why we have spent so much time learning how to draw people (not stick people), backgrounds/settings and 3 start coloring.  The students tell a story through their drawings.  The first stage of writing is to be able to verbally tell a story and then draw pictures to help tell the story.  Next we will learn how to label our story.  

Math: we have finished unit 2 and begun unit 3.  Check your child's Friday Folder for ways to extend their learning at home and to see what we will learn in unit 3. 

Friday Craft: we listened to the book Frankestein doesn't wear earmuffs! and made our own Frankensteins!

Library Check Out: this week we were able to put together puzzles or sit and enjoy our book in the library after we checked out our new books.  The entire school is also working on putting together a sticker puzzle.  Ask your child to tell you about the pictures below.  

A few more pumpkins were added to the library this week! One of our friends had one on display! Looks great! 

October Packmate of the Month: yay Embry!  She was chosen, by her peers, as our October Packmate of the Month!  We celebrated her at an assembly with all Kindergarten and First grade classes on Tuesday. 

Boo Basket: a few weeks ago our class started a "Boo Basket" to spread joy around the school during the Fall season.  Yesterday we received one in return!  It was a nice and fun surprise! 

Compliment Party: we enjoyed a pizza party on Monday for receiving 10 compliments from others around the school. We are now working on earning 20 compliments and will celebrate with a movie day when the time comes. 

Fall Parties: we had at a blast at our Fall Party today!  Thank you to our head room parent, Jason Gatz, for organizing and to all the parents who sent in supplies or volunteered to help at the party!  We enjoyed yummy snacks, made beautiful necklaces and played some fun games!  I hope you have a fun and safe weekend with any Halloween or Fall festivities that you take part in.  

Kindergarten rocks!