Thank you

Thank you!

I want to send a big thank you to all of the families who showed their appreciation to me and all of their children's teachers throughout the week!  While we most certainly don't go into this career for the treats and gifts, the thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated and we are so grateful. 

I also made sure the students thought of the specialists teachers as well.  They are amazing teachers, and although they may not have their own classroom, they impact many children's lives every day!  We made a special book for every specialist we see to let them know how thankful we are for them! Many said it brought tears to their eyes to see that they were thought of and read their kind words.  If you included the specialists in your giving this week, they also thank you and expressed how much it means to them! I let them know that I would pass on their thanks!

Fundations: at this point in the year students should know how to correctly form ALL letters and should be doing so every time they write, not just during Fundations.  This week I have noticed many friends not putting forth their best effort in regards to forming their letters correctly and neatly.  We have talked about what good writers they are becoming, but if it isn't neat, others (or themselves) can't read their work.  Please help hold your child accountable when writing at home over the summer as well.  I am including the verbal prompts that tell exactly what their pencil should be doing to form the letter correctly in the Friday Folder this week. They know how to recite all of these prompts to "tell their pencil what to do," as we have worked on this all year.  It is the same one sent home earlier this year, but I wanted to send it again.  I encourage you to save it and refer to it. Their first grade teachers will also thank you! 

Spelling Test: today was our last regular spelling test of the year.  We will have our end of year test over ALL 50 spelling words on Wednesday.  Although this test will be long, it should not be difficult as they should already know how to read and write all 50 words learned throughout the school year. They are bringing home a complete list of word wall words, as they do every Friday, for you to use to practice. 

Writing Workshop: this week we worked on the special books I mentioned above for our specialists teachers.  We wrote about why we love that teacher and their class.  We made one for Coach C in P.E., Mrs. Hamisak in Music, Mrs. Starbuck in art, Mr. Heidlage in Media and Mrs. Fitch, Mrs. Canepa and Mrs. Groner in the library.  We also began our Kindergarten Memories book that will come home at the end of the school year. 

Math: we have began our final unit in math, unit 9.  While we won't get too far into it, you can refer to the parent packet in the Friday Folder on skills you can work on over the summer. 

Countdown to 1st grade: On Monday, we made these countdown to 1st grade paper chains.  They should take one off each morning, with the last one being removed the day they wake up as official 1st graders on Wednesday, May 24th (if they made it correctly!)  Can't believe they are almost there!

A to Z Countdown: this week we had fun learning outside, wearing pajamas, working quietly all day (best day everrrrr, says the teacher lol), enjoyed an extra recess and time with our stuffed animals.  More pictures on the class Facebook page. 

On Monday, they will need to bring in a special treasure to share with this class.  This can be a picture, object, whatever.  It needs to fit in their backpack and they need to be prepared to share details about it and not just hold it up.  Please practice what they need to say about their treasure this weekend.  U is Under the table day and they can bring pillows and blankets to make forts, V is vacation day and they can dress as if they are going on a vacation!  Think the beach, tacky tourist, hiking, whatever!!  Make it fun!  W is workout day and they can wear workout clothes and PLEASE WEAR TENNIS SHOES and X is exchange autographs. If we have our yearbooks by then, we will sign those.  If not, I will have papers for them to sign.  

Science: on Monday we released our 5 butterflies!  Videos were shared on the class Facebook page. 

Book Drive: we were able to bring back a Beulah tradition that was put on pause during Covid, the BEU Book Drive.  Thanks to many wonderful families and teachers donating gently used books, every child was able to bring home 10 books to keep as their own!  We hope this will encourage summer reading and we always love putting books in children's hands!  Enjoy!

Sneaky Reading: speaking of reading, I would love to see pictures posted of kiddos reading outside on our class Facebook page.  That is this month's Sneaky Reading Challenge that was sent home with the May reading log the other week!  We've had the perfect weather to be outside! 

I want to wish everyone a very Happy Mother's Day!  I hope you all are spoiled all day (weekend) long!  Thank you for sharing your little ones with me!