A look at our learning...
Fundations: this week we learned the letter name, sound and correct formation for lowercase s and d. We discussed how b and d look similar, but b is a sky line letter and goes down first when we write it and d is a plane line letter and goes over first when we write it. It is common for Kindergarteners to confuse b and d and is nothing to worry about at the moment. Reversals at this point are developmentally appropriate. The goal is to have them mastered by the end of FIRST grade, so they still have time.
Please use these verbal prompts when helping your child form their letters:
d-over, around, up, down (or we learned we can also say "c turns into a d" because if they can write a c, they can turn it into a d)
s-over, around, curve
Shared Reading: we read the poem 5 Little Pumpkins and the Big Book Fire Truck this week.
Shared Reading is an interactive reading experience that occurs when students join in or share the reading of an enlarged text (big book) or poem. Students observe their teacher modeling expert reading behaviors such as reading with expression and fluency. They see how print works, get the feel of reading and begin to perceive themselves as readers. After practicing the above mentioned poems and books for the entire week, and becoming "experts" with those texts, they add their own smaller copy to their book box and poetry folder for independent reading. Many of our books and poems also feature the new spelling word of the week for extra practice.
Students are "buddy reading" in the photos below. On Thursdays, after we have had several days of good practice with our Big Books, they are given their own copy to put in their book box as a familiar reading book. They practice reading with a partner before adding to their book box. I love listening to them become readers!
Spelling Words: I have been very impressed with the first two spelling checks! I appreciate your support at home and can tell many students have been practicing! Keep up the great work!
Here is a picture of our Word Wall that you often hear me mention. Once we have a learned a spelling word/word wall word, they go on this wall as a point of reference. If a word is on this wall, it means we should be able to read and write it "quick and fast!"
Next week's new spelling word:
see
Writing Workshop: we are learning how to add words, in the form of labels, to our stories. To adults, it might be confusing as to why labeling is important, but it is a stepping stone to writing sentences and stories! First, a child must be able to verbally tell a story (which they can all do), then they must be able to legibly draw a picture to match their verbal story (still working on this) and labeling comes next. The labels help tell the story. Once they are experts at this, we can move onto actual sentences. Even a sentence in Kindergarten is considered a "story." Some students are already writing a sentence and that is great! However, they will still add labels to their picture in addition to their sentence.
Math: this week we worked on shapes, addition and subtraction number stories and did a fun Halloween graphing activity that they were also able to eat! Learning with food is always fun! This paper is coming home in their folder today, ask them about it!
I want to give my class a special shoutout! On Wednesday, 15 principals from around the district came to observe select classrooms at Beulah Ralph. They came in 3 groups of 5 and each group observed for 5-7 minutes. The groups included elementary, middle school, high school and even the career center principals! They were blown away with the amazing learning they saw in our classroom during math time! I'm so proud of my class and I know they felt pretty special as well hearing the rave reviews we received! So awesome!
Special visitor: we are so blessed to have Monica Naylor, Beulah Ralph's daughter, come speak to Kindergarten every year and tell us all about her special mother that our school is named after. We heard a funny story from when she was a little girl and learned that she began the Home School Communicator program for CPS. Monica and her mother are both amazing women. Ask your child all about the visit and to tell you the story they heard. (Hint-it's about how she used to like to play school as a child and tried to get her farm chickens to be her students).
A copy of the story will come home with your child next week for you to enjoy together.
Library: this week students were able to check out two library books! They were so excited! Please remember to keep library books in your child's backpack unless reading. As the year goes on, we notice more and more students not having their books on library day. We want you enjoying them at home, but put them right back in their backpack when finished. Please don't leave on a nightstand, special shelf or basket, couch, etc. Thank you for your help with this! They are only allowed to check out books if they return the ones from the previous week and it is much more helpful if they can check them out during our actual library time on Tuesday's.
Friday Craft: we read the book Frankenstein doesn't wear earmuffs! and made our own Frankenstein!
Morning Work: on Tuesday, Mrs. Fitch visited us from the media center and we were able to make buttons during our 8-8:20 morning work time. The students designed their own button with crayons and scissors and used her cool machine to turn it into a button! If they were at school that day, they wore one home on their shirt or backpack! So fun!
Pajama Day: I am so proud of how well the students did when I was absent on Monday. Mr. B gave them rave reviews and we had fun celebrating with a pajama day today as a reward! There aren't many things cuter than kinders in pj's!
More fun at school
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