Insects!

Students have been learning the parts of an insect. They can tell you there are 3 parts to an insect: head, thorax, and abdomen. They also have antennae, 6 legs, and an exoskeleton. Your child can't remember? Have them sing the song! (see the video below!)

We talked a lot about science this week. We talked about labeling a diagram (and then did it in small group). We talked about looking at the sounds letters make to help us know what word we were gluing on. We also talked about making a model (we did this in small group as well).

Students used their fine motor skills to cut through the paper tubes-it wasn't easy but they tried really hard to get it done! They then told the 3 parts and what was missing. Once the model was finished, we sang the song to make sure that it was all there!

 We made predictions and did tests to try out our predictions. We had tiny capsules and we made some predictions of what would happen if we put them in hot water. We then tested it out. Students got to bring home the insect shaped sponges.

Students played with insects in sensory table and sorted them.

Students had insects and magnifying glasses in discovery center.

A big part of kindergarten readiness is making sure the student can correctly and efficiently use their tools.  It is also that their letters are written (and identified) correctly so they can begin the reading and writing process.  PLEASE help your child hold pencils and scissors correctly, name the letters and numbers, and correctly write the letters and numbers.  

pencils need to be held in a "tri-pod/pincher grip.
Pointer and thumb should pinch the pencil and the
pencil should rest in the middle finger on the top
kuckle.  The thumb and the pointer should make
a round/circular shape

Scissors need to be held thumb up, cut
away from the body, and pushing foward
as the fingers and thumb open and close.

Writing the letters correctly will help them greatly in kindergarten as they will be more fluent in their writing if it is done correctly.  A good rule of thumb: START AT THE TOP AND CIRCLE BACK.  Circle back homework came home this week as well; it is essential students circle back rather than forwards for the correct formation of the letter.   I can send home the correct formation of the letters to help you work with them (this also came home in Holiday Homework).

Writing the numbers is equally as important as it is essential in communicating their math answers.  Please help your child name and write the numbers they best they can (ideally: count objects to 10, write up to 10, identify up to 12, count orally to 20, ).  Please note how the numbers look in the image.  This is how we write our numbers including the 2, 4, and 9 (not as they show up when typing).

 Please note that the year is very busy (and only 8 weeks left!). There are many events, forms, permission slips, and more that need to returned to school. Please refer back to this blog weekly and check your child's folder (both classroom and school issued) every night to ensure you see everything. 

Upcoming Events:

• Our school will be going through the Accreditation process April 13-15.  There will be additional people in our building observing the classroom/school environment as well as the teachers.  
• Final Reading with the Stars will be Monday April 20.
• Graduation Photos April 22 during class time. We have a professional photographer (the same one that did school photos) come and take pictures of your child in Graduation gear (provided by her).  You will have the opportunity to purchase these photos like you did the school photos.  We will be sending out permission/payment envelopes.  Please be sure to turn these in regardless of whether you intend to purchase--we cant take their picture without your permission.  We use the photos in the graduation slide show. Forms come home on MONDAY.
• Spring Field Trip April 23.  Permission slips will be coming out right after spring break.  We will be going to Mosquito Hill in New London to talk about how animals wake up in spring.  Students will need to be dressed for the weather and hiking outside.  If you are interested in chaperoning and have not done so already please take the VIRTUS class and fill out all the appropriate background checks.  These take time so you can start now before the permission slips come out.
• St. Edward Spring Program April 29 (All St. Edward Families) will participate in.  It is a Matinee and evening show times. Hortonville families will receive a permissions email (like the Christmas program) closer to the date to watch the matinee performance.
• Bloomin' Bonanza May 8-9 is our school wide plant and craft sale. It has a large variety of annuals, perennials, student made projects and local vendors.  Our class will be making decorative plates/plant stands to donate to the sale.  Please consider coming out and supporting the school!
• FINAL BOOK ORDER WILL BE DUE MAY 15.  Please click on the link for scholastic at the top of this page.  When you buy books for your child, it helps buy books and supplies for our classrooms. 
• PALS assessments will run for 2 weeks (10 school days) in May.  This may modify lesson plans have a few less projects.
• Safety Fair Field Trip May 20. Students will be traveling by bus to Hillside preschool to learn about a variety of summer safety tips and even do a bike safety rodeo!  Permission slips will be coming home closer to the date.  There is no cost, and we will not need chaperones.
• Graduation is held during one of the last 2 weeks of the school year.  Students sing some songs, show off their technology skills with a powerpoint they help type, you see first day of school photos with graduation photos, they recieve their certificates and letter/number books, and then there is a short social afterwards.  In the beginning of May, we send out a sheet with days that work best/dont work.  We then tally up the yeses and the day with the most yeses is when graduation is held.  We know with t-ball and such starting in May, it can be hard so we try to do what works best.  Please look for that and return it as soon as you can.

Important Notes:

•  Dress for the weather.  Please send your child dressed for the weather as we go outside as long as it is not raining or below 0*(students are more than welcome to bring layers daily or to leave in their lockers)  It may also be time to change out the change of clothes to make sure they are weather appropriate.  If you send a new change of clothes, we will send the warm weather clothes in their backpacks.
• Folders. Please be checking your child's daily folder each night.  We put notes on the notebook pages in their folders as well as any notes we may have for you.  Artwork is also sent home this way. As we start letter of the week, we will also start sending home homework to help reinforce the letter concept and identification.  Please work on this with you child to help the students make the connection between home and school. 
• Also, Please check the student's Wednesday Folders.  Please try to take info out and return the folder and any forms/info/payments in those folders a day or two after receiving. 
• Literacy Bags come home every three weeks.  Students will have a week to complete the project inside and can then return the bag with completed sheets in it on TUESDAYS.
• Library Books come every week.  We go to library on Monday and student have the opportunity to check out a book and keep it for a week. It can be kept in their back packs or at home, but please remember to bring it on Mondays.

Next Week:
Theme: Trees.Seasons
Letter of the Week: Zz
Snack: Bonnet Family