Eric Carle.Murals

1 week left!!!

Click here for ABC COUNTDOWN--
This past week
Monday = No school Memorial Day
Tuesday = R Recess Day!  We are going to recess instead of library and maybe an extra time in the day too!
Wednesday = S Special Surprise Day (they will be getting their special surprises at graduation)
Thursday = T Tons of color Day--wear as many colors as you can!

Next Week:
Monday = V Video Day
Tuesday = W Wildlife Day for St. Ed kids going to the Zoo (Wild Fun for HASD kids seeing a puppet show!)
Wednesday = X Xtra fun day-extra outside time!
Thursday = Y You will help clean the classroom and lockers and bring Your stuff home.  You are out of here!
You also earned a party for filling our bucket with drops!  You will be celebrating all your friends summer birthday's with an Ice cream birthday party!! (Thanks to the family who graciously offered to donate the ice cream!)

HAPPY SUMMER

**Thank you to all those who donated items or helped out with the graduation party after the ceremony on Wednesday. It was so nice**

The weather is nice and it can get hot in school, but please remember our school dress code. Girls straps need to be 1 inch wide, shorts are one hand above the knee.  Tennis shoes should be worn all day, every day.

We started Tuesday by talking about Eric Carle and looking at some of his books.  We talked about how he does not paint pictures, but he makes papers and then cuts them out to make pictures.  We then discussed what a mural was.  We decided to make Eric Carle Papers and then make them into a mural.

We brainstormed ideas of what we could make for our mural and then voted for one.  We counted up the results and talked about which one had most.  A dinosaur mural won!

We then collected the papers.  I drew an outline on the back of the papers and had them cut them out.  They then picked where the wanted it and I put glue on and allowed them to build their mural.  It turned out so cute!

We also counted the fruit that the Hungry Caterpillar ate and colored it in.  Working on happy coloring (in the lines, no white) and following directions (the right number of fruit and the right color), and doing our best work.  It also worked on pulling details out of a story and talking about it.

Students also colors a book to help them, again, with that happy coloring and strengthening those fine motor skills.  It also helped some of them read their color words.

Students also colored a page of a book fashioned after Brown Bear Brown Bear, What Do You See? They wrote their names, and then tried writing the color word and the animal with invented spelling (write what you hear).  They then read it to the class and we made it into a book.

We finished our zoo book and that is in the class library as well  At the zoo I like the animals.

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 (2 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:

 

•  ABC Countdown to the end of the year. It is completely optional, but students are invited to do a specific activity that starts with that letter for each day they are in school.  Click HERE for days. This came home in weekly folders as well
• Tuesday the St. Edward families will be going to the zoo.  Students have had information sent home.  Students staying at school will have a puppet show come and be doing their favorite thing: playing!
• All of our lockers need to be cleaned out on Wednesday. This means we will be sending home their spare clothes as well.  Please leave them in their backpack Wednesday night in the off chance we would need them at school on Thursday.
• Drop, Summer Birthday, Ice Cream Party is Thursday.
• Last day of 4k is Thursday June 4 at their regular times.
• St. Edward students, please see Mrs. Morrin's newsletter about end of the year mass (Held Friday June 5)

Next Week:
Theme: Graduation, going to Kindergarten
Snack: Hoff Family

Zoo.Safety Fair

I think it is safe to say that the weeks are getting busier than easier at this point!  We are in the final stretch.  As we told the kids, only 2 lines left on the calendar!

Click here for ABC COUNTDOWN--
This past week
Monday = M Meet on the bus to go to see Charlotte’s Web (St. Edward 4K through 5th grade).     Hortonville 4k will Move like crazy with extra gym/outside time
Tuesday= N No tests or homework day! No Morning Work!
Wednesday = O  Orange Day.  Wear orange.
Thursday = P Pick friends to sit by today in class.
Next Week:
Monday = No school Memorial Day
Tuesday = R Recess Day!  We are going to recess instead of library and maybe an extra time in the day too!
Wednesday = S Special Surprise Day (they will be getting their special surprises at graduation)
Thursday = T Tons of color Day--wear as many colors as you can!

***** Mrs. Bauer (pm class) would like to set up a little reception for after graduation.  She is able to get cupcakes at a great deal.  She would like some help getting some juice and cups, or any other “snacky” items.  If you would like/can to help in any way, please contact her at BAUERSARAH@aasd.k12.wi.us

We took the animals from last week's brainstorm (close their eyes and think of ideas) of an animal at the zoo that is their favorite.  We have been writing I like and working to write the animals names.  The students then read their sentence.  When the book is done, it will be in the reading center!

Students who remained at school on Monday (HASD students) made lion heads. They worked those fine motor skills by coloring the face and mane. They then had to do many little cuts to make the manes furry.  Two wiggly eyes, a button nose, and a mouth later our hall looks like a lions den at the zoo!

Wednesday was the safety fair.  Due to a bus mix up, we were a little late, but we still made it to all the stations.  We did a short review of street signs in the bike rodeo (as well as making sure we had helmets on).  We then had a snack and colored our coloring books.  We visited a police officer who taught us his job, the plan if we see a gun (Stop, dont touch it, leave the area, get a grown up) and stranger safety (No matter what they have do not go with them), firefighters that discussed only grown ups putting things on the fire, walking by a fire, walking behind the chairs to the fire, and kids do not help with fireworks, and finally wen visited therapy dogs and learned we ALWAYS ask "can I pet your dog" before touching and listen to the owners directions and answers.

This week we worked on numbers 9, 10

On Tuesday, students put the correct number of stickers on their number(s) for the week and color that correct number of pictures.  On Thursday they find that number in magazines and in advertisements and cut 3 out and glue them onto the corresponding number(s).  

Students start the week off with writing the number and coloring that number of farm animals.  The then practice writing it with every dismissal from the carpet.  On Tuesdays, they write the number of the week and their name in shaving cream for morning work.  On Thursday, students practice rainbow writing (writing the number 4 times in 5 colors) BUT EMPHASIZING WE ARE WRITING NOT COLORING THE NUMBERS IN.  They also get to choose an illustration and color that image.

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 (2 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 FINAL LIBRARY CHECK OUT WAS MONDAY MAY 11. We will no longer be going to library to check out books as the library needs time to get all the books in, do inventory, etc.  If you have any books or the book bags please send them in.
• OUR FINAL LITERACY BAGS WERE SENT HOME.  Please send in any literacy bags you have left at home. These were the bags that had the themed folders, activities, and books in them.  
•  ABC Countdown to the end of the year. It is completely optional, but students are invited to do a specific activity that starts with that letter for each day they are in school.  Click HERE for days. This came home in weekly folders as well
• Graduation is held WEDNESDAY MAY 27, 2015 5:30-6:30.  Students sing some songs, show off their technology skills with a power point they help type, you see first day of school photos with graduation photos, they receive their certificates and letter/number books, and then there is a short social afterwards.  RSVPs are lime green and came out on Tuesday.  PLEASE NOTE YOU CAN INVITE WHOMEVER YOU WOULD LIKE BUT PLEASE INDICATE ON THE RSVP AND ONLY TAKE ONE PROGRAM FOR EACH FAMILY COMING (EACH SET OF GRANDPARENTS, PARENTS, GODPARENTS, AUNTS/UNCLES, ETC)
• Last day of 4k is Thursday June 4 at their regular times.
• St. Edward students, please see Mrs. Morrin's newsletter about end of the year mass (Held Friday June 5)

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. 

Next Week:
Theme: Eric Carle
Snack: Sievert Family

Zoo. PALS

This has been a crazy busy week!  It was zoo themed and I think  it would be safe to say it was a zoo in our room too!

I want to start off by saying: 
PARENTS, I saw such drastic improvements in all of your children this year that it actually brought me to tears.  Thank you so much for your support at home, working with concepts sent home in the blog, and just reading with and helping your child learn.  Your parental support is key to their continued success in school. Thank you and please give all of your children a high five for me!

Click here for ABC COUNTDOWN--
This past week
Monday = H Healthy snack day.  Bring an extra snack to eat in your classroom today.
Tuesday = I Individual Day.  Bring a book to read by yourself outside today. (if weather permits)
Wednesday = J Job Day.  Do odd jobs around school today and make your teacher smile.
Thursday = K Kick up your heels and run the iRun today. (PM)  Hortonville 4k will kick up their heels and run with their teachers in the AM
Next Week
Monday = M Meet on the bus to go to see Charlotte’s Web (St. Edward 4K through 5th grade).     Hortonville 4k will Move like crazy with extra gym/outside time
Tuesday= N No tests or homework day! No Morning Work!
Wednesday = O  Orange Day.  Wear orange.
Thursday = P Pick friends to sit by today in class.

***** Mrs. Bauer (pm class) would like to set up a little reception for after graduation.  She is able to get cupcakes at a great deal.  She would like some help getting some juice and cups, or any other “snacky” items.  If you would like/can to help in any way, please contact her at BAUERSARAH@aasd.k12.wi.us

For our zoo themed week, we started with making a list of all the animals we know that live in the zoo.  We had to stretch it to make it a petting zoo too because some were INSISTENT there were bunnies there! 


We then did a brainstorm (close their eyes and think of ideas) of an animal at the zoo that is their favorite.  They then illustrated this that will be put together with a book page.


Students got some zoo animals (Cheetah or a Toucan) and they cut out the animals on their cage lines, and then put them together like a puzzle with going in number order.  Some worked with 1-10 and some worked with 11-20.  We are trying to emphasize precision, attention to detail, and doing our best.  Some of us had to do it a couple times because we were not doing the above mentioned, but once we were able to follow the directions better, they turned out pretty cool on our zoo walls.

Students also got to pattern with zoo animals.  As seen in the assessments, students are pretty good at patterning with colored scribbles, but getting them to pattern with objects was a little trickier.  Once they got a hang of it, they turned out pretty cool.  Based on what the student was ready for, some did AB patterns, Some ABC, and some AAB or ABB.  They are looking good in our hallway!

All through out the week, I pulled students one by one and did the assessments.  PALS assessments are done, but I continue to work on the rest of their assessments (in other academic areas).  Report cards and PALS results come home on the last day of school.

Students start the week off with writing the number and coloring that number of farm animals.  The then practice writing it with every dismissal from the carpet.  On Tuesdays, they write the number of the week and their name in shaving cream for morning work.  On Thursday, students practice rainbow writing (writing the number 4 times in 5 colors) BUT EMPHASIZING WE ARE WRITING NOT COLORING THE NUMBERS IN.  They also get to choose an illustration and color that image.

This week we worked on numbers 7, 8

On Tuesday, students put the correct number of stickers on their number(s) for the week and color that correct number of pictures.  On Thursday they find that number in magazines and in advertisements and cut 3 out and glue them onto the corresponding number(s).  

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 (4 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 FINAL LIBRARY CHECK OUT WAS MONDAY MAY 11. We will no longer be going to library to check out books as the library needs time to get all the books in, do inventory, etc.  If you have any books or the book bags please send them in.
• OUR FINAL LITERACY BAGS WERE SENT HOME.  Please send in any literacy bags you have left at home. These were the bags that had the themed folders, activities, and books in them.  
•  ABC Countdown to the end of the year. It is completely optional, but students are invited to do a specific activity that starts with that letter for each day they are in school.  Click HERE for days. This came home in weekly folders as well
• 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! There is no cost, and we will not need chaperones.  All slips are now in, I apologize for the confusion with that one!
• Graduation is held WEDNESDAY MAY 27, 2015 5:30-6:30.  Students sing some songs, show off their technology skills with a power point they help type, you see first day of school photos with graduation photos, they receive their certificates and letter/number books, and then there is a short social afterwards.  RSVPs are coming home on Monday.  PLEASE NOTE YOU CAN INVITE WHOMEVER YOU WOULD LIKE BUT PLEASE INDICATE ON THE RSVP AND ONLY TAKE ONE PROGRAM FOR EACH FAMILY COMING (EACH SET OF GRANDPARENTS, PARENTS, GODPARENTS, AUNTS/UNCLES, ETC)
• Last day of 4k is Thursday June 4 at their regular times.
• St. Edward students, please see Mrs. Morrin's newsletter about end of the year mass (Held Friday June 5)

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. 

Next Week:
Theme: Zoo & Trips
Number of the week: 9, 10
Snack: Hoff Family

Flowers.Mothers Day.PALS

This has been a crazy busy week!

Click here for ABC COUNTDOWN--
This past week
Monday= C Crazy Hair
Tuesday = D Dress for Cinco De Mayo
Wednesday = E extra Exercise (we would have random exercise breaks where kids ran to their exercise dots, did some ABC yoga) and then resumed playing
Thursday = F Favorite Team Day
Next Week
Monday = H Healthy snack day.  Bring an extra snack to eat in your classroom today.
Tuesday = I Individual Day.  Bring a book to read by yourself outside today. (if weather permits)
Wednesday = J Job Day.  Do odd jobs around school today and make your teacher smile.
Thursday = K Kick up your heels and run the iRun today. (PM)  Hortonville 4k will kick up their heels and run with their teachers in the AM

***** Mrs. Bauer (pm class) would like to set up a little reception for after graduation.  She is able to get cupcakes at a great deal.  She would like some help getting some juice and cups, or any other “snacky” items.  If you would like/can to help in any way, please contact her at BAUERSARAH@aasd.k12.wi.us***

*Not pictured "no sun" it is hiding in a drawer.

We continued checking on the plants this week. We watered them each day, kept them in the sun and then we recorded our observations in our non-fiction book.  We put our non-fiction book in our reading center.  Together, we wrote our observations for all the plants, labeled the diagram of a plant, and the life cycle of the plant.  Students helped me write the book by telling me the letter as I said the word slow and stretched out the sound.

Tuesday was Cinco de Mayo.  We had spanish music playing all through out the play time, and then at circle time we learned the Mexican hat dance!

We worked on sequencing  the life cycle of a plant by cutting it out and putting it in order.

All through out the week, I pulled students one by one and did the PALS assessment.  PALS assessments are done, but I continue to work on the rest of their assessments (in other academic areas).  Report cards and PALS results come home on the last day of school.

Students start the week off with writing the number and coloring that number of farm animals.  The then practice writing it with every dismissal from the carpet.  On Tuesdays, they write the number of the week and their name in shaving cream for morning work.  On Thursday, students practice rainbow writing (writing the number 4 times in 5 colors) BUT EMPHASIZING WE ARE WRITING NOT COLORING THE NUMBERS IN.  They also get to choose an illustration and color that image.

This week we worked on numbers 5, 6

On Tuesday, students put the correct number of stickers on their number(s) for the week and color that correct number of pictures.  On Thursday they find that number in magazines and in advertisements and cut 3 out and glue them onto the corresponding number(s).  

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 (4 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:

•  ABC Countdown to the end of the year. It is completely optional, but students are invited to do a specific activity that starts with that letter for each day they are in school.  Click HERE for days. This came home in weekly folders as well.

• 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. You can use any of the variety of fliers that have been coming home (April, May, & June).
• 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 came home this week.  There is no cost, and we will not need chaperones.
• Graduation is held WEDNESDAY MAY 27, 2015 5:30-6:30.  Students sing some songs, show off their technology skills with a power point they help type, you see first day of school photos with graduation photos, they receive their certificates and letter/number books, and then there is a short social afterwards.  
• Last day of 4k is Thursday June 4 at their regular times.
• St. Edward students, please see Mrs. Morrin's newsletter about end of the year mass (Held Friday June 5)

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: Zoo & PALS Assessment
Number of the week: 7,8
Snack: Obermueller Family

Plants!

Thursday kicked off our  ABC COUNTDOWN--Students brought in an extra apple snack to enjoy while they were playing.  They liked the change in routine!  Our snack family also brought applesauce on Thursday, which made all the kids excited they got the letter A!!  IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT MONDAY WAS MISSING FROM THE PRINT OUT AND ORIGINAL BLOG POST.  Monday is C -- CRAZY HAIR DAY.

We have been discussing plants this week.  We started the week talking about what we thing plants need.  We then set up an experiment: What do you think will happen if some of those needs are missing?  We set up plants that had no sun, no water, or no soil and then one that had everything it needs. 

They are sitting on our window sill and we are waiting to see what happens!

*Not pictured "no sun" it is hiding in a drawer.

We not only did science with this non-fiction book we are writing, but students also helped me write the words they used to describe our experiment by telling me the letters.  We are really working on saying the words slow and writing the sound we here.  They also think OI says oi is hilarious.

Students enjoyed this video explaining what a plant needs.

We also discussed the preservation of plants by watching The Lorax.  Some students watched the movie in its entirety while playing while others (St. Edward students) sang in their spring program.

We will continue to talk about plants next week and check on our experiments. 

Students start the week off with writing the number and coloring that number of farm animals.  The then practice writing it with every dismissal from the carpet.  On Tuesdays, they write the number of the week and their name in shaving cream for morning work.  On Thursday, students practice rainbow writing (writing the number 4 times in 5 colors) BUT EMPHASIZING WE ARE WRITING NOT COLORING THE NUMBERS IN.  They also get to choose an illustration and color that image.

This week we worked on numbers 3, 4

On Tuesday, students put the correct number of stickers on their number(s) for the week and color that correct number of pictures.  On Thursday they find that number in magazines and in advertisements and cut 3 out and glue them onto the corresponding number(s).  

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 (6 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:

•  ABC Countdown to the end of the year. It is completely optional, but students are invited to do a specific activity that starts with that letter for each day they are in school.  Click HERE for days. This came home in weekly folders as well.
•  4k Promotional Video Hortonville was selected to be taped to make a promotional video about 4k.  They will be coming in and taping children planing and I (and other 4k teachers and principals) will be voicing over all the highlights of our program.  There is no need to prepare or do anything different, but wanted you to feel informed as kids may come home with quite the story otherwise!
  

• Bloomin' Bonanza Plate Purchase If you would like to purchase the plate your child makes, please send me a note by MAY 6 indicating and PAYMENT $15.  Checks can be written to St. Edward.  You can send this anytime.  ***ANY PLATES NOT PAID FOR BY THE TIME OF THE SALE WILL NEED TO GO INTO THE GENERAL SALE***
• 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. You can use any of the variety of fliers that have been coming home (April, May, & June).
• 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 came home this week.  There is no cost, and we will not need chaperones.
• Graduation is held WEDNESDAY MAY 27, 2015 5:30-6:30.  Students sing some songs, show off their technology skills with a power point they help type, you see first day of school photos with graduation photos, they receive their certificates and letter/number books, and then there is a short social afterwards.  
• Last day of 4k is Thursday June 4 at their regular times.
• St. Edward students, please see Mrs. Morrin's newsletter about end of the year mass (Held Friday June 5)

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: Plants & PALS Assessment
Number of the week: 5, 6
Snack: Manteufel Family