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