More Apples!

We continued apples this week. 

We finished up our apple stamping books and did an early reader apple book. We read it, colored it, and the read it again with clues. 

We made an apple core project to practice cutting, then we picked a leaf that had a number on it.  We then knew how many seeds needed to go into our apple core.  They are decorating the hall and they great!

We have been watching a lot of videos about apples still. We have seen the different kinds of apples, what you can make with apples and more!

We also had the opportunity to make applesauce as a class. Students helped peel apples, and the put the cut up slices in making sure only the flesh got in-no seeds or core.  It cooked for one whole school day and then the next school day it was ready!  It smelled so good!  We got to taste it and use our 5 senses with it as well.  We also did a poll of like it or not like the applesauce.  Everyone liked it!

We also got the opportunity to practice graphing apples by color by using the Mimio board (like a SMART board).  Students pulled an apple out of the wagon or basket and put it in the correct tower. We then evaluated which one had most, least, middle or were tied. They did great!

The letter of the week was Cc. We learned the sign language for a letter, the literacy link sound symbols, the letter sound, and looking at and writing it in both capital letters and lower case letters.  Click here to view the many ways we learn the letter of the week!  

Each week we watch letter videos from "Have Fun Teaching" and the students are really picking up the names of letters, formations, and the sounds of letters.  Check out these videos with you child!  Click HERE.

The Tuesday project of letter of the week is to decorate a letter with something that starts with the letter. This week we decorated the letter C with Cotton Clouds (cotton balls).  On Thursday, our letter of the week project was to read a page from our alphabet book, C is for cat.

Please visit the whole website (4k, drop down menu, Gallery) to see your child's first day photo as well as photos from through out the week.  If you would like the first day photo, please email me and I can send you the digital copy.

As mentioned for the past few weeks, we would like to have a family and friends board in our room.  That way the space is as much of the students' as it is of mine (I have my family photos, they should too!)  Please send a family photo that can stay up in the classroom all year long.  When photos come in, the students will take some time to tell the rest of their class about their family.  Can't wait to see the photos and hear about the families!

PALS will be begin on October 14.  See the information below about PALS.

FIRE SAFETY WEEK.  We will be having a fire drill on Wednesday October 9 at 10am. We will also have a visit from the fire fighters to learn about safety and if there is a fire run to the firemen, not away.  We will be talking about emergencies, fires, and 911.
Important Notes:

• 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. 
• 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*
• Book Order due October 25th (paper fliers came out, online available in the scholastic tab of the website: mrsgloudemans.wix.com/stedward)
• Send in those family photos!

Next Week:
Theme: Fire Safety
Letter of the Week: Oo
Snack: Sprangers Family

Apples, Apples, Apples!

We began our two week long unit on apples this week. We started this week with cutting an apple open and using our 5 senses (minus taste because we were touching them and we dont want germs).  We cut out the labels for the apple parts and matched the first sound/letter to the diagram. We even used our science words and said we labeled the parts of a diagram of an apple.  We then labeled our giant diagram.

We also cut an apple up and practiced stamping our number books.  We will finish these up next week!

We have been watching a lot of videos about apples from counting, apple parts, kinds of apples, what you can make with apples and more.

The letter of the week was Ii. We learned the sign language for a letter, the literacy link sound symbols, the letter sound, and looking at and writing it in both capital letters and lower case letters.  Click here to view the many ways we learn the letter of the week!  

Each week we watch letter videos from "Have Fun Teaching" and the students are really picking up the names of letters, formations, and the sounds of letters.  Check out these videos with you child!  Click HERE.

The Tuesday project of letter of the week is to decorate a letter with something that starts with the letter. This week we decorated the letter I with Ice frozen liquid watercolor.  On Thursday, our letter of the week project was to read a page from our alphabet book, I is for Icecream.

Please visit the whole website (4k, drop down menu, Gallery) to see your child's first day photo as well as photos from through out the week.  If you would like the first day photo, please email me and I can send you the digital copy.

As mentioned last week, we would like to have a family and friends board in our room.  That way the space is as much of the students' as it is of mine (I have my family photos, they should too!)  Please send a family photo that can stay up in the classroom all year long.  When photos come in, the students will take some time to tell the rest of their class about their family.  Can't wait to see the photos and hear about the families!

Important Notes:

• 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. 
• 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*
• Book Order due October 25th (paper fliers came out, online available in the scholastic tab of the website: mrsgloudemans.wix.com/stedward)
• Send in those family photos!

Next Week:
Theme: Apples
Letter of the Week: Cc
Snack: Highfill Family

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!

Hello Parents, 

The Theme this week was Chicka Chicka Boom Boom! Students had a lot of fun! 

Students stamped letters on the coconut tree, identified them, and then put those letters and their names into a poem!  

Students also made a rip tree (all the pieces of the tree were made from ripping paper) and then had the letters in their name (which they cut apart) climb the tree. We then counted the number of letters in our names.  They then put all that together in a poem as well! 

We also read and watched Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Chicka Chicka 123 videos.  Since we then had 2 books to look at, we took what we learned and made a Venn Diagram and compared and contrasted the two stories.

Mrs Drummond worked with the students on matching the capital letters to the lower case letters in a chicka chicka boom boom activity.

The letter of the week was Tt. We learned the sign language for a letter, the literacy link sound symbols, the letter sound, and looking at and writing it in both capital letters and lower case letters.  Click here to view the many ways we learn the letter of the week!  

The Tuesday project of letter of the week is to decorate a letter with something that starts with the letter. This week we decorated the letter T with tiny tiles we tore from construction paper.  On Thursday, our letter of the week project was to read a page from our alphabet book, T is for Turtle.


Please visit the whole website (4k, drop down menu, Gallery) to see your child's first day photo as well as photos from through out the week.  If you would like the first day photo, please email me and I can send you the digital copy.

As mentioned last week, we would like to have a family and friends board in our room.  That way the space is as much of the students' as it is of mine (I have my family photos, they should too!)  Please send a family photo that can stay up in the classroom all year long.  When photos come in, the students will take some time to tell the rest of their class about their family.  Can't wait to see the photos and hear about the families!
Important Notes:


IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT PICTURE DAY ENVELOPES. We need all the envelopes signed and returned EVEN IF YOU DO NOT PLAN ON PURCHASING PHOTOS.  Our photographer cannot take your childs' picture with out your signature.  This means their photo cannot be in the yearbook or the class composite if  you do not return the envelope.  We can accept envelopes up until photo day on September 26th (Thursday).

Also, please feel free to send a change of clothes for after pictures if you do not want your child in picture day clothes all day. We usually go first in the photo order as they go youngest to oldest.

• 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. 
• 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*
• Please continue to bring in book donations that Mrs. Morrin mentioned in her newsletter! We would love to help out another school in need!
• Book Order due Sep 27 (paper fliers came out, online available in the scholastic tab of the website: mrsgloudemans.wix.com/stedward)
• Send in those family photos!

Next Week:
Theme: Apples
Letter of the Week: Ii
Snack: Mitchell Family

A note from the district:

The 5 Senses

Hello Parents, 

This week we talked about our 5 senses and began our letter of the week project.  Students had a lot of fun!

On Monday, students used stickers to write their name.  This worked their fine motor skills and also made some fun art to put with our first day of school photos in the hallway.

We began the letter of the week work in which we learn the sign language for a letter, the literacy link sound symbols, the letter sound, and looking at and writing it in both capital letters and lower case letters.  Click here to view the many ways we learn the letter of the week!  The Tuesday project of letter of the week is to decorate a letter with something that starts with the letter. This week we decorated the letter L with Lines.  On Thursday, our letter of the week project was to read a page from our alphabet book, help figure out what illustration belonged on the page, and then make that illustration from our hand print!  Some described it as tickly, some as cold, and some even said they liked it!  Great describing words!  

Mrs Drummond worked with the students on a cut and paste project in which the students would look at the pictures, and figure out what sense they were using in the series of pictures.  Students then would cut out the correct sense and glue it next to it.  We are doing well at getting acquainted with the scissors, glue sticks, and the fine motor skills used to maneuver both!

On Wednesday students also tested our 5 senses and used them to discover what was in the mystery baggies. We used our describing words and our detective skills to figure out that sugar, salt, lemon juice, and vanilla was in the mystery bags!

Shaking to hear the sound

looking closely

Not sure about the taste of this lemon juice!

Feeling the baggies.

smelling the materials.

Please visit the whole website (4k, drop down menu, Gallery) to see your child's first day photo as well as photos from through out the week.  If you would like the first day photo, please email me and I can send you the digital copy.





As mentioned last week, we would like to have a family and friends board in our room.  That way the space is as much of the students' as it is of mine (I have my family photos, they should too!)  Please send a family photo that can stay up in the classroom all year long.  When photos come in, the students will take some time to tell the rest of their class about their family.  Can't wait to see the photos and hear about the families!
Important Notes:

• 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. 
• 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*
• Please bring in book donations that Mrs. Morrin mentioned in her newsletter! We would love to help out another school in need!
• Picture Day Sep 26
• Book Order due Sep 27 (paper fliers coming Monday, online available in the scholastic tab of the website: mrsgloudemans.wix.com/stedward)
• Send in those family photos!

Next Week:
Theme: Chicka Chicka!
Letter of the Week: Tt
Snack: West Family

Week 1 Sep 3-5 Back to School

Hello parents!

Welcome to the 4k year!  Things have been going great!  Students have been learning how to play cooperatively with their classmates and how school works.  Students are doing a great job sharing, using their words, learning new procedures, and taking care of themselves and others!

We took some first day photos and the teachers took special care to teach students the proper use of the centers and the materials.  They have been going in the centers with the students and playing with them and engaging them in conversations and reading with them.

Please visit the whole website (4k, drop down menu, Gallery) to see your child's first day photo.  If you would like the first day photo, please email me and I can send you the digital copy.

We would like to have a family and friends board in our room.  That way the space is as much of the students' as it is of mine (I have my family photos, they should too!)  Please send a family photo that can stay up in the classroom all year long.  When photos come in, the students will take some time to tell the rest of their class about their family.  Can't wait to see the photos and hear about the families!

Important Notes:

• 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. 
• 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*
• Please bring in book donations that Mrs. Morrin mentioned in her newsletter! We would love to help out another school in need!
• Picture Day Sep 26
• Book Order due Sep 27 (paper fliers coming Monday, online available in the scholastic tab of the website: mrsgloudemans.wix.com/stedward)
• Send in those family photos!

Next Week:
Theme: All about Me & the 5 senses
Letter of the Week: Ll
Snack: Backes Family

Welcome!

Hello Parents!

Welcome to the 4k blog!  I hope you find this blog (and website) to be beneficial and engaging for you and your child.  Please let me know if any questions arise when reading anything and I would be happy to help.  Also, please let me know if there is anything you would want to see on the blog, in the class, or more!

May 28-May 30

Important Notes:

• We have a 4 day schedule for the last week.  We have school Monday-Thursday. AM: 7:50-10:55, PM: 11:55-3:00 
• NO EXTENDED DAY WILL BE OFFERED ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 5 OR THURSDAY JUNE 6.

• Our last day of school is Thursday June 6, 2014.  We will have both the AM and PM sessions that day.
• Report Cards will be coming home with the students on the last day (extended day students, please let me know what day will be your last so I can get your report card out on the right day).

• Lost and Found.  Our lost and found is growing.  If you are missing something please feel free to check out the box on top of the lockers by our door, or email me and I will take a look for you! 
• SCHOOL DRESS CODE:
• STUDENTS HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE MOVING ABOUT THE PLAYGROUND IN SANDALS.  THOUGH THEY ARE ALLOWED AT SCHOOL IF THEY HAVE A BACK STRAP, STUDENTS MOVE MUCH MORE FREELY ON THE PLAYGROUND (it is covered in pea gravel that gets stuck in shoes) IF THEY BRING TENNIS SHOES TO PUT ON WHILE PLAYING.

• Warm weather clothing: We do not have a specific policy regarding when students can wear shorts. Please
  watch the weather and dress in layers. It is normally cooler in the morning in the building and at recess.
  Our specific rules say:
  • All shoes MUST have backstraps. NO flip flops or other sandals without backstrap.
  • Tennis shoes must be worn for recesses and Gym class.
  • Tank top straps must be at least one inch wide.
  • Shorts must be longer and no less than one hand-width above the knee.

Holy Cow, this week went fast! 

We worked on an Eric Carle Unit this week.  

On Tuesday, we all got to decorate a page however we wanted. Many enjoyed finger painting, some enjoyed using popsicle sticks, crumpled up paper, tissues, and mixing colors.   

On Wednesday, we cut out various shapes from our Eric Carle paper and created a mural for our hallway to enjoy the last few days of school.  It is a wonderful garden/pond scene complete with flowers, a pond, insects, and frogs.  It is adorable!

Graduation went WONDERFULLY!  I hope you all enjoyed!  The students did great singing and showcasing their learning!  The power point can be found at this link: 

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0By5Bjq5m9UFOWE1KWE9VbFFFOWc/edit?usp=sharing   If you have any problems, please contact me and I can find a way to get you the power point.  Let me know if you want or need anything else from me!

Students will be helping organize and sort the room, having lots of outside time, and good bye fun. We will be reading books about "Getting Ready for Kindergarten" and graduation.  I work to prepare the students for the fact that I have taught them all I can, they are big kids who have learned all they can in 4k, and they are ready for kindergarten.  

Kindergarten anxiety can be tough and you may experience some situations you thought they had already overcome, setbacks, and more.  Though EVERY CHILD REACT DIFFERENTLY, and it may be a little different if they have indeed had the 4k experience,  I wanted to provide you with a couple of articles to help with kindergarten anxiety:

*http://childparenting.about.com/od/schoollearning/a/first_day_kindergarten_anxiety.htm

*http://www.lhj.com/relationships/family/raising-kids/easing-kindergarten-anxiety/

*http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/needham/2010/04/parent_talk_corner_tips_for_ea.html