WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2-6, 2009

KINDERGARTEN NEWS

This coming week we will be learning the consonant letter Nn as in nest and nut. Please continue to review all the letters we have learned so far. Show and Tell will be on Friday, November 6, 2009. Please find something that begins with the letter Nn.

In reading we are beginning Unit 2. The theme of this unit is "Animals Live Here." We will be reading stories that focus on animals' homes. Our first story in this unit is called "Life in an Ocean" in which we will learn about the ocean environment and also compare and contrast different things living in the sea.

In Math, we will be working on Chapter 3: Numbers 0-5. Please review the concepts of MORE, FEWER, and EQUAL and practice counting objects with sets of 0-5 with your child at home.

Since the weather will be getting cooler, we ask that the boys and girls practice at home putting their coats on themselves and zipping/buttoning them. We often spend a lot of time struggling with coats and zippers at this time of year. Thanks for your help!

**Just to let you know, Parent conferences will be scheduled for Tuesday, November 10th and Thursday, November 12th. Notes with further details regarding conferences will be coming home in your child's folder SOON.

**Tuesday, November 3rd is Election Day. Don't forget to VOTE!

**Just a reminder: Anyone who has not yet turned in his or her party money is asked to try and send in the $4.00 as soon as possible. Thanks!

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2-6, 2009

WEEK OF OCTOBER 26-30, 2009

KINDERGARTEN NEWS

• This week in Phonics we will be learning the letter Aa as in apple and acorn. We will focus on the short vowel sound, as in apple. Show and Tell for letter Aa may be a challenge-do your best! Students should also work on learning their home address. We will practice it in school as well.
• In Math we will be working on Chapter 3: Numbers 0-5. Please review the concepts of MORE, FEWER, AND EQUAL. You should also practice counting objects with sets of 0-5 and writing the numerals with your child at home.
• In Reading we will be finishing the story, "Dig, Dig, Digging" and our first unit of stories. Please review the alphabet(upper and lower-case letters) and the high frequency words(I, am, the, little, to, and a).
• We will continue working on our Kid-Writing this week. The children seem excited to do this writing.
• Since the end of the marking period is approaching we will begin testing on the 6 letters and sounds learned in Phonics (Ll, Oo, Gg, Hh, Tt, Pp), the high frequency words learned in Phonics and Reading. Recognizing and producing rhyming words, copying and extending patterns, identifying the 4 basic shapes-square, circle, triangle, and rectangle. Identifying and writing the numerals 0-5 and counting orally to 20.
• This week is Red Ribbon Week. The theme for Monday is "turn your back on drugs" (wear your shirt backwards) and for Tuesday-"sock it to drugs" (wear crazy socks). On Monday, Diane Rowlands from Schuylkill County Drug and Alcohol Program will be coming to give a presentation to the students. There will also be a coloring contest, with winners being announced on Friday, October 30th.
• Friday, October 30th will be our classroom Halloween parade and party form 1;30 to 3;00. Children should NOT wear their costumes to school;instead, they can bring them to school in a labeled bag. Homeroom mothers will help them dress at 1:00. The parade will begin at 2:00. Students will parade in the upper bus loop. All are welcome to come to see the parade (if it rains, the parade is held in the gym). Please keep costumes as simple as possible and, remember, some kindergarten children do scare easily.
• Since many boys and girls will go trick-or-treating this week, we ask that students do not bring candy for snacks and limit extra candy in lunch boxes too. Thanks for your cooperation!

WEEK OF OCTOBER 19-23, 2009

KINDERGARTEN NEWS

THIS WEEK WE WILL BE LEARNING THE CONSONANT LETTER Pp AS IN PIG, PINK, AND PUMPKIN. TO CELEBRATE WE WILL HAVE A PAJAMA PARTY ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23RD (FROM 9-11:00 A.M.). STUDENTS ARE ASKED(AND ALLOWED) TO WEAR THEIR PAJAMAS TO SCHOOL. ROBES AND SLIPPERS ARE OPTIONAL, HOWEVER, WE ASK THAT STUDENTS WEAR SNEAKERS(WE HAVE GYM ON FRIDAY)TO SCHOOL AND CHANGE INTO SLIPPERS AFTER THEY ARRIVE(DUE TO OUTSIDE RECESS AND POSSIBLE INCLEMENT WEATHER). PLEASE CONTINUE TO REVIEW THE LETTERS WE HAVE COVERED AT HOME.

WE WILL BEGIN A NEW CHAPTER THIS WEEK IN MATH. CHAPTER 3 COVERS THE NUMBERS 0 - 5. WE WILL ALSO COMPARE TWO GROUPS OF OBJECTS AND USING WORDS LIKE MORE AND FEWER.

IN READING, WE WILL BEGIN A NEW STORY, "DIG, DIG, DIGGING." OUR FOCUS SKILLS FOR UNIT ONE ARE STORY SETTING, CHARACTERS, AND COMPARING AND CONTRASTING THE STORY ELEMENTS.

WE WILL BE WORKING ON OUR "KID-WRITING." EACH DAY WE WILL WORK IN SMALL GROUPS WRITING STORIES. ONCE WE COMPLETE SEVERAL PIECES I WILL SEND HOME YOUR CHILD'S WRITING FOR YOU TO KEEP AND ENJOY.

SCHOOL STORE BEGINS THIS WEEK! KINDERGARTEN SHOPS ON MONDAY MORNING.

PLEASE NOTE THAT MONDAY WILL BE DAY 3 OF OUR SIX DAY SCHEDULE.

THIS WEEK WE WILL HAVE TWO SPECIAL PROGRAMS. ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21ST, WE HAVE A MORNING PROGRAM ON ANTHRACITE HISTORY. ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23RD, WE WILL HAVE A PROGRAM ON FIRE PREVENTION. YOU'LL HAVE LOTS TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR CHILD THIS WEEK.

WEEK OF OCTOBER 12-16,2009

HOPE THAT ALL STUDENTS ARE WELL RESTED AND EAGER TO RETURN TO SCHOOL ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14TH.

KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WILL BE ATTENDING PROGRAMS ON "KID-WRITING" AT NSE BOTH DAYS. THIS PROGRAM WILL HELP US INSTRUCT STUDENTS ON CREATIVE WRITING, SENTENCE STRUCTURE, GRAMMAR.

DURING THIS SHORT WEEK WE WILL REVIEW THE LETTERS WE HAVE LEARNED SO FAR-L,O(SHORT O),G,H AND T.

WE WILL REREAD OUR HUMOROUS PIG STORY, "JULIUS."

WE WILL FINISH OUR MATH CHAPTER ON PATTERNS.

WE WILL CONTINUE PRACTICING OUR FIRST NAMES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16TH IS PHOTO RETAKE DAY. IF YOU BOUGHT A PACKAGE AND WANT TO RETURN IT AND HAVE YOUR CHILD'S PHOTO RETAKEN, PLEASE SEND THE PACKAGE INTO SCHOOL WITH YOUR CHILD. IF YOUR CHILD DID NOT HAVE THEIR PHOTO TAKEN OR YOU DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO PURCHASE A PACKAGE BEFORE, THEN FILL OUT THE ORDER FORM AND SEND IN MONEY FOR THE PHOTO PACKAGE YOU WANT.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16TH IS ALSO FALL FESTIVAL. ALL KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN VARIOUS OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS AND SNACKS. THEY ARE ALLOWED TO WEAR JEANS THAT DAY. REMEMBER TO ALSO DRESS WARMLY(LAYERS WORK BEST).

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17TH, KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS WILL ATTEND THEIR FIRST "BRAINSHOWMANIA" PROGRAM IN THE NSE GYM. ASK THEM ABOUT IT FRIDAY NIGHT, I'M SURE THEY WILL LOVE IT.

WE ARE ALSO GOING TO DECORATE A PUMPKIN FOR THE "APPLEFEST" IN ASHLAND NEXT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17TH. WE CHOSE TO DECORATE OUR PUMPKIN IN PLAID BECAUSE OF THE STORY WE READ, "PLAIDYPUS." WE WILL NAME OUR PUMPKIN, "PLAIDYKIN."

WEEK OF OCTOBER 5-9, 2009

KINDERGARTEN NEWS

In the upcoming week, we will be learning the letter Tt as in tent, tail and tie. Take some time to find items at home that begin with the letter Tt sound. Also the boys and girls will be asked to learn their telephone numbers. Please practice at home.

Our theme for the upcoming weeks in October will be "Fire Safety." We have many activities planned to teach the students about fire safety such as stories, art projects, and videos. Don't forget to ask your child what she/he has learned.

We will continue with "Chapter 2: Patterns" in Math. Try to find patterns at home. Students can try making patterns with colors, shapes and objects.

The Kindergarten Fall Festival will be held at the school on Thursday, October 15th. Parent and grandparent volunteers who have the necessary clearances are welcome and needed to help the homeroom parents with this fun-filled day. Please contact me, if you would like to help and have not already signed up.

Mrs. Dennis' kindergarten students met their fourth-grade reading buddies(from Mrs. Sands' class) this week. The fourth graders wrote them a short note introducing themselves and spent time talking with their reading buddies. The reading buddies will come to our room on Day 2 and spend about 15 minutes reading to each other. They will also attend the kindergarten fall festival.

Monday, October 5th will be Day 1 and that means our class will have Gym, please remember to wear your sneakers. Friday, October 9th is a school spirit day and students are asked to wear red and blue(they can wear any shirts with the North Schuylkill logo).

Have a great week and enjoy the crisp fall weather and the turning of the leaves(I especially enjoy the two mountains as I drive to/from NSE to Bloomsburg).