Greetings Kindergarten Parents! Our first week in kindergarten was a huge success! The students seem to be adapting well and we are having loads of fun. Our class mascot, Peanut Butter Bear, has begun to make the rounds and is currently spending some time with Amélie and her family. The Mystery Tub has also been circulating and the kids are having fun giving and receiving the clues.
Next week I will begin to assess the students and place them in reading and math groups. Please know that the groups are fluid and dynamic, changing constantly as children develop and master new skills.
I will be sending home a sheet with your child’s name for homework practice. Although every student is able to write their name I would like for them to write their name using an upper case letter only at the beginning and lower case for the remainder. This will take some practice as lower case letters are challenging to form but they’ll be writing their name on each project and paper they are given in kindergarten.
Next week we‘re going to jump in to our curriculum beginning with math. In math we will begin our new unit by studying patterns. Patterns are found everywhere, our clothing, in nature, our homes. We will be creating our own patterns using the blocks that are provided in our math program. The children have been introduced to the six shapes that we’ll use. These shapes are: green triangle, orange square, blue rhombus, red trapezoid, tan rhombus and yellow hexagon. Try to use math vocabulary whenever possible as this reinforces what is taught in the classroom.
In reading and language arts we will begin by distinguishing and identifying beginning, middle and ending sounds. We will also focus on the sound of the letter “Ll”.
Next week we will begin all of our enrichment classes and activities. Monday we’ll have sewing with Miss Krystina after morning recess. In the afternoon following lunch we have art with Ms Julie. On Thursday, Rachel Keener will teach us tap. If your child has tap shoes please bring them to school and encourage your child to store them inside their cubby. If your child does not have tap shoes we have loaners that we would be happy to lend out or they can be purchased inexpensively at Payless. Wednesday and Friday we have gamelan with Miss Andrea and Mr. Alex Khalil. Also on Fridays, Miss Wuri will teach our young dancers Indonesian dancing, Every Friday we will meet up with our second grade book buddies. Our book buddies read to us, help us with special projects and even watch out for the younger students on the playground and at school.
The Poetry Books are in your child’s folder today. The students should memorize the poem for Friday and be ready to recite it. Please return the Poetry Book every Friday so that we can add the new poem.
Thank you for being so supportive and I wish you all a relaxing weekend!
Diana
