Weekly Update 9/10

This week in kindergarten:
*  We are starting a new theme in our reading program: Schools Have Rules!  With this theme we will discuss a new comprehension strategy for reading: determining importance.  I will introduce non-fiction text during this theme.  We will talk about our new vocabulary words - rules, teach & citizen.  I will introduce new sight words - you & on. 
*  In Daily 5 this week we will begin our practice of the 2nd Daily 5 component - Read to Someone.  We have learned to sit EEKK (elbow elbow knee knee).  We also have learned to choose our own books and are book shopping this week.  The students are choosing books for their book box based on our "I-Pick" rules.  They are allowed to choose 6 books of their choice and then an additional 2 books that need to be "good fit" books. 

*  Kindergarten homework will begin this week.  It is coming home in folders today!  As stated in the kindergarten handbook, this is a weekly sheet that may be done all at once or in short increments throughout the week.  It doesn't matter to me which way they do this.  They will return the homework sheet with your signature the following Monday (or any time before that) and will get to put a sticker on the homework chart.  I do not "grade" the homework.  I feel that if you have signed the sheet then you have checked to make sure it was done correctly.  In fact, you do not need to return any attached math pages etc (unless specified to do so).  As long as the top sheet is returned signed - then I trust they have completed all of it.  There are several reasons that I send home homework: 
1.  It keeps the parents in the loop as to what we are working on in school.
2.  Even though it is very short - it gets the students working on being responsible, accountable and is a good way to begin a "homework routine" which will be necessary for 1st grade. 
3.  It helps to give the students extra practice with the skills we are working on at school.  It helps you to know if they understand the concepts or are struggling.
Part of the homework is a daily reading log.  Each day - your child can circle that they read a book for the day.  This can be a grown-up reading to the child or the child reading to you.  At this age with most of the children at beginning reader levels - it is just as important for you to read to them.  Even as they become readers - it is still important for them to hear you read as it helps them with their fluency. 
Let me know if you have any questions regarding homework/reading. 
*  In writing you will notice that I have attached a grading rubric to the back of their journals.  This will change over the year as the expectations change. 
We are practicing handwriting with our dry erase boards and will focus on the lower case letters: e, f, g & j.    We are also beginning to stress the importance of writing their first name "the correct way."  This is to write their name with the first letter capital and the rest of the letters lower case.  Please have your child begin the habit of writing their name this way (vs mixing capitals and lowercase letters throughout their name). 
*  Wednesday will be YELLOW day.  We will learn to read and spell the color word yellow.  If your child has something yellow to wear - have them wear it on Wed.
*  In math we will begin Topic 2: Comparing and Ordering #s to 5.  We will learn words like many, more & fewer.  We will also have 2 lessons on the number 0 and writing 0.  We will end this topic with a lesson on ordinal numbers through fifth.
*  This Friday we will have our first Guidance lesson with our school counselor, Ms. Brown.
*  This Friday is also our school Lap-A-Thon day.  Kindergarten will be heading out to the bus loop to run/walk for about 15-20 minutes.  We will end our time with Popsicles.  Please have your children wear tennis shoes on Friday.  Sandals and flip flops don't work very well for running around the bus loop.  :)  You are welcome to join us as well.  AM class will go out to run from 9:30-10:00 and the PM class will be out from 1-1:30.  Friday is certainly going to be a FUN day.  Watch for pictures on the blog!  :)
*  I am collecting empty frosting containers for our community service project (details to come soon).  If you are using frosting - please clean and send in the containers!  Thank you so very much!!!
*  Scholastic book orders are due tomorrow.  If you would like to order books  - you can go to Scholastic. Our class code is GMMD6.
*  Both classes have been doing such a great job with learning all of our classroom rules and expectations!!  Way to go kindergarten!!