Look what we learned in kindergarten this week

                                         
ALL ABOUT PRESIDENTS:  In honor of Presidents’ Day this past Monday, the kinders learned some interesting facts about 2 famous presidents.  We learned that George Washington was our very first president, he owned 5 farms, he wore white powder in his hair (Ewww…many thought this was strange), his picture is on the quarter and the one dollar bill.  Abraham Lincoln was an honest man who lived in a log cabin. He was the 16th president, he wore a stove pipe hat and kept important papers inside of it and his picture is on the penny and the five dollar bill. We read a newspaper to learn facts and placed facts on posters. The kinders enjoyed making a fun President flip craftivity to complete their learning. Did you ask them what they learned?

     

SOCIAL STUDIES:  The kinders began learning about and seeing various kinds of maps.  We read Me on the Map to help us broaden our understanding of the world around us.

So far, we have learned that we live in NORTH AMERICA, which is part of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and our state is MICHIGAN.  We are making a booklet to assist us in our learning. We will continue our study of maps next week.  Thank you for completing and sending back the picture map of your kinder’s bedroom.  You can return it on Monday if you need to finish it this weekend.

MATH:  We told math stories using our fruit  from our ‘fruit & vegetable market’ adding written equations.  Remembering what each symbol (+ – = ) means and using them correctly is challenging but the kinders are doing a great job. We continued to learn how to show teen numbers as tens and extra ones as well  as learning that you can write a teen number equation two different ways but they mean the same thing.  One way is to write the partners first and then the total (10+4=14) or write the total first and then the partners (14=10+4).  Finally the kinders compared numbers, deciding if the number was greater than or less than the other number.  They were surprised to use this math skill when completing the back page of this week’s newspaper.  

Friday math games were….

   SUBTRACTION SMASH (subtraction problems

   TWEET, TWEET (number partners 1-10) and ONE PAIR, TWO PAIR (matching numbers to ten frames)

  MITTEN MATCH (teen numbers)

READING: This week we learned that careful readers check their reading.  They ask themselves “Does it make sense?  Did it sound right?” If not, they don’t just keep going. Readers try to fix it. They also learned that PATTERN POWER doesn’t only help you read the words in books but patterns can also help you think about your whole book.  Does the ending go with the pattern? What is this book really saying?  It is so exciting to see the kinders becoming readers!

ASSESSMENTS:  Assessing your kinder in their literacy and math skills are underway.  I am so proud of the progress I am noticing. Notes stating your kinder’s independent reading levels were sent home this week.  Notice that their TAKE HOME books have reflected the change in levels. Please continue to work with your kinder at home by writing upper and lower case letters with proper formation, reviewing their popcorn words, reading books with them and listening to them read to you.  Don’t forget the math skills of counting by 1’s and 10’s to 100, writing numbers 1-20 with proper formation, telling, drawing and solving addition/subtraction stories and looking for number partners (2+4=6 & 10+4=14). As you can see, we are very busy learning and reviewing many skills in kindergarten.  I am excited to share your kinder’s personal progress with you at conferences.

WRITING:  Small moment story writing continued this week.  The kinders wrote stories about the valentine party, Mystery Reader visits and going out for recess.  They are doing a fabulous job!  Each day the kinders are drawing and writing more on their own, while I support and encourage and guide them.  They will write more stories next week, working towards drawing and writing entirely on their own.  This genre is VERY, VERY hard.  I am very impressed with their perseverance.

BEHAVIOR:  As we move into the last of February and hopefully the beginning of spring, please encourage your kinder to remember to make good, green choices.  Remembering to follow our class rules (in the classroom, in the hallway, on the playground) is a must. The rules are simple: 1.FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS QUICKLY. 2. RAISE YOUR HAND TO SPEAK. 3. MAKE SMART CHOICES 4.BE KIND. 5. MAKE EVERYONE HAPPY . We have a lot of learning and listening left to do in our school year.  Thank you for your continued support!!

POPCORN WORDS:      HAD     BAD     MAP

MYSTERY READERS: Brooks was totally surprised to see his mom on Wednesday and his dad on Friday. His mom read Honey, Honey….Lion! by Jan Brett.  She is one of their favorite authors.

His dad read The Antlered Ship .  A great story about having adventures with your friends…old and new ones.

KOOL KINDERS  ARE BOOK LOVERS:

 Tinley likes to read Daisy the Donut Fairy.

    Parker likes Sneezy the Snowman because his grandpa gave it to him.

  Kinsman likes to read fun facts about dinosaurs.

     Zander likes legos and the book I’m Fun too!

 Lillian likes The way I Love You because she purchased this book with her snowy day gift card.

 

REMINDERS

*WINTER GEAR:  Thank you for sending your child with all that they need to stay warm outside….snow pants, hats, mittens, boots. Just a reminder, we will be outside for recess if the temperature is above 0 degrees.  The playground is VERY WET, VERY ICY.  Please continue to send all of their snow gear.

*TAKE HOME BOOKS:  Please notice that your kinder is taking home 2 books inside of their baggie.  The lower letter (ex: level B) is their independent reading level.  This is the book that your kinder will read at school.  The higher letter (ex: level C) is to be read together at home, exposing them to what is to come.  Your kinder will need help to read this book.  If you have questions, please contact me.  Thank you for returning BOTH books each MONDAY, TUESDAY and THURSDAY.

*BACKPACK SNACK:  Please continue to send 2 healthy, quick snacks with your kinder each day.  Your kinder needs to be refueled so that they be ready to learn.

*KIDS HEART CHALLENGE:   A form was sent home with your kinder. You can make donations online. Check out the PE blog for more information.

*LUNCH CALENDAR:t.  The March lunch menu  has also been posted under the side tab Hudsonville Food Service.

*SPRING CONFERENCES:  We will be meeting in March to discuss your kinders progress.  Our Spring Conferences will be on March 11 and 13.  These dates and times have been sent home on Friday.  Please check your kinder’s blue daily folder.

Enjoy your weekend!  Mrs. Bohl