Tomorrow's Lunch

Tomorrow's school lunch will be a sack lunch with a turkey and cheese sandwich.  This will be the only school lunch choice tomorrow.  Thanks!

Friday Note - 12/15/17

Events of the Week:

Math-  We spent the week reviewing skills learned this quarter and completed different math activities.  

Language Workshop— We read different gingerbread stories and had fun comparing and contrasting the different versions.  Ask your child which version was their favorite.  We also read a variety of Christmas stories.   

Writing Workshop— We had free journal writing and completed our end of quarter writing sample.  When writing at home, continue to encourage your child to stretch out words to hear the letter sounds.  

Reading Workshop— Students worked independently in Literacy Centers while I read with each child to determine their independent reading levels.  Be looking for this information coming home on progress reports.   

Word Study— Our letters for the week were “Yy”, and “Zz”.  I completed our end of quarter letter identification and sound assessments.  I am so proud of the kids that met this month’s goal!

Important Dates:

• Dec. 18: Reading logs due for Reading Challenge
• Dec. 18: Giving Tree donations due (cereal or macaroni and cheese cups)
• Dec. 19: Christmas Party 12:00-1:00 & Early Dismissal 1:15
• Dec. 20 - Jan. 2:  Christmas Break - NO SCHOOL!
• Jan. 3:  Students return to school

Next Week:

• We will have our reading celebration and Christmas Party on Tuesday.   

Have a great weekend!!

Mrs. Vestal

Christmas Program

We will be riding a bus to the high school tomorrow morning for program practice.

Reminder about tomorrow night:

K and 1st Grade Christmas Programs will be held tomorrow night.

Due to the varsity game scheduled that evening, please plan to park in the east parking lots. We will need ONE parent to drop off your son/daughter at the outside southeast entrance of the FEMA/Band room. The remaining family members should use the front entrance to enter the Performing Arts Center. Following the performance, one parent should pick up their child in the FEMA/Band room.  Thank you for your help.

Kindergarten Drop off Time: 5:40pm

Performance Time: 6pm

First Grade Drop off Time: 6:40pm

Performance Time: 7pm

*Please arrive no sooner than 6:40 to allow for traffic to clear from prior performance

Friday Note - 12/8/17

Events of the Week:

• Math- We finished our math topic on comparing numerals.  I assessed each child over their ability to do this and these assessments were sent home this week.  As always, if your child did not score proficient, please work with him/her at home.  

• Language Workshop— We read different gingerbread stories.  We had fun comparing and contrasting different versions.  We read The Gingerbread Girl, The Gingerbread Friends, The Gingerbread Baby, The Gingerbread Cowboy, and several others.  Ask your child about the different versions we read.   

• Writing Workshop— We wrote in a journal each day in response to the gingerbread book we read for the day.  These journals are coming home today.  Have your child read their journals to you.  They are doing a great job writing a response to the books we are reading.  Remember to review the pencil rubric with your child when you go over their writing.

o   My picture matches the words I wrote.

o   I used a finger space between each word.

o   I began my sentence with a capital letter.

o   I ended my sentence with an ending mark.

o   I stretched out any words that I did not know.

• Reading Workshop—Students are working daily in Literacy Centers while I work in small groups or one on one with students.  We have been focusing on  sight words during this time and I have started reading individually with each child to find his/her independent reading level.  

• Word Study— Our letters for the week were “Tt”, “Vv”, “Ww” and “Xx”.  Please continue to work with your child on correct letter formation and naming the letter sounds.  Our goal is to know all the letters and sounds by Christmas.   

Important Dates:

• Dec. 11:  Cox Care Mobile
• Dec. 14:  Kindergarten Christmas Program - 6:00 p.m. at the high school Performing Arts Center (arrive by 5:45 in the commons area)
• Dec. 18:  Reading logs due for Reading Journey
• Dec. 19:  Christmas Party & Early Dismissal (please see below)
• Dec. 20 - Jan. 2:  Christmas Break - NO SCHOOL!
• Jan. 3:  Students return to school

Sight Words—Keep practicing!

I    is    like    see    my    a    the   

be    it   he    she   to  can   with  go  we  me

***Reminder: These are words your child should be able to read by sight within 3 seconds.

EARLY RELEASE & PARTY TIME CHANGE - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19TH!

We will follow this party schedule:

11:30-12:00 Party Set Up Time  (Homeroom Parent & Helper ONLY)

12:00-1:00 Class Parties (All Parents)

1:00-1:15 Student Dismissal Holiday Break Begins!

Giving Christmas Tree

In lieu of a gift exchange for Christmas, we would appreciate donations to our Care to Learn program.  Kindergarten has been asked to bring in cereal or macaroni & cheese cups.  We will be collecting items through Monday, December 18th.  Thank you in advance for your support of such a great program.

T

Reading Journey

Please continue to read with your child every day!  This is a great time to practice using the reading strategies that we are learning.  The Reading Journey ends on December 18th and we will have a reading celebration the following day.  

Next Week:

• We will continue reading other non-traditional versions of the The Gingerbread Boy.  
• We will learn about the letters “Yy” and “Zz”
• We will continue to assess for the end of the quarter.

Have a great weekend!!

Mrs. Vestal

Lost and Found

If your child is missing an item, please check the Lost & Found fence.  The unclaimed items will be donated after Christmas break.

Friday Note - 12/1/17

Events of the Week:

• Math- In math, we focused on comparing numerals this week.  We practiced making sets of objects that were 1 more and 1 less.  We worked on comparing two numbers and then stated which number was more or less.  We will finish this unit next week and then assess over this concept.  

• Language Workshop—We read different versions of the story The Gingerbread Man.  We had fun comparing and contrasting different versions of this well-known story.  We completed a paper where students drew a picture of what they and their house would look like if they were a gingerbread boy/girl and from whom they would run away.  We also sequenced the story events.

• Writing Workshop—We spent a few moments every day writing in our journals.  The students are improving their writing skills so much.  We’re working on utilizing the pencil rubric to check if we are remembering all the elements of being a good writer.  Students are also applying the knowledge that they have learned about letter sounds to “stretch out” unfamiliar words.  

o   My picture matches the words I wrote.

o   I used a finger space between each word.

o   I began my sentence with a capital letter.

o   I ended my sentence with an ending mark.

o   I stretched out any words that I did not know.

• Reading Workshop—We learned a new reading strategy this week - “Slide your finger under the word and say the sounds slowly.  Then blend it back together.”  We used the book We Go to practice this new strategy.  After working on the book together, the students read the book to a buddy.  Then we put the book in our book boxes to read during Independent Reading time.

• Word Study—Our letters for the week were “Qq”, “Rr”, “Ss” and “Uu”.  We learned that “Uu” is a vowel and can make a short sound and a long sound.  Please continue to work with your child on correct letter formation and on knowing the letter sounds.  Our goal is to know all the letters and sounds by the end of second quarter.   

Important Dates:    

• Dec. 4:  Book Orders Due
• Dec. 9:  Clever Christmas Parade at 6:00 p.m.
• Dec. 11:  Cox Care Mobile
• Dec. 14:  Kindergarten Christmas Program - 6:00 p.m. at the high school Performing Arts Center (arrive by 5:45 in the commons area)
• Dec. 15:  Kindergarten’s Polar Express Day (wear pj’s)
• Dec. 18:  Reading logs due for Reading Journey
• Dec. 19:  Christmas Party & Early Dismissal (please see below)
• Dec. 20 - Jan. 2:  Christmas Break - NO SCHOOL!
• Jan. 3:  Students return to school

Sight Words—Keep practicing!

I   is   a   my   like   she   see   

the   it   he   be  can   to  with   go   we

*These are words your child should be able to read by sight within 3 seconds.

EARLY RELEASE & PARTY TIME CHANGE - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19TH!

I wanted to make everyone aware of a slight change to the school calendar that will take place on December 19th. That Tuesday is the last scheduled day before we begin Christmas break and is also the last day of the first semester. The published school calendar shows December 19th as a full day of school. However, the decision has been made to modify the schedule and release students at 1:15 on that day.   This will also affect the times for the PTA Christmas Party.  We will follow this party schedule: 11:30-12:00 Party Set Up Time  (Homeroom Parent & Helper ONLY)

12:00-1:00 Class Parties (All Parents)

1:00-1:15 Student Dismissal Holiday Break Begins!

Giving Christmas Tree

In lieu of a gift exchange for Christmas, we would appreciate donations to our Care to Learn program.  Kindergarten has been asked to bring in cereal or macaroni & cheese.  We will be collecting items beginning Monday, December 4th through Monday, December 18th.  Thank you in advance for your support of such a great program.

Reading Journey

Please continue to read with your child every day!  This is a great time to practice using the reading strategies that we are learning.  The Reading Journey ends on December 18th and we will have a reading celebration the following day.  

Next Week:

• We will continue our unit on the The Gingerbread Man by reading non-traditional versions of the story, such as The Gingerbread Girl, The Gingerbread Pirates, and The Gingerbread Ninja.
• We will learn about the letters “Tt”, “Vv”, “Ww” and “Xx”.   
• In math, we will finish our unit comparing numerals.
• Our sight word will be “me”.

 

Have a great weekend!!

Mrs. Vestal

EARLY RELEASE & PARTY TIME CHANGE - Tuesday, December 19th

I wanted to make everyone aware of a slight change to the school calendar that will take place on December 19th. That Tuesday is the last scheduled day before we begin Christmas break and is also the last day of the first semester. The published school calendar shows December 19th as a full day of school. However, the decision has been made to modify the schedule and release students at 1:15 on that day. 

This will also affect the times for the PTA Christmas Party.  We will follow this party schedule:
11:30-12:00 Party Set Up Time
(Homeroom Parent & Helper ONLY)
12:00-1:00 Class Parties (All Parents)
1:00-1:15 Student Dismissal Holiday Break Begins!

Friday Note - 11/17/17

Events of the Week:

Math:  We continued our topic on measurement and worked on comparing objects.  We learned comparing words such as enough, not enough, more than, less than, same as, and fewer.  We have also continued to review numbers 0-10.  If your child has not mastered identifying these numbers, please continue to work with them at home.  I will work with them in small groups and then reassess in the next couple of weeks.

• Language Workshop:  We read several different versions of the book The Three Little Pigs.  We focused on story elements, such as characters, settings, and major events.  We introduced vocabulary words that are in the story, such as: trot, sturdy, and furious. We also practiced retelling the story by telling what happened in the beginning, the middle, and the end. The students also enjoyed wolf’s version of The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.  Students did a good job comparing and contrasting the different versions of the book.   

• Writing Workshop:  We learned the sight word “with”.  We practiced stretching sounds as we wrote sentences about the pigs and the wolf.  The students are practicing using spaces between words, a capital letter at the beginning, and an ending mark at the end of each sentence.     

• Reading Workshop:  We are working in literacy centers independently while I am working with students in small groups.  We used a book called Maria Goes to School to practice the reading strategies we have already learned (look at the picture for clues and get your mouth ready to make the first sound).  Your child has this book in their book box to continue to practice reading during independent reading time and rest time.  Please encourage your child to use these reading strategies when reading at home.  

• Word Study:  Our letters for the week were “Mm”, “Nn”, “Pp” and “Oo”.  We learned that “Oo” is a vowel and can make a short sound and a long sound.  Please continue to work with your child on correct letter formation and on knowing the letter sounds.  Our goal is to know all the letters and sounds by the end of second quarter.   

• Content:  We read several nonfiction books about Thanksgiving and talked a lot about the first Thanksgiving and how the holiday first started.  We made macaroni necklaces to trade with the other kindergarten classes. During lunch we traded our necklace with the kindergarten class that sat across from us.  Then all the kindergarten classes got together and we had our Share Feast.  The kindergartners had a great time sharing and trading.   

Important Dates:    

• Nov. 20-24:  Thanksgiving Break - No School
• Nov. 30:  Picture Retakes
• Nov. 30:  PTA Skate Night 6:00-8:00 @ Skateland
• Dec. 11:  Cox Care Mobile

Sight Words—Keep practicing!

I   is   a   my   like   she   see   

the   it   he   be  can   to  with

***Reminder: These are words your child should be able to read by sight!

Picture Retake Information - Nov. 30th

If you would like for your child to have his/her picture retaken, please return the original picture package.  The information on the package is needed so that the photographer knows what to re-enter in the system to ensure you get the same package you ordered.  Thanks!

Reading Journey

I hope you are finding a special time to read every day with your child.  This is a great time to practice using reading strategies we have learned, finding the letters we have learned and sight words.  The Reading Journey ends on December 18th and we will have a reading celebration the following day.  

Next Week:

• We will continue learning about story elements.  
• In Language Workshop, we will begin our unit on The Gingerbread Man.
• We will learn about the letters “Qq”, “Rr”, “Ss” and “Tt”.   
• In math, we will be comparing numerals.
• Our sight words will be “go” and “we”.

I hope everyone has a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving Break!

Enjoy your time with your family!!

~Mrs. Vestal