Friday Note - 9/29/17

Events of the Week:

Math:  We introduced the numbers 9 and 10.  We’ve been working on noticing the “hidden partners” in the numbers.  For example, 4 and 5 are hidden parts of 9.  Your child should be able to identify numbers 0-10 now.  We will be assessing this skill in the next couple of weeks.

Language Workshop:  Our focus this week was on color review.  Our book for the week was Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?.  We read and practiced retelling this story.  We also made our own “Brown Bear Reader” to add to our Independent Reading book boxes.  The assessments for Parts of a Book and Author/Illustrator were sent home earlier this week.  The students did an amazing job.  As always, if your child is not proficient in these skills, then please practice them at home.  I will reassess one more time before the end of the quarter.

Reading Workshop:  This week during IR time I started reading with students individually checking their understanding of concepts of print.  I’m using a level A text with sight words they should know (Ex: I like apples.).  I am asking your child questions such as, “Can you show me where to begin reading?” “How many words are in that sentence?” “Where would you read next?” “Can you point to an ending mark?”.  I’m also looking to see if they are using picture clues.

Writing Workshop:  Each day we wrote a sentence from the story Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?.  As a class we sat at the carpet with a clipboard and talked about what we were going to write for the day.  Each day we wrote a sentence about the book (such as “I see a red bird.”)  and then we counted the number of words in the sentence.  We used sight words and color words to complete the sentence.  After writing each word we would go back and reread to figure out the next word in the sentence.  Once the sentence was complete, students went back to their seats to draw a picture to match the sentence.  We call this process “Interactive Writing”.  Your child should be able to read each page to you independently.

Word Study:  Our sight word was “see”.  It popped up a lot in our reading and writing this week.  Our letters for the week were “Nn”, “Oo”, “Pp” and “Qq”.  Don’t forget to practice letter and sound identification at home with your child.  Your child should now be able to identify the letters and sounds for letters Aa-Qq.

Content Workshop:  We did several different color mixing experiments.  Be sure to ask your child about the different activities we completed.  What a fun way to end our day each day!

Reading Journey

I hope you and your child are enjoying completing the Reading Journey activities.  Please return the Reading Journey activities page by Wednesday, October 11th.

Sight Words

Your child should be able to recognize these words within 3 seconds.  It is very important that you practice them at home with your child, as we will be adding new ones each week.

I    the    see    like    is    my    a

Important Dates:

• Oct. 3 ~ PTA Fundraiser Forms and Money Due
• Oct. 4 ~ Book Order Due
• Oct. 5 ~ School Pictures
• Oct. 7 ~ Fall Festival (5:00-7:30 p.m. on the elementary playground)
• Oct. 11 ~ Reading Challenge Due
• Oct. 12 ~ End of 1st Quarter
• Oct. 12 ~ Cox Care Mobile
• Oct. 13 ~ NO SCHOOL (Fall Break)     
• Oct. 16-17 ~ Parent/Teacher Conferences (see below for details)
• Oct. 27 ~ Halloween Party (see below for details)

1st Quarter Assessments

Next week we will begin assessing over 1st Quarter skills.  Some of the skills we will be assessing over are letter identification, sight words, counting to 25, numbers 0-10, and sorting.  If your child has already scored “Proficient” in an area, he/she will not be assessed over that skill again this quarter.  Please be sure to practice at home!

Halloween Party

Our Halloween Party will be October 27th.  At noon, we will parade through the school in our costumes.  The party will begin after the parade, at approximately 12:30 and last until 1:00.  Please remember to send your child’s costume to school that morning!  Do not bring it with you—you never know when you might be delayed unexpectedly.

*Special note about costumes—NO weapons of any kind allowed, please keep blood and gore to a minimum!

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher conferences will be held October 16th and 17th.  You may sign-up online at

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a44afa62da02-parentteacher1.  All parents are expected to schedule a conference time.  I look forward to meeting with you.

Next Week:

• Our theme will be Fall.  We will learn about informational (non-fiction) books.  
• In math, we will review numbers 0-10.
• Our sight word will be “it”.
• Our letters for the week will be “Rr”, “Ss”, “Tt” and “Uu”.

Have a Great Weekend!!

Mrs. Vestal

Friday Note - 9/22/17

Math: We are learning to count, and write numbers 5-8. We are also learning about the hidden partners that make up these numbers (6 and 1 make 7).

Language Workshop:  Our theme this week was Colors. We read several color books such as, Rain, Freight Train, Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes, The Day the Crayons Quit, and Press Here.  We’ve been focusing on naming the parts of a book (front cover, back cover and title page).  We also have been learning to name the jobs of both the author (writes the words) and illustrator (draws the pictures).  I will assess these skills next week.   

Reading Workshop:  We introduced buddy reading. The boys and girls had a fun time sharing books with their buddy.

Writing Workshop:  We continued labeling pictures in our reading logs.  Each day we focused on a different color word. The students drew a picture of something that color then labeled it with the sounds they heard.

Word Study:  Our sight word for this week was “like”.  This week we learned about the letters Jj, Kk, Ll, and Mm.  We practiced finding the letters and learned the sounds they make.  We found pictures that begin with each sound.  Students were able to engage in various Smartboard games to reinforce letter recognition and the sound the letters make.

 

Important Dates:  

• Sept. 26 - Hurricane Relief Fundraiser
• Sept. 29 - Volunteer Training 9:00-9:30 Please call the office (743-4810) if you plan to attend.  This must be completed if you would like to volunteer at school.
• Oct. 3 - PTA Fundraiser forms and money are due
• Oct. 5 - School Picture Day (order forms will be sent home the week before)
• Oct. 7 - Fall Festival (see below)
• Oct. 12 - Cox CARE Mobile (call the nurse for an appointment)

Reading Journey

I hope you are finding time each day to read with your child.  Make this a special time for you and your child and have fun!  When reading with your children, please encourage them to point out our sight words and letters we have learned.

SIGHT WORDS

Your child should be able to recognize these words within 3 seconds.  Please practice them at home with your child.   

I            is           a

my          like         the

Next Week:

• Our theme will be Color Review.  We will focus on the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?.
• In math, we will be learning about 9 and 10.
• We will focus on the sight word “see”.
• Our letters will be “Nn, Oo, Pp, and Qq”.

Have a great weekend!!

Mrs. Vestal

Elementary Night at the Volleyball Game!

Coat Drive

Letter from Mrs. Ramey

Friday Note - 9/15/17

Math:   This week we learned how to count objects to 4 and 5 and how to write the numbers correctly.  Please continue to look over the math pages carefully.  If one side is not finished, that is okay.  You can do it together at home, but you do not need to return it to school.  

Language Workshop:  This week we read Who Said Red? and began our focus on identifying colors and color words.  We introduced the colors red, green, and blue.  We started writing in our reading logs this week.  Each day we focused on one color, drew objects that are that color, and then labeled the pictures.  The students did a great job with this new activity.

Reading Workshop:   We continued our unit over reading routines.  This week we learned that the pictures in a book help tell the story and that the pictures match the words.  We also practiced retelling familiar stories to our share partner.

Writing Workshop:   Each day we wrote a couple sentences.  We are focusing on print concepts during this time.  We are learning that we write from left to right.  We start with a capital letter and use punctuation to end our writing.  As a class we look for sight words, and the letters we are learning that week in the message.  This week we learned about questions marks also.  We also practiced writing the letters “Hh” and “Ii” correctly.

Word Study:   Our sight word for this week was “the”.  This week we learned about the letters Hh and Ii.  We practiced finding the letters and learned the sounds they make.  We found pictures that begin with each sound.  Students were able to engage in various Smartboard games to reinforce letter recognition and the sound the letters make.

  

Important Dates:

• Sept. 1 - Oct. 20 - Box Tops Contest - Keep sending them in!
• Sept. 19 - Cox CARE Mobile (call the nurse for an appointment)

• Sept. 21 - Watch DOGS Pizza Night 6:00-7:00 (more information below)
• Sept. 26 - Hurricane Relief Fundraiser (see below)
• Sept. 29 - Volunteer Training 9:00-9:30  Please call the office (743-4810) if you plan to attend.  This must be completed if you would like to volunteer at school.
• Oct. 5 - School Picture Day (order forms will be sent home the week before)

Hurricane Relief Fundraiser:  On Tuesday, September 26th, Clever FBLA will be collecting cash and coin donations at the high school volleyball game and the middle school football game.  All donations will be given to Convoy of Hope to provide supplies to hurricane victims in Texas and Florida.  All PreK - 4th grade students will get into the games FREE this night!!

Sight Words - Keep Practicing!

I   is   a   my   the

PIZZA NIGHT FOR DADS AND KIDS

WHO ARE WATCH DOGS?  Dads who volunteer at school K-4

WHEN IS THE FREE PIZZA NIGHT FOR DADS AND KIDS? Thursday, Sept. 21

WHAT TIME? 6:00 pm

WHERE?  FEMA/Cafeteria

HOW DO I SIGN UP?  Call 743-4810 to register

COME AND GET INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAM!

Reading Journey

 Remember to be working on the reading journey for this quarter!  You can help your child meet their reading goal by reading daily with them.  Feel free to email me pictures and we will share them with the class.  Thank you!

Important Information and Reminders:

• We are working on reciting our phone numbers, addresses, and birthdays.   Please practice with your child at home on these.  This is our classroom goal for September!
• Please make sure your child eats a well-balanced breakfast to ensure that they do not become hungry before lunch time.  If your child will be eating breakfast at school, please have them here by 7:45 a.m.

Next Week:

o   We will continue learning about color words.

o   In math we will learn about numbers 5-8.

o   We will learn about the letters Jj, Kk, Ll, and Mm.

o   Our sight word will be “like”.

Have a Great Weekend!!

Mrs. Vestal

Hurricane Relief Fundraiser

PreK-4th grade students will get into the games FREE on this night!!!

Watch Dogs Pizza Night

PIZZA NIGHT FOR DADS AND KIDS

WHO ARE WATCH DOGS?  Dads who volunteer at school K-4

WHEN IS THE FREE PIZZA NIGHT FOR DADS AND KIDS? Thursday, Sept. 21

WHAT TIME? 6:00 pm

WHERE?  FEMA/Cafeteria

HOW DO I SIGN UP?  Call 743-4810 to register

COME AND GET INFORMATION ON THE PROGRAM!

Friday Note - 9/8/17

NO SCHOOL MONDAY

(Parent Math Night 6:30-7:45)

NO SCHOOL TUESDAY

Math:  This week we learned how to decompose within 3 using manipulatives and drawings.  For example, we practiced 1 + 2 and 2 + 1 make 3.  We also discussed the meaning of zero and practiced writing the numbers 0-3.

Language Workshop:  This week we read The Pledge of Allegiance and learned what it means.  We also read  F is for Flag and learned about the American flag.  We also talked about our school pledge.  We talked about what it means to be loyal and to show respect.  We also learned how to use maps and globes.  

Reading Workshop:  We continued our unit over reading routines.  This week we practiced picking out books and moving to our independent reading spot quietly. We also practiced staying in our reading spot during reading time.

Writing Workshop:   Each day we wrote a couple sentences.  We are focusing on print concepts during this time.  We are learning that we write from left to right.  We start with a capital letter and use punctuation to end our writing.  As a class we look for sight words, and the letters we are learning that week in the message.  This week we learned about questions marks also.

Word Study:  Our sight word for this week was “a”.  This week we learned about the letters Ee, Ff, and Gg.  We practiced correctly forming these letters and learned the sounds they make.  We found pictures that begin with each sound.  Students were able to engage in various Smartboard games to reinforce letter recognition and the sound the letters make.

  

Important Dates:

• Sept. 1 - Oct. 20 - Box Tops Contest
• Sept. 11 - No School
• Sept. 11 - Math Parent Night 6:30-7:45 in the cafeteria
• Sept. 12 - No School - Teacher Professional Development Day
• Sept. 19 - Cox CARE Mobile

• Sept. 21 - Watch DOGS Pizza Night 6:00-7:00 (be looking for more info)
• Sept. 29 - Volunteer Training 9:00-9:30  Please call the office (743-4810) if you plan to attend.  This must be completed if you would like to volunteer at school.

Sight Words - Keep Practicing!

I   is   a   my

Assessments

You will notice a sorting assessment in your child’s folder today.  After spending time learning how we can group different objects, I assessed your child over their knowledge this week.  Students were given a score depending on how accurate they were when sorting by a given attribute. Each score corresponds with an achievement level (advanced, proficient, basic and below basic).  Definitions for these terms are as follows:

Advanced:   *Goes above and beyond meeting the standard

*Very few of our assessments in Kindergarten lend themselves to the    possibility of advanced     

Proficient:   *Meets grade level expectations regarding understanding of the standard

               *Consistently and independently demonstrates understanding of standard

Basic:          *Shows some success on assignments related to standard

               *Meets expectations on only some parts of the standard

Below Basic: *Rarely shows success on assignments related to standard

                  *Does not meet expectations for understanding of the standard

If your child did not score Proficient on an assessment, please continue to work on this skill at home.  We will continue to work on this at school as well and I will re-assess them at a later date.  This is how your child’s performance will be reflected on the kindergarten progress report.

Reading Journey

 Remember to be working on the reading journey for this quarter!  You can help your child meet their reading goal by reading daily with them.  Feel free to email me pictures and we will share them with the class.  Thank you!

Important Information and Reminders:

• We are working on reciting our phone numbers, addresses, and birthdays.   Please practice with your child at home on these.  This is our classroom goal for September!
• Please make sure your child eats a well-balanced breakfast to ensure that they do not become hungry before lunch time.  If your child will be eating breakfast at school, please have them here by 7:45 a.m.

Math Parent Night:

PLEASE make plans to attend this event!!  Greg Tang will be leading this workshop.  I had the opportunity to see him last year in Kansas City.  It will be a great workshop!!

This workshop is designed for parents only, but if students attend, we will provide supervision on the playground. We would rather parents come even if it means bringing their children.  It will be in the cafeteria from 6:30-7:45.  I look forward to seeing you there!!  

Next Week:

o   We will start a unit about color words.

o   In math we will continue working on decomposing and writing numbers 0-5.

o   We will learn about the letters “Hh” and “Ii”.

o   Our sight word will be “the”.

Thank you so much to the families who came to Grandparent’s Day!  What a fun morning!

Have a Great Weekend!!

Mrs. Vestal