Making Text To Self Connections

T -> S I've felt sad before, just like Lilly in Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse.

We have spent several weeks on making Text To Self Connections. What does that mean?

When we make connections we are actually activating our schema.  We read a book and something in the book reminds us of something we have done before.  This is called a T-> S (Text to Self) Connection.  The students write their connections on sticky notes or in their Reader's Workshop notebooks on graphic organizers. If you child is practicing making connections at home to help to improve their reading comprehension please make sure the connection explains how it is connected to the book.  For example, instead of just saying “I’ve eaten ice cream before,” a  better connection would be “I’ve eaten ice cream before, just like Harry in Horrible Harry.” 

Making meaningful connections allows a child to remember a story because it "connects" to them. 

Wonderful Wednesday

Today we enjoyed sharing our writing as authors.  We learned about how to speak loudly and clearly.  As an audiance we learned how to sit, listen,learn, and how to respond after hearing an author read their story.  We clapped, and we asked questions or shared comments that began with " I want to know..." or "I found out..."
Parents, you can help reinforce this at home by asking your child to read back to you what he or she has written while speaking loudly and clearly.  One of our kindergarten SOL's is using appropriate oral language.
During music with Mrs. Gordan the children learned how to sing and spell three letter words like, cat, bat, pot, dog,log, hog and wait...wait HIPPOPOTAMUS!  Ask your child to sing it for you.
They also review their patriotic songs. 

ALL SET!

Thanks to all of you who volunteered for science lab.  We are all set with volunteers!
Thanks!

Making Good Choices Project

Our Kindergarten Friends created a project with Ms. Booth our Guidance Counselor about making good choices and problem solving.

Attention Afternoon Class Parents

We need afternoon class volunteers for our science lab which will be held on Tuesday, April 5th from 11:40-12:40. 
Currently I only have 3 volunteers, and I need 5 more in order to have the lab.
Please let me know ASAP if you are willing to be a volunteer next Tuesday.
We apprecaite your time.
Thanks!

Attributes Of Solids

On Friday the class enjoyed sorting solids by their attributes.

Sharing Eye On The Alphabet Books

Mrs. Law met with our classes and had them share their Eye On The Alphabet project.  All of their books are displayed in the kindergarten hallway for everyone to see.  

Writing Practice

Today I taught a mini lesson on uppercase letters and correctly using periods.
As a class we did shared writing and then the children took what they learned and applied it to their independent writing.

Reading Comprehension

Please make sure your child is reading to you every night.
Please be sure that you are asking them comprehension questions.
Who? What? Where? When? Why?
It is important when progressing onto 1st grade that your child can retell a story in order, using characters names.
Thanks for your continued support!

Learning About Matter

Today began our science unit about Matter.
Here is a short video that shares our learning.

We need Mystery Readers

Parents and Friends,
We need Mystery Readers for the following dates:
Wed. April 13th
Please Email me if you or someone you child knows would like to be a reader.
Morning Class Reader: 10:30-10:50 Afternoon Class Reader: 1:20-1:40
Thanks!

Monday Fun Day!

Today we continued to work on adding details to our writing. 
We also were lucky to visit Mr. Kimpan's 5th grade Wax Museum. 
Ask your child about this experience.

Paper Towel Rolls

We will be creating a project the first week of April and we need empty paper towel rolls.
Please send them in if you have some extras.  :) 
Thanks!

Calendar Time

Everyday is fun during calendar time.  Today was especially fun!

Making Shapes

"Here are the 3D Shapes that I know..."

March 17th was a lucky day in Rainbow Valley!

St. Patrick's Day Fun

Go Green!

Parents,
Please allow your child to wear green tomorrow. It is St. Patrick's Day.
Thanks!

Terrific Tuesday!

Today we enjoyed reviewing our math skills on EMGAMES.  Please note that children should be playing these games at home as often as possible.  Some of our friends had difficultly logging on and mentioned that they never play at home. UHOH!
We also started our lessons on Pocahontas.  Ask your child to tell you about her.
Today we reviewed making meaningful connections using the story Amazing Grace. 
This story taught the children that they can be anything they want to be as long as they practice.

Science Fair

Congratulations to Caden, Rachel, and Sophie for your participation in the Science Fair!
Way to go!

Shoes

Hi Parents,
We are encouraging our kindergarten friends to learn how to tie their shoes.  This is a really exciting skill to learn.  Please make sure that you are allowing time for your child to practice at home.  We celebrate our kindergarten friends who are able to do this during the school day.  :) We hope that all of our kindergarten friends cando this before leaving Rainbow Valley in June. 
Thanks again for all you do!

Making Connections

We are enjoying learning about making connections when we are reading.  This skill helps the children to improve their reading comprehension.

Today we read The Relatives Came. The children listened to the story, then they turned and talked using Think, Pair, Share.  After sharing their connections I modeled for them how to illustrate and write thier connections.  I explained to them the their connections should be meaningful.

After modeling this the children independently did their own connection graphic organizer.

Following that we shared our connections during sharing circle time.

Make-Up Day

This is a press release from VBCPS

After carefully considering feedback from the community, Virginia Beach City Public Schools has revised its plans to make up instructional time lost due to the school closure for snow on February 10.

April 8 will now be an instructional day for students. The day was originally scheduled as a staff day with schools closed for students. As a result of the change, the school division no longer plans to temporarily add 20 minutes to the school day as previously announced.

Communications to parents will include an AlertNow message to be sent to all households of children enrolled in Virginia Beach schools. In addition, an updated calendar is posted on the school division website, vbschools.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Eileen Cox
Date: 03/09/11 Phone: 757.263.1949
News Release No. 046 Fax: 757.263.1010
Email: eileen.cox@vbschools.com

Learning About The 5 W's.

The students are currently learning about why it is important to include the 5 w's in their writing. 
We are continuing to reinforce the basic writing skills: start with an uppercase letter, finger space, use lowercase letters inside of your sentence, end with puncuation, match your picture to your words, I, when alone must be uppercase.

Learning On IPADS

Parents,

Many of you have asked about apps that we are using at school here is a list:
pocketphonic
math magic
iwrite words
word families
word magic
sentence builder

Kindergarten Stories Using Onomatopoeia

During guided reading some of our Kindergarten Friends learned about creative language.
Here are some of the fictional stories they created using onomatopoeia.
Feel free to try having your child enrich their writing through adding creative language to their writing when writing at home.

Scientist For The Night

Scientist For The Night is underway.  The science bags went home with two students tonighte . They will have the bag for two nights.  So, that means if it goes home on Monday it must be back to school by Wednesday.  No excuses please. We have children waiting their turn.
All instructions are in the bag, please take a few minutes to read them when your child comes home with the bag.

Calling All Scientist!

Our Kindergarten Friends love experimenting.  Today they enjoyed predicting what would happen as they tried different "tricks" with their magnets.
When every child was finished experimenting I asked, 'Who had fun learning today? " Every hand in the room went  up.
Please allow your child to participate in the John B. Dey Science Fair.  The deadline for signing up has been extended.  Please let me know if you have any questions about the Science Fair.
I hope to see all of my Kindergarten Friends showing off their science skills.

New Sight Words

Tomorrow, Friday, March 3, 2011 your child will be coming home with a new page of flashcards.  Please practice as often as possible until learned.
Thanks so much!

one
two
three
four
five
six
seven
eight
nine
ten

Thing One & Thing Two

Two of our Kindergarten Friend's (brothers and twins) celebrating Dr. Seuss.

Kindergarten Fun

Today we enjoyed celebrating the birthday of Dr. Seuss.  We read a biography book about Dr. Seuss and a few books written by Dr. Seuss. 
We also had a great time singing patriotic songs during music time with Mrs. Gordon.
In science we learned more about magnets and how the poles on the magnets can attract and repel one another.  Ask your child to tell you about this.
During the month of February we asked that each family participate in the monthly school wide reading program.  Today, Mrs. Logan our Reading Specialist, came to our classroom and awarded the children who participated in this great event.
She also awarded the TOP KINDERGARTEN READER in all of kindergarten, and that was LANEY R.
Way to go Laney and all of our other readers.  We are so proud of you!!!

EYE ON THE ALPHABET

EYE ON THE ALPHABET PROJECTS ARE DUE TO SCHOOL ON MARCH 14TH. PLEASE CONTACT MRS. LAW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

Our First Day of March Was Tons Of Fun!

Today we introduced many new songs and concepts during our calendar time. 

Today we also enjoyed competing with hundreds of thousands of children from all over the world during World Math Day!  The children can continue to play tonight as well.

Last week we started our unit on Forces in science.  Today we activated our schema and shared what we alread know about magnets and we shared what we want to know about magnets.

The children enjoyed free exploration time of the many types of magnets and the items that are attracted and repeled.

After exploring I asked my kindergarten friend what they discovered during their exploration and here is what some of them had to say.