School Safety

If you are volunteering in our classroom please make sure that you sign in with our security staff or with the office, and get a visitors sticker. Please make sure our classroom is your only destination.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Happy Monday!


Reminder:
Tomorrow is our word study mini-workshop @ 10:00 am in room K-2.  This is just for parents.


Happy Monday Rainbow Valley Families!
Today we continued to learn about the first of our Seven Habits-  We read a story called Bored, Bored, Bored. We discussed how we are responsible for our own choices. Your children shared all of the different places where they can practice being proactive. Some of them said: the mall, at home, at the grocery store, at church, in the hallway at school, in the library, in my yard.  Please encourage being proactive at home.  Remind your kindergartner that he/she is responsible for their own fun and learning.  
We made connects as we read today.  For example:
"I went to my friends house and they weren't home."
"I say things are boring and my mom said its' not nice to say that."
"I get mad sometimes just like Sammy."





Math is where its at! We are spending a good amount of time each day working on one to one counting.  We are currently using unfix cubes, then our beaded number lines, and once the children have progressed we will move on to a tool called a Rekenrek.  We progress in this manner as we want to do what is the most developmentally appropriate based on your students needs.  There is not a one sized fits all approach however, the progression of tool choice matters.  
Everyday we are working on counting on using ten frames.  
A more "advanced" counter will see the top row filled in and say 5 and count the remaining circle 6,7, etc..
Someone said today, "I know there are 9 because one less than 10 is 9 and one box is empty." WOW!













Thursday, September 25, 2014

Book Orders

The book order has been placed. I am not taking anymore orders. Please don't place one online.  Deadline was 9/24  If you didn't order this time I will be sending home another one soon!  This is a great time to stock up for "stocking stuffers." :)

Information

Reminders:
Tuesday, September 30th Word Study mini-workshop

Sign up for Mystery Reader! We are booked through November. Sign up for a Tuesday in December-June
If you have already signed up we gave you one of the dates that you requested or sent you a note requesting that you choose another date.


Supplies: 
We need the following.  If you can give we would really appreciate it. 
dry erase erasers
Sharpie Markers- Fine point every color
Large Post-It Note Poster Paper
black empty film containers (What are my chances anyone has these?-Fingers crossed)
empty, clean, Styrofoam/paper coffee cups with lids with just one hole in the top (15)
clean corks
8 pairs of adult small cloth gardening gloves
8 dollar store, plastic chip bowls large enough to hold a jumbo bag of chips
ping pong balls(8)
golf balls (8)
8 blind folds that can fit a child's head

Each day we are learning in small group.  We are working on one to one pointing and what to do when we are "stuck" on a word?
-get your mouth ready
-look at the picture
Yes, that is a MONSTER FINGER...



Your child came home with name writing practice today.  Please use this as a guide when working with your child. 


Today we read a story called I Love School.
Prior to reading we activated our schema. We asked ourselves-"What do I already know about school." We also discussed the characters, setting, author, and illustrator as we read.  We learned that setting change in stories.  When we remember a story and tell it in our own words we are retelling.  As you are reading with your child encourage activating schema, discuss the characters, setting, and events.  Ask- "does this remind you of something in your life?" When we make connections, we remember what we read.  Stay tuned for a video of our song! 


Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Sharing Circle

Today after the children completed their independent writing in their four square the came to sharing circle where they had the choice to share their writing.
It was so nice to see their detailed drawings and many of our friends labeled their pictures!!!





Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Connections, schema, letter sounds, counting OH MY!

Today we enjoyed making connections to our story My Friends. You may be asking yourself how many times do you read a book? Most times we read a book two or three times.  I explain to the children that it helps us to remember what we hear and read.

We learned how to use a 4 Square graphic organizer to organize our thoughts.  Today we developed a 4 square on the topic of friends. Together we drew our ideas and then we discussed the importance of labeling our illustrations.
The children helped to label the classroom.  Then, the did their own 4 square about pets they wish to have. 
They labeled their pictures.  It was such fun to hear them sounding out their words!


Today during math we worked on creating patterns.  The children are creating and describing patterns. For example, I may display a red circle, orange square, green triangle.  The would need to continue the pattern.
As your child becomes more fluent in patterning we will make them more challenging.
We are also working on counting backward.  For some children we are working on moving backward from 10-0 and for others 20-0.
Check this out!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srPktd4k_O8


During small group we are working daily on name writing.  We are learning to use the sky, fence, ground, and worm land.  Ask your child about these lines.  
Everyday we are working one to one pointing when we read.  This week each group is reading Rainbow Hair.  We will move into leveled readers next week.  
We started yesterday differentiated word study. Each group has a different sort. 

Reminder- Word Study Workshop- Tuesday, September 30th. 
If you can't make it we will have a video online however, your child should be able to explain and model the sorts for you with ease.




Monday, September 22, 2014

Schema

Happy Monday!
Today we learned all about our schema. Schema is all of the information that you know.
Today we activated our schema to determine what we already knew about friends.
Then, we built our schema and made text to self connections with the book.
Together we learned a really cool song about our schema and making connections.

During our computer lab lesson we integrated math through working on recognizing numbers and creating sets in a program called Pixie!
It was so much fun.  

Name writing is so important your child is practicing writing his or her first and last name each day.






Friday, September 19, 2014

Thinking Like A Scientist

During today's lesson we were using our 5 senses and were learning how scientists think.
Mrs. Whitney visited our class like she will each Friday.  She brought us some critters.  We learned about a life cycle, we made observations, and we recorded through drawing what we remembered.








Thursday, September 18, 2014

Please check folders!

Thursday folders have our behavior sheet in them. Please sign. :)

Today I introduced the children to IPADS and a letter sound and writing APP called Writing Wizard.

Today we created our own version of Brown Bear, Brown Bear What do you see?
The children learned to stretch out their words when they were spelling.
They also worked on making their illustrations match their words just like real authors and illustrators.

Ask your child what he or she wrote.


In math today we played a game called How Many? The children looked at their dot cards and called out how many they saw. The first one to call it and explain earns a point for their team.  I asked the children to share how they saw it.  This is the early stages of subitizing.




Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Learning, learning, yes we are!

PETE THE CAT! Wow has he been a hit! 
The children have been working on retelling the characters, events, and the setting of the story after each read.  
We will be assessing the children on the stories we read. 

Each day we are journal writing.  I will be sending home the September journals soon for you to see.  Each day the children write their code date, draw a pictures, and label their pictures using letters, words, or sentences. 
Ask your child what he/she wrote about today in their journal.  

During our math time the children are working on recognizing numerals 0-10. For those who already know these we are working on 11-20 (and beyond).  Put numbers in random order and have the child tell you it's name.  Have them count a set of objects to match the number.  

Each day we work on a pattern during calendar time.  We are learning ABAB, AAB, AABB, and some of my friends are creating more challenging patterns.

WORD STUDY IS UNDERWAY!
We have successfully learned how to do a partner sort, a speed sort, and coming tomorrow...a BLIND SORT! 





Monday, September 15, 2014

Marvelous Monday!

Did you know that today is Constitution Day?
We shared that the Constitution is much like the rules in our classroom. We follow the in order to have a successful day.
Some of you may remember this oldie but goodie!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzAJyK0ovo8

During computer lab today we learned two very important keys on the key board:  shift and back space
The children practiced typing their names beginning with an uppercase letter.
It is important that every child learn the letters in their name.  
The created a license plate with their name on it!

This week we are learning how to read and spell the color word blue.
We will be doing many things this week with this color word and many others.
Stay tuned!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzAJyK0ovo8

Today's read aloud was Pete The Cat Rocking In My School Shoes!

We worked on what the author and illustrator do, the characters, and retelling the main events from the story.  
We are encouraging active listening while reading is happening. 
After you read with your child at home stop and ask about the events from the story.  This is a great way to see if your child is listening and most importantly understanding what is being read. 
The children worked on creating a color shoes book that they will read during independent reading time, and they worked on color puzzles.  

Word Study is underway!  Today I modeled for the children how to do a sort.  Tomorrow the children will learn how to partner sort.  

REMINDERS: Please send in ear phones or ear buds in a Ziplock bag with their name on the outside. We are using computers and IPADS.  
We are all set on environmental print.  We don't need anymore at this time.




Friday, September 12, 2014

Week Two!

Wow! It is hard to believe we have completed week two of the 2014-2015 school year. 
The children are adjusting well to routines.
The children are working each day on classroom expectations.
-staying on task to get our jobs done
-taking turns
-cleaning up in a timely manner
-showing our friends and teachers respect through listening and using kind words
- cleaning up in a timely manner
-self-regulating
-talk during talking times 
-work during work times 
I encourage socialization because it helps to create leaders. However, there is a time and place for it. This is an area we are all working on. 
The above are areas that our friend are developing each new day. I shared this information with you on the Thursday form. :)

At home you can practice these by giving two and three step instructions-have your child repeat back to you what you ask them to do.  If they complete the tasks without reminders offer praise. 

Work on one person speaks at a time.

If your child cleans up without reminders offer praise.

And above all, encourage trying your best.  In our classroom I will try and I can't yet are phrases we use. :)  
The class decided that one of our rules is Never Give Up!
They told me to write it in BIG letters!


Thursday, September 11, 2014

Wear Red For Sammy!

One of our Kingston Friends, Sammy. Is going to be going through major kidney surgery tomorrow. To show our love and support. Please dress your child in something red.:)
Thanks so much!!

Terrific Thursday!

Today we reread When Sophie Is Angry Really, Really Angry. The children practiced turn and talk.  During this time we sit with our knees together and our eyes together and we speak clearly to one another and stay on the topic.  I had some friends today who were playing with their shoes and not talking, but many, many of our friends were trying their best.
During our shared reading time we are discussing the author and illustrator and what their jobs are when writing a book.  We are identifying the characters, and the main events from the story.  Today we focused on making connections to what we are reading.  
We discussed times where we felt angry like Sophie.  We also shared way to calm down when we feel angry.  During our writing time today the children illustrated and wrote about a time that they felt angry.



Small group learning is well underway in Rainbow Valley.  We are learning how to behave and learn in small group, how to learn with our peers during independent stations, and how to clean up. Ask your child what he or she learns in small group each day.

During our whole group math time today we worked on recognizing numbers and counting object to match that number.  
For example, I would say make 5. Some friend would count 1 unifix cube at a time to make 5. Some would grab 3 and 2 and say 5. Some would look at their group of 10, split them in half and say 5.  It is amazing to see their ways of thinking!


Here is a great place to go for math games!

http://www.abcya.com/connect_the_dots_20.htm




Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Names, colors, numbers! OH MY!

This week we are learning how to write our names the "school way."
VBCPS uses D'Nealian Handwriting as their program.  We will work on writing our names using this style.  
The children are learning how to start their name with an uppercase letter and how to use lower case letters inside of their names.  
We are graphing how many letters are in our name.  We will also discuss how many syllables, and we will learn the vowels in their names.
We are learning one another's names as well through playing name games.
Each day I am reading the name origins that you have sent in.  The children are also sharing their ALL ABOUT ME paper. 

This week  and last week we learned the high frequency word the and red.
Ask your child to spell the!
Check out this link to a song we are learning.

http://www.schooltube.com/video/de3d2ac2b4e201be212e/Color%20R-E-D%20red%20song%20-%20Kindergarten


Each day we are practicing our letter sounds.  Here is one song we are singing.

http://www.starfall.com/n/level-k/song-abcs/load.htm?f

During our math time we are learning how to one to one count and match our numbers to a set.
For example, I will call out four and the children will make a group of four.
We are working on sets up to ten and for those who are ready up to twenty.


Monday, September 8, 2014

Happy, rainy Monday!

While it may have been raining outside it was sunny in Rainbow Valley!
The kids were very engaged today.  We began our day with journal writing about our weekend.  If a child could not remember what he or she did over the weekend they were allowed to write about whatever they would like too.
We are encouraging 3 star coloring and if your child knows some letter sounds to apply them in their writing. 

Today we read David Goes To School. We discussed the job of the author and the illustrator.
We talked about how David was a "Peacebreaker."  
This story connects very well with our citizenship unit.  The children learned that they are "Peacemakers" at home and at school.  One of our friends said, " When I go to bed when Mommy and Daddy tell me to I am a peacemaker."  "When I yell and stomp up the stairs I am a peacebreaker."
I loved these connections!

We have started our small groups.  The children are working with the teachers, independently, and with peers.  Please ask your child what he or she did today during small group time.





Thursday, September 4, 2014

Wednesday Fun!

Wednesday was filled with learning! 
We continued discussing our story How Full Is Your Bucket?
We created a chart to help us when making decisions in school and at home.  We will continue to practice filling our buckets and the buckets of the people around us all year!
The children shared during our first Turn and Talk time how they have filled a bucket.
As you can see, their work is displayed in our classroom.  
I was so impressed at how well my friends learned how to 3 Star Color!
Ask your child about these activities.
REMINDER: Please return all forms tomorrow.  We are still missing a number of them.  Thanks for your help with this matter.  
KUDOS: Thank you to all of my families who have so graciously donated supplies to our class.  I have sent home thank you notes to many, but some I didn't have names on them.  So, here is a thank you if I missed you! 

During our math lesson today we talked about counting and number writing.  Please practice counting and writing numbers at home as often as you can!  


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

2nd Day

Today was a great day in Rainbow Valley.
The children were engaged in learning.  

Our tables are finally named! Does your child know what his or her table's name is?
We have the following names:
Take turns, clean up, self-control, be kind, share, and respect.  We are learning about what it means to be a hardworking citizen in our class and our table names reflect that and so does our behavior. 
 Many of our friends have moved their stars and have added tickets to their table's cup. If your child has moved his or her star or earned tickets, can they tell you how they earned that recognition? These are great conversations to be having at home. We are setting high expectations and appreciate you doing the same for our kindergarten friends.
When I would like the children to refocus or transition we say, "Please give me five."
Ask your child about this.  






Did you hear that the Dish and The Spoon ran away AGAIN?
Today we found them in Mr. Fritz's room.  He is our music teacher.  

REMINDER:  If you haven't returned all Open House paper work please do so by Friday. :)

Calling ALL MYSTERY READERS!!!  Please return your form as soon as possible. The slots fill up fast.  I will do my very best to accommodate everyone. 




Tuesday, September 2, 2014

First Day Fun~

Today was an exciting day in our class. Many of our friends were excited to be at school. 
Thank you to everyone who returned the paperwork that we sent home during Open House.
Please return all forms as soon as possible if you have not already.

If there is going to be a change in the way your child is to go home please put it in writing.

Today you may have noticed that your child had a folder that came home.  Some did and some did not.  I am very sorry.  At the end of the day I did not have enough time to fill all of the backpacks. My priority was to make sure everyone was sent home the correct way.  
Tomorrow ALL folders will go home, and I am asking that you initial your child's folder, discuss the papers that are in there (If they are done by the kids.), sign and return any forms.

We read aloud today the Kissing Hand.  We talked about how Chester the Raccoon felt as he had to leave his Mom to go to school.  
Ask your child about Chester, and ask them to share with you what his Mom did to help him feel better.  If your kindergartner had a difficult time transitioning this morning.  Sharing a "kiss on the palm" may be just what they need. 

We will be visiting various specialist in the school. In order to be ready for this we will be reading aloud all week Hey, Diddle, Diddle. These readings will serve many purposes. One to build fluency, two one to one pointing, three tracking print from left to right, four retelling, five citizenship.
Today our dish and spoon ran away!  The children practiced hallway manners as they searched for the dish and the spoon.  They found them~ Please ask them where they found them. I wonder where those two will run away to tomorrow.