Hello Kindergarten Families!
We’ve had such an apple-tastic week here in kindergarten! 🍎🍏 At the end of the newsletter is a video and pictures of all our week’s activities.
Apple Week:
This week’s theme was all about apples. The children were engaged in various apple-related activities:
- Learning About Apples: We discussed where apples come from, different types of apples, and how they grow.
- Taste-testing: The kiddos had a chance to taste different varieties of apples. They shared which ones were their favorites and which ones they didn’t prefer as much.
- Making Applesauce: We rolled up our sleeves and made homemade applesauce! Although our applesauce didn’t turn out perfectly (we might have had a little too much fun mashing it), the experience was a great hands-on learning opportunity. Remember, it’s the journey, not the destination! 😉
Writing:
We’re diving deeper into our writing skills! This week, we started to stretch words phonemically. A fun way we practice this is with ‘robot talk’. For instance, “cat” becomes “c-a-t”. Please practice this ‘robot talk’ with your child at home—it’s both educational and fun!
Phonics:
This week in phonics, we delved into the magic of the alphabet. And guess what? Each child got a special treat—a Bennie Baby! These adorable stuffed animals were individually wrapped from McDonald’s. We used them as writing buddies and taught our Bennie Baby how to write our names and letters. We plan to do this special activity two more times this year, so the fun is just beginning. Your child is welcome to keep their Bennie Baby as a memento.
Fifth Grade Buddies:
We had special visitors on Friday—the fifth graders! They joined us for a rhyming activity and will continue to do so every Friday afternoon. The kids absolutely loved having older buddies to work with, and we’re looking forward to more collaborative sessions.
Math Fun with Top-it:
This week in math, we introduced an exciting game called Top-it! If you’ve ever played the card game “War”, then you’ll know exactly how Top-it works. In Top-it, students use cards to compare numbers, and the player with the bigger number wins both cards. It’s a fun and interactive way to help the kids understand number values and comparison. Next time you’re looking for a fun game to play at home, ask your child to teach you how to play Top-it!
Snap Words:
We can’t stress enough how essential snap words are for our young readers and writers. These are words that children should recognize instantly, or “in a snap!” They play a significant role in helping kids to read and write more fluently.
Please keep practicing these snap words at home. The more familiar they are with them, the more confident they’ll become in their reading and writing journey.
We appreciate your support and partnership in making this year memorable for our little learners!
This week, we read and acted out Caps for Sale. “Caps for Sale” is a children’s classic written and illustrated by Esphyr Slobodkina. The story is about a peddler who walks around selling caps that he stacks on his head. One day, after failing to sell any caps and feeling tired, he naps under a tree. When he wakes up, he finds that all his caps, except his checked cap, are gone. Looking up, he sees a group of mischievous monkeys, each wearing one of his caps. He tries various methods to retrieve his caps, including shaking his fists, stamping his feet, and shouting, but the monkeys only imitate him. In frustration, he throws his cap on the ground, and the monkeys do the same. Seizing the opportunity, the peddler retrieves all his caps, stacks them back on his head, and continues. The story is a delightful tale of problem-solving and the unexpected consequences of frustration. You can see us practice it in the video below.
iReady at Home:
We’re thrilled to introduce iReady for at-home practice! iReady is an interactive online platform that offers tailored learning experiences for our students, helping them strengthen their skills in a fun and engaging way.
This week, we will be sending home passwords and detailed instructions on how to access and navigate the platform. With this tool, your child will have the opportunity to practice and solidify what they learn in school.
We encourage you to set aside some time each week for your child to work on iReady. It’s designed to be child-friendly, but your involvement, encouragement, and interest can make a significant difference in their learning journey.
Reminders & Notes:
- Keep an eye out for the iReady passwords and instructions coming home with your child.
- Dedicate a quiet space and specific times for your child to work on iReady to establish a consistent routine.
- Please reach out if you encounter any challenges or have questions about the platform. We’re here to help!
- Consider setting aside a few minutes each day for snap word practice. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your child progresses!
- Engage with your child by playing a round or two of Top-it. It’s a wonderful way to reinforce their math skills while having fun!
- I send home a list of Snap words every Monday. They are the words we are studying this week.
- Please continue to practice ‘robot talk’ and writing at home.
- Don’t forget to ask your child about their Bennie Baby and the name they’ve given it!
- Thank you for being a part of our learning journey.
Thank you for being an active participant in your child’s education. By working together, we can create a supportive and enriched learning environment at school and home.
