by Mr. River Eubanks

Kindergarten Newsletter

Dear Kindergarten Families,

We’ve had an exciting week full of learning and fun! Here’s a glimpse into what we’ve been up to and what’s coming next.

A couple of Reminders:

  • Friday (Tonight) Is movie night on the soccer field
  • Monday-return the poetry notebook (this will be weekly)
  • Tuesday is a half-day
  • Friday (9/27) is picture day
  • The mobile dentist is coming to PLE on Monday (9/30), and you must sign up if you want your child to see the dentist at school.
  • October 3- No School
  • October 4- Social Project is due

Literacy and Phonics

Theme Focus: Rhyming

This week, our focus was on rhyming. The children enjoyed playing with words that sounded alike, which helped them develop phonological awareness—a key skill in learning to read.

Quick Tips for Rhyming at Home:

  • Read Rhyming Books: Choose books with rhyming patterns and read them together.
  • Rhyming Games: Say a word and take turns thinking of words that rhyme with it.
  • Sing Songs and Nursery Rhymes: Music makes learning fun and memorable.

ABC Chart

We started our ABC chart, exploring letters and the sounds they make. Encourage your child to point out letters they recognize in books or around the house. Below is the video that I use to teach the sounds. You can use it too!

Dramatic Play

We brought stories to life by acting out “Caps for Sale”! The kids loved becoming characters from the book. Next week, we’ll act out “Harry and the Dirty Dog”. Ask your child which character they enjoyed playing the most.

Writing Skills

Each child received a Beanie Baby, and we taught our new friends how to write our names. This fun activity helped everyone practice name writing, and I’m pleased to say that most children can now write their names independently!

We are beginning to write words on paper. The first set of snap words (sight words) went home along with a rhyming intervention activity. Please review these words with your child to support their writing development.

Math Adventures

Number Stations

In math, we explored number stations and discovered that numbers are more than just numerals. For example, the number 5 can be represented as:

  • Numeral: 5
  • Word: Five
  • Objects: Five apples
  • Tally Marks: |||||
  • Dice Dots: 🎲 showing five dots

Understanding different representations helps build strong number sense.

Graphing Skills

We also started learning about graphing. The children practiced organizing information visually, which helps with interpreting data and noticing patterns.

Scissor Skills

We worked on scissor skills this week. Cutting can be tricky, and some children may need extra practice.

Tips for Practicing at Home:

  • Provide child-safe scissors and supervise.
  • Start with cutting straight lines before moving to curves.
  • Use fun materials like playdough or magazines for cutting activities.

Upcoming Themes

Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll dive into themes of fall, apples, and the five senses. We’re excited to explore the changing seasons and engage our senses in learning!

At-Home Engagement

If your child says, “We did nothing at school today,” try asking:

  • What made you smile today?
  • What was the best thing that happened at school today?
  • What was the worst thing that happened at school today?
  • What made you feel proud today?
  • Tell me something that made you laugh today.
  • What was the book that your teacher read?
  • Can you tell me an example of kindness you saw/showed?
  • Who would you like to sit by in class if you could choose? Who would you not want to sit by in class? Why?
  • Did you learn something you didn’t understand?
  • What’s the biggest difference between this year and last year?
  • Teach me something I don’t know.
  • Who did you sit by at lunch today? What did you talk about?
  • Can you show me something you learned today?
  • Did anyone do anything silly to make you laugh?
  • What part of school is your favorite?
  • What was the most interesting/funny thing your teacher said today?
  • What class rules does your teacher say are important?
  • Did you help anyone today?
  • Tell me one interesting fact about your teacher.
  • What’s your favorite time of day at school?
  • Rate your day on a scale from 1-10.
  • What are you looking forward to tomorrow?
  • Did you get frustrated with anything at school today?
  • What is your least favorite part of the school building? And favorite?
  • Tell me about a new word you heard today at school.
  • What words did Mr. Eubanks say the most today?

These questions can prompt detailed responses and give you insight into their day.

Reminders

  • Snap Words and Writing Activity: Please review the snap words and complete the writing intervention sent home.
  • Social Studies Family Project: A family project timeline was sent home. This is an excellent opportunity to work together and discuss your family’s history. Please return it by [due date].
  • Scissor Practice: If your child struggles with cutting, please practice scissor skills at home.

Thank you for your continued support in your child’s education. Working together makes all the difference!

Warm regards,

River Eubanks