Kindergarten Newsletter – Welcome Back After Winter Break!
Hello Families,
I hope everyone had a cozy and joyful winter break! I missed our wonderful kindergarteners and am excited to jump back into our routines. We have many new and exciting things planned for the upcoming weeks!
Literacy and Reading:
Before Break:
Right before break, we read and compared different versions of the Gingerbread Man story. We got letters from around the world, including Arizona, Florida, British Columbia, France, and Israel. A kind person from the West Bloomfield community (not someone who is associated with PLE) sent in a whole bunch of crafts with the gingerbread man note; it was so much fun! Seeing the similarities and differences between the characters and events in each book was so much fun. We also learned about various holidays students celebrate in our classroom and worldwide, including Christmas, Hanukkah, and Ramadan.
What’s Next:
Now that we are back, we will read and compare different versions of The Three Little Pigs. We’ll talk about how the stories are alike and different. In reading, we will start to learn about decoding strategies. Decoding strategies are ways to figure out unfamiliar words by using letter sounds, looking at pictures, or thinking about what would make sense in the sentence.
In phonics, we are learning about blending sounds to read CVC words. CVC words follow a consonant-vowel-consonant pattern, like “cat” or “dog.” We say each sound slowly, then blend them together to read the entire word. We’re also learning about word families, which are groups of words that share the same ending letters and sounds, like “-at” in “cat,” “hat,” “bat,” and “mat.” Knowing word families helps students read new words quickly.
Writing:
Before the break, we finished our writing unit, where we practiced making lists and “stretching out words.” Stretching out words means saying a word very slowly, listening for each individual sound, and then writing down the letters for those sounds. This helps children become more independent writers.
We also made holiday cards for Ms. Mimi and our families. We are moving on to our “Writing for Readers.” We will work on our writing so that everyone can read it.
Homework:
After the break, we will start writing homework. Here’s how it will work:
- I will send home a writing packet every Monday.
- Your child should write at least 3 sentences three times a week.
- The packet should be returned the following Monday.
Kindergarten is really picking up now! During the first part of the year, we focused on learning how to be in school. Now, we will work more on academic skills. Your child will grow as a reader, writer, and mathematician.
Explore Our Interactive Measurement Classroom!
Click the link below to access our Measurement Bitmoji Classroom—a fun and engaging way to support your child’s learning at home!
You’ll find interactive activities, videos, and games that reinforce what we’re learning in class. Simply click around the classroom to dive into exciting resources that make measurement fun and easy to understand!
Help your child build confidence in measurement skills with this interactive experience!
Extra homework practice…if you want
I wanted to let you know that I can provide homework packets, but only to families who personally request them from me. These weekly packets will go into your child’s folder every Monday and can be returned the following Monday. They are optional and just for extra practice; some families prefer this option. However, all students are still required to complete 30 minutes of iReady lessons each week in both math and reading, as well as complete the writing homework and study their snap words. Please let me know personally if you’d like a homework packet for your child!
Math:
In math, we will learn about measurement and review what we learned before the break. Previously, we learned about decomposing numbers. Decomposing numbers means breaking a number into two or more smaller numbers (like splitting 5 into 2 and 3). We also worked with number lines, adding, subtracting, and using ten frames to understand numbers better.
Recess and Clothing:
We go outside every day for recess, and on Wednesdays, we have an extra hour of afternoon recess! Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather. All coats and snow pants look the same! Without a label, I don’t know who they belong to. Please put your child’s name on all clothing. Below are the glove clips – really, any glove clips- work the best to keep track of winter gloves. I attached an Amazon link to the picture if you would like to buy one for your student; they are about $7.
If it is easier, you can leave snow pants at school on your child’s hook. That way, you don’t have to remember to return them each day. I try to send all snow gear and everything else home on Fridays to be washed.
Specials and Gym Shoes:
We have gym on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. Your child needs to wear tennis shoes on these days. Boots are not allowed in the gym, but your child can bring or wear tennis shoes to school and change into them.
Reminders and Requests:
- We are starting Star of the Day again, a show-and-tell activity. Before the break, I sent home a calendar, but I will also send a reminder calendar.
- Please review your child’s “snap words” (sight words) at home. New snap words will go home on Monday.
- Our first field trip to the outdoor center is coming up in January! I can only take 4 chaperones, and it will be outside. Look for the permission slip on Monday. I will take the first four parents who text me they want to come.
- We could use donations of whiteboard markers if you have any spare. Thank you!
Wrapping Up:
I am so excited for the coming days. I missed everyone over the break and can’t wait to hear all about what they did. Kindergarten is about to become more challenging academically, but I know our students are ready to rise to the challenge!
Thank you for your support and ensuring your child is prepared for winter weather and ready to learn.
Warmly,
River Eubanks
