Dear Kindergarten Families,
We had a wonderful week in kindergarten filled with learning, growth, and fun! Here’s a look at what we’ve been working on and some important reminders as we head into the coming weeks.
Writing
This week, we took a writing assessment to check how our young authors are progressing. The goal for each student is to write a three-page story that stays focused on the same topic from start to finish. In this story, students are expected to:
- Stretch out and sound out each word carefully.
- Listen for and write down all the sounds they hear in each word.
- Add details to make their story interesting and engaging.
We noticed that many students are still working on slowing down their speech so they can hear all the sounds in words. This skill takes time and practice. You can support your child at home by encouraging them to say words slowly and listen carefully for every sound as they write.
New writing homework goes home every Monday to help reinforce these skills at home.
Phonics
In phonics, we continued focusing on making our writing easy to read. Some key strategies we’ve been practicing include:
- Two-finger spaces: Leaving a clear space between words.
- Word families: Recognizing patterns like “-at,” “-op,” and “-ing” to build words quickly.
- Listening for sounds: Stretching out words and writing all the sounds we hear.
Practicing these habits will help students build confidence and fluency in their writing.
Reading
Our kindergartners have been working hard to strengthen their Super Reader Decoding Skills in reading! Here’s what we’ve been focusing on:
- Pointing to each word as we read.
- Using our finger under unknown words to focus on decoding each sound.
- Listening carefully and blending sounds together to read unfamiliar words.
Last week, we also read and compared versions of The Three Little Pigs and practiced retelling the story using key details. This helps students build comprehension skills and connect across different versions of the same tale.
One of the most critical skills at this stage is recognizing “snap words” (sight words). These are words that students should know instantly without needing to sound them out. If you are not practicing snap words at home, now is the time to start. These words will appear frequently in the texts we read, and regular practice will make a big difference.
This week, as part of our social studies lessons, we are learning about Martin Luther King Jr. and discussing concepts of past, Present, and Future.
Math
In math, we continued our unit on measurement and strengthened our number sense with a fun card game called “Top It” (similar to “War”). This game helps students compare numbers and understand which is greater or smaller.
We are also working on decomposing numbers—breaking them down into smaller parts—and finding different ways to make 10. For example, students learn that 7 + 3, 6 + 4, and 5 + 5 all equal 10. You can support this learning at home by practicing simple addition and subtraction stories with your child.
iReady Testing
We will begin our new round of iReady testing the week of January 27th. This assessment helps us track your child’s progress in reading and math. Practicing iReady at home, even for a few minutes a day, can make a big difference. The more students practice, the more familiar and confident they will be during the test.
Important News and Reminders
- Special Trip to the Outdoor Center: On Friday, January 19th, we will visit the Outdoor Center. It will be cold, so please send your child to school dressed appropriately with warm coats, hats, and gloves or mittens.
- Extra Recess on Wednesdays: We have an extra hour of recess on Wednesdays, and many students have mentioned feeling too cold during this time. Please ensure your child has quality mittens, a warm hat, and extra layers.
- Substitute Teacher: I will be out of the classroom on January 23rd and 24th to attend my sister’s swearing-in ceremony as an attorney in Nevada—an exciting milestone for our family! A substitute will be in the classroom during those days.
Thank you for your continued support in your child’s learning journey. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out!
Warmly,
Mr. Eubanks
Kindergarten Teacher
