Dear Families,

We had a wonderful week in kindergarten! Thank you for your continued support in your child’s learning journey. Here’s a look at what we’ve been up to and what’s ahead!

100th Day Project

The 100th Day Project went home this week! If you need another copy, please let me know. I look forward to seeing your child’s creativity and effort in celebrating this milestone.

iReady Scores & At-Home Practice

Our class as a whole needs more practice at home. Ms. Bennett, our principal, spoke with me about the importance of reinforcing skills outside of school. Please continue with writing homework—it is making a big difference! I have noticed a significant increase in students’ writing and reading abilities. Writing is more challenging than reading, but the better writer a child becomes, the stronger their reading skills will be. Writing strengthens phonemic awareness, sentence structure, and comprehension, directly impacting reading growth.

Phonics & Writing

We are wrapping up our study of word families and moving into learning about vowels and blends. This week, we also learned all about groundhogs! Next week, we will take a break from writing narratives and focus on writing letters as we explore the post office. After that, we will celebrate the 100th Day of School and begin learning about dental health.

Math

We are learning about addition, story problems, and teen numbers. A little practice at home goes a long way! Please encourage your child to use their fingers to solve simple addition problems. Practicing in the car or during everyday moments can make a big difference.

Reading

We are practicing our Superhero Reader Powers from our Lucy Calkins unit of study. These powers help us decode words and become stronger readers. Here’s what we’ve been working on:

• Pointer Power – Pointing to each word as we read.
• Picture Power – Using pictures to help figure out tricky words.
• Snap Word Power – Recognizing words we know in a snap.
• Sound Power – Saying the first sound of a word and thinking about what makes sense.
• Re-Read Power – Going back and reading again when something doesn’t make sense.
• Partner Power – Working with a reading buddy to help each other.

Most days, I meet with each child in small groups or individually to provide targeted support in reading and writing, ensuring they build a strong foundation.

Upcoming Events & Reminders

• • Valentine’s Day Party – Friday, 1:30-2:15 PM We will have our party followed by the Media Center and Gym.
  • If you plan to take your child home after the party, please sign them out on the list I will have available.
  • All valentines must be sent in by Friday morning, so students have time to pass them out.

Science

We had so much fun playing with flashlights and studying shadows this week while learning about Groundhog Day! Soon, we will begin our next science unit on Push and Pull.

A Note to Parents

I hope you enjoyed the snow day! You are so lucky to have a five-year-old in your life. This is a magical age, full of curiosity, wonder, and joy. Savor these moments—they go by quickly!

Thank you for all you do to support your child’s education!

Best,

Mr. Eubanks