Dear Families,

Here is what’s going on in Kindergarten next week:

Art/Science/Theme: We will begin our new theme: Pumpkins! Students will learn about pumpkins through a study of the pumpkin life cycle.  We will also compare pumpkins to apples.  We will observe and investigate if a pumpkin will sink or float.  Students will dissect the pumpkins and study the inside of a pumpkin.

Language Arts/ Writers Workshop: We will focus on the beginning, middle and end of stories as well as the problems and solutions. Students are working on adding more details to their pictures and words.  We will be introducing two different strategies to help students sound out words while writing:  “Ghost talk” is when you stretch a word out very slowly and write each sound that you hear (ie” “cccaaattt”). “Robot talk” is when you quickly say each sound (ie: “c-a-t”).  Ask your child to show you these strategies and try using these terms to help your child with writing words at home.

Handwriting: c, a, o  We will start our magic c letters.  We talk about these 8 letters begin like a magic c.  When they write their name if they have a magic c letter make sure they start like a c first and then continue the letter.

Math: Number Order of 1-10. Keep an eye out for your child’s Pumpkin Number Line and use this at home to help your child practice Number Recognition and Number Sense (ie: “Can you point to the number ___ on your number line?” or “What number comes before/after ___?”).  Besides the number line, students will be introduced to number bonds to help them understand information given to them in the word problems.  

Word wall words of the week: up, down  

As a reminder for safety purposes, please make sure that your child is going directly to the playground in the morning and not waiting unsupervised by the classroom door or in the hallways. 

RTI has started and we are still figuring out what group each child should be in to be comfortable at the work load as well as reading level.  Sometimes, students are reading books but elements of story structure or comprehension might be a struggle.  We always want to make sure students are never frustrated but feel challenged in their reading group.  

In RTI, all groups read the same book and focus on the same comprehension skill however it might be presented differently.  This week, we will be reading informational text on pumpkins and identifying facts.  Besides reading a book whole class, we are in small groups working on independent reading skills.  Some students need practice identify letter names and sounds, some need blending and segmenting skills, and some need to practice sight words.  These are all things that you can practice at home when reading with your child daily.

Conferences: If you haven't signed up for a conference time in November, please email me or stop by the classroom so we can schedule it.  

Drive for Schools:   All proceeds go to our school and you have a chance of winning prizes each week.  If all families gave $25.00  we would pass our goal.  The money raised go toward our supplies (paper, pencils, folders, paint, glitter, etc.)  Besides supplies, it pays for our RTI teachers and support staff.  We couldn't do it without your support!  Thank you!

Reminders : 

Toilet paper rolls: Please save and send in empty toilet paper rolls for our "bat" project.  

Field Trip:  Gizdich Ranch,Wednesday, October 2.  (If you have not turned in your child's permission slip, please be sure to turn it in ASAP.)  I have extra ones in the classroom if it was misplaced. Every student needs to have a car seat for the field trip.  Please label your car seat and drop off and pick up in front our classroom.  We are leaving at 8:15 a.m. and returning 11:45 am.

Harvest Festival: Friday, October 11, We need volunteers for the Harvest Festival.  If you could give one hour during the festival, it would be helpful!!!! Thanks!

Wish List:

Twistable Crayola Crayons

Prizes for Prize Box

Amazon Gift Cards (for many of our projects, we order items on Amazon)

Have a great week!