Rocking It in Kindergarten
with Mrs. Tomasello
May 20, 2024
This is our last full week! Can you believe it? This year just flew by! Thank you to all of my kindergarten parents for your support and involvement throughout the school year. Your partnership has made an impact on your child's growth. I couldn't have been supported by a finer group of families!
This was a special group for me. From the first day we made a bond that just got stronger through the year. I truly love these kiddos like they are my own. We've had so many special moments in class. I hope your child's memories of kindergarten as fond as the ones I'll cherish. I will miss seeing their bright smiles and hearing all of their stories. It was a great year!
The last week of school is free dress. If you have any school uniforms that your child has outgrown, please send them in for the used uniform sale.
Again, many thanks for your support and for a great year!
Love and Hugs,
Liz Tomasello
May 13, 2024
Dear Parents and Families,
Thank you all very much for your thoughtfulness and generosity during teacher appreciation week.
Your kind words, gift cards, beautiful flowers, lunches, and breakfast treats were amazing. Your support and generosity mean so much to me!
i-ready assessment results are being sent home on Friday May 10th. If you have any questions about the results, please feel free to reach out.
Hard to believe we are winding down our school year. Our kindergarteners are now First graders in training. We've been discussing the behaviors and choices of first graders, as well as work that is first grade quality. We are ready!
Important Dates:
Thursday May 16: Donuts with Grown-Ups: join your child for a donut in the Commons before school
Friday, May 17: Field Day
- Students may wear swimwear to school and bring a dry change of clothes
- Please apply sunscreen at home in the morning
- Closed toed shoes or water shoes are required. The students will be wet and running on the soccer field. Strappy sandals may be hazardous
- Please be sure your child has a towel and a water bottle
- Sun hats may be a good idea as well
- Please label all items sent in with your child
- You are more than welcome to stay and join the fun!
Tuesday May 21: Kindergarten Moving Up Ceremony
- Free dress fancy/ sport clothes
- 9:00 in the Commons
- Light refreshments after the ceremony
- You are free to take your child home after the ceremony to celebrate the day. Please be sure to let me know if you are taking your child
Curriculum Corner
Reading/Phonics
- Spelling test and dictation sentences: Consonant digraphs
- Reading comprehension / close reading
- Summer Birthday books
- Buddy reading
- Share Shape Books
Math
- Topic 10 assessment: Composing and decomposing numbers 11- 19
- Introduce dimes
- Count dimes and pennies
- Count dimes and nickels
- Estimation jar
Science/Social Studies
- Force and motion experiments and observations
- Let's Find Out: Octopus Adventures
- Read & discuss
- Vocabulary
- Video: Eight Extraordinary Facts about Octopuses
- Comprehension
- Count Down to First Grade activities
Learning life skills
At the Teddy Bear Clinic
May 6, 2024
Important Dates:
Thursday May 16: Donuts with Grown-Ups: join your child for a donut in the Commons before school
Friday, May 17: Field Day
- Students may wear swimwear to school and bring a dry change of clothes
- Please apply sunscreen at home in the morning
- Closed toed shoes or water shoes are required. The students will be wet and running on the soccer field. Strappy sandals may be hazardous
- Please be sure your child has a towel and a water bottle
- Sun hats may be a good idea as well
- Please label all items sent in with your child
- You are more than welcome to stay and join the fun!
Tuesday May 21: Kindergarten Moving Up Ceremony
- Free dress fancy/ sport clothes
- 9:00 in the Commons
- Light refreshments after the ceremony
- You are free to take your child home after the ceremony to celebrate the day. Please be sure to let me know if you are taking your child
Friday May 24: Last day of school
- Early dismissal: 11:30, no lunch at school
- Kick off to Summer event 11:30 to 1:30
Curriculum Corner
Reading/Phonics
- Spelling focus: words with ending blends
- Spelling test
- Dictation sentences
- Multiple meaning words
- Module 9: Animal Habitats
- Read aloud: Why Living Things Need a Home
- Describe setting
- i-ready reading assessment
- Reading comprehension
- Buddy reading
- Birthday book page
Math
- Topic 10: Compose and decompose numbers 11-19
- Identify and count coins: penny, nickel, dime
- Add coin values
- i-ready math assessment
Science/Social Studies
- Butterfly symmetry/ art project
- Let's Find Out: Can You Hear a Buzz?: insect study
- Comprehension check
- Mother's Day card & activities
- Promotion ceremony practice
April 29, 2024
The clinic is contained to one room at the hospital and the teachers will have eyes on the class the whole time. I can't wait to hear all about their fun adventure. I'm so bummed that I'll miss the trip.
Since we are quickly closing in on the final weeks of school, we will be doing Estimation Jar two times a week for the next few weeks to ensure that all students have a chance to fill the jar. If you get the jar on a Friday, please be sure to return it on the following Monday. If you get the jar on a Monday, please return it by Friday. Sorry for the quick turn around - I want everyone to get a turn.
Important Dates:
May 16th - Donuts with Grown Ups: join your child for a donut in the Commons before school
May 17th - Field Day: more info next week
May 21st - Kindergarten Promotion ceremony 9:00 a.m. in the Commons: more info next week
May 24th - Last day of school: 11:30 dismissal
May 24th - Kick off to Summer 11:30 - 1:30
Curriculum Corner
Reading/Phonics
- Read aloud: PB & J Hooray, Growing Vegetable Soup
- Set purpose for reading
- Identify central idea
- Steps in a sequence
- Reading response
- Spelling focus: initial consonant blends
- Spelling assessment and dictation sentences
- Review nouns, verbs, and adjectives
- Identify complete sentences
- Our Field Trip writing
- Buddy reading
Math
- Fluency practice
- Topic 9 review, assessment, and performance task: Counting and writing numbers 11- 20
- Topic 10: compose and decompose numbers 11-20
- Tens frame review
- Estimation Jar
Science/Social Studies
- Butterfly life cycle
- Read aloud: I Am a Caterpillar, Born to be a Butterfly
- Studies Weekly: Transportation Over Time
- Let's Find Out: raise a Hand: Statue of Liberty
April 22, 2024
Friday, April 26th is an early dismissal day. Students will be dismissed at 12:00. There is no hot lunch service on Friday. We will have an extra snack time in the morning so please pack accordingly.
Homework and reading journals should still be turned in on Friday. We will also do our Estimation jar activity in the morning that day.
If you haven't already turned in the permission slip and $5 bus fee, please do so as soon as possible. Our field trip to the Teddy Bear Clinic is on Tuesday April 30th.
Looking forward to a great week!
Curriculum Corner
Reading/Phonics
- Read aloud: Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt; Earthworms
- Multiple meaning words
- Make & check predictions
- Identify central idea
- Compare and contrast information
- Long /o/ & long /u/
- Spelling focus: final e
- Spelling test and dictation sentences
- Buddy reading
Math
- Count, read & write numbers to 20
- Use reasoning to count and write numbers to 20
- Fluency practice
- Time review
Science/Social Studies
- Earth day books, writing, and activities
- Butterfly lifecycle
- Caterpillar observation journal
- Let's Find Out: Bye, Bye Litter
- Comprehension check
Social/Emotional Learning
- Empathy and kindness
- Kindness at school
- Showing kindness
- Performance task
April 15, 2024
I'd like to start with another big THANK YOU to the Levi family for opening up their home to help our class make wonderful memories! Thank you as well to all of the parents that took time out of their busy day to join us for the fun!
As I'm sure you've heard, we are headed out for our final field trip of the year. We have been invited to the Summerlin Hospital's Teddy Bear Clinic on April 30th. Information and permission slips will be in folders on Friday, April 12th. Please sign & return with the $5 bus fee. Chaperones are not needed for this trip.
Homework this week will include a Recycled Robot project that will be displayed at the Merryhill Recycle Museum the week of April 22nd. Directions and recording sheet are at the back of the homework packet. Projects are due April 19th. Reading Journals will not be sent home this week.
Looking forward to another great week!
Curriculum Corner
Reading/Phonics
- Topic: From Plant to Plate
- Building knowledge networks
- Vocabulary
- Read aloud: Plants Feed Me, Planting Seeds
- Retell sequence of events
- Making and checking predictions
- Listening comprehension
- Identify central idea
- Sight words
- Spelling test & dictation sentences
- Buddy reading
Math
- Continue Topic 8: More addition & subtraction
- Ways to make 10
- Decompose 10
- Find missing parts of 10
- Topic 8 review & assessment
Science/Social Studies
- Seeds to Plants
- Books & activities
- Let's Find Out: Find Baby Bird's Mother
- Comprehension check
April 8, 2024
We really enjoyed our visit!
Important field trip information:
- If your child is riding the bus on Tuesday, please be sure to send in the $5 gas fee if you haven't already done so.
- If you are driving and staying for the fun, please meet us at the Levi farm at 9:00
- Please see me if you need the address
- All students will need a lunch from home and a water bottle
- Snacks will be provided by Rachel Levi
I will be out April 10 & 11 for eye surgery. Ms. Garcia will be covering the class both days. Plans and materials are all set to go! Ms. Shelley will be in class to lend a hand and help things run smoothly.
Looking forward to a great week!
Curriculum Corner
Reading/Phonics
- Hey, Little Ant read aloud
- Develop listening comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Persuasive texts
- Opinions and reasons
- Start Right Readers
- Buddy Reading
- Spelling- focus: long /o/ spelling patterns
- Spelling test
- Dictation sentences
Math
- Addition and subtraction
- Decompose numbers to solve problems
- Fact families
- Turn around facts
- Practice addition and subtraction fluency
Science/Social Studies
- Solar eclipse video and activities
- Farm visit
- Studies Weekly: Time
- Past/Present/Future
- Calendar
- Studies Weekly Comprehension check
- Let's Find Out: Goats eat Poison Ivy
- Video: What Do Plants Need?
- Comprehension check
April 1, 2024
I had a fun time reading all of the Peep journals and letters to the Easter Bunny. Thank you all very much for helping with that project! I received a lot of positive comments from parents saying that it was a fun project and that it helped encourage their child to enjoy reading at home. I love it when a plan comes together! 😉
Since everyone did such a good job taking care of their Peep, the Bunny left popsicles for everyone and decided to let the Peeps be officially adopted by the students.
Big news this week is our upcoming field trip. Permission slips were sent home on March 27. Please sign and return them by Friday April 5th. One very important note that was omitted from the slip- I completely forgot about the $5 gas charge for the bus. So, if your child will ride the school van to the farm, please send in $5 along with the completed permission slip. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Included in this week's homework is a short habitat project. Each student was randomly given a picture of an animal with the directions to draw that animal's habitat. The class was told that if they wanted to change their animal, they could print a picture from the internet with your help. Students also need to write two good sentences about their habitat.
Projects are due on Friday, along with the rest of the homework. No Reading Journals this week.
Curriculum Corner
Reading/ Phonics
- Biography genre: Jane Goodall and the Chimps read aloud
- Reading response
- Focus: illustrations
- th & wh digraph review
- sight words
- Buddy reading at preschool
- i-ready lessons
- Spelling test and dictation sentences; focus: s blends
Math
- Counting to 100: look for and use structure
- Topic 11 vocabulary and reteach
- Topic 11 assessment
- Time review & assessment
- i-ready math lessons
- Estimation jar
Science/Social Studies
- Habitats picture vocabulary
- Answer questions about key details in text
- Content connection video/ comprehension questions
- Habitat concept review game
- Let's Find Out: Living with Chimps
- Vocabulary slideshow
- Comprehension check
Social/Emotional Learning
- What is Kindness ?
- Showing kindness
- Kindness at school
- Performance task
March 25, 2024
Hard for me to believe, but we are in the home stretch, and headed for May! The class has been working hard all year and we will continue to stay focused to fit in the remaining curriculum.
To get everyone in the Easter spirit, homework is a little different this week. The Easter Bunny made a visit to room 4 on Friday to make a special delivery of Easter Peeps for the class to take care of for him. The homework activity will be for your child to keep baby Peep journal. Students will get a chance to name their Peep in class, and make a nest to keep it safe all week
Please be sure that your child reads to their Peep, tucks it in each night, and takes their Peep and nest to school each day in the baby carrier bag. This is a fun activity that not only includes a little creativity, but also teaches responsibility. The bunny will return on Thursday to gather up his Peeps.
Reading journals will also be included in the homework this week. There will not be a spelling lesson due to the short week. All homework is due on Thursday, March 28th.
As always, if you have any questions, please reach out!
Curriculum Corner
Reading/Phonics
- Last Stop on Market Street- read aloud
- Rhyme review
- Identify final consonant sounds
- Double final consonants
- Ask & answer questions
- Listening comprehension
- Active listening and viewing
- Collaborative discussion
- March acrostic poem and craft
Math
- Topic 11: Count numbers to 100
- Count by tens and ones
- Look for patterns when counting
- Parts of a clock
- Time to hour
- March Math journal
- i-ready math lessons
Science
- Habitats
- Let's Find Out: Would You Cuddle This Critter?
March 11, 2024
6This week our class enjoyed many wonderful books, both fiction and nonfiction. We completed our American symbols unit with two assessments. Ask your child to tell you about their favorite American symbol. In math we began our topic about flat and solid shapes. We will continue our shape study after the break as well.
A Spring break review packet will be sent home on Friday, March 8. It is not mandatory to complete, just a little something to keep students thinking over the long week! There will be a surprise treat for students that return it completed and signed by a parent.
Homework for the week of March 18th will be sent home that Monday. Reading Journals will not be sent home that week.
Wishing everyone a safe, enjoyable break.
March 4, 2024
This week along with our other topics, we will be celebrating NV Reading week with author studies, books, and activities. This is one of my favorite weeks. Please see below for daily themes for spirit day dress. It's going to be an extra fun week!
The Estimation jar activity is a huge hit! Thank you, parents for your help with that. Because I will be out on Monday, the Estimation jar will be sent home on Friday. Please have your child return it in the bag the following Friday.
Lucky Family projects are also due this Friday, March 8th. If it is already completed, please send it in. Students will share their project with the class.
Spring break begins next week! A Spring break review packet will be sent home on Friday. It is not mandatory to complete, just a little something to keep students thinking over the long week! There will be a surprise treat for students that return it completed and signed by a parent.
Thank you all for your help, support, and time so far this year. The days are zipping by too fast! Wishing everyone a safe, enjoyable Spring break!
Nevada Reading Week March 4-8
Nevada Reading Week Spirit Week!
Monday – Cat in the Hat Day (wear hat)
Tuesday – Red Fish, Blue Fish Day (wear red and blue)
Wednesday – Wacky Wednesday
Thursday – Fox in Sox (Silly socks)
Friday – Oh the Places You’ll Go – Tacky tourist/ Vacation wear
Curriculum Corner
Reading/Phonics
- Reading week activities
- Dr. Seuss author study
- Opinion writing
- Creative writing
- Spelling test- long /e/ spelling pattern
- Dictation sentences
- Sight word tests
- Reading comprehension: short /u/ sentences
Math
- Lessons 3 & 4 quick checks- flat shapes
- Solid figures
- Describe shapes in the environment
- Math journal
- estimation jar
Science / Social Studies
- American symbols booklet
- American symbols assessment
- Let's Find Out: Fairy Tales
February 26, 2024
It's hard to believe that February is coming to a close and we are headed into March! The class is continuing to move right along learning new skills and reviewing previously taught topics. Spelling tests and reading journals are looking good! Thank you for supporting your child at home.
We are excited for the upcoming field trip on Thursday. If you are chaperoning, we will leave the school at 9:00 for a 9:30 arrival. Our time at Kid's Town is from 9:30 to 11:30. Students will eat lunch in the classroom when we return. It's going to be a great time!
Included with this week's homework is our March Lucky Family project. It is a two-part project. All directions are included. Have fun helping your child complete the project and have them return it by Friday, March 8th.
Looking forward to a fun week!
Curriculum Corner
Reading/Phonics
- /wh/ & /ph/ digraphs
- Spelling word work: focus long /a/ spelling patterns
- Dictation sentences
- i-ready reading lessons
- iPad: work in Pages
- Center activities
Math
- Topic 12: Identify and describe shapes
- Identify: circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, hexagons
- Pattern block activity
- Estimation jar
Science/Social Studies
- Studies Weekly: Patriotic Symbols
- My Country booklet
- American symbol sort
- Let's Find Out: Isn't He Wonder-ful? / Stevie Wonder
Social/ Emotional Learning
- Unit 2: Emotion management
- Feeling Sad/ mad/ calm
February 19, 2024
Thank you, parents, for taking the time last week to meet with me to discuss your child's progress. I hope I was able to answer all of your questions and concerns. If anything comes to mind that we didn't address, please feel free to reach out.
I had a few parents ask about sites or apps that would be helpful to reinforce the kindergarten skills we are working on in class. At the end of this newsletter you will see buttons that will take you directly to sites with reading or math games. A few others that you can check out are education.com and abcmouse. Select Kindergarten level then search the games offered, or just search for the skill you'd like to practice.
Curriculum Corner
Reading/Phonics
- Short vowel review
- Spelling focus: number words
- Spelling test and dictation sentences
- Spelling word practice in Pages document
- Read: Ish
- Introduce inference
- Identify story problem and solution
- Digraphs- th & wh
- Word work
- Birthday Book
Math
- Topic 14 measurement
- Problem solving: precision
- Lessons 5 & 6 quick checks
- Reteach and vocabulary review
- Topic 14 assessment
Science/Social Studies
- President's Day
- Let's Find Out: The Letters Lincoln Never Sent; Young George Washington
- Vocabulary
- Comprehension check
- Washington/Lincoln quiz
- Directed drawing- Lincoln & Washington
February 12, 2024
Enjoying the Lion Dance. Kung Hei Fat Choi! Happy Year of the Dragon!
Because of the short week, there will be no "regular" homework or reading journal this week. Students will be coming home with short vowel word family spinner games, and a nonsense word practice sheet. Directions are printed on the pages. These pages will help students practice blending sounds to work on fluency. The pages and games do not need to be returned to school.
Homework packets and reading journals for the week of February 19 will be sent home on Wednesday February 14th.
Parents helping with the STEM project, we'll see you on Monday February 12 at 12:30.
It's going to be a short, busy week!
Curriculum Corner
Reading/ Phonics
- Short vowel practice
- Buddy Reading
- Alphabetical order
- Valentine writing
Math
- Describe and compare objects by measurable attributes
- Problem solving: precision
- Valentine graphing
Science/ Social Studies
- Valentine books and activities
- STEM project: vibration
February 5, 2024
Conferences are just around the corner. A sign-up genius email was sent out last week. If you didn't get it, please let me know and I will resend. Looking forward to meeting with each of you to discuss your child's progress.
Important Dates:
February 9- Lunar New Year Dragon dance
February 12- field trip permission slip/ online consent/ field trip money due
February 14 Valentine's Day
February 15 Conferences- No school
February 16 Professional Development Day - No school
February 19 President's Day - No school
February 29 Kid's Town field trip
Curriculum Corner
Reading/Phonics
- Spelling - short /u
- Word work
- Spelling test
- Dictation sentences
- i-ready
- Digraphs- ch & sh
- Buddy reading
Math
- Measurement activities
- Describe and compare by weight
- Describe objects by measurable attributes
- Quick checks 14- 3 and 14-4
- Write numbers to 100 by 2s and 5s
- Estimation jar
Science/Social Studies
- Black history books and activities
- George Washington Carver
- Ruby Bridges
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- STEM activity: explore Hexbugs
- Draw plan for obstacle course
January 29, 2024
Important Dates:
February 12- field trip permission slip/ online consent/ field trip money due
February 14 Valentine's Day
February 15 Conferences- No school
February 16 Professional Development Day - No school
February 19 President's Day - No school
February 29 Kid's Town field trip
Reading/Phonics
- Genre: folktale
- Character Traits
- Story elements
- Multiple meaning words
- Compare texts: Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza/ Little Red Hen on Stage
- Sight words
- Final consonants
- Short /u/ word families
- Spelling focus: short /o/
- Spelling test and dictation sentences
- Buddy Reading
- i-ready lessons
Math
- Introduce topic: Describe and compare measurement attributes
- Vocabulary: longer, shorter, taller, length, height, capacity
- Lesson 1 & 2 quick checks
- i-ready math lessons
- Measurement scavenger hunt
- Estimation Jar
Science/Social Studies
- Studies Weekly: Inventors
- Let's Find Out: Gentoo, I See You!
- Comprehension check: Show what you know
Social Emotional Learning
- Identify emotions and feelings
Curriculum Corner
January 22, 2024
Students did a fantastic job on their first spelling test last week! I am so proud of this group! Keep up the great work, Smarties! This week we will test on short /i/ words.
**Sorry for any confusion with the turn in day for the Reading Journals. Completed journals can be returned either Thursday or Friday.
Talent show is Friday January 26th. I know we have some excited performers in our class! Can't wait for the show!
This Friday is also an Early Dismissal day. Dismissal will be at 12:00.
Conferences are right around the corner on February 15. I will be sending a Sign-Up Genius invite to everyone by the end of this month.
Looking forward to another fun week!
Curriculum Corner
Reading/Phonics
- Unit Topic: I Can Do It!
- Read: Jabari Jumps
- Make and check predictions
- Develop listening comprehension
- Story sequence
- Birthday books
- Spelling focus: short /i/
- Spelling test & dictation sentence
- Buddy reading to Pre-K
- i-ready reading lessons
- Opinion writing
Math
- Topic 7 quick checks- subtraction
- Vocabulary review
- Performance task
- Topic 7 assessment: subtraction
- January math journal
Science/Social Studies
- Comprehension check: My Weather Report
- My Favorite Weather
- Thermometer measurement
- Weather assessment
Social Emotional Learning
- Learn how to identify emotions in ourselves and others
- Happy/Sad/Mad
January 15, 2024
As mentioned last week, Reading Journals will begin this week. Journal pages will be a part of the weekly homework. After selecting and reading a book from home, have your child complete one page of the Reading Journal. No matter how many books are read during the week, only one page of the journal needs to be completed. Pages should be completed in order. If more room is needed for extra sentences, please use the back of the page. Please encourage neat handwriting and colorful illustrations.
Completed Reading Journals should be returned on Friday each week along with the homework packet. This activity is meant to provide practice with students' new reading and writing skills. It will only be beneficial for students if they put good effort into the assignments. I hope this new activity will get students even more excited about reading and writing!
Now that we are inching our way toward first grade, the bar has been raised in regard to written classwork and homework. Students have been practicing their first and last names, and are now expected to write their full name on classwork papers. We have also discussed working slowly and controlled with all handwriting. Points will be deducted for papers without full names or with messy handwriting.
Hundred's Day projects are due this week. Please remind your child to be ready to present their cool project.
Looking forward to a fun week!
Curriculum Corner
Reading/Phonics
- Informational text: Getting Rest
- Identify central idea and key details
- Asking questions, 'w words'
- Develop listening comprehension
- Spelling focus: short /e/
- Word work
- Spelling test and dictation sentence
- Creative writing: I wish I had 100 ____
Math
- Represent and explain subtraction with equations
- Subtraction story problems
- Patterns to develop subtraction fluency
- Write numbers to 100 by 1s and 5s
- Estimation jar
Science/Social Studies
- 100th day books and activities
- What can I make with 100 LEGOS - build and present
- Cup stack challenge
January 8, 2024
Happy New Year from the Smarties in room 4!
Hello Parents and students! Welcome Back to school!
I hope everyone had a wonderful, relaxing vacation. Here we are starting the third quarter and ready to get back in the swing of things. We have been busy so far this year mastering letter sounds, learning sight words, and presenting new concepts each week. Now we are ready to shift into high gear! Hope you're ready, Smarties! To continue to challenge students, homework procedure is changing to better meet the needs of all students.
Beginning this week, weekly homework packets will replace the monthly homework calendar. Packets will be sent home on Fridays and should be returned completed the following Friday. Because spelling lists and Reading Journals will be a part of the homework, I thought it will be easier for everything to be returned weekly.
Spelling lists will be added to the homework. Each week, spelling words will be sent home on a Home Study Sheet, which is a part of the homework.The homework assignment for the week is at the bottom of the Home Study Sheet. An additional sheet of paper will be included for spelling homework.
Spelling lists will consist of eight words plus a Bonus word. There are four additional challenge words for those students that are up for the challenge. Lists will focus on spelling patterns (short a, short e etc). We will work with the words during the week and take a written test on Fridays. There will also be a dictation sentence on the test. Students should learn to spell and write the words correctly. Tests will be graded on the eight focus words. Extra credit will be given for correct bonus and challenge words. Sentences will be graded for correct spelling, and proper conventions (uppercase, punctuation and proper spacing.) Please help your child practice at home.
The next homework addition will be Reading Journals. Reading journals will begin next week and complete details will be in next week's letter. There is also an introduction page in the journal.
The last new activity is the Estimation Mystery Challenge. Each Monday one student will bring home the estimation jar to be filled. A letter with instructions will be included. The jar is returned to school by Friday each week. In order for all students to participate, please don't share the number of items with your child. Students will examine the jar and make an estimate about the number of objects in the jar. The estimation activities help develop logical thinking skills, allow meaningful math dialogue, and let students articulate their reasoning. Items are then counted, sorted, and categorized. Please let us know if items can be shared or if they need to be returned home. Any food items must be individually wrapped. Please keep in mind that some of our students are vegan. I will introduce the jar this week and students will begin taking the jar home next week. Names will be pulled randomly and the jar will only be sent home on full weeks.
Last but not least... get ready for... the 100th day of school!!! Friday, January 19th will be the 100th day of school! We have many fun hundredth day activities planned. Hundredth Day homework was sent home before winter break. If you need a reminder, please see the link below.
Wow! That was a lot of information! As always, if you have any questions about spelling lists, Reading Journals, estimation jar or 100th day homework, please feel free to contact me.
We are getting ready for a busy new year!
Curriculum Corner
Reading/Phonics
- Developing listening comprehension
- Word relationships: shades of meaning
- Plot: beginning, middle, end
- Jack and the Hungry Giant
- Edible Colors
- Spelling Lesson 1 Focus: short /a/
- Spelling test/ dictation sentence
- Sight word assessment
- i-ready reading lessons
- Buddy reading
Math
- Topic 6 performance task
- Story problem assessment
- January Math journal
- Topic 7 Understanding subtraction
- i-ready math lessons
- Model Estimation Jar activity
Science/Social Studies
- Weather words review
- Meteorologist forecast
- Weather match - dressed for the season
- Martin Luther King Jr, books & videos
- Let's Find Out: Working for Justice
- I Have a Dream booklet
- Comprehension check
December 11, 2023
Library scavenger hunt
Moving and grooving at the library
Story time
Curriculum Corner
Holiday concert Tuesday at 5:00 in The Commons. Please have students report to room 4 at 4:45 dressed and ready to go.
Concert dress: preferably a winter themed sweater; if not, dark blue, black or khaki pants or skirt and holiday color top- red, green, or white
Gingerbread decorating Wednesday 12/13 - 12:30 in our classroom. Everyone welcome!
- 12/ 11 to 12/15 Holiday Spirit week
- Monday - Merry Monday - wear holiday colors
- Tuesday - Tacky Tuesday - wear a tacky holiday outfit
- Wednesday - Winter Wednesday - wear your favorite winter wear
- Thursday - Twinkling Thursday - wear a shiny outfit
- Festive Friday - wear your favorite festive holiday outfit, including pajamas
Thank you, parents for all of your help and support this year! I appreciate you all.
Wishing your family a safe, relaxing winter break. ☺️♥️
Reading/Phonics
- Gingerbread Baby
- Story elements: characters, setting, plot, sequence
- Syllable count
- Build and write a sentence
- Letter to Santa
- Birthday book pages
- Identify short vowels/ reading short vowel words
Math
- December calendar
- Roll & Add, addition practice
- Place value
- Holiday travel graph
Science/ Social Studies
- Holiday books and crafts
- Let's Find Out -All Aboard for the Holidays
- Gingerbread house decorating
December 4, 2023
- 12/5 Library field trip- 9:45 - 11:00
- 12/12 Holiday show - students can report to our classroom at 4:45, performance begins at 5:00 in the Commons
- Students will be dismissed from room 4 after the performance
Concert Dress: Preferably a winter themed sweater (if not, a holiday color, red, green, white). Tan, Dark Blue or Black Pants or Skirt.
- 12/13 Gingerbread decorating - 12:30 in room 4
- Please see the Sign-Up genius email that was sent on Wednesday
- 12/ 11 to 12/15 Holiday Spirit week
- Monday - Merry Monday - wear holiday colors
- Tuesday - Tacky Tuesday - wear a tacky holiday outfit
- Wednesday - Winter Wednesday - wear your favorite winter wear
- Thursday - Twinkling Thursday - wear a shiny outfit
- Festive Friday - wear your favorite festive holiday outfit, including pajamas
THANK YOU to the awesome parents that signed up to donate decorations for our gingerbread houses! You help make my job easy! Much appreciated!
December homework will consist of December Book BINGO, a fluency practice packet, and a
'Snapshots from Winter Break' journal.Please have your child select 4-5 pages of the journal that they would like to complete to tell about their winter break. Please encourage colorful illustrations and a sentence or two on each of the chosen pages. All December homework can be turned in on
January 2nd.
Looking forward to the next two fun weeks!
Curriculum Corner
- i-Ready reading assessment
- Sight words
- Short /o/ word families
- Latkes and Applesauce, a Hanukkah story
- Reading comprehension
- Characters and setting
Math
- i-Ready math assessment
- Topic 6 assessment: Exploring addition
- Place value beyond teen numbers
Science/Social Studies
- Library field trip
- Wonderful Winter Holidays booklet
- Social Emotional learning
- Hanukkah books, activities and games
November 27, 2023
*With the cold weather upon us, please remember to label all outer clothing. We want to be sure that the right MH jacket goes home with the right person!
*Kindergarten Holiday show is Tuesday, December 12th at 5:00. Students should report to our classroom no later than 4:45. Information about dress for show coming soon.
* A BIG thank you to Chris, Dana, and Rachel for supplying snacks and setting up for our feast. The class enjoyed making butter and eating all the healthy, yummy treats. You are all so appreciated!
* No school Wednesday to Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. If your family is traveling, safe travels to you. I hope everyone enjoys the time off with family and friends. We’ll see everyone next Monday!
November 20, 2023
Up-coming events
12/5 Library field trip
12/8 Hanukkah activity and snack
12/12 Holiday show 5:00 pm Commons
12/13 Gingerbread house decorating
12/15 Pajama Day- stories, games, and cookies
Thank you to all of my awesome parents! I am truly grateful for each of you and for your beautiful children! You send them to me every day with a smile on their face, ready to learn and have fun. And for that, I am also grateful. Wishing you all a wonderful, tasty Thanksgiving!
Curriculum Corner
- Short vowel practice
- A Turkey For Thanksgiving- story sequence
- Label a picture
Math
- Addition color code
- Use snap cubes to model addition
- Writing numbers to 100 by 5
Science/ Social Studies
- Thanksgiving books and activities
- Butter making/ feast
- STEM activity - build the Mayflower
November 13, 2023
- Library field trip permission slip due Friday 11/17
- Classroom Thanksgiving Feast Monday 11/20
- Library field trip Tuesday 12/5
- Holiday performance Tuesday 12/12
- Gingerbread house decorating Wednesday 12/13
- Pajama Day 12/15
- Winter break 12/18 - 1/1
- Winter Camp 12/18- 12/22
**Our class will be making butter on Monday November 20. Please send in a small baby food jar or other small jar with a lid by Friday, November 17th.
Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Maugeri for your Book Fair donation. I was able to get many nice books for our classroom!
Looking forward to a great week!
Curriculum Corner
- Oral reading
- Comprehension check
- Creative writing
- Sentence writing using adjectives
- Short /i/ word families
- One Is A Feast For A Mouse- sequencing
- i-ready lessons
- Sight words
Math
- Topic 6: Understanding Addition
- Explain addition with equations
- Topic vocabulary
- Addition word problems
- i-ready math lessons
Social Studies
- Long Ago and Today
- Thankful turkey
- The first Thanksgiving booklet
- A Pilgrim Picture story
- Let's Find Out: Thankful For the Things We Love
- Being Thankful video
- Dance Break
- Directed drawing: turkey
November 6, 2023
A second huge THANK YOU to parents that donated to the class Book Fair fund. Your kindness and generosity are very much appreciated!
Thank you to everyone for taking the time to meet with me for conferences. I enjoyed talking with each of you. If you have any questions we didn't address, please reach out.
Hooray for our October Book Club readers! Thirteen students returned the Book Club form and earned a coupon for a free Pizza Hut personal pizza! Way to go, my little reading machines!
November is going to fly by. A lot of days off and so much to do! Our room 4 kiddos are always up for a challenge, so this is going to be a fast, fun month!
Looking forward to a great week!
Save the date: Tuesday December 12th- Holiday show -time to be announced
Curriculum Corner
- Read: A Bucket of Blessings, genre- Fable
- Identify story problem & solution
- Review describing words
- Build & write sentences
- Sight words
- Introduce nouns that end with ~s
- i-ready lessons
- short /i/ word families
- Buddy reading
Math
- Teen Number hopscotch
- Teen number assessment
- Introduce addition
- Topic vocabulary: add, join, plus, equal, sets, equation
- Making 10 activities
- i-ready math lessons
Science/ Social Studies
- Veteran's Day books, activities, videos
- Let's Find Out: Here Come the Veterans
Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
- Growth mindset
- We watch, we listen, we think
- Brain building song and activity
October 30, 2023
In class we will read & follow directions to make creepy eyeball slime and share a small Halloween treat for snack.
**Please send in an over-sized tee shirt to cover costumes so costumes stay clean for trick -or-treating Tuesday night.
November projects were sent home last Tuesday and are due on Monday November 6th. October homework and reading book club forms are due on the 31st. Sight words will be tested this week. I hope the conference handouts were helpful with a few practice ideas.
I've setup a CLASSROOM eWallet to use at the MERRYHILL E S SUMMERLIN Scholastic Book Fair taking place 10/30/2023-11/03/2023. This will enable me to purchase books for our classroom at the Fair and foster a lifelong love of reading!
I hope you will please join me in contributing to the eWallet: https://shop.scholastic.com/ewallet/fund?lang=en_US&walletId=1d1437bb-10d2-4cae-9e7a-a4eb98c635bc
Thank you!
Looking forward to a fun week!
Curriculum Corner
- Introduce describing words, adjectives
- Creepy Carrots: adjective activity
- ~ag, ~ap word families
- Sight words
- Small group & center activities
- i-ready lessons
Math
Introduce place value & teen numbers
Skip counting by 5's
i-ready lessons
Science/Social Studies
- STEM project: Create Slime
- Studies Weekly: Patriotic Celebrations & Holidays
- American Holidays
- Halloween celebration
October 23, 2023
Conferences begin this week. Thank you all for signing up for a time to meet with me. I am looking forward to talking with you about your child's progress so far this year.
No school on Friday October 27th and Monday October 30.
Curriculum Corner
- ~ad word family
- Writing Journal: label and write; Halloween sticker story
- Comprehension
- Following directions
- Birthday Book page
- i-ready lessons
Math
- Critique reasoning: I can tell whether the way objects have been sorted or counted makes sense
- Topic 5 review & assessment: Classify & Count Data
- Skip counting
- i[ready math lessons
Science/Social Studies
- Italian Heritage Month activity
- Read: Pezzittino, by Leo Lionni, craft
- Nevada Day booklet
- Let's Find Out: Things that Go Bump and Awooo in the Night
October 16, 2023
School vans will leave between 8:20 and 8:30. I've been told the tour will last about 90 minutes. Students will have lunch at their regular time. The class will not have P.E. on Monday
October 16th due to the trip. Regular school uniforms should be worn.
Friday October 20th is the PTO sponsored Fall Festival. To help get in the mood for a fun time, our class will decorate pumpkins Friday afternoon at 12:30. Parents are welcome to come and join the decorating fun. Our pumpkin activity will last about 1 hour.
Conferences are right around the corner. A sign-up invitation was sent last week. If you haven't selected a time, please do so as soon as possible. I've opened up days and times the week prior to Monday October 30 to accommodate your working schedules. Please let me know if you need to me to resend the invite.
Looking forward to seeing you either on the field trip or on Friday for pumpkin decorating!
Have a great week!
Curriculum Corner
- My Community Heroes
- Identify & recall central idea and key details
- Writing activity: My Field Trip
- Stellaluna: Identify problem & solution
- Opinion writing: My favorite part...
- Buddy reading
- Sight word assessment
- Oral reading assessment
- i-ready lessons
Math
- Topic 4 assessment: Comparing numbers 0 - 10
- Topic 5: Classifying objects into categories
- Write numbers to 100 by 1's
- Math quick checks
- i-ready lessons
Science/Social Studies
- Bats & nocturnal animals
- Bat Facts craft
- Let's Find Out: Autumn
- Gilcrease Orchard field trip
- Pumpkin decorating
October 9, 2023
Important Dates
10/20 - Fall Festival 4:30 - 6:30
10/27 - Nevada Day No school
10/30 - Parent Teacher Conferences ( sign up coming)
Curriculum Corner
- Handwriting Letter assessment
- Introduce & identify verbs
- Snail & Worm Again: Plot- identify problem and solution
- Identify Quotation marks
- Identify synonyms
- October writing journal
- i-ready reading lessons
Math
- Pumpkin Pal data analysis graph
- Comparing two numbers
- Topic 4 assessment practice: Comparing numbers to 10
- i-ready math
- October math journals
Science/Social Studies
- Pumpkin Pal glyph- create a pumpkin
- Patriotism
- American flag
- Patriotic song: You're a Grand Old Flag
- STEMscopes: How do our actions impact our environment?
- Let's Find Out: You Are Special
- Stem challenge: build the tallest tower using play-Doh and buttons
October 2, 2023
The class enjoyed all of the apple activities we worked on over the past two weeks. Our apple turnovers were a huge success! We have quite a few happy bakers in room 4! It was great to see everyone excited to taste the baked goodies and really enjoy them!
Our field trip is coming up on October 16. If you plan to chaperone and drive your child to and from Gilcrease orchard, please send me a quick note or email. I just want to be sure I know who is riding the bus and who will ride with a parent.
Sight words will be tested on Thursday. No school on Friday, October 6 for teacher Professional Development Day.
Looking forward to a fun, busy October!
Curriculum Corner
- Read: I Like Me!
- Reading response: What makes you feel good about you?
- Letters Ww & Vv
- Small group work / center activities
- October writing journal
- Sentence building
- Sound mapping CVC words
- Introduce & identify nouns
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- i-ready reading lessons
- Sight word assessments
- Buddy Reading
Math
- Topic 3 assessment- Numbers 6-10
- i-ready math lessons
- October Math journal
- Identify, count & order numbers 1-20
Science/ Social Studies
- Studies Weekly- What is a Citizen?
- topic vocabulary: citizen, community, state, country, rights
- Circle map key points
- What is a Citizen assessment
September 25, 2023
Apple tree painting project
Learning about graphs
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
Sight word lists will be in the blue folder on Monday. Please help your child practice the highlighted words. Sight words will be tested the week of October 9th. If your child masters a list, feel free to continue on with the next list.
Don’t forget, Monday is school picture day. P.E. Clothes are not required unless you want your child photographed in them. Students will not be able to change clothes at school.
Please fill out and return the email information request for our PTO parents.
A big thank you to the Mudraks for sharing music, dance and information about Columbia and helping us celebrate Hispanic Heritage month. It was great fun and the class really enjoyed it!
Looking forward to a fun week!
Reading/ Phonics
- Assessments: rhyming, syllable count, initial consonants
- Identify a sentence
- Sentence Man activity
- Model i-Pad apps: Epic Books, Seesaw
- Letters: Xx, Yy, Zz
- Buddy Reading
- i-ready lessons
Math
- Topic 3: Numbers 6-10
- Recognize & extend a pattern
- Apple graphing
- Topic 3 Interactive reader
- i-ready math lessons
Science/Social Studies
- Johnny Appleseed: books, crafts & activities
- Apple Lifecycle
- Read a recipe: apple roll-up bake
- Johnny Appleseed directed drawing
September 18, 2023
Students will be assessed on sight word lists this week. Sight word lists and an information letter will be sent home next week.
Thank you all for having your child work on i-ready at home. The students are really excited to be completing the lessons at home and enjoy doing them in class as well.
I've noticed recently that many of the students have not been eating most of their lunch and as a result are feeling tired in the afternoon. To help with this, on days that we have an early specials class, I've changed our schedule to have an earlier snack time. We still have an afternoon snack, so please be sure to pack a little something extra.
Looking forward to an awesome week!
Curriculum Corner
- Letters Ff. Bb, Qq
- Sight word assessments
- Review rhyming words
- Read: I Like Myself!
- Engage & respond: There's only one me.
- Synonyms & antonyms
- Introduce syllables
- i-ready lessons
- Buddy reading
- Listening activities
Math
- Greater than, less than, equal to using signs: >, <, =
- Introduce graphs
- Collect data to build and read a graph
- Apple graphing
- Topic 3: numbers 6-10
- Tens frames
- i-ready lessons
Science/Social Studies
- Apple books, poems, & activities
- Vocabulary
- Label parts of an apple
- STEM study: apple investigation
- Weigh, measure circumference, compare, & describe taste
Week of September 11, 2023
This was the first assessment, and obviously new for the class. Not to worry about the score at this point. We will continue to work on basic reading and math skills in class, and students should be reviewing and blending letter sounds to read simple words, along with counting sets of objects at home. They will have plenty of practice by the time they take the second assessment, around the end of November / beginning of December. and that is where we will chart the growth.
Please see last week's newsletter for the link to i-ready if you'd like to have your child work on lessons at home. Lessons are focused on the individual needs of each student and will progress them through each skill. Every little bit helps!
Thank you for your questions and for your support at home helping our little readers!
Looking forward to a great week!
Curriculum Corner
- Letters Gg, Oo, Ll
- High frequency words: I, the, look, see
- Letter sound identification
- Word mapping
- Read: I Am Rene, the Boy
- Plot: identify problem & solution
- Big idea words: celebrate, special, different
- Draw & label a picture
- Buddy reading
- i-ready reading lessons
Math
- September calendar- count & write numbers to 30
- Compare groups to 5 by counting
- 1:1 correspondence
- September math journal
- Topic 2 assessment practice and assessment
- i-ready math lessons
Science/ Social Studies
- Studies Weekly: Learning & Working Together
- Problem solving strategies
- Video: Showing Respect
- Studies Weekly assessment
Week of September 4, 2023
I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend. We are jumping right back in this week with letter sounds, our first math test, and a STEM challenge, along with many other activities. Our days are full and the class is doing a great job keeping up!
I-ready assessments were sent home last week. I was pleased with the results and now we have a road map to guide our lessons. Students are working on both i-ready reading and math lessons in class and we are striving for 100% on all lessons completed.
Although the iPads will stay at school this year, if students have access to one at home or a parent's computer, they can work on i-ready lessons at home. They can log in at: i-ready.com. Their personal log in information card will be taped in the front of their daily folder for easy access at home. Completing the lessons at home is not mandatory, but it will certainly help. Remember, practice makes progress!
Please continue to use the resources that were sent home to reinforce the basic skills of letter & sound recognition and counting and writing numbers.
We have a lot of fun activities planned and its going to be a great first week of September!
Curriculum Corner
- Identify, trace, & write letters Mm, Ee, Dd
- Draw and label pictures
- Initial consonant sounds
- Informational text- Schools Around the World
- Build knowledge & background, vocabulary
- Following directions
- Use pictures to get clues
- Identify main idea
- i-ready reading lessons
- Center activities
Math
- Topic 1 Assessment: Numbers 0 -5
- Tens frames activity
- Topic 2: Compare numbers to 5
- 1:1 correspondence
- Identify groups of greater than & less than
- i-ready math lessons
Science/ Social Studies
- Identify animal needs
- Picture vocabulary
- Science Rocks: Living Things
- Content connections: Basic Needs
- Animal Needs assessment: multiple choice
- Let's Find Out: Wink to Say Hello
- Teddy Bear STEM Challenge
Week of August 28, 2023
i-ready assessment results will be sent home on Thursday, August 31st along with a skills assessment that was completed the first weeks of school. Please review the assessments and work with your child to practice the necessary skills. Flash cards and number charts will be sent home too to help with practice.
If you have any questions or concerns about the assessments or anything we're doing in class, please feel free to ask.
Curriculum Corner
- Letters Kk, Rr, Hh
- Draw & label pictures
- Initial consonant sounds
- Rhyming: books & activities
- Colors: white, black
- Read the Room activity: color words
- i-ready reading lessons
- Buddy reading
Math
- Identify numbers before and after a given number
- Count & write numbers to 5
- Construct arguments: I can use math to explain what I know about counting
- Topic 1: vocabulary review, reteaching, assessment practice
- Rote counting to 50
Science/Social Studies
- Living or Non Living sort
- Complete a graphic organizer: Needs of plants & animals
- Studies Weekly: What Are Rules?
- Let's Find Out: I Love My Neighborhood
- All Around Town video
- Dance break
Week of August 21, 2023
Permission slip and trip fee are due on Friday August 25th.
Please let me know if you are planning to chaperone and drive your child to and from the orchard. There is a $5 fee for adults.
The class is doing a great job and has already earned 8 cookies in their reward jar! Only 2 more to go and we earn something special!
If you are interested in ordering from Scholastic Book Club, please use the links below. Class orders are due by September 15th. There is no obligation to purchase books.
https://orders.scholastic.com/GRL87
https://clubs.scholastic.com/k1
Looking forward to a great week!
Curriculum Corner
- i-ready math assessment
- Make, read & write 4 & 5
- Identify 0
- Identify & recognize shapes: diamond, rhombus, octagon
Phonics/Language Arts
- i-ready reading assessment
- Letters: Pp, Nn, Cc
- Draw and label pictures
- Buddy reading
- Develop listening comprehension
- Foundational skills
- Shared reading
Science/Social Studies
- Identify Living and Non Living
- Video, discussion, activities
- Colors: orange, purple
Week of August 14, 2023
Buddy Reading
Magic color beads tell us we’re going to have a great school year!
Counting our dragon cookies
Welcome ! Welcome !
I am very excited to begin our new kindergarten year. Together we will encourage, guide, and teach your child to be the best they can be. What a fantastic first week we had in room 4. The class is already catching on to our classroom routines and procedures. We have some awesome first time listeners!
As mentioned in the information packet you received, there is a link to our classroom webpage.
You will find the newsletter information on that page, along with resource links you may need throughout the school year (hundred's charts, sight word lists etc.).
There are a few buttons at the bottom of the Smore newsletter where your child can play educational games or listen to stories. Visiting these sites are optional.
As we move though the year, I will be sending out invitations to join other apps or sites we use in class.
Our first field trip is planned for October 16th. We will visit Gilcrease Orchard. Permission slips were sent home Thursday, and need to be returned by August 25th. The cost is $10.00 per student.
Kindergarten is a busy place and there is always a lot happening in our room. Please feel free to reach out with any questions at any time.
Three cheers for a great beginning!
Curriculum Corner
Math
- Identify, count, trace, & write numbers 6-10
- Identify shapes: square and rectangle
- My Number journal pages, 0-5
- Number and counting games
- Tens frame activities
- Topic 1: Numbers 0-5
Phonics/Language Arts
- Alphabet & letter games and activities
- Introduce letters Ss, Tt, Aa, Ii
- Letter sound sorts
- ABC Dictionary: draw and label pictures
- Trace and write letters: Ss, Tt, Aa, Ii
- Model & practice center rotations
- Following directions, directed drawing
- Color: yellow
- Buddy Reading
- Identify characters & setting of a story
Social Studies / Science
- Studies Weekly: Welcome to School
- Lesson vocabulary: Community, responsibilities
- Let's Find Out: Can You Be Kind?
- Read & discuss: Have You Filled Your Bucket?