Last week was a fun and busy one! The children continued to learn about each other and how our classroom works as a positive learning environment. We have begun "Totally Terrific Child" which is an activity where each child will be honored for a day. The class will learn more about that child through games that we play with the objects that they are bringing in along with the picture timeline. If you have not completed this project with your child at home, please considered doing it soon so that your child can be next in line. We will be making a special class book for each child to take home on their "Totally Terrific" Day.
Our caterpillars are getting so big. The kids have had a blast watching them grow and spin themselves into chrysalises. Last Friday we took a trip out to our butterfly garden to release one that hatched into a butterfly. This science unit has been incredible. The children are bringing up so many great science vocabulary words and their questions are driving the direction of the instruction I am planning for each day.
On Friday we had a visit from our school Counselor, Katie Tyler. Ms. Katie will be coming in to teach lessons about being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible for the next six weeks. Ms. Katie brought along a very special friend...Teddy the therapy dog. He is a special helper in the school who will be visiting our classroom periodically. His handler's name is Laural. She is also a counselor at SCS. We hope to see Teddy and Laural again very soon!
We have begun academic routines of Fundations, Reading Workshop, Writing Workshop, Math, and Theme. Fundations is a time of day in which the kids are introduced to letters, sounds, letter formation, as well as reading and writing words. Last week the kids received white boards with special lines to begin our letter, sound, and handwrititing work. They will be keeping these tools in their red seat sacks. In Reading Workshop, the kids have learned about the different sections in our classroom Book Nook and how to exchange books for daily independent reading. Once they are independent (in about a week or so), I will begin pulling kids for small group instruction on phonological awareness or reading strategies based on their different needs. Writing workshop right now is the time we are using for "Totally Terrific child" activities. Our Theme time is split between learning about butterflies and beginning work on our "The Story of Me" social studies unit.
Wow! No wonder your children are exhausted by the time they get home. Rest assured, we are still getting in plenty of outside play and Choice Time. Please be sure to use our classroom blog to spark conversation with your child about all the fun we are all having in Kindergarten!
I hope you had a great weekend! I am looking forward to welcoming your children back into class for the 7th day of Kindergarten!
Sincerely,
Amy Hazen
So wonderful to hear all the fantastic learning and FUN the kids are getting each day. Thank you! Hayley Cimler
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