November updates

Hello room 11 families,

Can you believe we are already gearing up for the month of December?  It seems like we were just celebrating Halloween in our classroom and now November is gone!  I hope everyone had the chance to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with your family and loved ones.

Quick recap on our learning:

Math- we finished up our chapter on making, comparing, and sequencing groups up to 10.  We have started our addition chapter and will be working on this until the Christmas break.  Children are working in daily math centers and using the classroom chromebooks and iPads to further develop their understanding and learning of new concepts.

Phonics- we have introduced 24/26 of the lowercase letters/their sounds and have practiced how to properly write these letters.  This week, we will introduce the final 2 letters, z and q.  We are using our knowledge of these letter sounds to spell, read and write CVC words.

Language Arts- we have completed our salmon study and are now learning about owls.  We will discuss owls’ habitats, their body structures and what it means to be nocturnal.  In addition, students will get to explore owl pellets to discover what owls eat.

Writing- this quarter we are focusing on informal writing.  Each student will be assigned an animal to become an “expert” on, and will be completing a writing book on that animal after studying them, reading books, and watching videos.  More to come on that soon!

Congratulations to our November PRIDE stars- Jayden and Griffin!  Great job showing how to be respectful, responsible and safe!

Happy November birthdays to Carter on the 18th and Jayden on the 28th!

Have a great week everyone!

Week of November 5-9

Hello Room 11 families!

Happy Veterans Day- thank you to all who have served, are currently serving, or know someone who has served in the armed forces.  Students showed their appreciation for our veterans by coloring and writing thank you notes last week.  As part of the Feinstein committee at Whiteknact, these cards and letters were sent out to military veterans this holiday.

Quick updates on our learning this past week!

K focus centers: we are now learning about salmon and their life cycles.  We have looked at live feeds of fish and sketched their body structures.  We are comparing the structure of a fish to the structure of the human body from our investigations a few weeks ago and noting the similarities and differences.  We are also focusing on which body parts we use for different activities (running, sitting, sleeping, talking, writing, playing soccer, etc).  Students are continuing to build and act out Habitats and life cycles of different animals in blocks and dramatic play.  We are studying books by Leo Lionni and students are creating art pieces inspired by his work.

Math- we are comparing numbers up to 10 is in g greater than, less than or equal to.  We are arranging numbers in counting order, practicing counting up from a number other than one, and forming different combinations to build 10 using ten frames and manipulafives.

Writing- we continue to talk about procedural writing and the steps required to complete a task.

I-ready testing:  Kindergarten just finished their I-ready testing on the computer for both math and reading.  This information will be used to arrange small groups for intervention as well as enrichment, as well as determine who will receive additional reading support with our reading specialist, Mrs. Sarasin.

Reminder- Wednesday evening we have parent-teacher conferences from 5-7.  Thursday (11/15) is an early release day- students will be dismissed at 12, and conferences continue from 1-3.  Please contact me if you cannot keep your scheduled conference or need another reminder of your time.

The canned food drive continues for the next few weeks—please send in your canned fruit to support this initiative.  Thank you!

I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend.  See everyone tomorrow! :)