No School Friday

Don't forget that there is no school this Friday, October 8th. I will be looking forward to seeing the class again on Monday:)

We have been learning about pumpkins the past two weeks in science. We labeled the different parts of the pumpkin including the tendrils, vine, pumpkin shell, ribs, and pulp. We have also been learning about the lifecycle of the pumpkin: seed, sprout, plant, yellow flower, green pumpkin, yellow pumpkin, orange pumpkin, back to seed. For art we made torn paper Jack-o-lanterns where we were not allowed to use scissors and had to rip all of the pieces for our pumpkin including the stem, leaves, and jack-o-lantern face. Next week we will start our theme about the farm.

We are finishing up our math chapter where we learned about sorting, graphing, fewer, and more. Next week we will start our chapter on patterning. The kids seem to really love this chapter. We have already been working on patterns during calendar time in the morning and centers in the afternoon. Each month we focus on a different pattern in addition to the chapter on patterning. In September we learned about AB patterns (red, green, red, green). In October we are focusing on AABB patterns (pumpkin, pumpkin, candy, candy, pumpkin, pumpkin, candy, candy).

Each week we are continuing to be introduced to one or two sight words. I have adult helpers that have started playing sight word games with the kids to reinforce these words at school. Once a child masters 6 words, I move them on to the next 6 words that have been taught or will be taught. This way students that need a challenge can learn the words ahead of when they are taught in class and kids that need extra practice can get that extra practice.

We also started calendar books this week. These books will come home about once a month, when students are ready to start the next one. Kids are learning concepts such as odd and even, number writing, counting and adding dice, graphing, reading numbers on dominos, finding numbers on a hundreds chart, and number recognition. Some kids don't quite understand what is being taught yet, but are able to copy the examples on the document camera in the front of the room. This is okay, because we are going to be doing these books all year and I have found they really help children with more challenging math concepts.

We Went Shopping Today!

The kids were really excited to spend their monkey money today. I had a few who wanted to save up for something more expensive next week and a few that did not get to shop because of having a hard time following directions. My goal is for everyone to have the opportunity next week to spend, spend, spend!

Behavior is continuing to improve. Thanks for all of the home support. It is great to know that I have such caring families that I'm working with.

Next week we are going to start learning about pumpkins in science. We already started with a pumpkin book today. Don't forget to turn in permission slips by next Thursday for the pumpkin patch. I am still waiting on 5.

Books are ordered from Scholastic and will be coming in hopefully next week or the week after. I will keep you posted.

Have a wonderful weekend! I can't wait to see the kids on Monday:)

Oops! Picture Day is on Wednesday

I was trying to be too efficient and made a typo. INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL PICTURES IS ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND, NOT THE 23RD like I had on the homework cover sheet. Sorry for any confusion.

First Full Week of School

A special thank you to all of the families that remembered to send in an apple for science and math this week. We are really going to learn a lot using them.

The class is still really starting to improve behavior by listening when I am teaching, not interrupting, and keeping bodies to themselves. Please talk with your child about the importance of these three things. Mr. Williams has even come into our class to talk about keeping hands, feet, and bodies to self because it was becoming a problem for the safety of the class. The next step for children who are still having difficulties with this is owing some recess time and then talking with Mr. Williams if the behavior continues.

Mrs. Dafoe, the lunch lady, would like me to remind you that you can put any amount of money on your child's breakfast/lunch/milk account. When the account gets low, she will notify me and I will stamp your child's hand with a reminder about needing more money. You can go to the office and pay Mrs. Dafoe in the morning or send your child with the money in an envelope and I will get it to her with my attendance. Be sure to label the envelope so I know what it is for.

Individual school pictures are coming up next Wednesday. A flyer is going home with children today and the money envelope will come home with Friday's homework.

Don't forget homework is due this Thursday and book orders for anyone interested. I have already gotten back several pumpkin patch forms. This is a fun trip for the kids. The $5 includes a tractor ride, pumpkin, and the hay maze/slide. We will be back in time for lunch that day.

Have a great rest of the week!

Lots of Learning

Well we have all completed our second day of kindergarten. The biggest challenge for most students at this age is remembering the rules. There are so many. Rules when they come into the classroom, get in line, recess, snack, library, music, PE...you get the picture. It takes a few weeks to really get into the groove of things. The biggest reminder for all students is to use listening ears when Mrs. Johnson is talking. There are a lot of side conversations going on, which makes it challenging to give directions.

We are very fortunate to have a restroom in our classroom. I encourage students to use the restroom when they first get to class, at recess, at lunch, and at centertime. It takes some training at the beginning of the year. At this age when one child uses the bathroom, they all want to use the bathroom. Since most of the children are not independent workers yet, it is difficult to get anything accomplished while children are in the bathroom. Of course when it is an emergency, kids can use it when they need to:)

Just a couple of reminders...homework and book orders are coming home this Friday. Homework is due back on Thursday as well as the book orders if you are interested.

The date of the Pumpkin Patch is set for Friday, October 22nd. Our class will be going in the morning, so we have time in the afternoon to do some hands-on science with pumpkins. We should have plenty of room on the bus for all chaperones. Children must ride the bus. Since this is a school function, we ask that no siblings come along. Permission slips for this trip will also go out this Friday. The cost per child is $5.00. Please make a check payable to "Parkside Elementary" or send cash in an envelope with your child's name on it. Don't forget to have the district volunteer form filled out A.S.A.P. if you are planning on attending with your child.

Field Trips are Coming!!!

Well we are getting to the very busy time of the year for kindergarten. So much going on. With just over a month of school left comes our annual field trips to the local Timberland Library, Tenino Fire Station, and Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.

For the zoo trip we need a head count by the end of next week. If you are planning on chaperoning, please indicate that on your child's yellow field trip permission slip. Also please indicate if you need a volunteer application form. I know of a few families who have already indicated more than one parent wanting to come on the zoo trip. Please remember this is a school function and that you may still be responsible for other children, especially if there is more than one adult going in your group. Please also be prepared to pay for the additional adult when you arrive at the zoo.

Our class is not participating in the VIP lunch at the end of the month. This event is for 1st and 2nd graders. This event was in the school newsletter. If at any time you would like to come in and eat with your child at our lunchtime, you are more than welcome. I have had a few parents do that this year.

Next Friday, May 14th is our annual Jog-A-Thon. We will be jogging from 12:45-1:15. If you would like to volunteer for this event (handing out juice/helping with pledge envelopes), please contact the office. I have had several parents in the past show up to walk or jog with their student as well. Feel free to stop by and participate if you would like. There is a pledge sheet your child has brought home. If you would like your child to earn a jog-a-thon t-shirt or Subway lunch with Mr. Thummel, please bring back the pledge sheet the day of the jog-a-thon.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the sunshine!

B.E.A.R. Week is Coming!!!

B.E.A.R. (Be Excited About Reading) Week is next week. Kids have a lot of fun during this week dedicated to reading and writing. We kick it off with celebrity reader day. A local celebrity will be coming in Monday to read with our class. We are lucky to have 2 people from South Sound Reading. On Wednesday we are having author Deb Lund visit. For the kids that purchased one of her books a few weeks ago, she will autograph them and kids will get them that day. We have a day that we are buddy reading with a second grade class. We get to show them how even at kindergarten we are little readers. Friday is the wrap-up assembly where every child is welcome to bring a well-behaved teddy bear to school. If your child does not have a teddy bear, they may bring another stuffed animal. Don't forget to turn in your B.E.A.R. week bookmark Thursday because there will be a school wide drawing for a boy scooter and a girl scooter at the assembly.

Book orders are due next Thursday 4/29. We will only have one more book order after this one and then we will be finished for the year.

Thank you to all families that have sent in snacks. If you haven't, please make sure I get them by next Friday. Thanks so much for everything you do!!!