We have been busy with Dr. Seuss activities this week to gear up for our Dr. Seuss assembly this Friday. All of the kids who have turned in their reading log (yeah! we all did!) are entered into a drawing to win fun Dr. Seuss prizes. Each child will also get to pick out a book on Friday to add to their personal library at home. Thank you for helping your child complete their reading log.
I am going to start most of the class on Math Facts in a Flash this week and next week. Math Facts in a Flash is a computer program that gives children practice with math facts and quizzes them on math facts to move them up in levels. It is a new program to Parkside this year. Most 1st and 2nd graders have been using this program. It is a little more challenging in Kindergarten because I need to sit with the children at first to make sure they understand how to run the program. This is just another way the children will be practicing kindergarten skills at their individual levels.
I am looking for donations of hand sanitizer. I had a parent generously donate 2 large bottles when flu season started and the second bottle is running low. I give the kids the hand sanitizer when they come in from recess. Of course they wash their hands before lunch and after using the restroom or blowing their nose. If anyone would like to donate a bottle, we would appreciate it and be able to continue sanitizing our hands when we come into the classroom:)
Conferences are coming up next month. Please check the conference schedule coming home this Friday in your child's folder and return the bottom portion of the paper letting me know whether you can make the scheduled time or need to reschedule.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
February Flies on By!
I don't know about anyone else, but I feel like February always flies on by. There is so much to do during the month of February including learning about holidays, special days such as 100's Day, and gearing up for Read Across America with Dr. Seuss. Whew!
Over half the class has been able to read "Biscuit" the dog books to me with just a little assistance. I have been pairing up kids and having them alternate reading pages with their buddy. I sit with them so I can help with any words they don't know. I already have 5 kids taking AR quizzes on the computer and many more that will be starting soon.
Behavior has been steadily improving over the past few weeks. Hopefully with such a long break between holidays, behavior will really start to soar.
We started our math chapter about time and money. We are learning to tell time to the hour on both digital and analog clocks. We are learning to tell apart pennies, nickels, and dimes. We are also working on recognizing their value and counting the money when it is mixed together. The concepts we are learning are first, next, and last.
We have finished our handprints for our class quilt that will be put up for auction at the Parkside Carnival next month. The theme of the quilt is ocean. It will be a twin sized quilt. I will get a picture sent out when it is finished. The kids used their hands to create crabs, sea horses, star fish, fish, and even an octopus.
Have a great rest of the week!
Over half the class has been able to read "Biscuit" the dog books to me with just a little assistance. I have been pairing up kids and having them alternate reading pages with their buddy. I sit with them so I can help with any words they don't know. I already have 5 kids taking AR quizzes on the computer and many more that will be starting soon.
Behavior has been steadily improving over the past few weeks. Hopefully with such a long break between holidays, behavior will really start to soar.
We started our math chapter about time and money. We are learning to tell time to the hour on both digital and analog clocks. We are learning to tell apart pennies, nickels, and dimes. We are also working on recognizing their value and counting the money when it is mixed together. The concepts we are learning are first, next, and last.
We have finished our handprints for our class quilt that will be put up for auction at the Parkside Carnival next month. The theme of the quilt is ocean. It will be a twin sized quilt. I will get a picture sent out when it is finished. The kids used their hands to create crabs, sea horses, star fish, fish, and even an octopus.
Have a great rest of the week!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Groundhog Day, 100's Day, and Valentine's Day
Well Phil saw his shadow this week, but that hasn't kept us from enjoying the warm weather. Next Wednesday is 100's Day (100th day of school). We celebrate in many different ways. It is a fun way to incorporate math into art, writing, etc. We are having a very low key Valentine Party the morning of February 11th. Kids can bring in their Valentine's any day starting Monday. We are going to be graphing Valentine candies, writing about Valentines, etc.
Don't forget there is no school Friday the 12th or Monday the 15th of February due to Mid-Winter Break and Presidents Day.
The kids continue to impress me with their abilities to sound out, write, and read words. Most kids in class are on list 5 or 6 for sight words and I only have 7 lists total, which means several kids have almost learned the complete list for the year. I may have to put together more lists to challenge those kids later in the year.
We have a new middle school helper in our classroom. We lost our other one because of the change in semesters. I worked with our new helper towards the end of last year and am excited to have her back. She will be a great addition to our morning:) It is great to have middle school role models in here to help the kids and show them what they can do if they keep their grades up!
Don't forget there is no school Friday the 12th or Monday the 15th of February due to Mid-Winter Break and Presidents Day.
The kids continue to impress me with their abilities to sound out, write, and read words. Most kids in class are on list 5 or 6 for sight words and I only have 7 lists total, which means several kids have almost learned the complete list for the year. I may have to put together more lists to challenge those kids later in the year.
We have a new middle school helper in our classroom. We lost our other one because of the change in semesters. I worked with our new helper towards the end of last year and am excited to have her back. She will be a great addition to our morning:) It is great to have middle school role models in here to help the kids and show them what they can do if they keep their grades up!
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