Happy Holidays!

December 19, 2011

Greetings Kindergarten Families!

THIS WEEK:

The holidays are upon us!  This week we will discuss different holidays celebrated in winter.  We will read and write about the holidays and complete crafts and activities to accompany our discussions.     

Below is an outline of the concepts that will be taught this week.

Language Arts ·       Final consonant Sounds ·       Number and Color Words ·       Blending and Segmenting

Math ·       Number Formation ·       Probability ·       Patterning

Social Studies ·       Winter Holidays

SIGHT WORDS:

There will be NO official sight word homework this week.  However, we will be working with number and color words daily at school.  If your child has not yet mastered identifying these words please continue to review them at home. 

HOLIDAY PARTY:

Our class will have a holiday party on Wednesday, December 21, 2011.  Several parents volunteered to donate items for this event at our open house at the beginning of the year.  If you volunteered to bring something in for the party I have highlighted the item and attached it to this newsletter.  If you would like to donate something else, please contact me ASAP to insure we have everything we need for Wednesday afternoon. 

Please note, the party will be held on Wednesday because we have guidance on Thursday afternoon. 

REMINDER:

There will be NO school on Friday, December 23, 2011. 

HOLIDAY WISH LIST

·       Hand Sanitizer

·       Tissues

·       Lysol Wipes

·       Quart Size Zip - Lock Bags

·       Colored Pencils  (12 pack)

Thank you for your continued help and support.  I hope that everyone enjoys the holiday break, I look forward to seeing and working with you in the New Year.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at 443-8285. 

Happy Holidays!

Mrs. Deci

Run, run as fast as you can! You can't catch me. I'm the gingerbread man!

 Our gingerbread unit came to an end today.  And what a way to go out... students listened to a final gingerbread tale.  "The Gingerbread Man Loose In the School. "  Students compared this version with more traditional stories and discussed differences in characters and setting.   We also made gingerbread men!  They were cute and DELICIOUS!  Here are our baked cookies, YUM!

We began the unit by discussing how to bake a cookie, and different types of cookies.  Students had to vote for their favorite type: gingerbread, chocolate chip, or sugar cookies.  We then made a class graph illustrating the results.  Students also made adorable gingerbread girls and boys to help decorate out library.  

Students have had fun reading "Who Stole the Cookies".  They have read it daily to see whose name will appear in the blank. 

After reading the Gingerbread Man, students participated in a class rewrite.  Above are samples of student writing. 

Most recently, students listened to Jan Brett's, The Gingerbread Baby.  Students painted gingerbread babies, and made gingerbread houses.  They turned out GREAT! 

This has been a truly enjoyable unit.  Students were able to fully explore characters, setting, story structure, and making comparisons.  It was fun to listen to their predictions, and explore these stories together.

Don't Miss the Holiday Fair!

December 12, 2011

Greetings Kindergarten Families!

THIS WEEK:

We will wrap up the unit: The Gingerbread Man!  Over the past couple of weeks students have listened to, compared, and discussed several versions of the “gingerbread story”.  This week we will wrap up the unit by making gingerbread houses, and cookies.   

Below is an outline of the concepts that will be taught this week.

Language Arts ·       Letter Cc ·       Blending and segmenting ·       Making Predictions ·       Story Structure (beginning, middle and end)

Math ·       Number Formation ·       Measurement ·       Probability ·       Patterning

Social Studies ·       Winter Holidays

HOLIDAY FAIR:

The holiday fair is on Tuesday, December 13, 2011.  If you would like your child to purchase gifts at the fair please complete and return the form that was sent home.  List the names of individuals you would like your child to buy gifts for on the form.  Please only include immediate family members (mom, dad, siblings, step-parents, etc…).  Students will not have time to purchase items for other family members.   Send quarters to school with your child in a sealed envelope or baggy labeled with your child’s name.  Please put all money in their folder.  I will collect it in the morning.  This will assist in organizing and planning for our visit to the fair on Tuesday morning. 

GINGERBREAD HOUSES:

We will be making gingerbread houses on Wednesday morning.  Thank you to ALL families who donated an item for this project.  There is still time to send in a donation for this project.  We will be using all leftover items on Friday to decorate gingerbread cookies as a conclusion to our unit.

**Please note: the gingerbread house your child brings home will NOT be edible.  We will be using glue to construct the house. 

REMINDER:

There will be NO school on Friday, December 23, 2011. 

DONATIONS:

Below is a list of items our class is in need of as we enter the new year.  In addition to the sundry items, the items below will be used for academic projects and games. The beginning of the school year has been very successful. Thank you for your continued help in support.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at 443-8285. 

HOLIDAY WISH LIST

·       Hand Sanitizer

·       Tissues

·       Quart Size Zip - Lock Bags

·       Colored Pencils  (12 pack)

Have a great week!

Mrs. Deci

You Can't Catch Me, I am the Gingerbread Man!

December 5, 2011

Greetings Kindergarten Families!

THIS WEEK:

We will continue the unit: The Gingerbread Man!  Last week we discussed the process or steps it takes to make a cookie.  Students also voted for their favorite type of cookie and we made a class graph.   Students listened to the classic “Gingerbread Man” story and began making puppets to use as a tool for retelling the story. 

Below is an outline of the concepts that will be taught this week.

Language Arts ·       Review beginning sounds (Gg, Mm, Nn) ·        Short Vowel Aa ·       Segmenting Words (breaking them into sounds: m-a-n) ·       -an Word Family ·       Story Structure (beginning, middle and end)

Math ·       Number Formation ·       Estimation ·       Patterning

Social Studies ·       Winter Holidays

COLD WEATHER:

Please remember to send you child to school with appropriate winter clothing for outdoor recess.  Discuss with your child where to put these items in their backpack so that they are not lost at school.  Students are responsible for their own hats, gloves, etc…, throughout the day.  Thank you for your help.

HOLIDAY CONCERT:

The first of three Dike-Newell School Concerts will be held on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.  Come and enjoy the first grade class’s Holiday Concert! 

HOLIDAY FAIR:

The holiday fair will be coming to Dike-Newell School on Tuesday, December 13, 2011.  The PTA has sent information home about this event and more will follow.  Please send money to school in a labeled envelope or baggy if you would like your child purchase items at the holiday fair. 

DONATIONS:

As part of our gingerbread man unit, we will be making gingerbread houses.  A letter will be coming home in your child’s folder outlining items we are in need of for this project.  Please try to donate at least one item on the list so that we have enough treats to decorate our houses.  Please note, that none of the candy/treats will be eaten. 

Thank you for your continued help and support.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at 443-8285. 

Have a great week!

Mrs. Deci

Playing with Symmetry!

This week students have been plying with and exploring symmetry in many ways.  At the beginning of the week students made symmetry paintings.  Here they are!

Working with partners students played with symmetry as they used pattern blocks to make symmetrical designs.  Here are just a few of the creative ideas they came up with.

Welcome to December!

Mrs. Deci’s Kindergarten News

November 28, 2011

Greetings Kindergarten Families!

THIS WEEK:

We will begin the unit: The Gingerbread Man!  This unit will begin our Winter Holidays theme that will last the month of December. 

Below is an outline of the concepts that will be taught this week.

Language Arts ·       Identifying beginning sounds (Gg) ·       Segmenting Words (breaking them into sounds: m-a-n) ·       -an Word Family ·       Story Structure (beginning, middle and end)

Math ·       Counting ·       Estimation ·       Symmetry

Social Studies ·       Winter Holidays

SIGHT WORDS:

This week we will be reviewing color words.  Many students have mastered many words.  However, as we begin our Gingerbread Man unit, it is important that all students are able to identify all color words.  Please study the words nightly.  If your child already knows how to identify these words have them practice using the words in simple sentences. 

COLD WEATHER:

As we enter December, I want to remind all families that students have two recess times a day.  All students spend time outside on the playground in the morning when they come off the bus or are dropped off at school.  Students also have outside recess after lunch. Please make sure your child comes to school dressed appropriately for the time they will be spending outside on the playground.

HOLIDAY CONCERT:

The first of three Dike-Newell School Concerts will be held on Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 6:00 p.m.  Come and enjoy the first grade class’s Holiday Concert! 

Thank you for your continued help and support.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at 443-8285. 

Have a great week!

Mrs. Deci

Thanksgiving Is For Giving Thanks!

November 21, 2011

Greetings Kindergarten Families!

THIS WEEK:

We will wrap up the theme: We’re A Family!  The conclusion of this theme is very timely as families prepare to come together and celebrate Thanksgiving. 

Below is an outline of the concepts that will be taught this week.

Language Arts ·       Identifying beginning sounds ·       Segmenting Words (breaking them into sounds: c-a-t) ·       Writing Narratives

Math We will review several concepts this week as we review previously taught skills. ·       Counting ·       Graphing

Social Studies ·       Past and Present ·       Thanksgiving

LIBRARY:

Please check in your child’s backpack for their library “book bag”.  Inside is the book(s) that were purchased at the book fair.  Every student received a book from the fair. Please take them out and enjoy reading the stories at home.  Students will select new library books the week following Thanksgiving break.

SIGHT WORDS:

I am pleased with the progress I am seeing from all students as we learn new words by sight. There will be NO sight word homework this week. 

REMINDER:

There is NO school November 23- 25, 2011. 

I hope that everyone enjoys the Thanksgiving holiday.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns at 443-8285. 

Have a great week!

Mrs. Deci

Dike-Newell School Book Fair (Nov. 14 - 18, 2011)

November 14, 2011

Greetings Kindergarten Families!

THIS WEEK:

We will continue the theme: We’re A Family!  We will continue this discussion as we learn about Thanksgiving and discuss family traditions.  Please talk your child about your plans for the upcoming holiday.  Who do you celebrate with, and where do you go if you travel? 

Below is an outline of the concepts that will be taught this week.

Language Arts ·       Letter Tt ·       Identifying beginning sounds ·       Segmenting Words (breaking them into sounds: c-a-t)

Math ·       Counting ·       Identifying “Tricky Teens” ·       Estimation

Social Studies ·       Past and Present ·       Thanksgiving

With Thanksgiving approaching we will be discussing why we celebrate Thanksgiving and what we are thankful for.  Please discuss this with your child and send in three to four pictures, clipping or other items that can be glued to a project we will be doing this week. Please send these items to school on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 in your child’s folder.

REPORT CARDS:

If you have not already done so, please sign your child’s report card envelope and return it to school in your child’s folder tomorrow.

BOOK FAIR:

Students will visit the book fair on Thursday, November 17, 2011.  If you would like your child to purchase books from the fair please send money to school in their folder in an envelope or baggy labeled “book fair”.  You can feel free to send money to school prior to Thursday if it helps. 

DONATIONS:

I am in desperate need of Lysol/Clorox Wipes. I clean the surfaces of our room daily and these wipes make the job much easier.   I greatly appreciate any and all donations.  Thanks you for your continued help and support.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me at 443-8285 if you have any questions or concerns. 

Have a great week!

Mrs. Deci

The Hello, Goodbye Window

This week students have been learning about and discussing families.  We read "The Hello, Goodbye Window".  Students enjoyed the award winning illustrations and the lovely story about a young girl and her relation ship with her grandparents (Nana and Poppy).  Students discussed the the special names they have for their grandparents, and created their own "hello, goodbye window".  Here they are!

Reminder, NO school Friday, November 11, 2011 (Veteran's Day)

November 7, 2011

Greetings Kindergarten Families!

THIS WEEK:

We will continue the theme: We’re A Family!  We will read and write about families.  Please discuss with your child different members in your family, and what you like to do as a family.  Students will review the letters talk this year including: Ss, Mm, Rr, Bb, Pp, Nn, and short Aa.  Challenge your child to produce rhyming words. You say a word and see if they can tell you a word that rhymes.  Challenge your child to count syllables in words.  Students are doing very well with these skills. If you notice your child is struggling with either, please review them at home.  In math students will review coins, count objects with one-to – one match, and begin to learn about the “tricky teens”.  Many students can count well past the teen numbers, but have a difficult time identifying them out of order.  In social studies we will continue to discuss how things have changed over time as we explore the past and present.  

ASSEMBLY:

Dike-Newell school held an assembly today for students and staff.  A slide show was shown of students, and each grade level performed.  The kindergarten class shared a special song about the “Bee Rules”.  If you are not already familiar with them, students must – be safe, kind, and responsible.  Ask your child to share our song with you today.  This assembly brought us all together to celebrate our community!

REPORT CARDS:

Report cards will be sent home on Thursday, November 10, 2011.  Please remove the report card, sign the envelope and return it in your child’s folder on Monday.   

BOOK FAIR:

Students will visit the book fair next week on Thursday, November 17, 2011.  If you would like your child to purchase books from the fair please send money to school in their folder in an envelope or baggy labeled “book fair”. 

VETERAN'S DAY:

There will be NO school on Friday, November 11, 2011 in observance of Veterans Day. Please discuss this holiday with your child, and talk to them about any members of your family who may have served our country.  We will discuss this on Thursday. 

DONATIONS:

I am in desperate need of Lysol/Clorox Wipes. I clean the surfaces of our room daily and these wipes make the job much easier.   This is cold and flu season.  Now is the time to keep the room clean and germ free.  I greatly appreciate any and all donations. Thank you to families who have donated them in the past.

Thanks you for your continued help and support.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me at 443-8285 if you have any questions or concerns. 

Have a great week!

Mrs. Deci