Using our Senses

This week we have been observing sunflowers using our senses.  We have also been learning about Vincent van Gogh and how he used his senses to paint things that he experienced in real life.  We are integrating reading, writing, science, and art into this fun project. Stay tuned for photos!

Back to School Night Information

Literacy: What Readers Do

¨ Read the words on the page.

¨ Use pictures to support comprehension.

¨ Make inferences about characters and plot.

¨ Make connections to other books.

¨ Make connections to their world.

¨ Summarize.

¨ Ask Questions.

¨ Make Predictions.

Reading Program

¨ Harcourt Curriculum: School adoption taught whole class and in small groups.

¨ Practice Phonemic Awareness

¨ Practice Reading Strategies

¨ Vocabulary

¨ Sight words

¨ Spelling: Authentically assessed using student writing instead of tests.

¨ Daily 5 Routines: Develop the habit of reading, writing and discussing work everyday.

¨ Builds Independence

¨ Read independently and with a partner

¨ Listen to books on tape

¨ Write in their journal

¨ Work with a small group led by teacher

Writing: 6+1 Traits

¨ Ideas and Content: Has a clear topic.

¨ Organization: Beginning, Middle and End.

¨ Sentence Fluency: Simple sentences convey meaning.

¨ Voice: Individual expression.

¨ Word Choice: Use of accurate words.

¨ Conventions: Phonetic spelling and sight words. Using capitals and end punctuation.

¨ Presentation: Letters are correct and writing is accompanied by a detailed picture.

Everyday Math

¨ Numbers and Numeration: Counting, estimating, representing and comparing numbers.

¨ Operations and Computation: Exploring the meaning of and developing strategies to solve addition and subtraction.

¨ Data and Chance: Collection and organizing data.

¨ Measurement: Using nonstandard tools to estimate and compare weight and length.

¨ Geometry: Exploring 2- and 3-dimensional shapes and lines of symmetry.

¨ Patterns, Functions and Algebra: exploring patterns, sorting by attributes learning the +, - and = symbols.

Science

¨ Comparing and contrasting living and non-living things, as well as animals and plants.

¨ Show that the sun warms land, air and water.

¨ Identify objects seen in the sky.

¨ Make observations about the natural world.

¨ Create structures, disassemble and reassemble them.

Social Studies

¨ Citizenship at home and at school.

¨ Identifying basic human needs.

¨ Reading maps.

¨ Identifying important events in our lives and sequencing them on a timeline.

Homework

¨ Homework will be sent home on Monday and is due first thing on Monday morning.

¨ Homework emphasizes skill practice from what we have learned in class.

¨ Occasionally students will be asked to work on long term projects like the “Star of the Week” 
poster.

¨ The goal of kindergarten homework is to provide extra practice and to begin developing organizational skills for your child’s educational career.

Weekly News and Communication

¨ Monday Memo:  This will be sent out every Monday (or the first school day of the week).  It will include the general learning targets for the week, announcements, and a general outline of what will be going on in class.

¨ Save a Tree: I prefer to send these out electronically (no excess paper use and easier for you to find!).  Please make sure I have your email address so I can send this to you.  Emails remain private in group message.

¨ Important messages, announcements and deadlines will be sent to you via email.