Dear KC Families,
What a fantastic beginning to our school year! The past four weeks have been entirely devoted to building a sense of community and routine in our classroom. This is critical, as meaningful learning will only happen once children feel settled and confident. We have been busy learning one another’s names, playing games, learning about our schedule, learning about how to use and care for materials, and working on how to take care of one another in the classroom and outside at recess.
Each month I will give you an update about what we have been doing in the classroom, as well as information about any upcoming events or other important details.
In math we are beginning our “Math Choice Time” with the exploration of math materials. Once children have had a chance to “play” with unifix cubes, pattern blocks, cuisenaire rods, dice, etc., they will be ready to use these for specific math activities. Exploration of materials also allows children to learn where to find these materials in the classroom, how to clean them up, and how to appropriately use them with their peers. We are learning rhymes to help us remember how to form the numbers, and will practice number writing with tactile materials such as play-doh and other manipulatives. Soon, we will also introduce math journals, which will be a place for children to record math thinking and learning throughout kindergarten.
In literacy we are beginning with the basics about how literacy will look and feel in our classroom. We will soon be learning about the beginning elements of writing. This process will begin slowly, and we will allow children the chance to practice via group writing experiences as well as individually. We will write about things that have happened in our lives, and use concrete experiences to gain more confidence as writers. We will soon be learning about Reader’s Workshop, which is a chance for children to work in small groups of 4-5 peers. During Reader’s Workshop, children will engage in art projects, reading and writing games, learn poetry, and more! Stay tuned for more details about Reader's Workshop, as well as pictures on Twitter!
We will take a closer look at many artists in kindergarten. For our artist study this month, KC looked at the work of Piet Mondrian. Like Mondrian, KC used black, white, and the primary colors, as well as vertical and horizontal lines to create “compositions” out of paper rectangles. The collage technique is so accessible to all students, especially in kindergarten, when drawing and painting can be more challenging. We will do many forms of collage art this year!
Important dates/reminders
Late arrival/absences:
Library:
KC Wish list
Twitter
Thank you for a great start to the year!
Warmly,
Sarah
What a fantastic beginning to our school year! The past four weeks have been entirely devoted to building a sense of community and routine in our classroom. This is critical, as meaningful learning will only happen once children feel settled and confident. We have been busy learning one another’s names, playing games, learning about our schedule, learning about how to use and care for materials, and working on how to take care of one another in the classroom and outside at recess.
Each month I will give you an update about what we have been doing in the classroom, as well as information about any upcoming events or other important details.
In math we are beginning our “Math Choice Time” with the exploration of math materials. Once children have had a chance to “play” with unifix cubes, pattern blocks, cuisenaire rods, dice, etc., they will be ready to use these for specific math activities. Exploration of materials also allows children to learn where to find these materials in the classroom, how to clean them up, and how to appropriately use them with their peers. We are learning rhymes to help us remember how to form the numbers, and will practice number writing with tactile materials such as play-doh and other manipulatives. Soon, we will also introduce math journals, which will be a place for children to record math thinking and learning throughout kindergarten.
In literacy we are beginning with the basics about how literacy will look and feel in our classroom. We will soon be learning about the beginning elements of writing. This process will begin slowly, and we will allow children the chance to practice via group writing experiences as well as individually. We will write about things that have happened in our lives, and use concrete experiences to gain more confidence as writers. We will soon be learning about Reader’s Workshop, which is a chance for children to work in small groups of 4-5 peers. During Reader’s Workshop, children will engage in art projects, reading and writing games, learn poetry, and more! Stay tuned for more details about Reader's Workshop, as well as pictures on Twitter!
We will take a closer look at many artists in kindergarten. For our artist study this month, KC looked at the work of Piet Mondrian. Like Mondrian, KC used black, white, and the primary colors, as well as vertical and horizontal lines to create “compositions” out of paper rectangles. The collage technique is so accessible to all students, especially in kindergarten, when drawing and painting can be more challenging. We will do many forms of collage art this year!
Important dates/reminders
Late arrival/absences:
- I will enter the attendance by 8:05 each morning. If you come to school after 8:05, please check in at the office so that they can change the “absence” to a “tardy” in the computer system.
- If you are keeping your child home, please call the front office as soon as you know. When they do not need to track down families, they save so much time!
Library:
- Please return books each Monday morning.
- Children may not take out a new book if the old one is not returned.
KC Wish list
- Families often ask if there is any thing that we need in the classroom. On our class website I will keep an ongoing wish list of books or materials that we would like for the classroom. Please take a look if you are interested in donating!
- Please follow me @Ms_Conroy to see what’s happening in KC in real time!
Thank you for a great start to the year!
Warmly,
Sarah