Grant El.
Kindergarten Weekly News
From Mrs. Conran and
Mrs. Caya
Week Beginning:
September 22
Important Dates
September 24 Second
Cup of Coffee for Parents 8:10-9:10
September 25 Kona Ice on the Playground after
school. You can purchase a treat.
Writing
This week during Writing Workshop we will be writing
sentences using the four sight words that we are learning as well as using
letter sounds. Our sight words are: like, I, and, the. Students should be able to read and write
these words independently by early October.
A great way to practice using these words at home is to
write one sentence each day using 1 or more of the words. For example, ask your child to think of a
sentence using ‘like’. They may
say, “I
like my mom.” Coach your child to
write ‘I” and ‘like’ correctly and use sounds to get the /m/ in ‘my’ and all of
the sounds in ‘mom’.
Learning Target: I can write a sentence using high-frequency
words.
Reading
Throughout the year, Grant
Kindergarten students will learn reading strategies to promote better
comprehension. This month we will focus
on schema. Below is information and suggestions
for reinforcement at home.
Schema
*Definition- Schema is what you
already know that helps you connect to what you are reading.
What's Key For Kids? (Reading With Meaning by Debbie Miller)
•Readers activate their prior
knowledge before, during and after reading.
•Readers use schema to make
connections between text and their lives, between one text and another, and
between the text and the world.
•Readers distinguish between
connections that are meaningful and relevant and those that aren't.
•Readers build, change, and revise
their schema when they encounter new information in the text, engage in
conversations with others and gain personal experience.
•Readers use their schema to
enhance understanding.
Verbal Cues to Guide Conversation
•"That reminds me of..."
•"I have a
connection..."
•"Remember when..."
Learning Target: I can use schema to help me understand.
Our focus letter this
week is Mm. Brainstorm lots of words
that begin with /m/ sound.
Learning Target: I can name M and m and make its sound.
Investigations
This week we are talking about our neighborhoods. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we will be creating
murals of the Grant neighborhood. As
you are out, point out the unique characteristics of the area.
Learning Target: I can name characteristics of my neighborhood.
Learning Target: I can name and label parts of a tree.
Other News, Notes and Reminders
We enjoy a snack each afternoon. Our school offers a fruit or vegetable snack
on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
There is no snack provided on Tuesday.
You can bring a snack daily or only on Tuesdays. Be sure that you send healthy choices. We will not allow students to eat candy for
snack. White milk is also provided.
Questions to Ask Your Child to Spark Conversations
What types of buildings are in our neighborhood?
What is your favorite spot in our house?
What number is 1 more than 5? One less than 2? ...
What letter do you hear at the beginning of mouse? Sun? Tiger?
….
What is your favorite story?
What story did you hear at school today?
What is schema?
What is a character?
What is the setting of a story?
rconran@kusd.edu jcaya@kusd.edu http://conrankindergarten.blogspot.com
