Grant El. Kindergarten Weekly News

From Mrs. Conran and Mrs. Caya

Week Beginning:  February 23, 2015

Important Dates

Feb 21    Saturday Morning Book Club

Feb 25-27 Parent-Teacher Conferences (No CLC)

Mar 4      Spirit Day:  Dress in Seuss Style

IMPORTANT

Needed:  1-inch 3-ring binders (see below)

Reading

Comprehension:  This week we will be using Dr. Seuss books to practice our reading strategies.  We will be thinking about how to “solve” new words and challenge ourselves as readers.  To build word-solving skills at home, try some of these prompts:  “What would make sense?”  “Get your mouth ready for the first letters.”  “What would sound right here?”  By reminding your child that they know how to solve new words, you are building their reading independence.

Learning Targets:  I can talk about books I read myself.

Phonics:   Many students are moving on the First Grade words this week.  We are so proud of the work they have done to master all 60 Kindergarten words.  Since we want to reinforce that words are used in reading and writing (no just in lists), we are working this week on putting together logical sentences using sight words.  Also, during the next week, each child will have an individual list on Spelling City of their words.  If you have Internet access at home, go to our blog listed below and click on Word Work to get to Spelling City.

Learning Target:  I can use sight words in sentences.

Words to practice & review:  is, find, this, will, be, make, play, how, said, she, all, no

Writing

During Writing Workshop this week, we will be using the homework from last week to write Small Moment stories.   Small Moments stories are narrative about special moments of time.  These are great stories for family writing (and a terrific addition to scrapbooks). 

 Investigations

Mark Your Calendars! Read Across America Day is March 2, 2015

Oh, the Places You'll Go when you read! March 2, 2015 is NEA's Read Across America Day and this year, the book is the Seuss classic, Oh, The Places You'll Go. NEA's Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.

NEA's Read Across America also provides parents, caregivers, and children the resources and activities they need to keep reading on the calendar 365 days a year.

Searching for Seuss online activities go to the following link: http://www.seussville.com

Reminders

Supplies Needed

Thanks to all who have already send binders.  Thanks especially to Gavin, Maddie, James and Logan who brought extras to share.  We would like to begin Reading Response Journals this week, and so, if you haven’t done so yet, please send a 1-inch 3-ring binder.  Please label you binder (inside) with your child’s name.  If you are able, to send in an extra binder for a child in need, it would be much appreciated too! 

Conferences

Please remember to attend your scheduled conference on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday this week.  We look forward to seeing you!

Math

We assessed students and their knowledge to name and describe 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional shapes. Overall we found that students need more practice and exposure to the shapes and to have conversations about them.  Ask your child where they see shapes around the house and to name the shape and where it is (positional words). Students need to be able to name the 5 basic  “flat” shapes of a square, triangle, rectangle, circle, and hexagon. Also, the four “solid” shapes:  sphere, cone, cube, and cylinder.