Kindergarten May - June News

Grant Elementary

Mrs. Conran and Mrs. Caya

May Reading Goal: 

Writes a complete how-to book using:

-sight words spelled correctly

-unknown words spelled with accurate sounds

-spaces between words

May Math Goal: 

Show numbers in more than 1 way using items

3 = 2 +1     3 = 0 + 3

5 = 4 + 1    5 = 2 + 3

May - June Kindergarten Dates to Know

Family Project

We are working on writing how-to books this month.  To support your young author, work together as a family to write your own how-to book.  Think of something your family really likes to do or knows how to do very well.  Ideas may include: cooking a favorite dish, playing a well-loved game, fixing something, or doing a task or chore.  Write each step and illustrate with a detailed picture.  You can assemble your book in any fashion you choose.  Include these things in your writing:  clear steps (Step 1… Step 2…, detailed descriptions, clear illustrations for each step, easy to read.

Track and Field Day

Please save this date, 6/1, and watch for sign-up information.  Many parents will be needed to run events for this fun day!

Reading

This moth, we will compare characters in folktales and fairy tales.  Be sure to ask your child to retell the stories we have heard at school throughout the month.  Retelling is an important skill.  If your child’s retelling does not makes sense, ask for clarification.  Students get better at retelling from lots of practice and having a guide point out to them if the story doesn’t make sense or is out of order. 

Summer Learning Tips for Parents

Summer months are often filled with sports clinics, camps, library reading clubs, trips to the swimming pool and family vacations for many school-age children. But for some children, summer break means extra time in front of the television or computer screen with little parental supervision.

And there are other children whose parents would like to help, but they don’t know how or don’t realize the importance of staying academically stimulated.

Why does it matter?

Students who do little during the summer months to stimulate their minds experience what is known as “summer slide.” This is when they lose academic skills, mostly in the areas of math and reading, and then experience setbacks when they return to school in the fall. In addition to brain activity, children also need to participate in physical and social activities during the summer to keep their bodies strong. Much of a child’s social stimulation can be received through interaction and activities with family members. Also, parents need to help their children prepare for the next grade level during the summer months.

What can parents do?

• Read: Parents should read to their child every day. Children improve more quickly when an adult asks questions about the material and makes the child re-read difficult passages. Books are too difficult for a child if he or she does not understand five or more words in a 100- word section. Also, set an example and make sure the child sees you reading.

• On the road: Play “I Spy” with road signs for numbers, colors and shapes.

• Get outdoors: Take children to parks and trails for walks or to ride bicycles, or plant a garden or flowers together. Spend time before the outing to gather information and ask children about the plants and wildlife they encounter.

• In your city: Take trips to the museum or other local attractions. Find free or inexpensive camps through your city’s parks and recreation department, school or other groups.

• Volunteer: Ask a friend or relative to host a child at his or her workplace for a day, or take your child to pick up litter or volunteer at a soup kitchen or senior center.

• In the kitchen: Allow a child to help out by measuring ingredients and reading recipes.

• Online: Websites such as readingrocket.org can give parents reading tips to help their child at various ages.

• Move it: Attend summer music festivals with your children and dance together. Sign up your child for summer swimming lessons or other athletic events.

Remember to Turn in Zoo Field Trip permission slips and payment.