Week 5: 09/03-09/06

Happy Friday and welcome to the long weekend! Just friendly reminder, there is NO SCHOOL on Monday 09/02. Today in your child's green folder they got their first scholastic book order. Feel free to order using the paper flyer or you can go online to https://clubs.scholastic.com and use our class code: NBNHM. On Tuesday your child will get their yellow book bag with their sight word list one inside. Please review this each night in addition to homework and keep in your child's backpack. 

Here's a look at next week:

Spalding: We continue to explore our first 26 phonograms.  This week we will work on : h, i, j, k. Homework will continue to introduce single phonograms by tracing them then writing them three times each.  Students should be reminded to say the sound of the letters while writing them each time. We will have a our first phonogram assessment on Friday, please review a, c, d, f, g with your child. We will say the sound and students will be expected to write down the correct phonogram.

  

Sight Words: he, was, for, on

Literature: The story for this week will be the folktale biography of Johnny Appleseed.   We talk about which parts of the stories are fact and which parts are fiction, observe how Johnny showed the virtue of citizenship, and even make our own pots to wear on our head just like he did!  Our poem this week will be Tommy. 

Math: This week in math we will continue to work on numbers 1-5. We will incorporate graphs and counting objects to 5. Students will represent the numbers in writing using the correct Spalding number formation. An assessment will be taken on Friday.

Science:  Using their five senses, students will give facts about apples.  They will discover how the senses of taste and smell work together, and create a craft that illustrates how we experience our sense of taste.  Students will put the lifecycle of an apple in order.

We got to celebrate two birthdays this week, thank your Mrs. Cross for helping us celebrate Kristyanna! 

And thank you Mrs. Jacobson for helping us celebrate Ryder!  

Playing number bingo

Eating our bingo markers after a couple good games

Learning how to dance during music was quite cute

Too much fun!

Week 4: 08/26-08/30

Yay, it's Friday! I hope everyone had a great week. Thank you so much for letting me spend my birthday with your sweet kids. They made sure I felt extra special and we got to enjoy some treats together! 

My day started with flowers from each kid!

Then after lunch we had one of my favorite snacks, chips & salsa! And what's a fiesta without churros?!

Thanks Mrs. Naak for throwing an awesome fiesta! 

Harper got to enjoy some of my birthday treats too!

If you were unable to make it to Curriculum Night a packet of papers were sent home in your child's green folder. If you have any questions let me know and save the date for a follow-up Curriculum  Q&A on September 11th from 6:00-7:30. 

Here's what's going on next week:

Spalding: This week we will continue to work on clock letters  o, s, qu,and add two line letters, b, e. As a reminder, students should be working with their phonogram cards each night. Please continue to support your child during homework by ensuring they are using the correct pencil grip and making sure they are forming their phonograms correctly. 

Sight Words: in, is, you, that, it. A yellow sight word card will be sent home with your child in the next week. Please use this to practice at home and keep in your child’s backpack in their yellow book bag. 

Literature: We will explore Little Red Riding Hood this week. Students will work on recalling the story and working on story elements: Title, Setting, Characters, Problem, Solution. We will read a Chinese and an African version of the story then compare them to the original. Our poem for the week is A Dillar, A Dollar.

Math: This week, we will begin to introduce numbers 1-5. Students will count to five and recognize the numbers. They will be asked to recognize the number and also count out items for a specific number.  

Science:  Students will be able to identify which part of their bodies corresponds with each of the 5 senses.  This will include sharing 2 parts of the eye and how they’re used, giving 2 facts about their sense of hearing and telling 2 ways our bodies use the sense of touch.  Students will discover that we use our senses to learn about the world around us.

Here's a look at fun from this week!

Week 3: 08/19-08/23

Happy Friday KC Families, I hope y'all have fun and relaxing plans for the weekend ahead. Just a couple quick things before we hit the weekend running. Mark your calendar to join us for Curriculum Night this Wednesday 08/21 from 6:00-7:30 in the gym. This is a great opportunity to get aquatinted with our curriculum and class procedures. I look forward to seeing you all there! 

We are working hard in class to ensure we are maintaining the proper pencil grip. Below is a diagram to help your child use the proper grip at home. 

Start with the thumb on the bottom and the middle finger just above. These two fingers should form a "C" shape where the paint stops on the pencil. 

The pointer finger then gently rests on the pencil. This takes some getting used to but with continually practice it becomes second nature. 

Here's a look at next week:

Spalding: This week we will start introducing our Spalding single letter phonograms.  We will introduce the clock letters  “a, c, d, f, g.”  Each letter starts at "2 on the clock" goes up to the midpoint, down to the baseline, and back up.  Students will be familiar hearing those words while writing. Please be sure that students are starting at "2" and touching the baseline.  Note some of these phonograms have multiple sounds, refer to your child’s homework for the sounds of each. For help on how to pronounce and write phonograms please visit the following link (scroll down the page): http://archwayveritas.greatheartsacademies.org/academics/curriculum/

Sight Words: This year will be introducing five sight words each week. Once we have taught ten words we will send home a list to practice. Our goal is that students will have memorized 100 sight words by the end of the school year. Our words this week are: the, of, and, a, to

Literature: We will be reading The Three Little Pigs this week. We will sequence the events, talk about the fiction vs. non-fiction and even read a story from the point of view of the big bad wolf. Our poem for the week will be Star Light, Star Bright. 

Math: This week we will continue to classify objects by attribute and identify objects that do not belong to a particular set. Students will also match items by their function by saying when two objects are used together. There will be math homework Monday-Thursday; please check your child’s work for accuracy.

History: Students will be able to identify important members of their community.  We will learn about the roles of firefighters, police officers, mail and delivery people.  Students will share what they want to be when they grow up.

Here's some fun from this week!

Cheese!

We worked as a class to put the alphabet in order. 

Working together to sort items by attribute. 

Learning about the organs in our body!

Curriculum Night

K-2 Curriculum Night

You are cordially invited to attend our Kindergarten - 2nd grade Curriculum Night, taking place on Wednesday, August 21st. The event starts at 6:00 pm in the Arete gymnasium, with opening remarks from Mr. Gillingham, Mrs. Vaughan, and our specialists. From 6:30 to 7:30 pm, Kindergarten parents will hear from their child's teachers in the gymnasium about the following:

15 minutes: Classroom procedures, routines, homework guidelines

40 minutes: Curriculum and Demo Lessons 

• 10-20 minute Spalding lesson (phonograms, motions, markings, phonograms)
• 15-20 minute Singapore lesson mental math tips, number bonds, bar models, word problems)

10 minutes: Q&A 

Due to limited seating, this is a parent-only event. Overflow parking will be available at The Wedgewood Event Center located just east of the school. We hope to see you there!

Week 2: 08/12-08/16

Happy Sunday, what a wonderful first week we had in kindergarten! I know I left each day totally exhausted but completely excited for this year to come. In fact we were so busy I forgot to take a single picture of all the fun. I will be sure to squeeze some in this week. 

Here's a look at what we will be learning this week:

Spalding: This week we will continue to work on feature formations of Spalding. This is a circle (clock), short line, tall line, line that goes below the baseline, diagonal line and short line above the midpoint.  Short letters stay under the midpoint and tall letters go just below the top line. By taking the time to do this practice it will help build muscle memory and help students are forming each letter correctly. 

Literature: Our story this week will be the fairy tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  We will compare and contrast different versions of the story, sequences the events,  and even try some porriage. We will do a listening and following directions activity and act out the story. 

Math: This week we will begin to use our math textbooks.  Our first unit will be exploring sets.  Students will identify objects as being the same, identical, different, or not the same (using those words).  Students will be shown two objects that are exactly the same and asked what makes them exactly the same (size, color, shape, etc.)

Science:  Students will discover what germs are and where they live. They will discover how germs spread and what we should do to prevent the spreading of germs.  We will practice proper hand washing skills and children will understand that being clean is very important to good health.  Students will discover the organs in the body and the important job they do. Students will be able to explain two reasons why sleep is important.

Birthday Treat Policy

Birthday Treat Policy

Celebrating birthdays is a good way to show the students in our school that they are special and loved.  There are many different ways to mark the occasion, but we want to be careful about students eating too many sugary, processed snacks.  If each child were to bring in cake or donuts for his/her birthday, that would mean 30 unhealthy lunchtime desserts every year.  Some parents would rather their child not eat this type of food and the effects of these sugary snacks can disrupt the learning environment.  In fact, we strongly suggest a non-food item if parents wish to mark the occasion. Pencils, books, or other souvenirs can be just as special, don't require clean-up, and won't affect whatever diet parents wish for their children.  Some teachers may allow a healthy snack for their classes as an exception (to be eaten in the lunchroom), but please reach out to the lead teacher for details.  Make note that sugary treats will not be served to students, and will be sent home with the child that brought them in. 

The academy suggests non-food items or healthy snacks for birthdays. Please see your child’s teacher for acceptable treat options, as well as alternatives to food items. 

·         Food must be in its original packaging with the ingredients listed.  Fresh fruit is the exception.

·         No peanuts or other nuts

·         No cupcakes, cakes, cookies or other treats with frosting

·         No pop-culture references

Thanks in advance for your cooperation!

Week 1: 08/05-08/09

Welcome to week one of kindergarten! It was such a joy to meet everyone on Thursday night. Our team is so excited to share a year with your little ones, we are in for a good time together! 

The 19-20 kindergarten team!

 Each week I will update the blog on what we will be doing in each subject as well as share some pictures of our fun from the previous week. 

 Here's a look at our first week: 

Spalding: This week we will explain clock letters, short lines, tall lines and diagonal strokes. We will practice making these line strokes to get us ready for proper letter formation when we start to introduce phonograms. Students will learn how to sit in "scholarly position”, (Heads high, back straight, hips back, feet flat, arms folded, eyes on your teacher) this helps to ensure their bodies are ready to listen and learn. 

Math: This week we will be introducing students to the idea of Math. We will be explaining our calendar time, and exploring colors. We will start the year off slow and allow students to gain a good background on topics before moving them further. We are excited to begin the new year! 

Literature: This week we will explore the story “Three Billy Goats Gruff.” We will learn the job of the author and illustrator and even practice making our own book cover. Our weekly poem will be “Rain,” by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Science: To kick off our school year in science we will be discussing what exactly science is. Students will explore the difference between living and non-living things and what it means to be alive. They will get to sort through items and decide which are living and which are non-living.