Last week in Kindergarten, we began an integrated literacy unit on fairy tales and folktales. During read aloud each day, we have been sharing different versions of fairy tales and folktales and discussing character traits and story elements (setting, characters, problem and solution). Over the next few weeks, we will be re-telling stories and participating in a variety of literacy, math, and STEM challenges connected to the different titles we read together.
At the conclusion of our unit, students will be performing a few fairy tales and folktales for families and friends on the stage in the gym. Please mark your calendars for 1:15 on Thursday, April 18th. All are invited to attend and there will be a small cast party after the performance for Kindergarten students and their families.
The MCS Read-A-Thon continues throughout the rest of March. Please have your child bring their yellow reading log to school each Monday so that minutes can be calculated and used to move our cat game piece along the read-a-thon game board. If your child needs a sponsor, please let me know. We have a few volunteers who would like to sponsor students with their reading. Our goal is to have 100% participation from students each week. This week we had 80%. Thank you to all who have participated so far.
Please note: Kindergarten minutes can be times that they spend reading their red books (or other books) to you, as well as minutes you read aloud to them.
Curriculum Update
At the conclusion of our unit, students will be performing a few fairy tales and folktales for families and friends on the stage in the gym. Please mark your calendars for 1:15 on Thursday, April 18th. All are invited to attend and there will be a small cast party after the performance for Kindergarten students and their families.
The MCS Read-A-Thon continues throughout the rest of March. Please have your child bring their yellow reading log to school each Monday so that minutes can be calculated and used to move our cat game piece along the read-a-thon game board. If your child needs a sponsor, please let me know. We have a few volunteers who would like to sponsor students with their reading. Our goal is to have 100% participation from students each week. This week we had 80%. Thank you to all who have participated so far.
Please note: Kindergarten minutes can be times that they spend reading their red books (or other books) to you, as well as minutes you read aloud to them.
Curriculum Update
Math - This week, we will begin a new math unit on two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes. During this unit, students will examine, identify, compare, and sort two and three-dimensional shapes. The names of the shapes we will be working with are: circle, square, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, trapezoid, rhombus, sphere, cylinder, cube, cone and pyramid.
Literacy
- Fundations - Over the past few weeks we have been practicing placing letters in alphabetical order, and segmenting and writing CVC words.
- Reading - During reading time, students are actively participating in daily guided reading groups. Each group works with either me or Ms. Carter to learn a variety of reading strategies and to discuss texts. I sent home the last of our red sight word books this week. All students would benefit from practicing their reading at home each night.
- Writing - Students continue to write personal narratives while practicing saying words slowly and using details in their pictures and words. In addition to personal narratives, students have also been writing opinion pieces about some of the fairy tales and folktales we have been reading.
- Sight Words - During literacy time, students have been practicing reading and writing sight words. Please click here for a list of words to practice at home.
- Science - We recently began a new science unit on force and motion that focuses on pushes and pulls. We have learned how machines do work for us, have explored how changing the strength and direction of a wrecking ball's push could knock down a wall without damaging houses nearby, and tested different ways to knock down cups while bowling in the classroom. These activities have been of great interest to the students.
Additional Information
Extra Clothing and Shoes - Please consider sending in spare clothes and indoor shoes for students to change into. Also, our playground can be very wet and muddy throughout the spring. Students should continue to bring snow pants and boots to wear at recess time until the school grounds dry up.
Sneakers - Recently, children have been excited to wear shoes with laces to school. If families wouldn't mind spending time at home practicing tying shoes with your children, it would be greatly appreciated.
Here are a few online videos that may assist with their practice.
Tying Shoe Laces Song
Easy Shoe Tie Method
Two Overhand Knot Method
Sneakers - Recently, children have been excited to wear shoes with laces to school. If families wouldn't mind spending time at home practicing tying shoes with your children, it would be greatly appreciated.
Here are a few online videos that may assist with their practice.
Tying Shoe Laces Song
Easy Shoe Tie Method
Two Overhand Knot Method
Recyclables Needed - We are looking for some clean recyclables to use in the classroom for a variety of upcoming projects. If you have any clean cardboard, paper towel and toilet paper rolls, we will gladly take them off your hands.
Book Orders - If anyone is interested in placing an order for books through Scholastic, please visit our classroom page online by clicking this link and use our class code HDK8K or send in paper orders to school with checks made payable to Scholastic by Friday, April 5th.
