Friday Note

Events of the Week:

Math: We started a new unit on comparing and ordering numbers from 1 to 20.  We learned about how one number can be greater than or less than another number.  We also found numbers that are one more and one fewer.  We will continue this unit next week.

Our focus in reading this week was on folk tales.  Here’s what we did in each workshop:

• Language Workshop: Our mentor text for the week was The Three Billy Goats Gruff.  We focused on story elements, such as characters, settings, and major events.  We introduced vocabulary words that are in the story, such as: valley, meadow, rushing, troll, roared, gobble, and trampled.  We also practiced retelling the story by telling what happened in the beginning, the middle, and the end.  The students really enjoyed using the story pieces to retell.  We finished the week by reading other versions of the story.  

I am sending home a copy of the assessment I did this week on character, setting, and major events.  Remember if your child didn’t score proficient on this assessment we will continue working on it at school and re-test before the quarter ends.  

• Writing Workshop: We learned the sight word “to”.  This week we practiced using magnetic whiteboards and letters to build and write the sight words we have learned so far.  We also introduced “Writing Journals”.  Journals are used for students to write about whatever they choose while practicing the writing process.    

• Reading Workshop: I introduced a new reading strategy to help students sounds out unknown words.  Use your finger, look across the word, say the parts aloud.  

Students continue to work independently in literacy centers while I meet with small groups.     

• Word Study: Our letter for the week was “Ee”.  We learned that Ee is a vowel and can make a short sound and a long sound.  

Important Dates:  

• Nov. 22:  Kindergarten Share Feast
• Nov. 23-Nov. 25:  Thanksgiving Break (No School)
• Dec. 1:  Fall picture retakes

Share Feast  

All of Kindergarten will come together on Tuesday, November 22nd to celebrate the first Thanksgiving.  Please have your child bring in ONE INDIVIDUAL-SIZED favorite snack (Cheez-its, mini marshmallows, pretzels, M&M’s, etc.) before this day so we can combine it all together to make a Share Feast for all to enjoy. Thanks so much for your help!

Attendance

We have set an expectation that students should meet the 94% threshold in order to participate in clubs, field trips, dances, etc.  Participation in these types of events is a privilege, and this is earned, in part, by showcasing good behavior and maintaining excellent attendance.  Please make sure your child is attending school every day and is arriving on time.

Sight  Words  

I sent home a sight word assessment in folders on Wednesday.  I was very proud at how well my students did on correctly naming sight words!  Please be sure to work with your child at home on sight words.  

Reading Journey

I hope you are finding a special time to read every day with your child.  This is a great time to practice using reading strategies we have learned, finding the letters we have learned and sight words.  The Reading Journey ends on December 16th and we will have a reading celebration the following week.  

BOOK ORDER

I am waiting until Monday to place the Scholastic book order.  If you are wanting to order books please order online or send in money on Monday.  Thanks

Next Week:

• We will continue learning about story elements.  
• In Language Workshop, we will be focusing on the book The Three Little Pigs.
• We will learn about the letter “Ii” and the two sounds the letter makes.  
• We will learn about Thanksgiving.
• In math, we will continue to compare and order numbers 0-20.
• Our sight word will be “with”.

Have a great weekend!!

Mrs. Vaughn