Monday, December 18, 2017

Friday Note 12/15/17


  • Math-  In math we played math games to review topics we have already covered.

  • Language Workshop— We read different gingerbread stories.  We had fun comparing and contrasting different versions.  We read The Gingerbread Baby,  The Gingerbread Girl , The Gingerbread Cowboy and several others.  Ask your child about the different versions we read.   

  • Writing Workshop— We wrote in a journal each day in response to the gingerbread book we read for the day. We are working on writing a good sentence (starts with a capital letter, finger spaces between words, an ending mark.).  

  • Reading Workshop—Students are worked daily in Literacy Centers while I read with each student to determine their independent reading levels.

  • Word Study— We read several Christmas stories and played sight word games.  

Important Dates:
  • Dec. 19:  Christmas Party & Early Dismissal
  • Dec. 20 - Jan. 2:  Christmas Break - NO SCHOOL!

  • Jan. 3:  Students return to school

Next Week:
  • We will have our read-a-thon on and Christmas Party on Tuesday.   (11:30-12:00 Party Set Up Time  (Homeroom Parent & Helper ONLY)
12:00-1:00 Class Parties (All Parents)
1:00-1:15 Student Dismissal Holiday Break Begins!.

Mrs. Vaughn

Learning Resources for Home


I wanted to share a few websites/apps that we use in the classroom.   Most of them are free, however on a few you have to set up an account which isn’t to time consuming.  All of these you should be able to access at home so your child can have additional practice on things we have learned in the classroom. 

www.abcmouse.com  This one you do have to pay for, however I think there is a 30 day free trial you can try but the kids love it and it has a ton a great educational games from reading, math, science, social studies, art, etc. 
www.starfall.com    Letter identification, blending sounds, making words, etc.
www.brainpopjr.com   Educational videos
www.pbskids.org   Games
www.getepic.com     Online books
www.abcya.com    Educational games for all subject areas

I posted information a few weeks ago on SeeSaw about Raz-Kids (Reading A-Z) where students could login and read leveled books that I have assigned on their reading level.   

Also coming home today is information on how to login to IXL, which is a great resource we use here at school.

Please let me know if you have questions on how to access any of these websites.  We use all of these at school so your child should be able to navigate through them pretty well. 

Thanks for all your help at home J


Kaleigh Vaughn   

Friday, December 8, 2017

Friday Note 12/8/17

Events of the Week:

  • Math- We finished our math topic on comparing numerals.  I assessed each child over their ability to do this and these assessments were sent home this week.  As always, if your child did not score proficient, please work with him/her at home and we will continue to work on it at school.  

  • Language Workshop— We read different gingerbread stories.  We had fun comparing and contrasting different versions.  We read The Gingerbread Girl, The Gingerbread Friends, The Gingerbread Baby and several others.  Ask your child about the different versions we read.   

  • Writing Workshop— We wrote in a journal each day in response to the gingerbread book we read for the day.  These journals are coming home today.  Have your child read their journals to you.  They are doing a great job writing a response to the books we are reading.  Remember to review the pencil rubric with your child when you go over their writing.



o   My picture matches the words I wrote.
o   I used a finger space between each word.
o   I began my sentence with a capital letter.
o   I ended my sentence with an ending mark.
o   I stretched out any words that I did not know.

  • Reading Workshop—Students are working daily in Literacy Centers while I work in small groups or one on one with students.  We have been focusing on  sight words during this time and I have started reading individually with each child to find his/her independent reading level.  I am so proud of how well they are doing!  

Important Dates:
  • Dec. 11:  Cox Care Mobile
  • Dec. 14:  Kindergarten Christmas Program - 6:00 p.m. at the high school Performing Arts Center (arrive by 5:45 in the commons area)
  • Dec. 15:  Polar Express Day- students wear pajamas to school!
  • Dec. 18:  Reading logs due for Reading Journey
  • Dec. 19:  Christmas Party & Early Dismissal (please see below)
  • Dec. 20 - Jan. 2:  Christmas Break - NO SCHOOL!
  • Jan. 3:  Students return to school


EARLY RELEASE & PARTY TIME CHANGE - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19TH!
We will follow this party schedule:
11:30-12:00 Party Set Up Time  (Homeroom Parent & Helper ONLY)
12:00-1:00 Class Parties (All Parents)
1:00-1:15 Student Dismissal Holiday Break Begins!

Giving Christmas Tree
In lieu of a gift exchange for Christmas, we would appreciate donations to our Care to Learn program.  Kindergarten has been asked to bring in cereal or macaroni & cheese cups.  We will be collecting items through Monday, December 18th.  Thank you in advance for your support of such a great program.
T

Reading Journey
Please continue to read with your child every day!  This is a great time to practice using the reading strategies that we are learning.  The Reading Journey ends on December 18th and we will have a reading celebration the following day.  

Next Week:
  • We will continue reading other non-traditional versions of the The Gingerbread Boy and Christmas books.
  • We will continue to assess for the end of the quarter.

Have a great weekend!!

Mrs. Vaughn

Friday, December 1, 2017

Friday Note - 12/1/17


Events of the Week:

  • Math- In math, we focused on comparing numerals this week.  We practiced making sets of objects that were 1 more and 1 less.  We worked on comparing two numbers and then stated which number was more or less.  We will finish this unit next week and then assess over this concept.  

  • Language Workshop—We read different versions of the story The Gingerbread Man.  We had fun comparing and contrasting different versions of this well-known story.  We completed a paper where students drew a picture of what they and their house would look like if they were a gingerbread boy/girl and from whom they would run away.  We also sequenced the story events.  We made a cute gingerbread man craft that is hanging in the hallway now, I will send it home in a few weeks.  

  • Writing Workshop—We spent a few moments every day writing in our journals.  The students are improving their writing skills so much.  We’re working on utilizing the pencil rubric to check if we are remembering all the elements of being a good writer.  Students are also applying the knowledge that they have learned about letter sounds to “stretch out” unfamiliar words.  
o   My picture matches the words I wrote.
o   I used a finger space between each word.
o   I began my sentence with a capital letter.
o   I ended my sentence with an ending mark.
o   I stretched out any words that I did not know.

  • Word Study—Our letters for the week were “Qq”, “Rr”, “Ss” and “Uu”.  We learned that “Uu” is a vowel and can make a short sound and a long sound.  Please continue to work with your child on correct letter formation and on knowing the letter sounds.  Our goal is to know all the letters and sounds by the end of second quarter.   

Important Dates:    
  • Dec. 6:  Book Orders Due (If you want to make it a surprise for Christmas let me know :)
  • Dec. 9:  Clever Christmas Parade at 6:00 p.m.
  • Dec. 11:  Cox Care Mobile
  • Dec. 14:  Kindergarten Christmas Program - 6:00 p.m. at the high school Performing Arts Center (arrive by 5:45 in the commons area)
  • Dec. 15:  Kindergarten’s Polar Express Day (wear pj’s)
  • Dec. 18:  Reading Journey due
  • Dec. 19:  Christmas Party & Early Dismissal (please see below)
  • Dec. 20 - Jan. 2:  Christmas Break - NO SCHOOL!
  • Jan. 3:  Students return to school


Sight Words—Keep practicing!

Next week we will be finishing up the whole Pre-primer sight word list! I will be assessing students on it next week.  



EARLY RELEASE & PARTY TIME CHANGE - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19TH!
I wanted to make everyone aware of a slight change to the school calendar that will take place on December 19th. That Tuesday is the last scheduled day before we begin Christmas break and is also the last day of the first semester. The published school calendar shows December 19th as a full day of school. However, the decision has been made to modify the schedule and release students at 1:15 on that day.   This will also affect the times for the PTA Christmas Party.  We will follow this party schedule: 11:30-12:00 Party Set Up Time  (Homeroom Parent & Helper ONLY)
12:00-1:00 Class Parties (All Parents)
1:00-1:15 Student Dismissal Holiday Break Begins!


Giving Christmas Tree
In lieu of a gift exchange for Christmas, we would appreciate donations to our Care to Learn program.  Kindergarten has been asked to bring in cereal or macaroni & cheese.  We will be collecting items beginning Monday, December 4th through Monday, December 18th.  Thank you in advance for your support of such a great program.


Reading Journey
Please continue to read with your child every day!  This is a great time to practice using the reading strategies that we are learning.  The Reading Journey ends on December 18th and we will have a reading celebration the following day.  

Next Week:
  • We will continue our unit on the The Gingerbread Man by reading non-traditional versions of the story, such as The Gingerbread Girl, The Gingerbread Cowboy, and The Gingerbread Friends.  
  • In math, we will finish our unit comparing numerals.
  • Our sight word will be “me”.
 
Have a great weekend!!

Mrs. Vaughn

A note from our room mom

Dear parents,

We are just a little over two weeks away from our second party! (I can’t believe how fast this year is going!) The party will start at 12:00. I plan to have a couple games, a craft or other activity, a snack and goody bags. Again, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
Thank you all for your contributions!

Rachel Huett
417-693-2197
Couponcraze11@gmail.com