KINDERGARTEN NEWS   4/13/2012

       

     In Writing, we have finished our second non-fiction writing unit called “All About Books”.  During this unit, writers were challenged to create books by choosing a topic they are experts about (ex: All About Hex Bugs, All About Birthday Parties, All About School, All About My Little Sister), dividing it into categories, creating a table of contents, and allocating different pages for different subtopics.  This unit aligns with the Common Core State Standard that calls for Kindergartners to compose “informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic”.

     In Handwriting, we have finished our first round of instruction in letter and number formation. Our handwriting instruction time for the rest of the school year will consist of review of tricky letters and numbers. Students will participate as needed.  Students not working on specific letters or numbers will use this instructional time to improve other aspects of good fine motor control such as drawing, coloring, cutting, and pencil grip. 

     In Phonemic Awareness, we are working on phoneme deletion and substitution.  You can reinforce this skill at home by asking your child to say words without the beginning or ending sound.  (Ex:  say cat without the “c sound” = at.  Say goat without the “t sound” = go).  You can then play at creating new words by substituting different sounds for those you deleted.  (ex: say house without the “h sound”…now add the “m sound” = mouse).

April 30th – May 6th is National Screen-Free Week! 

     For one week, families across the nation are challenged to turn off their televisions, video games, and computers. Our class will be doing our part to raise awareness and encourage participation in Screen-Free week by turning off our classroom computer, generating lists of alternative activities, participating in a Screen-Free poster contest (optional), and pledging to go Screen-Free at home for one week (optional).  

     Poster submissions should include the dates of Screen-Free week and a drawing of an activity you could enjoy instead of watching TV/playing computer games.  Posters will be hung throughout the school.  Participating students should return their posters to school by Wednesday April 25, 2012.  The best child created poster will be included in a flyer sent home school-wide. Students may create as many posters as they want.  Students may participate in the poster contest regardless of whether they and/or their families choose to participate in Screen-Free week itself.  


     

Mrs. Rossi

 

  

 

EVENTS

 

Mon. - Fri., April 16 - 20, 2012

No School

Spring Recess

Monday, April 23, 2012

Parent Math Night

Mon. - Sun., April 30 - May 6, 2012

National Screen-Free Week

Friday, May 11, 2012

Hawaiian Dance

3:15 - 5:00 p.m.

     We Soar To Success