Week One!

I'm happy to report that we survived our first week of kindergarten!   What a busy week it was.  By Thursday afternoon we had some pretty exhausted children, as I sure many of you will agree.   During the first week, we began to "unpack" our classroom and learn routines and procedures.  There was a lot of sitting and listening mixed with exploration and play.   We are working to become a community of learners and beginning to gain a new understanding about what the expectation of kindergarten are vs. what most children are familiar with in pre-school.   As we begin the school year, we try to balance this, but for many children this can be a little overwhelming.  

Next week, we will continue unpacking our classroom, learning about the class library, and continuing to learn about various learning centers, and materials.  On Thursday, I will be administering our first formal assessment called the PNOA (primary numbers and operations assessment).  All children in kindergarten will take this assessment.   We will use this tool to help inform us when placing children in math groups.   Because I will be administering the assessment, Mrs. Forrest (our kindergarten Aid) will be taking over for me in the classroom.   You can help you children prepare for my absence by assuring them that things will continue as usual, and remind them that the expectations are the same.  

I also want you to know that I am lucky to have a student teacher form Northern Vermont State University (Johnson State College) working with me two days a week this semester.   She is a senior completing her Practicum 2 before she does her full student teaching next semester.  Her name is Jessica Fredrich and the children call her Miss. Jess.  She is splitting her time as MES with two days at PAML working with a special educator.   She will be spending Wednesday and Thursday with our class.   Please introduce yourself and welcome her to our community.