Week two!

We had another busy week following a nice, long four day weekend.   This week we unpacked our phonics program (Fundations), focusing on our first letter, Tt.  We learned the letter, keyword and sound (T, Top /t/), practiced writing it using our Fundations handwriting lines (skyline, plane line, grass line, and worm line) on white boards with dry erase markers; we used our magnet letter tile boards, and students received their handwriting notebooks.  We also used other multisensory methods such as rainbow writing and shaving cream writing to practice forming the letter t.

In Math we have introduced numbers one, two, three, and four.   Students are identifying the number, quantity,  and practicing number formation using many of the same methods as we do in literacy. For each number, students learn a rhyme to help them remember the number formation.  We have also practiced using math tools such as dice and linking cubes.

This week we began the process of developing our "Hopes and Dreams" (goals) for kindergarten. Students identified skills they are able to do, such as: ride my bike, whistle, and wash the dishes.  We talked about how we had to work to become proficient at the skill and it took practice and perseverance.  This helps lay the foundations for developing scholarly habits we will be developing throughout the year.  We read the books Almost, by Richard Torrey, and  The Little Engine That Could,  by Watty Piper.

Students drew pictures of the skill they identified and we dictated the sentence I can __________ . The pictures are hanging on the train cars on the bulletin board outside our classroom.  Next week we will move into developing our Hopes and Dreams (goals); identifying what we hope to learn this year.

PNOA

We administered the PNOA on Thursday.  This is a math assessment that is used to help inform us about students math knowledge and skills to help us better plan for instruction and interventions. This is a pretty lengthy assessment and I can personally say, that the children did a great job persevering to get through the process.   I am very proud of their effort!

Relief for Hurricane Harvey

MES will be collecting donations of school supplies for students in Texas who have been affected by the devastating floods caused by Hurricane Havey.   Students may bring items for donation through next week.  We will be shipping the supplies to Texas on Friday, September 15th. (see letter in Friday Folders)

Guest Teacher

Unfortunately, I will be absent on Monday, September 11th as I have been selected for Jury Duty. There will be a guest teacher in for me on Monday.  The classroom may may not be opened right at 7:30 am.  If the door is closed when students arrive, they can go get breakfast (if needed) or wait on the bench outside my door until Mrs. Forrest arrives.  She will try to be at school by 7:35.  If you typically drive your child to school, you may want to plan to arrive closer to 7:45 - 8:00 if possible.