Thursday, December 30, 2010
School on Monday
Our long break is quickly coming to an end. I look forward to seeing my students on Monday, January 3rd. I hope you all have a great New Years!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Things to do over the Break
Now that Christmas is over and things are probably starting to slow down a little, I thought I would give a a few suggestions of some things you can do over the break with your kids. The following are some activities that you can work on at home to keep their minds going over the long break.
1. Practice Counting to 100- You can count together, have the kids count independently or have them count objects around the house.
2. Practice Addition- Use those flashcards that were in your child's stocking. They need to be able to add up to 10. They can use their fingers for numbers up to 10, but sums up to 5 they need to practice doing in their head. The goal is for students to quickly add numbers up to 5. Maybe you can race and see who can get the answer first!
3. Review Letters/Sounds/Chunks/Beginning Sounds- It's good to keep this fresh in their minds. Play an "I Spy" Letter Game. "I Spy something with my little eyes that begins with the letter _____." Students need to practice by listing off things around the room that start with the same beginning sound until they get it right. Then have them try to trick you!
4. Read!- Read to your child at night and have them try to read to you. Use the Reading Strategies and let them try to sound out the words. (It's okay if you don't know the Reading Strategies... they do!) Ask them questions about who the characters in the story are, the setting (where the story takes place), and to retell the story
5. Kidwrite- Let them write about their favorite part of Christmas or their favorite Christmas present. Encourage them to draw a picture and really think of a good story to tell. Challenge them to write at least two sentences to describe their story. Make sure they use a capital letter at the beginning of their sentence and punctuation at the end. Let them share it with you and then hang it on the fridge.
6. Writing Numbers 1-20- You can get creative with this! They can write in shaving cream, finger paint, watercolor, markers or simply paper and pencil. Make sure they write their numbers in the correct order and if they write a number backwards, make them go back and fix it.
The most important thing is to try to make learning fun! I hope you are enjoying all the time you are getting to spend with your family. I am looking forward to the rest of the year!
1. Practice Counting to 100- You can count together, have the kids count independently or have them count objects around the house.
2. Practice Addition- Use those flashcards that were in your child's stocking. They need to be able to add up to 10. They can use their fingers for numbers up to 10, but sums up to 5 they need to practice doing in their head. The goal is for students to quickly add numbers up to 5. Maybe you can race and see who can get the answer first!
3. Review Letters/Sounds/Chunks/Beginning Sounds- It's good to keep this fresh in their minds. Play an "I Spy" Letter Game. "I Spy something with my little eyes that begins with the letter _____." Students need to practice by listing off things around the room that start with the same beginning sound until they get it right. Then have them try to trick you!
4. Read!- Read to your child at night and have them try to read to you. Use the Reading Strategies and let them try to sound out the words. (It's okay if you don't know the Reading Strategies... they do!) Ask them questions about who the characters in the story are, the setting (where the story takes place), and to retell the story
5. Kidwrite- Let them write about their favorite part of Christmas or their favorite Christmas present. Encourage them to draw a picture and really think of a good story to tell. Challenge them to write at least two sentences to describe their story. Make sure they use a capital letter at the beginning of their sentence and punctuation at the end. Let them share it with you and then hang it on the fridge.
6. Writing Numbers 1-20- You can get creative with this! They can write in shaving cream, finger paint, watercolor, markers or simply paper and pencil. Make sure they write their numbers in the correct order and if they write a number backwards, make them go back and fix it.
The most important thing is to try to make learning fun! I hope you are enjoying all the time you are getting to spend with your family. I am looking forward to the rest of the year!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Make Up Snow Day
Since we have had 4 snow days, we will have school on President's Day, February 21, 2011. Originally we had this day off, so please adjust your schedules accordingly.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Updated Blog!
I have finally updated the blog with all of my latest pictures of the kiddos in my class! There are now pictures of our Christmas Celebration, Christmas Around the World week, Thanksgiving Presentation, and Community Helper Parade. If you cannot view the slideshow then click on the view all images below the slideshow and hopefully that will bring up the images! I hope you all are enjoying the break. I miss these kids more than you know!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Have a Wonderful Christmas Break!
They have just called school off for tomorrow. I hope you all have a wondeful Christmas Break! Remember that school starts back on Monday the 3rd of January. To all of my kiddos who have birthdays over the break... have a fantastic Birthday and we will celebrate when we return! I hope to post pictures of recent classroom activities sometime over the break!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Christmas Celebration
The weather forecast for the rest of the week is looking like we may have additional days off of school this week. We will have our classroom Christmas celebration on our first day back to school this week. So, if we have school tomorrow we will have our Christmas Celebration tomorrow at 1:30. Remember, I have all of the snacks taken care of. I hope to see these kids before the break! We'll keep our fingers crossed.
Monday, December 13, 2010
No School Tuesday
School has been called off for Tuesday the 14th. Hopefully I will get to see the kids on Wednesday!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
No School
School has already been cancelled for tomorrow, Monday the 13th. We will have to reschedule our Camp Read A Lot day because the Grotto will not be available any other time this week. I will schedule it for a day after the Christmas Break. I will send home information as soon as I reschedule.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Newsletter 12-10-10
What's New!?!
We had such a fun week! These kids had a blast doing Christmas Around the World! We traveled to Mexico, Israel, France, Africa, and the United States to learn about the holiday traditions they celebrate. Ask them to share the items they made in their suitcases. Next week we will be working on counting and addition in math with a variety of Christmas activities. In literacy we will be reviewing how to follow the steps in a task to complete a variety of activities.
Things you can work on at Home: In addition to homework here are some following activities you can complete if you wish:
• Continue to work on a few popcorn words a week. Remember the goal is to get at least that first list by the end of the year!
• Ask students the different ways you can add to get to 10. Challenge them to write a number sentence to represent that way!
• Practice counting to 100. (A lot are getting stuck at the 10’s- i.e. 68, 69… 70)
• Have your child practice writing his/her last name. The first letter needs to be capital and all the rest lowercase.
• Plan to read with your child over the break! You may want to take a trip to the public library.
Bits of Information
Blog Info: www.mcdowellsminutes.blogspot.com
**Homework – Do not forget that Homework will be sent home on Fridays and be returned on Wednesdays.
It is getting that time of year when we may miss school because of a snow day. Please, watch the news in the morning when they are calling for snow to see if school is cancelled. There is also a chance for them to call school early because the roads are getting bad. Please, think about what you would do if this ever becomes the case. If school ever lets out early you will be contacted as soon as we hear about it!
We are quickly coming into flu season. Please encourage your child to wash their hands frequently and review how to cough in their arm. If your child is running a fever, it is best if they stay home so they can get better and not spread germs.
We are still in need of things for our gingerbread houses. Please send in these items if possible: gumdrops, red hots, m & m’s, twizzler strings, mini candy canes, peppermints, pretzel sticks, white cake icing.
Christmas is coming up and some of you may be thinking of sending in a small gift for the children in our class. Each child will have a mini stocking if you wish to bring something in. This is completely optional, but please bring in 24 so each child gets the same thing. If you wish to do something for the classroom, the following are some things that we could use:
• Books on Tape or CD
• Bingo Paint Dotters (bottle of paint w/ a sponge on top)
• Marble Maze
• Books for the Classroom
• Mr. Potato Heads
Next Week's Special
Monday- Library
Tuesday- Gym
Wednesday- Art
Thursday- Music
Friday- Library
Important Dates
Monday, December 13- Camp Read A Lot- Students have earned this day! They get to wear their p.j.’s and bring in their favorite book from home. Students will get to go to a starry room in the building called the Grotto and “camp out” and read!
December 17- Christmas Celebration- We will be having a mini celebration before the break on this day at 1:50. Don’t worry about bringing anything in… I’ve already got it taken care of!
December 20-31- Christmas Break
January 3- School Back in Session
We had such a fun week! These kids had a blast doing Christmas Around the World! We traveled to Mexico, Israel, France, Africa, and the United States to learn about the holiday traditions they celebrate. Ask them to share the items they made in their suitcases. Next week we will be working on counting and addition in math with a variety of Christmas activities. In literacy we will be reviewing how to follow the steps in a task to complete a variety of activities.
Things you can work on at Home: In addition to homework here are some following activities you can complete if you wish:
• Continue to work on a few popcorn words a week. Remember the goal is to get at least that first list by the end of the year!
• Ask students the different ways you can add to get to 10. Challenge them to write a number sentence to represent that way!
• Practice counting to 100. (A lot are getting stuck at the 10’s- i.e. 68, 69… 70)
• Have your child practice writing his/her last name. The first letter needs to be capital and all the rest lowercase.
• Plan to read with your child over the break! You may want to take a trip to the public library.
Bits of Information
Blog Info: www.mcdowellsminutes.blogspot.com
**Homework – Do not forget that Homework will be sent home on Fridays and be returned on Wednesdays.
It is getting that time of year when we may miss school because of a snow day. Please, watch the news in the morning when they are calling for snow to see if school is cancelled. There is also a chance for them to call school early because the roads are getting bad. Please, think about what you would do if this ever becomes the case. If school ever lets out early you will be contacted as soon as we hear about it!
We are quickly coming into flu season. Please encourage your child to wash their hands frequently and review how to cough in their arm. If your child is running a fever, it is best if they stay home so they can get better and not spread germs.
We are still in need of things for our gingerbread houses. Please send in these items if possible: gumdrops, red hots, m & m’s, twizzler strings, mini candy canes, peppermints, pretzel sticks, white cake icing.
Christmas is coming up and some of you may be thinking of sending in a small gift for the children in our class. Each child will have a mini stocking if you wish to bring something in. This is completely optional, but please bring in 24 so each child gets the same thing. If you wish to do something for the classroom, the following are some things that we could use:
• Books on Tape or CD
• Bingo Paint Dotters (bottle of paint w/ a sponge on top)
• Marble Maze
• Books for the Classroom
• Mr. Potato Heads
Next Week's Special
Monday- Library
Tuesday- Gym
Wednesday- Art
Thursday- Music
Friday- Library
Important Dates
Monday, December 13- Camp Read A Lot- Students have earned this day! They get to wear their p.j.’s and bring in their favorite book from home. Students will get to go to a starry room in the building called the Grotto and “camp out” and read!
December 17- Christmas Celebration- We will be having a mini celebration before the break on this day at 1:50. Don’t worry about bringing anything in… I’ve already got it taken care of!
December 20-31- Christmas Break
January 3- School Back in Session
Camp Read A Lot
Students have been learning how to Read to Self. This is a program that teaches children how to independently read. They have learned that there are three ways to read a book: read the pictures, read the words, and retell the story. Students have been working on stamina in trying to beat their time daily in how long they are able to read. Students finally met their goal of 8 minutes! As a result, students will have a Camp Read A Lot Day on Monday, December 13. Students will be able to wear their pajamas, bring in a flashlight and a small blanket if they wish (no stuffed animals please). We will be spending about 30 minutes in a room in our school called the Grotto. This is a small room tucked in the corner of the library that has lights that look like stars. Students will get to Read to Self like they are camping out. Students will then get to share what makes the book they brought in their favorite. I will also share my favorite book! This should be a fun day and I am proud of the kids for earning it!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Gingerbread House Supplies
We are still in need of some additional candy to decorate our gingerbread houses next week. I have a few things, but I have a feeling these kids are really going to get into decorating them and use a lot of things. If you have anything you that you think would work, then you can just send it in your child's backpack.
Volunteers?
If anyone is willing to come in later this week or early next week to volunteer that would be great! I have some gingerbread houses that need to be covered with graham crackers in order to be ready for the kids to decorate next week. Thanks for all you all do!
Don't forget that homework needs to be turned in tomorrow if possible!
Don't forget that homework needs to be turned in tomorrow if possible!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Christmas Around the World
We are doing something a little different in Literacy this week. The kids are very excited to be learning about how people celebrate the holidays around the world. Students will be using informational texts each day to learn about another country's holiday traditions. Students each have a suitcase, plane ticket, and passport. Daily students board the plane and travel to a new destination. Once we land we get off the plane and either complete a task or eat traditional food to celebrate that tradition. Ask your child about what they learn on their daily trips. Today they started it and we had a lot of fun! Pictures will be coming soon!
Monday- Mexico
Tuesday- Israel
Wednesday- France
Thursday- Africa
Friday- United States of America
Monday- Mexico
Tuesday- Israel
Wednesday- France
Thursday- Africa
Friday- United States of America
Newsletter Info
What's New!?!
It’s always hard to come back from a long break, but the kids have done a great job! Next week we will be working on-demand writing in Kidwriting. This is when students are given a prompt and they have to write about it. We will continue learning how to add numbers up to 10 and how to break apart the tens and ones in numbers up to 20. In literacy, students will be reviewing question words and be challenged to identify key parts of a story.
Things you can work on at Home: In addition to homework here are some following activities you can complete if you wish:
• Review popcorn words and encourage them to write them. See if they can quickly identify them. It will be easier to only do a view a week.
• Put numbers 1-15 in order.
• Ask students the different ways you can add to get to 10. Challenge them to write a number sentence to represent that way!
• Practice counting to 100. Then ask them to count to 100 by 10’s.
• Have your child practice writing his/her last name. The first letter needs to be capital and all the rest lowercase.
Bits of Information
Blog Info: www.mcdowellsminutes.blogspot.com
**Homework – Do not forget that Homework will be sent home on Fridays and be returned on Wednesdays.
We have been having a lot of “tummy aches” in our class. (One child will mention that they’re ill, and five minutes later, six more kids have the same symptoms). Please talk to your child about what it feels like to really be sick. I don’t ever want to disregard your child’s sickness if they really are sick. It can get tricky at this age so we just want to make sure we help them understand their bodies.
We have a lot of December birthdays. If you are planning on bringing something in to celebrate your child’s birthday, please let us know so we can plan accordingly.
We will be decorating gingerbread houses the week before our break. We are in need of candy to put on our houses as well as white icing. If you are able, please send in these items. (gumdrops, red hots, m & m’s, twizzler strings, mini candy canes, peppermints, pretzel sticks, white cake icing).
Christmas is coming up and some of you may be thinking of sending in a small gift for the children in our class. Each child will have a mini stocking if you wish to bring something in. This is completely optional, but please bring in 24 so each child gets the same thing. If you wish to do something for the classroom, the following are some things that we could use:
• Books on Tape or CD
• Bingo Paint Dotters (bottle of paint w/ a sponge on top)
• Marble Maze
• Books for the Classroom
• Mr. Potato Heads
Important Dates:
December 17- Christmas Celebration- We will be having a mini celebration before the break on this day at 1:50. Don’t worry about bringing anything in… I’ve already got it taken care of!
December 20-31- Christmas Break
January 3- School Back in Session
Specials This Week:
Monday- Music
Tuesday- Library
Wednesday- Gym
Thursday- Art
Friday- Music
It’s always hard to come back from a long break, but the kids have done a great job! Next week we will be working on-demand writing in Kidwriting. This is when students are given a prompt and they have to write about it. We will continue learning how to add numbers up to 10 and how to break apart the tens and ones in numbers up to 20. In literacy, students will be reviewing question words and be challenged to identify key parts of a story.
Things you can work on at Home: In addition to homework here are some following activities you can complete if you wish:
• Review popcorn words and encourage them to write them. See if they can quickly identify them. It will be easier to only do a view a week.
• Put numbers 1-15 in order.
• Ask students the different ways you can add to get to 10. Challenge them to write a number sentence to represent that way!
• Practice counting to 100. Then ask them to count to 100 by 10’s.
• Have your child practice writing his/her last name. The first letter needs to be capital and all the rest lowercase.
Bits of Information
Blog Info: www.mcdowellsminutes.blogspot.com
**Homework – Do not forget that Homework will be sent home on Fridays and be returned on Wednesdays.
We have been having a lot of “tummy aches” in our class. (One child will mention that they’re ill, and five minutes later, six more kids have the same symptoms). Please talk to your child about what it feels like to really be sick. I don’t ever want to disregard your child’s sickness if they really are sick. It can get tricky at this age so we just want to make sure we help them understand their bodies.
We have a lot of December birthdays. If you are planning on bringing something in to celebrate your child’s birthday, please let us know so we can plan accordingly.
We will be decorating gingerbread houses the week before our break. We are in need of candy to put on our houses as well as white icing. If you are able, please send in these items. (gumdrops, red hots, m & m’s, twizzler strings, mini candy canes, peppermints, pretzel sticks, white cake icing).
Christmas is coming up and some of you may be thinking of sending in a small gift for the children in our class. Each child will have a mini stocking if you wish to bring something in. This is completely optional, but please bring in 24 so each child gets the same thing. If you wish to do something for the classroom, the following are some things that we could use:
• Books on Tape or CD
• Bingo Paint Dotters (bottle of paint w/ a sponge on top)
• Marble Maze
• Books for the Classroom
• Mr. Potato Heads
Important Dates:
December 17- Christmas Celebration- We will be having a mini celebration before the break on this day at 1:50. Don’t worry about bringing anything in… I’ve already got it taken care of!
December 20-31- Christmas Break
January 3- School Back in Session
Specials This Week:
Monday- Music
Tuesday- Library
Wednesday- Gym
Thursday- Art
Friday- Music
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)