This week in Mr. Smith’s Kindergarten Classroom we had a lot of fun!  The students have been making such great gains this month and are working hard on their end of trimester skills.  We are so close to finishing the testing.  However, it is important that your child come to school next week so that we can finish the rest of our assessments.  I am looking forward to seeing you all at conferences!  Don’t for get that we have an Early Release day on Friday the 26th.

This week we were privileged to have the Middle School Drama Team/Choir perform at the school.  On Wednesday morning they performed the musical “Cinderella” for all of the students.  They did such a great job and the students thoroughly enjoyed it! 

We also celebrated St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday!  The class colored and cut out leprechauns. I read several books on that theme, as well.  Then we designed a leprechaun trap.  The students glued clover all over a box and colored pictures of rainbows to put around the room.  They also glued gold glitter to rocks to make them look like real gold.  Then the trap was set up to catch a leprechaun during our lunch break.  The students were so surprised when they got back to the room to see that the trap had been sprung!   Unfortunately, the leprechaun had escaped.  He left us a note and some gold coins for making such a tricky trap.  Later we played sight word bingo and had cookies with green Kool Aid.   

On Friday we had the Arts Festival in the afternoon.  We got to see a puppet show, make a craft and listen to a professional story teller!  It is so much fun to learn about and participate in ”The Arts.”

Friday was also the due date to turn in your child’s blue Silverwood reading forms.   If your child has read for a total of 10 hours over the last 6 weeks and you documented it on the blue sheets that were sent home, please return those forms ASAP.  They were due on the 19th, however, you can turn them in next week if you forgot.  Please, don’t wait or it may be too late.  The forms will have to be sent to Silverwood before we will get the tickets.  Check your Monday folders for further information from the PTO.

Have a great weekend!

This week in Mr. Smith’s Kindergarten room we continued to focus on rhyme using Dr. Seuss’ books.  Students love trying to figure out the rhyming words at the end of each phrase.  Try giving your child a word and having him or her make up a rhyming word.  It can be a real word or a made up “Dr. Seuss” word, as long as it rhymes.

On Tuesday I gave the class our spring writing assessment.  Everyone wrote about their favorite pet or a pet that they wanted.  I am looking forward to showing you your child’s work. 

On Wednesday and Thursday the class began writing their own three-page story.  Their task was to think of a true story about themselves.  On the first page they think and write a sentence that answered four questions:  Who was the story about?, What happened in the story?, When did it happen?, & Where did it happen?.  Then they needed to answer what happened next and what happened last?   They illustrated each page.  Next week we will spend time editing and publishing their books.  I look forward to sharing these with you at conference time, as well.

On Monday I will be sending home a conference slip which gives you your assigned conference day and time.  I tried to meet your preferences as best I could.  Please sign the sheet and send back the return portion.  If the time will not work for you, let me know ASAP and I will try to reschedule you.

On Friday the 19th the blue Silverwood reading sheet is due.  Remember to keep recording the minutes you are reading to or with your child each night on .   You must sign and fill out the form with 600 minutes (10 hours) of reading time over the last six weeks.

Please continue to practice the benchmarks on the checklist I sent home.  I have been assessing the class on these benchmarks.  Make sure your child is at school on time every day to maintain a consistent routine and master their kindergarten skills.

There is no school on Friday.  Enjoy your three-day weekend!

Finally, don’t forget that it is time to “Spring Ahead” on Saturday.  Move your clocks one hour ahead and make sure your child gets to bed early on Sunday evening so that s/he will get enough sleep for school on Monday.

This week in Mr. Smith’s Kindergarten room we focused on Dr. Seuss.  We read many of the books Dr. Seuss wrote.  Students brought in books from home.  We read and watch Dr. Seuss’ “Horton Hears a Who.”  We made comparisons of the book and video.  The students were very good at picking out the differences.  

On Monday evening we had a “Reading is Fundamental” family night called Fables, Legends, and Tall Tales.  It was at the elementary school.  Families  created their own tall-tale and ate pancakes honor of Paul Bunyan.  Also, every student that attends Deer Park Elementary got to choose a free book to keep.   If your child was unable to attend, they should have brought home a book with their name on a label placed inside the front or back cover.  These are your child’s book to keep.   These books were purchased through a reading grant and the students are able to pick books that they can bring home to read with their families.  I hope that you have had time to enjoy them or will have time this weekend!

On Tuesday we had McTeacher Night at McDonalds.  This PTO fundraiser was a great success.  It was great to see so many of you there!

I sent home a letter on Monday which gave you the opportunity to give me preferences for your student’s conference time.  Many of you have turned in the forms.  Thank you for your quick response.  If you haven’t returned the form to me, please get it back to me ASAP.  I will try to meet your preference times and I will send a confirmation letter home on the 15th.

I also sent home a benchmark checklist for the second trimester.  I am beginning to assess the class on these benchmarks.  Please practice these skills (especially letter and number recognition and letter sounds).  

Keep recording the minutes you are reading to or with your child each night on the blue Silverwood reading sheet.  This sheet must be completed and returned on March 19th for a free ticket to Silverwood.

Next week we will be a four-day week as there is no school on Friday the 12th.  Please, make sure your child is at school on time every day maintain a consistent routine.  Also, we will be reviewing many of the skills that your child is working to master.

Thanks again for all you do!