We have had a great few weeks at school; it’s hard to believe that
the children have been kindergarteners for almost a month. During that time, they have really learned a lot
about our classroom procedures, school routines, and how to work together as a
class. We have really enjoyed getting to
know your children!
Curriculum
LITERACY: We have been using big books, our names,
and simple poems to learn about print concepts. Most children know how to
“handle” a book – they know where the front is and most know where to find the
title, but we are working to build the vocabulary that goes hand in hand with
the early reading behaviors. You can find a complete list of these print
concepts in your child’s OTIS. It’s been fun! This week, we are
working on a book about a cat who does NOT want to share his mat with any of
the other animals! Be on the look-out for something to come home by the
end of the week!
MATH: We are working with numbers
1-10. We’re using a ten-frame to help us recognize how a set of 7 might
look compared to a set of 4. We’re using the word “set” when we are
explaining about a group of objects. Each day we use calendar activities
to count, predict, group and share in “math talk".
During math centers each week, Mrs. Ward and I are working with
small groups. These small groups allow us the flexibility to meet the
needs of each student. It allows us a greater opportunity to get to know
where each student is working and to build upon their strengths and focus on
the areas in which they may need a little more practice and support. Math
in Kindergarten is all about hands-on. These concrete learners need to
touch and feel math. This first quarter, we are spending a great deal of
time on numeration. This foundation is so important as children build a
working knowledge of numbers.
Just a couple of miscellaneous things….
Ganyard
Hill Farm Field Trip-A permission form for our first
field trip will be coming home in OTIS tomorrow. We will be visiting Ganyard Hill Farm on
October 16. Please fill out both sides of
the form & return to school. The
cost of the trip is $15 per student.
Students may pay online or by sending in cash or check made out to
Joyner. If you are interested in chaperoning, please let
me know! We can use as many chaperones
as we can get. Chaperones will pay the
day of the trip at the farm. The cost
for chaperones is $10 and you will need to provide your own transportation. ALL CHAPERONES MUST BE REGISTERED
VOLUNTEERS! You must register as a
volunteer through Wake County Public Schools.
This registration is open at any school site until October 1, so please
register now if you haven’t already.
Lunch and
Lunch Money: Please make certain that you have money on your child’s
lunch account. Even if your child brings their lunch most days, it is
helpful to have a little money on the account in case a lunch box is left in
the car one morning! Also, keep practicing to open packages at
home. Just imagine for a second 21 children that need several things
apiece opened at lunch….Whew!
T-Shirt Money – "Kindergarten
Rocks" t-shirts have been ordered. They are $10 apiece. We
will be asking that your child wear these several times a year for various
Kindergarten activities. If you have paid for your child’s t-shirt –
Thank You! If you haven’t paid yet, you can click onto the link that’s on the
right side of the blog and pay for it online! - We could use a little
help with the t-shirt expense for some students and so if you are able to pay
for an extra tee shirt, that would be GREAT! Thank you!
Scholastic – Let’s Find Out Classroom Magazine:
$6.00. Please send in $6.00 to cover the cost of this great classroom
resource. This fee can be paid online or
by sending in cash or a check made out to Joyner. Again, if you’re able and willing, a donation
toward another child’s subscription would be greatly appreciated! THANK
YOU!
Scholastic Book Order-If you’d like to order
books during the month of September, please do so by Friday, September
26. The October order form will come home next week. Scholastic Books are an inexpensive way to have quality books at home!
Lost and Found-Please be sure
to label your child’s lunchbox and any sweaters or coats they may bring to
school. Joyner has a lost and found, but
the best way to have items returned to you is having it labeled with your child’s
name. We do our best to help the
children keep up with their items, but there are always a few that don’t make
it home.
Room Moms- Last but
not least, I wanted to let you know that we have 3 moms who have graciously
agreed to be our class’ Room Moms.
Denise Hughes, Laura Moreschi, & Julie Rosa will be helping our
class to organize events and collect needed supplies. Thanks so much ladies!!
IMPORTANT DATES:
September 25 – Teacher Workday-NO SCHOOL
September 26 – Wear green
October 1 – Deadline to register to be a Volunteer – (after this
day, you may only register on Mon or Wed.)
October 3 – “When the Relatives Came” - MORE INFO TO COME!
October 10 – Joyner Jamboree
October
16 – Field Trip to Ganyard Hill Pumpkin Farm