What We Have Been Doing
Last week we talked about feelings. I read "When Sophie Gets Angry... Really Really Angry" by Molly Bang to the class. The students had an opportunity to draw faces for each feeling and paint pictures about their feelings. They also started their "All About Me" posters. They will use last week's homework to finish them. The children will then do a small presentation to the class sharing their answers.
This week we will begin discussing our families and how important they are to us. We will also begin our first project. I will discuss the project with you at curriculum night. The students will already know what is expected of them by then.
Chain of Kindness
My philosophy in managing a classroom is to use positive discipline. I feel that I should catch the students who are behaving and reward them instead of punishing the students who make minor offenses. This creates a happier learning environment. We have created a chain of kindness for those who are showing kindness to others. When the kindness chain reaches a corner of the room, we will have a classroom party. I also have a frog that has little treasures in it. When a student is working exceptionally hard, or helping another student, they can get a treasure out of the frog. I believe using positive discipline will help our classroom.
Math and Literacy
For Math we began our routines this week. Each student has a job during the day. Some of the jobs require using math skills. The weather person will graph that day's weather. The number line person will write how many days we have been in school. The calendar job focuses on keeping the calendar up-to-date. These jobs will be part of our daily routine throughout the year. We also graphed the age of each student in the class. When someone has a birthday we will move their picture to the new age.
For Literacy the students have begun using the listening center. They really like this center. The computer is also available during Literacy centers. I have had the students work on a free reading website. It is a great resource for home, as well. The website is www.starfall.com. While the children have been working in Literacy centers I have been assessing each child.
By September 17, the students will be put in literacy ability groups where they can work with other Kindergarteners that are at their reading level. Some of my homeroom students may have Mrs. Jackson or Ms Gelakoska for their literacy teacher. At literacy time the students will go to her class for instruction. Then they will come back to my class for the rest of the day.
Book Orders
I am considering a new option for Book Orders. Scholastic has made it possible for you to order your books online, pay for them and have them shipped directly to your home. The class will still get credit for the books so that we can use the points to buy books for the classroom. I know the children enjoy looking at the catalog, so I don't want to keep that from happening. However, if you are interested in ordering online, please let me know or if you absolutely do not want to order online, please let me know. I really want to make book orders simple for you.
We Still Need
If you have not sent an extra set of clothes for you child to school, please do this ASAP. I really would like to know that if there is an accident your child will be as comfortable as possible. We have had students change into another set of clothes for a variety of reasons. The slide was wet recently and a child was soaked by going down it. We also have some messy projects and sometimes I am not fast enough to ensure a student has put on a smock. If we have an extra set of clothes this will help me tremendously!
Curriculum Night
Kindergarten Curriculum Night is on Monday, September 17, 2007 at 6:00-8:15p.m. We will talk about classroom policies, Everyday Mathematics and our Literacy curriculum. I am looking forward to seeing you there!
Thank You!
Thank you to all the parents who have stepped in and helped with snack. The students are getting delicious and nutritious snacks thanks to all of you.
Thank you, also, to the moms who have brought in foamie stickers and other classroom materials. Your generosity is greatly appreciated! We love using the stickers for our literacy centers.