Ms.Sneeuwjagt's Blog

Miss Sneeuwjagt's News for May 12-16

Tue, 13 May 2008 19:46:50 GMT

Personal note:

I want to apologize for this blog being a day late and for my absence at school on Friday, May 9 and Monday, May 12. Ryan and I got news early Friday morning that Ryan's stepfather passed away. He was diagnosed with terminal caner on May 2. Everything happened pretty quickly, but we know that he didn't suffer for very long. The memorial was on Monday. Thank you for your kind thoughts and support.

What We Are Doing:

Math-

For Math we are working with addition facts. The students are learning different ways to find addition fact sums. We will have our chapter test next week.

Theme-

We will learn about the different types of clouds this week. We will make a book and make the different shapes of clouds with shaving cream. Don't be surprised if your child begins predicting the weather soon.

Timelines:

The Kindergarteners are doing a class project where they will create their own timelines, and write advice to next years incoming class. Both of these will be displayed at our graduation ceremony. We will need photos for this project. Please send your photos in an envelope with your child's name on it. They need one photo for every year, i.e., a baby picture, a 1 year photo, a 2 year, 3 year, 4 year, 5 year, and if they are 6, a 6 year old picture. They will also need a recent photo, ( a class picture would be good) for their advice. All together they will need 6 or 7 photos for this project. We realize it may take a bit before you can gather all pictures, so please just send them in when you have everything together. We will be working on this for most of the month of May. The Friends will share their timelines with the class. Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you so much!!!!

Graduation-

Graduation plans are going well. If you would like to donate a package or two of juice boxes for our graduates, please contact Ms. Gelakoska by email, or phone ex. 135.

Snack-

We need some snack volunteers! It's the end of the year and we are running low on snack. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Leslie Shriver or Mrs. Warga.

Have a great week.

Kindergarten News for Monday, May 5

Mon, 05 May 2008 17:13:19 GMT

What We Have Been Doing

Math- This week for math we will investigate timelines, begin making number scrolls for numbers to 100 and beyond, and begin working on addition facts and fact power to find addition fact sums. We may take a couple of days to work on the number scrolls, this week.

Theme- For Theme, we are observing our caterpillars. It looks like we will have four chrysalises by the middle of the week! We will also learn about the water cycle, the different types of clouds, and how important water is for our weather.

Book Orders- This year's last book order is due on Friday, May 9. The book order is a great opportunity to buy books for the summer.

Chain of Kindness Party- On Friday we will celebrate with a Chain of Kindness party. The students voted to have a pajama day and stuffed animal day. Please make sure that your child only brings 1 stuffed animal to school. :) Thanks!

Graduation Meeting-

Graduation committees will meet in Ms. Gelakoska's room after school on Friday, May 9th to discuss preparations and welcome new volunteers. Everyone is welcome and needed!

Timelines

Miss Sneeuwjagt's Newsletter for April 29, 2008

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:03:38 GMT

What We Are Doing:

Theme- This week for theme we are discussing the three different stages of water: gas, liquid and solid. We played a game that taught us that when water is a gas, the molecules move very fast and they are spread apart. When the molecules are in a solid, they are close together and move very slowly. The students are also making a book that describes the three stages of matter.

We also have visitors in our Kindergarten classroom. We welcome our four Painted Lady Butterfly larva. We will observe the changes the larva goes through to become a beautiful butterfly. We are recording our observation in a classroom journal. We will let the butterflies go once they are adults.

Math- For Math this week we will measure our body parts with a tape measure. We will also explore two dimensional shapes and become familiar with base-10 blocks. Later in the week we will tell time on the quarter hour.

Book Orders- This is the last chance to order books through Scholastic book orders. You can order online or send an order to school with your child. The book orders are due on Friday, May 9.

Time Lines

Miss Sneeuwjagt's News Monday, April 21, 2008

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 22:04:02 GMT

What We Have Been Learning

Math- This week we are beginning a new math unit. Please read the home link pages we sent with math homework this week. Today we focused on reading thermometers and we talked about Fahrenheit vs. Celsius. We will also learn to measure & compare lengths using our hands feet & arms, we will learn about the inch & foot, and we will learn how to measure lengths of objects in inches. The math tests will be returned in Monday folders next week.

Theme- We finished learning about animals today. Tomorrow we will begin our last unit on Water. For the rest of the year we will learn about the water cycle, the three states of water: gas, liquid & solid, and we will learn how water creates energy with hydro-electricity. This week we do several investigations to learn about the different properties of water.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Earth Day- Earth day is Tuesday, April 22. We will do some activities in the afternoon to celebrate. We will have an earth day scavenger hunt . Your child will take the scavenger hunt with them at the end of the day. They may continue to work on their scavenger hunt at home. We will also talk about conserving water and energy.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Book Orders- Your child will bring home the last book order of the year on Wednesday. Remember, you can order online or you can fill out a catalog order form and send it to me. There are some great books your child can read during the summer. Book orders are due on Friday, May 2.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Have a great week!

Miss Sneeuwjagt's News for April 14, 2008

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:39:30 GMT

What We Have Been Doing

Math- We are finishing up our Math chapter this week. We will explore domino patterns and use them to practice all the basic addition facts. We will also review Chapter 3 which consits of visual patterns, number patterns and counting. We will have a math test on Thursday.

Theme- For theme this week we are finishing our animal unit. We will study fish and invertebrates this week. On Friday the students will share their animal riddles that they made for homework this week. We will also learn interesting facts about all kinds of animals. Ask your child what they have learned this week.

***********************************************************************************************************

Theme Homework- Please make sure your child complete the What Am I? page for homework this week. They must turn it in by Friday so that we can do our activity in the afternoon. Half-day students may do this homework if they would like and participate with us.

***********************************************************************************************************

Math Test- We will have a Math test on Friday. The test will consist of telling time by the hour & half an hour, odd & even numbers, counting money, working with frames & arrows, and using a number grid to add & subtract.

************************************************************************************************************

New Parent Handbook- The PSC would like your input on the new parent handbook. What worked? Do you have any other ideas? Contact the PSC at psc@stargateschool.org if you have any suggestions.

**********************************************************************************************************

Graduation Committee-

Graduation committees will meet in Ms. Gelakoska's room after school on Friday, April 18th to discuss preparations and welcome new volunteers. Everyone is welcome and needed!

***********************************************************************************************************

Have a wonderful week!

Miss Sneeuwjagt's News for the week of April 7.

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:22:05 GMT

What We Have Been Doing:

Math- This week we will be working with money. We will learn how to count pennies, nickels, and dimes all together. We will also have a "data day" where the students will read all types of graphs and interpret data. There will be a math test early next week.

Theme- We will learn about Mammals and Amphibians this week. The students also learn about the different ways vertebrates grow.

***************************************************************************************************************

Library- We will go to the library this Thursday. Some students have not turned in their library books. They may not check another book out until they turn in their library books. We sent home yellow sheets of paper that will let you know if your child has an overdue book.

************************************************************************************************************

Africa Projects- The students did a great job on their Africa projects. It was fun to see the different activities they used to show what they learned. Everybody had an excellent presentation. We will send projects home today.

*************************************************************************************************************

Chick fil A- Chick fil A spirit night is this Thursday, April 10. Stop by and show your Stargate Spirit.

*************************************************************************************************************

Talent Show- The talent show is Thursday, April 10, at 6:30p.m. Come by and see our talented Stargate Students.

**************************************************************************************************************

Have a great week!

Miss Sneeuwjagt's news for March 31

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:53:24 GMT

We are working with time again this week. We will review the basic concepts of telling time and work on telling time to the hour and half hour. We will also work with Frames and Arrows. Frames and Arrow diagrams provide children with a way to organize work with sequences. You will see these diagrams next week for homework. At the end of the week we will work with dimes and more money.

We finished up Birds today. This week we will learn about reptiles and mammals. We also created an April calendar. The students will bring the calendars home today.

Graduation is fast approaching. Committees for food, decorations, hat making, invitations and more are now being formed. A flyer will go home Monday March 31st with information on who to contact if you would like to help on a committee. There are lots to do if you want to get involved. Graduation is the last day of school, June 5th. The students come as usual at 8:00 a.m., to homerooms and will graduate in the gym. Refreshments will be served in the multi-purpose room following the ceremony. Hooray class of 2008!

Class pictures are on Friday, April 4. If you would like to order pictures, please fill out the form that is enclosed in the Monday folders. Turn them in to Miss S. before Friday.

***************************************************************************************************************************

Class Pictures-

*************************************************************************************************************************

Kindergarten Graduation-

************************************************************************************************************************

Theme-

Math-

What We Have Been Doing

Miss Sneeuwjagt's blog for the week of Monday, March 17.

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:08:35 GMT

What We Have Been Doing:

Math- We are looking for patterns using the 100 number grid in math this week. We are also continuing to work on adding and subtracting using the numberline. We will review the basic concepts of telling time and learn to tell time by the half-hour.

Theme- This week we will present our Africa projects. We will also learn the differences between the 5 animal groups. (Birds, Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles and Mammals) We will take a closer look at Fish at the end of the week.

***************************************************************************************************************

Parent Survey- Debbie Capra has been working with the school community as an independent consultant to help improve the Stargate environment. She is hired to be a confidential third party resource for the staff and parents. My experience with her has been positive. She has shown that her main concern is to listen and help us. Ms. Capra is asking all parents to fill out a survey and have their voices heard. It is very important to have the participation of all families in this survey so that we can accurately assess the strengths and areas that need attention in the Stargate community. In order to fill out the surveys, go online to the Stargate website click on About Stargate then Leadership then Governance Board at the bottom of the page is the link to the survey. If it is easier for you there is a computer station available in the school library. We need all your voices heard!

**************************************************************************************************************

Book Fair- This week is the Book Fair. We went to visit the book fair this morning. There are some wonderful books to purchase. Each teacher has made a wish list, so if you would like to purchase books for the classroom you can come by and see what we would like. Every book that is purchased helps raise money for books for the school library. This is also a great opportunity to look through the books that are in our book orders.

**************************************************************************************************************

Spring Break- Spring Break starts next week. We will be out of school from Monday March, 24 through Friday, March 28. Have a wonderful spring week!

***************************************************************************************************************

Kindergarten Graduation- Graduation is fast approaching!! If you would like to be on a committee to help with this celebration please plan to attend a parent meeting in Ms. Gelakoska's room (#135) on Thursday, March 20th at 3:15.

**************************************************************************************************************

Bingo Night- Sign up for Family Bingo Night! Bingo night will be on Thursday, March 25 from 5:30-8:00. Fazolis is catering the event. Due to low interest Bingo may be cancelled. If you would like to attend, call the front office and sign up for this fun event.

**************************************************************************************************************

Have a great week!

Miss Sneeuwjagt's news for March 10, 2008

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 19:32:54 GMT

What We Have Been Doing-

Math- Tomorrow we will have a math test of telling time and counting nickels and pennies. We will begin working with patterns and using the 100 number grid later this week. We will also learn more about even and odd numbers.

Theme- For theme this week we will finish learning about the rainforest. We will begin learning about animals specifically amphibians and birds. Next week we will share our Africa projects with the class.

Library books- Library books are due on Thursday, March 13. Please have your child bring to schoolon or before Thursday.

Spring break- Spring break will be on Monday, March 24 through March 28.

Africa project- Africa projects are due on Friday, March 14.

Gym shoes- We have PE for our morning specials, please make sure your child has a pair of gym shoes for class.

Have a great week!

Miss Sneeuwjagt's News March 3, 2008

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:24:24 GMT

What We Have Been Doing-

Math- For Math this week we are learning to count nickels and pennies together. We will also learn how to make number models for subtraction problems. We will work with number stories later this week. We will have a math test next week Tuesday, March 11.

Theme- This week we will continue studying the rainforest. We will learn about the different resources that are in the rainforest. We will learn about conservation of the rainforest, as well.

Specials- This week we are switching to PE and computers. We will have PE in the morning. Please send gym shoes to school with your kindergartener.

Thanks!

Africa Project- The students will work on projects to show me what they have learned. The assignment is in today's homework folder. If your child does not know what project they would like to do, they need to decide by Friday, March 7. Projects will be due on March 14. I will send home a rubric so that you will know what the students will be graded on.

Chick fil A Night This Thursday is Chick fil A night. Stargate will earn 20% of the profit made. Stargate families need to fill out a yellow slip and turn it in to the register with your order. The class that brings the most students will earn an ice cream party! Let's show our Kindergarten Stargate Spirit!

Book Orders- Book Orders for this month are due on Friday, March 14. You may order online or order through Miss Sneeuwjagt.

Field Trip- The field trip to the Arvada Center was fun! The students enjoyed watching some of their favorite Frog and Toad stories come to life. Ask your kindergartener what they thought of the play.

Book Fair- Stargate book fair will be from March 17-21. We had a great turn out during December. Every book that you buy will help our library earn books.

Have a wonderful week!

Please email or call me if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Miss Sneeuwjagt