Last week was fun transforming into mini Statue Of Liberties. The little ones liked wearing their crowns (which no one shared!) and holding their torches high! It was a week filled with what it means to be American. Come see our American flag flying proudly above a group of lockers in the classroom. Each little one had a hand- or two - in creating our flag.
The apple pizza's were a great hit. Using the apple/peeler/slicers was the most fun!
Hot lunches were delivered to us Friday by 7th grade "elves." The delivery made for a much more "comfortable" lunch time for the little ones. This will be our new routine for Hot Lunch days. (It will be especially great on rainy or snowy days - we can stay inside, stay dry, and have lunch delivered warm!)
We also had our first German lesson with Frau Ewald. So if you hear any songs about "hase's" sleeping or being "cranc," that was the highlight of the song and story of two bunnies.
This week we'll study bodies, bones, and brains. If you hear that Mrs. Schnack has a collection of dinosaur bones, be assured that I'm really not that old, but I do have a great collection of horse bones, along with a cow skull and pig jaw bone. (all thanks to my former 4th grade class from rural Wisconsin) It's fun to compare the sizes of the animal bones to our bones. We'll also be making "bubble brains." That will make much more sense when you see them come home! Be sure to ask how they were made!
I really hate to say this, but another case of head lice has appeared. We continue to check heads, and remind the little ones to not put their heads on the carpet. We've reminded the little ones to not hug each other or to sit closely to friends at group times. Resting mats have been disinfected, the carpet has been sprayed with preventative louse spray, the head phones have been disinfected - and packed away. Unfortunately, if you notice any living bugs and nits (eggs attached to the hair and are unable to be pinched off) in your child's hair, they have probably been there for some time already. If your little one takes gymnastics, please ask at the center if the mats are nightly disinfected. Theaters are another common source of contamination. I think prayer helps, too!
Friday is picture day!! Many of you have already sent in order forms/money. Please return your orders before Friday. The school photographer is fantastic, taking time to shoot the very best quality photos - while doing a great song and dance act to put little ones at ease (when needed!).
Friday we'll also celebrate Amee's 6th birthday!
Walking in the light of God
2013 - 2014 School Year Theme
Monday, September 30, 2013
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Ellie's Weekly Newsletter. 22 Sept. 2013
Another week has passed in SK. Now we enter the study of what it means to be an American, sort,graph, create equations, and cook with apples. We will review addresses, alphabetized animal names, and experiment with air pressure. Are you seeing a theme here!?
From this week on, our weekly themes will center on alphabetical order topics. That way we won't miss out on any subjects!
This week we also begin small group formal SLANT instruction. Last week we worked in half class groupings, writing, spelling, and "pounding" words. We also wrote in our kindergarten word families journal. I do think I have the best job in the world, as I am able to see little ones discover the mystery of spelling and the pride of reading! It always is accompanied by some sign of "great gusto," too!
I mentioned working with apples this week. By Friday, could each child please bring in one raw apple for our work. We'll be baking apple pizzas for our snack on Friday.
From this week on, our weekly themes will center on alphabetical order topics. That way we won't miss out on any subjects!
This week we also begin small group formal SLANT instruction. Last week we worked in half class groupings, writing, spelling, and "pounding" words. We also wrote in our kindergarten word families journal. I do think I have the best job in the world, as I am able to see little ones discover the mystery of spelling and the pride of reading! It always is accompanied by some sign of "great gusto," too!
I mentioned working with apples this week. By Friday, could each child please bring in one raw apple for our work. We'll be baking apple pizzas for our snack on Friday.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Ellie's Weekly Newsletter 15 Sept. 2013
Week number three and going strong! The fun of saying "tertiary" created lots of desires to mix, mix, mix color. We have one more activity (I'll tell the little ones it's a "test," so the word won't panic them in years to come!)
To Remke's delight, we started "reading class" on Friday! I told the class we would be reading the hardest word to read - because the letters in the word, did not sound their names. The letters were t-h-e - and everyone shouted "the!" How smart they felt to read the hardest word! If you peek in the room you will see "the" cards posted all over the room. We have "the desk," "the workbench," "the wall" - you get the idea!
After "the" we began forming words (and practicing handwriting) with 7 introductory letters (a,b,f,m,p,s,t). We spelled many three letter words with a vowel in the middle. We even spelled a Martian word, and the little ones even read it: a word that isn't even a word!
This week will begin group reading lessons, working with the class in two groups. Next week we'll begin small group work, when Mrs. Dorsey will return from her trip to New York, to help me teach SLANT to groups of 5 or 6 little ones. Can't wait!!
We'll also concentrate on two and three dimensional shapes this week. So you might be hearing things like "isosceles, equilateral, prism, rhombus, sphere..." I certainly don't expect mastery of such geometric words, but they are fun to introduce and work with.
Frequently you will be asked to collect/bring in/supply the class with often strange items. So here goes! Most frequently we like to take things apart at our workbench. If anyone has broken appliances (small size!), we'd love to disassemble them! We have goggles and lots of screw drivers. My favorite quote from a child went something like this: "Lets put it back together without the parts." A group of little ones had just finished disassembling a toaster and hair dryer. Their finished product resembled a robotic alien!
To Remke's delight, we started "reading class" on Friday! I told the class we would be reading the hardest word to read - because the letters in the word, did not sound their names. The letters were t-h-e - and everyone shouted "the!" How smart they felt to read the hardest word! If you peek in the room you will see "the" cards posted all over the room. We have "the desk," "the workbench," "the wall" - you get the idea!
After "the" we began forming words (and practicing handwriting) with 7 introductory letters (a,b,f,m,p,s,t). We spelled many three letter words with a vowel in the middle. We even spelled a Martian word, and the little ones even read it: a word that isn't even a word!
This week will begin group reading lessons, working with the class in two groups. Next week we'll begin small group work, when Mrs. Dorsey will return from her trip to New York, to help me teach SLANT to groups of 5 or 6 little ones. Can't wait!!
We'll also concentrate on two and three dimensional shapes this week. So you might be hearing things like "isosceles, equilateral, prism, rhombus, sphere..." I certainly don't expect mastery of such geometric words, but they are fun to introduce and work with.
Frequently you will be asked to collect/bring in/supply the class with often strange items. So here goes! Most frequently we like to take things apart at our workbench. If anyone has broken appliances (small size!), we'd love to disassemble them! We have goggles and lots of screw drivers. My favorite quote from a child went something like this: "Lets put it back together without the parts." A group of little ones had just finished disassembling a toaster and hair dryer. Their finished product resembled a robotic alien!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Ellie's Weekly Newsletter. 8 Sept. 2013
We begin this week at day number 8. You can see by following the arrows posted around the room. You will hear more about that at Curriculum Night on Tuesday at 6:30 pm.
This will also be the week of secondary and tertiary colors. We'll be doing lots of blending and mixing of color this week. We'll also complete the color books and "mouse books" we've worked hard on.
Reading assessments will be completed this week, so that we can begin our formal reading program later in the week. You will hear about this on Tuesday night, too!
After 41 years of teaching little ones,I thought I had heard it all,but no, here is another quote of the week: When asked to raise their right hand, Lincoln looked with puzzlement at his outstretched hands and said, "How can I tell the difference, they both look the same." Perfectly logical thinking!
One more note for Curriculum Night: the program will begin at 6:30 with introductions, etc. At 7:00
Classroom sessions will begin. During this first session, I will concentrate on explaining life in Senior Kindergarten. In the following session, beginning at 7:30, I will explain the extended day afternoon multi-age program. I call it "lunch bunch."
This will also be the week of secondary and tertiary colors. We'll be doing lots of blending and mixing of color this week. We'll also complete the color books and "mouse books" we've worked hard on.
Reading assessments will be completed this week, so that we can begin our formal reading program later in the week. You will hear about this on Tuesday night, too!
After 41 years of teaching little ones,I thought I had heard it all,but no, here is another quote of the week: When asked to raise their right hand, Lincoln looked with puzzlement at his outstretched hands and said, "How can I tell the difference, they both look the same." Perfectly logical thinking!
One more note for Curriculum Night: the program will begin at 6:30 with introductions, etc. At 7:00
Classroom sessions will begin. During this first session, I will concentrate on explaining life in Senior Kindergarten. In the following session, beginning at 7:30, I will explain the extended day afternoon multi-age program. I call it "lunch bunch."
Monday, September 2, 2013
Ellie's Weekly Newsletter. 2 Sept. 2013
Welcome to the official SK blog! From this day forward, you will be hearing about the happenings in the classroom.
We began the school year with smiles, hugs, and cheers. Each year I say that the children are the best class ever. This year tops them all! Your little ones are the very best!
Last week we studied "firsts," beginnings, and names of our new friends. As we begin this week, we will continue to study names through syllabication and rhyming.
We'll learn the difference between letters, numerals, and numbers. We'll add the study of color to the next two weeks, emphasizing a different color each day. We'll learn the spelling of the word, rhyming with the color of the day and creating color books. This week will cover RED, BLUE, YELLOW - the primary colors. Next week will include the secondary colors and tertiary colors. Big words!
Your little one might tell you about "getting ready" activities, as I will begin reading assessment games this week also. So if your child begins to talk in syllables, rhyme or emphasizes beginning, middle and ending sounds, don't be alarmed!
The fun of SK begins!
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