Kindergarten Newsletter
October 20, 2020
We are finally wrapping up beginning of year testing and all the Kindergarten teachers would like to extend our gratitude for all the help and support our families have given through this process!
As we move forward, Tiger Time is going to be more crucial when it comes to attendance. With testing out of the way, we are able to intentionally form groups that will enhance the instruction each student will get based on their academic needs. We are asking for the help of all our families to make sure students are staying on and/or near the computer so that they are prepared to be moved into a small group at any point during Tiger Time (Mondays: 10:00-12:20 & Tuesday-Friday 1:20-2:20).
When students are not working directly with a teacher during this time, we are asking that they follow the Tiger Time Choice Board that the teachers provide virtually with asynchronous options. Google Classroom assignments are perfect to work on during this time because not only are they more engaging for the students, but they also provide teachers the opportunity to view student work and leave feedback!
If you have any specific questions regarding Tiger Time, please reach out to your teacher for additional information.
Language Arts
What are we learning?
- Students will begin to monitor themselves as readers.
- Students will learn a word and use that word knowledge in their reading.
- Writers can draw people in their stories.
- Writers understand that stories are about one time or idea.
Home/School Connection
- Have students find their sight words in books that they read independently or with an adult.
- When reading easier texts, have students point under the words as they read (or as an adult reads)
- Two times a week ask students to draw a picture of a life event. Encourage students to use details in their drawings.
- When students are drawing people check for:
- People who look real.
- People in action.
- Facial expressions.
- Skin color and hairstyles.
- Addition of clothing
- Drawing people from the back.
Math
What are we learning?
- Students will continue to learn how to put numbers in order.
- Students will learn how to count and compare collections.
Home/School Connection
- Find a deck of cards and take out the face cards. Sort the cards by suite then put in numerical order.
- Count the doors in your home. Draw a picture that shows a group that is less, a group that is more, and a group that is the same.
- Find 20 small items of something around your house (ex:dry beans, pennies or paper clips) and place in a paper bag. With a partner, each person should reach in and grab some of the items. Each person then counts how many they have and the person with more/less(you decide) “wins”. Continue to play.
Science/Social Studies
What are we learning?
- Students will be learning about basic needs and life processes of plants and animals through our investigation and observation of ants.
- Students will learn about change over time and begin using language to sequence processes and events, such as the lifecycle of the ant.
- Students will explore and describe cause and effect relationships, for example what causes an animal to not have it’s needs met and the effect that has on an animal.
Home/School Connection
- Go on a nature walk and look for signs of change over time. Are there trees that have fallen over and are starting to decay? Are there leaves on the ground?
Ask you student to describe to you the sequence of events that might have led to that happening.
Class Compliments
- Mrs. Bender’s class has been doing an amazing job with building a positive classroom community. It is so warming to see and hear the students say good morning to each other using their individual names. Although we are virtual, I feel as though the students have worked hard to create meaningful relationships.
- Mrs. Johnson’s class was using whole body listening last week! Wednesday October 14 was an exceptionally focused day. Not an easy task with virtual learning!
- Miss Matthews’ Class is doing an AWESOME job during small group time. They are being thoughtful of their classmates and waiting their turn which can be really hard to do. Keep up the great work Kindergarteners!
- Mrs. Nieto’s class has been ready for class each day! They have their supplies close by and ready to go when needed! Thanks for being ready to learn!
POG/Positivity Project (P2)
What are we learning?
- Positivity Project (P2) for the week of October 19-23 is forgiveness
- Positivity Project (P2) for the week of October 26-30 is creativity
- Portrait of a Graduate (POG): All of Terraset Elementary is working on being Collaborators. Kindergarten is focusing on sharing our ideas.
Home/School Connection
- Model asking for forgiveness. Whether you've had a mini-tantrum after a stressful day, accidentally broken your child's toy, or left your child's favorite pj's at Grandma's, make your apology straightforward and sincere --- and ask for forgiveness. We all make mistakes!
- Give children the opportunity to express "divergent thought." Let them disagree with you. Encourage them to find more than one route to a solution, and more than one solution to a problem. An answer is not always “wrong” if we allow children to explain their thinking. It is sometimes creative thinking!
Important Upcoming Dates
- October 6-October 21- PTO Holiday Shop (Group ID: G44KV)
- October 30 - Scholastic Book orders due https://clubs.scholastic.com/home
- Connect to your teacher with their class code for value prices on books and free shipping!
- Johnson class code: VNYJ6
- Matthews class code: GZ3NY
- Bender class code: TNMQD
- Neito code: PH732
- October 30- End of 1st quarter
- November 2 and 3- Teacher Work Days, no school for students