Kindergarten Newsletter
January 26, 2021
Dear Families-
Can you believe that we are halfway through this adventure known as Kindergarten? It is hard to imagine what it was like just 5 months ago compared to what the kids can do now. We are so proud of the perseverance and hard work that the kids have displayed so far this virtual school year.
Next week the students will be receiving their first report card. You will notice that kindergarteners do not receive letter grades, but numbers. Do not equate these numbers with a letter grade, but rather a continuum of their learning and what they are able to do at this point. Please refer to the “What Do the Marks/Grades Mean?” information sheet for more details about what the numbers mean, along with a visual that you may find helpful. You will also notice that some standards may have a “NT” or “NA” next to it. “NT” means not taught, while “NA” means that something was introduced but not yet fully assessed.
For more information you can also check out this link that will take you to the FCPS page about Elementary School Grading and Reporting. If you have additional questions after you receive the report card, please feel free to reach out directly to your child’s teacher. Thank you for your continued support, patience, flexibility and grace this year.
-The Kindergarten Team
Language Arts
What are we learning?
- Readers will start to notice how fiction and nonfiction books are different.
- Readers will discuss the title and cover of a text.
- Readers will preview a text before reading to learn more about the contents.
- Readers will listen to words and look at pictures to gain information from a text.
- Writers will begin to write “How to” books by explaining the steps of completing a particular action.
- Teachers will be delivering writing booklets for this unit. Please make sure these books are only used when working with a teacher and that they are kept in their writing folders (salmon colored). Thanks!
Home/School Connection
- Begin reading nonfiction texts with your student. Try and pick topics that they find interesting or want to learn more about.
- Before reading a book with your student, try doing a picture walk! This means have the students “read” just the pictures and make predictions as to what is happening on each page.
- As students are completing tasks or chores, ask them to verbally explain how they would complete the task using these keywords: first, next, then and last.
- Getting ready in the morning
- Setting the dinner table
- Making a sandwich (or other food)
- Getting ready for bed
- Etc.
Math
What are we learning?
- Students will learn about the parts and whole of numbers.
Home/School Connection
- Put 5 cubes into a paper bag. Reach in and grab some cubes. How many are in your hand? How many are left in the bag? Repeat. What combinations did you come up with? Try putting less/ more cubes in the bag. Did you have less/more combinations?
- Counting backwards from 10 can be hard. Have your child count out 10 pieces of silverware. Then they can count backwards and put the silverware back into the drawer. Try this with cereal or goldfish and they can count backwards as they eat it.
Science/Social Studies
What are we learning?
- Students are learning about the past and present.
- Living things change over time as they grow. Non-living things may change too. Cars become more advanced as technology advances. A Piece of paper can change if you fold it in half or rip a corner off.
Home/School Connection
- Look through some family photos. Talk about how students have changed since they were a baby or toddler. Discuss what they might be different about them as they continue to grow.
- Look at past and present pictures of objects they are familiar with (cars, phones, computers). Compare the pictures and talk about how the objects are alike or different. Why might those objects have changed?
Class Compliments
- Mrs. Bender and Mrs. Santoro would like to take this week to shout out Averie and Lara! These two students are always excited to learn and show enthusiasm in every activity that they do. Our class is lucky to have you both! Never stop showing enthusiasm for your learning!
- Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. T are impressed with how fast students connect to our calendar pear deck every morning! Friday was an amazing morning with all students participating in calendar time!
- Miss Matthews and Mrs. Dillon continue to be in awe of all that their kindergarteners have learned so far this year! You have persevered and we are just SO PROUD of you! Congratulations...you are officially K ½!
- Mrs. Nieto and Mrs. B’s class showed really great listening skills this week when Ms. Kelly visited from the Walker Nature Center! They had great answers to Ms. Kelly’s questions and showed curiosity with the questions they asked her.
POG/Positivity Project
- Positivity Project (P2) for the week of January 26- 29 is Supporting others when they struggle
- Positivity Project (P2) for the week of February 1-5 is Integrity
- Portrait of a Graduate (POG): All of Terraset Elementary is working on being Collaborators. Kindergarten is focusing on sharing our ideas.
Home/School Connection
- Telling the truth is an important character trait and lying is developmentally appropriate for all children. Most children’s goal of lying is to avoid punishment. When you find your child is lying, find a time to discuss their lie when you and the child are calm and praise their truth telling. There are many books to read with children to discuss lying and feelings that happen when we choose to lie. Check out Ruthie and the (Not SO) Tiny Lie, The Color Thief, Found, I Want My Hat Back, Pig the Fibber, A Bike Like Sergio.
Important Upcoming Dates
- January 26: PTO fundraiser at Noodles and Company-Plaza America 4:00-8:00pm
- February 9: PTO Meeting - virtual
- February 15: Presidents’ Day - no school