 |
| Looking at the spiders up close through a magnifying glass. |
WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
On Wednesday our Painted Lady butterflies began to emerge from their chrysalises. We will be setting our butterflies free from the confines of our butterfly pavilion on Friday. Some children have found caterpillars of their own and have brought them into the classroom to share with their friends. Our terrarium is now filled with a variety of caterpillars. In addition another woolly bear made his way into our classroom and is now a resident as well. Throughout the week we read both fiction and non-fiction books to learn more about the butterfly. The children loved Eric Carle’s classic The Hungry Caterpillar. We also read a big book Butterflies to learn more about the specifics of its life-cycle. The students are in the process of making a life-cycle wheel, which they will bring home by the end of next week. I wrote a rhyming story about a woolly bear, which I will read aloud on Friday. Woolly Bears turn into the Isabella Tiger moth, so they will have a chance to think about how moths are different and/or the same as butterflies. Another concept discussed throughout the year is Same/Different. At home you can explore this theme with just about any subject.
 |
| Recreating an orb web and how spiders catch their prey. |
We had our first ELF lesson on Thursday, which was co-taught by Maple’s mom, Leah Gartner, Hunter’s dad, Tom Haley, and Finn’s grandmother, Judy Hills. They did a fabulous job with the exciting world of spiders. ELF’s theme this year is Designs in Nature. The focus was not only about spiders but also how and why they are different than insects. Another Same/Different learning opportunity in the making!
Jolly Phonics: The children are excited about the new letters as they are being introduced. This week we introduced three new sounds: /a/, /t/, and /i/. The Sound Books are going home every night for practice. Inside the sound book envelope will be a reference sheet so you can practice the “action” with your child. Your child will most likely be excited to share what they have been learning with you and to be the “teacher” showing you how to make the actions. Feel free to ask your child questions (and don’t be shy to ask me!).
We continue to work with math concepts during Calendar time working with the date, the weather (graphing) and tracking the number of days we’ve attended school. We are building a color-coded number line on the wall with each day at school.
The children are still learning to settle into their morning routines. They are learning to go from their table task to the Morning Message board without taking detours. It is still early in the year and I will be working with them to help them follow through on their “jobs.” Morning Message is a challenging activity for them, but they are stepping up and doing a great job. They enjoy the process of reading the predictable words as well as using context clues to others. They have been practicing new sight words: I, is, what, & we. Others more recently introduced are: and & the.
We started basic handwriting activities learning about straight and curved lines both big and small. We explored the use of small chalkboards and will be using these tools more in the next few weeks.
HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS:
- Thank you to Finn’s family for contributing this week’s healthy snacks! Next week’s snack will be provided by Cashton’s family.
- Upcoming field Trip to Wellwood Orchard on Tuesday, October 4th. Please pack a bag lunch. We will eat at the orchard.
- Please send in a water bottle with your child’s name on it. It will help make our transitions more efficient. Thank you.
- Please note share schedule on reverse side.
- We will not have Library on this coming Monday due to the Spelling Bee. We will try to get to the library at another time during the week to take out new books. Please return your books as scheduled. Thank you!
Kinderbees News are now available online via the staff pages link on the Hartland Elementary School Website: www.hartland.k12.vt.us. Just click on Staff Pages and then click on my name: Jennifer Bodnar.
Share: The Share theme this past week was /s/. The children brought in a variety of creative and fun connections to the sound /s/. A scuba diver toy, silly glasses, a slinky, a skid truck toy, a rubber snake, and even a life-like baby doll named Sophie. This at-home activity provides an opportunity for you and your child to explore the sounds in words which are an important skill (phonological awareness) when learning to read.
Next Week’s Share Theme: Something that begins with the sound /t/, (or has /t/ within the word).
Monday: Ava, Hunter, Ian
Tuesday: Kaitlyn, Andrew, Keira
Wednesday: Cashton, Finn, Maple
Thursday; Brady, Kayla, Ryan
If you miss your share day for any reason, you can share on that Friday. J
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bodnar
