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| Working with clay. Pizza Making has taken on a whole new look! |
WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
This past week we began our study of Kwanzaa. Although Kwanzaa is celebrated right after Christmas, Decembear 26-January 1st. I chose to study it as a follow up to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Kwanzaa provides an opportunity to discuss important principles that will support community building and help us “learn, achieve and grow.” Although originally intended for family celebrations, our class is our school family and it provides the perfect backdrop to build on these important principles: Unity, Self-determination (perseverance); Collective Work, Cooperative Economics (learning about money, saving as a group, and buying items that will benefit everyone), Purpose (Reflecting and Dreaming), Creativity, and Faith (to believe that good will happen). We wove Kwanzaa placemats early in the week. They are now laminated. I am planning to have the children use their mats for snack time in the coming weeks. We are currently working to make a Memory Kwanzaa book to record our thoughts as we study the holiday. Although Kwanzaa is only 7 days we will be stretching it out across a period of 2-3 weeks so we don’t rush the process and our work.
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| Keira dips her snowflake to add color. |
We continued our study of the winter weather and water cycle by reading more books, both fiction and non-fiction. Earlier in the month we used the coffee filters to make winter white symmetric snowflakes and this week we used watercolor markers to make colorful patterns which we dipped in water and set out to dry. Next week we will fold them and cut them to make more symmetrically unique snowflakes.
In Jolly Phonics we learned one new vowel letter pattern: /ue/ as in “you.” This is a bit more difficult than the others in that /ue/ or phonetically (yoo) sounds like the word “you.” It does follow the rule: “When two vowels go walking…” The words identified were rescue, cue, hue, and barbeque.
Share: Great /ee/ shares! We were treated to shares that included green motorcycles, dirt bikes, and superballs; a street bike; ear plugs; and even a whoopee cushion!
This coming week, please brainstorm shares that have the long /or/ sound, as in fork and core.
WELCOME!
I would like to welcome Carl Edward who is going to be joining us on Tuesdays. He is Finn’s relative from Norway and is visiting throughout the spring. Carl is studying to become a kindergarten teacher and is excited to join us in our classroom. We are looking forward to working with him! :)
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| Blakely reads to the children. |
THANK YOU!
Finn’s mom, Blakely, was able to come Wednesday afternoon to read to us after recess. She brought a treasury of Arnold Loebel (of famed “Frog and Toad”) stories. What a nice surprise!
CALENDAR
- Our Field Trip was a success. We enjoyed the show! If you haven’t already done so, please send in $5 for your child’s ticket. We saw 5 different short performances: Duck for President, Fancy Nancy, I Have to Go!, Babymouse, Leonardo the Terrible Monster, and Pirates Don’t Change Diapers. If you have a chance to read these books it will give your child a chance to connect to the show and share with you what they saw.
- Snacks: Thank you to Brady’s family for providing this past week’s healthy snacks. This coming week’s snacks will be donated by Cashton’s family.
- Report Cards: are in this week’s folder. Please keep the report cards, sign the envelope and return to school. Let me know if you would like to set up a conference. Thank you!
HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS:
- Reading Books/Sound Books: Continue practicing the small books with your children as well as the Sound Books. We are on the last group of six sounds! Continued practice with the Sound Book and their actions will help your child make more connections to print as they begin to read more books.
- Word Games: Rhyming is an important skill connected to reading. What rhymes with cat? This is an easy game to play in the car on the way to school or other places. Another activity, although a bit more tricky, is to change the initial sound in a word. For instance: If I say bat and take away the /b/ and replace it with /r/ what word did I say?
- WRITING AT HOME IDEAS: Besides the Jolly Phonics workbook, involve your children in making lists for the grocery store, or writing thank you notes for the holiday. Any chance they have at making connections to writing at home to their work at school will help them.
- Reminder: Gym day is Wednesday and Friday. Please have your child wear or bring sneakers. If you have an extra pair, feel free to have your child leave them in their cubby.
- Water bottles are still needed in their cubbies even during the winter months. Please send in a water bottle for them to use throughout the day. Thank you!
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Mrs. Bodnar
