Friday, May 4, 2012

Ava enjoys her strawberry shortcake. 

WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS

May 1^st arrived with more rain, but we celebrated May Day anyway with strawberry shortcake and whipped cream.

On Friday we are planning on having a lock down drill. In order to prepare the children for this drill I read the Three Little Pigs and talked about why we might want to stay inside the building instead of going outside like we do in a fire drill. We practiced on Thursday in our room and reviewed the procedures with them so they will be safe and not be scared. They may talk about the drill with you at home to share with you their experience. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. They did well during our dry run today and I believe they will do a great job on Friday. Thank you.

Sophia works on bonding numbers using pennies.

Math:  We continue to explore bonding numbers. This week we discovered the parts that make 6.  Besides beads, we have used pennies, and plastic cups.  Depending on what is available a variety of manipulatives can be used, for instance, spoons. See note attached for directions on how to play at home. If you work on a specific number at home, have your child complete a bonding sheet. I am giving out pencils for students who complete these math worksheets.

Language Arts:  

We finished our booklet of The Little Plant, by Kate Louise Brown. They have illustrated their stories and will practice reading the words.  Look for it to come home next week. I hope they will have an opportunity to read it to you.

Handwriting is an area that is beginning to take off.  We have begun our discussion about tall letters, small letters and hanging or descending letters. In order to help the children identify with how these different groupings of letters are written we have talked about the different lines on paper that they will begin to use. We have the sky line, the plane line, the grass line and the ground line. Please see attached sheet for your reference.

Ms. Garrow reads to the kids.

Junior Achievement:

Our Junior Achievement volunteer, Ms. Garrow taught her first lesson today. She is an employee of Mascoma Bank in WRJ and lives with her family in Windsor. The children listened to a read aloud and then recalled the sequence of events. They were asked to draw their favorite animal and then shared their drawing with the group. Ms. Garrow will be coming twice a week. Her next visit is on Tuesday. JA uses compelling stories about helping, working, earning, and saving along with hands-on activities to engage the students.  The Kindegarten JA curriculum is titled Ourselves.  It introduces the economic roles of individuals. 

Student of the Week:
Kaitlyn’s name was drawn for student of the week. We learned that she wants to be a teacher when she grows up and that she loves grapes. Her favorite color is hot pink!

ART

Ian has been chosen to be in the running for NATIONAL Artist of the Week on the Artsonia Web Site! He and HES could win big prizes if he wins. Please go to the Artsonia website and vote for his artwork.  Anyone can vote, and you can voteonce a day through this Saturday.  Spread the word!  His artwork is posted in the vestibule off the front office. – Janet Cathey

You can find the Artsonia Link on my classroom webpage, or go directly to:

http://www.artsonia.com/museum/art.asp?id=18548603&exhibit=518781&gallery=y

Additional student artwork is being exhibited at the Hartland Library.

Peek a boo!

CALENDAR

•  Green Up Day Reminder: If your families are available on Saturday this weekend, please come to Damon Hall after greening up our community in the morning, for some free lunch and to hear our children sing, “The Earth is Our Mother” at 12:00pm. Although I will be out of town this weekend Mrs. White is planning on leading the children in singing this wonderful song. Because I will not be able to attend, if you are able please take a picture, and send it to me so I can insert it in next week’s newsletter. Thank you!
•  Share: This week’s share theme was /er/. We had lively discussions about the /er/ sounds in shares connecting teddy bears to “fur” and Hunter brought in a recorder.  Other shares front loader, girl, gripper, a book titled, Bieber Fever. Next week’s share is the sound /ar/. This completes all the sounds, vowel pairs, and r-controlled vowels. I hope the kids enjoy finding an /ar/ sounding share and that you don’t have to travel very far!  J

•  Snacks: Thank you to Andrew’s and his family for this week’s snacks. The class enjoyed Yogurt, crackers, apples, cheddar cheese, and popcorn.  Next week’s snack will be provided by Brady’s family.  Many thanks! J

HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS:

• Reading Buddy Reminder: Our classroom reading buddy George took an extended trip to Washington D.C. A new reading buddy will be joining our classroom on Friday.  Please have your child dictate his adventures with our new reading buddy in the journal and have him or her draw a picture on a page as well. Thanks! 

• Scholastic Book Orders:  May book order brochures are included in today’s folders. They will be due by May 23, however, you can order anytime online if you like. Our classroom code is: H9K3R

Sincerely, 

Mrs. Bodnar

jbodnar@wsesu.net