Hi all,
I hope everyone is making it around safely and staying warm in this crazy winter weather!
This week was a bit of a challenging one for our class. I have noticed some difficulty with listening, following directions, and showing respectful behavior toward teachers. I want to be honest while also sharing how proud I am of the growth the class has shown overall this year. We know that some weeks are harder than others, and this was one of those weeks for us.
We will continue working on these expectations at school, but I would greatly appreciate your support at home as well. Taking time to talk with your child about respect, listening, and following directions truly makes a difference. These foundational skills are so important for their success as they prepare for first grade, and your partnership helps reinforce what we are working on in the classroom. Thank you for always supporting your student and our class!
Math
We are continuing our work on decomposing numbers, and many students are showing a strong understanding of these concepts. Maintaining focus during lessons has been a challenge this week, which makes it harder to accurately assess progress; however, I am confident we will continue to see growth.
I will be starting small math groups soon! I am currently waiting for IXL scores so I can create groups that best support each student’s needs.
Readin
We are continuing small-group instruction during station time, and overall the class is doing a great job adjusting to this routine. While there are still a few challenges, I am confident they will become rock stars in small groups by the end of the year!
Academically, we are working on blends, vowels, and reading short stories. Students are also beginning to draw pictures to match the sentences they read, which helps strengthen comprehension and deepen their understanding of the text.
Handwriting
We are continuing to practice proper letter formation and have begun writing short sentences. Students are also learning about punctuation and how our voices change when reading different types of sentences.
Social Studies
This week we learned about Mexico! The class has shown a lot of interest in Hispanic culture and learning about other countries. It has been wonderful to see their curiosity and excitement about the world around them.
Religion
We are wrapping up our unit on the Old Testament and will soon begin learning stories from the New Testament. The class continues to enjoy learning about God, Jesus, and the many miracles found in the Bible.
Science
We are continuing our unit on the Earth and Sun.
Important Dates
- February 3 – Kindergarten Round-Up
- February 5 – Mid-Terms
- February 13 – Valentine’s Day Party at 2:00
- February 16 – Presidents’ Day (NO SCHOOL)
- February 19 – Open House, 5:30–6:30 PM
- February 25 – Geography Bee
- February 26 – Kindergarten Play Date, 5:30 PM
- February 27 – NO SCHOOL (Teacher Professional Development)
- February 27–March 3 – Miss Haley out of the country
Other Notes
During the third quarter, our offerings will go to Lutheran Bible Translators. So far, we have collected $205.44. Thank you for your generosity and support!
We will be making Valentine’s Day boxes next week! Please send your student with a shoebox by Monday 2/02. If you do not have a box or prefer not to send one, no worries at all, I have bags available for students to decorate instead.
Please ensure students are dressed appropriately for the weather. While temperatures are very cold, we will continue to go outside for recess unless the temperature drops below 15 degrees. Warm coats, hats, gloves, and appropriate layers are important for outdoor play.
Boots are not permitted to be worn during the school day. Students may arrive wearing boots but must bring tennis shoes to change into once inside the building.
Please do not send toys or personal items to school. I understand students love sharing with their friends; however, our days are very full and do not often allow extra time. If there is something your child would like to share, please check with me ahead of time so I can do my best to schedule an appropriate time. This also helps ensure students are not giving away personal items without parent permission.
