Mrs. McCord's Kindergarten

August 29-September 3

It has been a great 2 weeks of school.

Next Monday, Aug. 29 is our PTA Orientation.  The meeting begins @ 6:00 in the cafeteria, and then we will go to our classroom for an information session where I can tell you about our Kindergarten program and hopefully answer any questions that may have come up.  This is not for children, so, if possible, please make other arrangements for your child.  I really hope everyone will be here.  I have a lot of information to share.

Next week, we will be starting with the letter T. Please help your child find a few pictures of things that begin with T.  Send them in a zip lock bag or an envelope with your child’s name on it.  We will be making dictionaries this year with the pictures they bring in.

In math, we will continue to work on sorting, number recognition and counting.  We are starting to work on patterns and will continue with that for a few weeks.  The biggest challenge that seems to be facing us is writing numbers (those 2’s and 5’s can be tricky!)

In science, we will continue talking about animals; how they are the same and different, and the names of various animal babies.  In social studies, we will talk about the meaning and reason for Labor Day (besides a well deserved day off!) and we are also learning the Pledge of Allegiance and about the U.S. flag and the GA state flag.

I will be sending a monthly calendar and a weekly newsletter.  This will help you to keep up with what’s going on here.

I sincerely appreciate the smooth start we have enjoyed.  I am looking forward to getting to know you and most importantly, to working with your child.  I want this to be a great year for everyone!

I hope to see you all on Monday night @ 6:00!  

August 22-26

We are off to a great start!  I am a little amazed at how smoothly this past week has gone.  I appreciate so much all the cooperation you have given me with returning forms so quickly and sending your child in with folders, towels, snacks.  Most of them have been wearing sneakers every day, which is  really important for safety on the playground.  Thank you all for a very easy beginning to a new year!

I know your child is pretty tired now that it is the end of a long week for them, but I hope they are also excited and happy in Kindergarten.  It is a big transition for them and they seem to be handling the adjustment very well.  I am very excited for this new year and I look forward to watching your child grow and helping them to explore a whole new world.

Wednesday we went to the Baker library (Media Center) and everyone got to check out a book.  We talked about taking good care of books and returning them when they are finished with them.  They can keep them out for 2 weeks, however, if they return them earlier, they will be allowed to go to the library and check out another.

Next week we will be learning about bears--real and pretend.  If each child could come in Monday with one true fact about bears (real ones) it will help us as we compare story book bears with actual real bears.  As the latest group of new Baker Bears, it seems only right that we should talk about bears and find out which ones are real and which ones are fiction.  I'll give you a little hint: if they are wearing clothes and talking--they probably aren't real!  Just a little science tidbit for you there.  :)

I need to let everyone know that we have a child in our class who is seriously allergic to peanuts and all peanut products.  If you can possibly refrain from sending peanut butter, it would be greatly appreciated.  We want to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Looking ahead--August 29 is our PTSA Orientation.  We will meet at 6:30 in the cafeteria for a brief PTSA Meeting, and then come down to our classroom where I can explain more fully what we will be doing this year and answer any questions that you might have.  Please do your best to be here.  I will be sharing a lot of useful information that night.  We really discourage children from attending, so we can speak more openly, but if the only way you can attend is by bringing your child, then plan to do that.

I hope everyone has a wonderful restful weekend--we have all earned it!

August 12, 2011

I can't believe it is the start of another new school year!  I am so excited to be your child's teacher.  I look forward to getting to know you and your child this year.  I will update this blog weekly, so please check it each weekend for news of our class and information about upcoming events.

Please read ALL the information in the packet that you received to day at Sneak-a-Peek.  It would be a great help to me if you would fill out all the information requested and return it to me Monday.  The most important thisg I want to emphasize is that I must be very clear about your child's transporation plans each day.  Their safety is our biggest concern.

We will be having Orientation on Monday August 29 at 6:30 PM.  This is for parents only.  At that time I will explain all about what goes on here in Kindergarten and answer any questions that may have come up by then.  In the meantime, do not hesitate to contact me by sending a note or email at anne.mccord@cobbk12.org .

I hope you are as excited about this new adventure as I am.  A little nervousness and/or apprehension is very normal--for you  and your child.  Don't worry--it's going to be a great year!  :)