Schumacher Kindergarten

January 30, 2012

We survived the first 5 day week of school is quite a while. We ended up with only a minor stomach virus or something. Thanks again for the Lysol Wipes donations. We certainly do need them!!

The Hundreth Day projects were spectacular. We have gotten numerous complements for the creativity and subject selection. They are quite impressive.

We are finishing up our Language Arts Winter theme this week and recognizing Groundhog Day on Thursday. We will integrate science standards regarding the difference between day and night.

We will also keep working on telling time to the hour, a math standard. We are also practicing creating number combinations to 5 and then 6.

The phonics letter of the week is "K." Pictures for the alphabet dictionaries are due by Thursday. If you efficiently sent them in last week, they are safe and sound.

Remember the Indent-A-Kid opportunity takes place on Thursday.

Be sure to send in reservation forms for the February 10th Valentine Bingo night if you are going to come out to that event.

Thanks for checking the blog. The bonus B.U.G.S. ticket word is "groundhog."

January 23, 2012

It is hard tobelieve that this is the last full week of January. The 100^th day of school is uponus. Friday, January 27, is the big day. We are so looking forward to seeing all the wonderful 100 day projects this week. Please be sure your child brings his/her project to school any day this week.

We are continuingour Winter theme this week as well as including 100^th day activities. We are not featuring a letter this week asoriginally planned. There is just too much to do with all the 100 day activities we have scheduled.

As we continue with our guided reading groups, I am amazed at how well so many of our children are reading. Thank you for all your reinforcement at home.

In math we continue to work on many sets of five by using manipulatives to create combinations that all equal five. We are also reviewing coins and their values. Periodic review of these pesky coins at home is always positive.

In February I will begin checking to see who knows their personal address and telephone number. Keep practicing this information at home.

Be sure to document both Pizza Hut and Six Flags reading logs regularly.

Keep collecting Box Tops. Every dime helps and there is no sense in throwing money into the trash. Cut it out and send it to school!

Thanks for checking the blog. The bonus B.U.G.S. ticket word is “Eskimo.”

January 17, 2012

Our Language Arts theme for January is variations on “Winter.”  This week we will read “The Snowy Day” and other snow related books.  We continue to review and practice identifying single letters, one word, and a whole sentence when we read.  We are also focusing on reading comprehension, relating to the content and remembering what has been read.

Our poem is by Shel Silverstein and it is funny.  The children will enjoy it.

The letter of the week is “L.”  The pictures for the alphabet dictionary are due by Thursday.

While we are continuing to investigate numbers to 30, we are also beginning to do manipulative addition, simple addition using math counters.  We will get to paper and pencil addition shortly.

The children brought home their report cards on Friday.  I am happy to meet with anyone who has burning questions or comments.  Simply send me an e-mail or a written note and we can set up a time.  Please be sure to sign the signature card and return it in the envelope which we will use again in March.  Keep the report card for your baby books.

I hope you are taking advantage of the long weekend to get together the 100^th day projects.  Keep it simple.  The children love to present their projects.  I will take advantage of the photo opportunity to document their presentations.  The projects are due any day they are ready during the week of January 23^rd.  The actual 100^th day is Friday, January 27^th.

Thank you so much to the folks who sent in the disinfecting wipes.  We appreciate your prompt response to our request.

Another simple request: the children seem to love to write notes and put them in envelopes to give to recipients.  Mrs. Saeger and I have depleted our personal resources of spare envelopes.  If anyone has extra envelopes they could donate, they will be used up in a short time!!  They are a great incentive to practice phonetic, independent writing.

Thanks for checking the blog.  I hope you had a delightful and peaceful extra day off.  The bonus B.U.G.S. ticket word is “MLKing.”

January 10, 2012

Welcome back to school.  We are beginning the second half of the school year and it is going to be great.  Remember that school resumes on Tuesday, January 10th.

Our Language Arts theme for January will be variations of “Winter.”  Snowmen, snowballs, Eskimos, polar bears will pop up throughout the month.  Hopefully, these sightings will only be in the classroom and with the imagination.  Well, one snow day would be acceptable.

The featured letter of the week is “F.”  Pictures for the alphabet dictionaries are due by Thursday.  I do appreciate the effort that it takes to remember to do this homework every week.  The notebooks are getting really fat.

In math we will continue to dwell on money, specifically coins and their associated values.  We will also start exploring number combinations (addition and subtraction) as well as word problems. 

One of our Social Studies objectives during the 3^rd quarter is personal information.  Children will be required to memorize their street addresses and telephone numbers.  We will persistently assess throughout the quarter.  It is homework to learn their personal information.  I will deal with county, country, and continent in the classroom.

In addition to the Pizza Hut reading logs, we will also be participating in the 6 Flags Read to Succeed program.  When you fill out the Pizza Hut reading log, also fill out the 6 Flags reading log.  It’s two for one.  Children who meet the 6 hours of reading requirement will receive a ticket to 6 Flags.  These reading logs will come home this week as well as the January Pizza Hut reading logs.  It pays to read.

The 100^th day of school is January 27^th, barring any weather events.  Please read the 100^th day project information on the blog.  This information will also come home via backpack.  These projects can be fun to do.  Make it a family affair.

Report cards will be distributed on Friday, January 13^th.  Please review the report card, sign the signature card and return it in the envelope provided.  You keep the report card. If you have questions, concerns, comments, I am happy to schedule a meeting with you.

We are in desperate need of Clorox wipes.  We use these everyday on our tables to try to reduce the spread of germs.  With the cold season upon us, we really need your help to keep everyone healthy.  It would be really nice if each child could bring in one large can of wipes.  That would probably be enough to last the rest of the school year.  Thanks so much.

Thanks for checking the blog.  The bonus B.U.G.S. ticket word is "snowflake."

100th Day Projects 2012

The 100th day of school currently will fall on January 27, 2012.  In recognition of this milestone, the children have a math project.  This project is due any day the week of 19th.  Children should bring their finished projects to school any day the week of January 23rd.  Each child will present his/her project.  It helps if you review what the project is, where the pieces were obtained, and who participated in the production of the project.  The projects will be displayed in the hallway outside our room.

Each child should brainstorm with parents and family something they can use to make a collection of 100.  The selection should be something simple and inexpensive and easily displayed.  The display can be on a poster board or display board or on strings or in a box.  Typical collections have included pennies, paper clips, or candy.  A child last year made a collection of 100 origami paper cranes.  Another year, a child glued 100 sea shells into the shape of a turtle shell (turtle on a half shell).  One self-motivated little girl who received no assistance from her family drew 100 stars on a piece of writing paper. Use your imagination.  Have some good family fun.

We look forward to being amazed at your creativity.