Kindergator Update 11.4

We made it through Halloween week! And despite visions of candy corns dancing in the children’s heads, we managed to do lots of learning too! Here are some highlights:

Reading: We continued working with word endings and added –ly and –ful to our list. We found lots of word endings in the stories we read this week. The kids loved the stories, “Creepy Carrots” and “I Need My Monster.” We began thinking about the points an author makes to support an idea in the text by choosing a monster from the story, deciding if the little boy wanted it or did not want it under his bed and listing the reasons why. It turns out your kids are pretty picky about which monsters they would allow under their beds too!

Math: We continued with our unit on comparing numbers to see which one is more, less or if they are the same. The key to this unit is to be able to explain your thinking and show a strategy for how you decided which is bigger or smaller. We have been working on strategies called “buddies” and “one for you, one for me” and “number lines.”

Science: We predicted the types of movement an object might make based on its shape and material. We paid close attention to curves that help things roll, flat faces that help them slide and parts that get in the way of movement. We will finish our movement unit up next week with a discussion of force.

Writing: We are halfway through our second big narrative and we are seeing so much improvement in their writing ability. We hope you are seeing it too.

Vocabulary: Number line, math drawings, answer, strategy, conflict, resolution

Big Things: If you have not turned in your child’s field trip permission slip yet, please do. If you need another permission slip, please let us know and we will send a second copy home.

Thanksgiving lunch is coming. This is a big event where families and students can eat a school turkey feast together. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and anyone who wants to come are invited. We hope you will attend! Here is the Thanksgiving lunch schedule:

Kindergarten and 5^th grade: Tuesday, November 13^th

3^rd and 4^th grades: Wednesday, November 14^th

1^st and 2^nd grades: Thursday, November 15^th

Please remember Tuesday, November 6^th is Election Day and there is no school for students that day.

Progress reports will be sent home November 15^th. Be on the lookout for them.

Please consider sending in some CLOROX wipes for the classroom. We have already had cases of pink eye in class and it is only November. We are working hard to help stay germ free!

Thank you to:

Elle who negotiated her STAR behavior reward into a whole class recess at the big playground.

Dilan’s family for sending in some cinnamon apple donuts for the class to taste.