POPCORN WORDS: ARE LITTLE AM We met a new reading strategy buddy “Chunky Monkey”. It reminds us to look for chunks in words that we know to help us figure out a word. We did this by adding a letter to the beginning of “am” to make jam, ham, Sam, clam, ram. We enjoyed reading the shared reading poem You Are and the book Biscuit. . Each day we read this poem and book, noticing popcorn words, rhyming words, making new endings to the poem and more. It is one of our favorite times of the day.
READING: We started a new reading unit called “We are SUPER READERS!” The kinders learned they have POINTER POWER! The kinders started by looking around the room pointing at words they could read. We learned that we can use our finger to track under the words as we read, so we read the exact words, giving each word one tap, even long words. We did all of this with fun pointy fingers. We also learned about REREAD POWER! When we see words we are not sure of, we can go back and try again. We practiced using both of these new powers while reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Who Do You See?
MATH: We practiced showing numbers using using blue dots. We added one blue dot each time to make the number bigger. Then we practiced showing the equations. For example, 2 + 1 = 3. They noticed the pattern that occurs when you add these numbers, seeing that each number sentence has a + 1, each answer increased by 1. One kinder said, “Hey it looks like stairs!” We also focused on shapes and discussed the attributes of a triangle told addition and subtraction math stories by drawing and writing matching equations. It was fun on Friday to play a Spin and Cover game focusing on shapes.
LITERACY: The kinders worked as a whole group with Mrs. Bynum and Mrs. DeGroot on syllables, popcorn words (sight words) and vowels (which are super tricky) while Mrs. Bohl continued with assessments in preparation for the upcoming parent/teacher conferences.
WRITING: We started writing PERSONAL NARRATIVE stories or as the kinders like to call them small moment or true life stories. These are stories about themselves, something that’s happened to them or something they’ve done. Together we wrote about when we were “BOOed” last week. We told what happened over our fingers using transitional words like “First, Next, Last”. As writers we also told the story across our writing pages. Then we drew detailed pictures, added labels, stretched out sounds in words before adding colored details. This was hard work. I am so proud of the kinders!
PHONICS: The lessons this week were about listening for sounds in words and for identifying snap words (sight words). The kinders looked at pictures, listened for the ending sounds and wrote the letter on their whiteboards. Together we helped finish a letter that Mabel wrote to her friend Blue Bear. We also listened for all the sounds in words by stretching out the word and writing those sounds down. Finally we practiced identifying snap words even when the font is different. It was a good week of learning!
HANDWRITING: We practiced writing the lower case letters h,r,n,m,b. Thank you for working on this at home too. We are continuing to work on writing our names too.
LEARNING ABOUT ELECTIONS: On Tuesday, we read a newspaper explaining the voting process. We had fun practicing this process by tasting an Oreo cookie and a chocolate chip cookie. Yum! 🙂 Then, we secretly made our choice on our ballot. Finally, we tallied and graphed our votes to find the winner. And the winner was (by a slim margin)……an OREO COOKIE!!!
WINTER GEAR – Our Michigan weather is changing quickly. Please be sure to gather up those warmer coats, mittens, boots, hats and snow pants. When it snows, this gear is mandatory to play outside. When the snow arrives we do go outside and play! However, if the temperature or wind chill get below freezing we do opt to stay inside. If anyone needs any help with getting these winter items PLEASE let me know. Keep in mind that the goal for all kinders to get their winter gear on and off independently. Please LABEL your Kinder’s winter gear. It will make it easier for me to help each child keep track of their own belongings.
SNACKS – Please remember to send your kinder with 2 snacks and a water bottle each day. We have a morning and an afternoon snack. Due to COVID restrictions, we can not use our drinking fountain.
Our annual P.E. C.A.R.E.S food drive started this week. We are asking for your help in bringing in non-perishable food items for Love Inc. in Hudsonville. Food items to consider are canned vegetables and fruits, pasta, rice, baked beans, black beans, kidney beans, peanut butter, tuna fish, etc. (please no ramen noodles) The class with the most items at noon on Nov. 18 will win a bowling trip to Hudsonville Lanes (if allowed later in the year) and a P.E. C.A.R.E.S t-shirt.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS – Happy Birthday to both Isabelle and Jack! Pictures to come next week.
*Monday, Nov 9—GYM; Cade’s birthday celebration
*Tuesday, Nov 10—ART
*Wednesday, Nov 11—STEAM; Library–Please help your kinder remember their library book. Homework packet is due
*Thursday, Nov 12–-MUSIC If your kinder would like a sack lunch from the lunch service, please email me or write a note by Thursday, 11/12.
*Friday, Nov 13—EXTRA RECESS Fast Friday (early release) Dismissal at 12:15;
*Nov. 16 & 18—Virtual Parent-Teacher Conferences Here is the signup link https://calendly.com/kbohl/bohl
*Nov. 25—Nov. 27—NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Vacation
Have a great weekend. Mrs. Bohl