Busy, Busy :)

Wow!! I can not believe that it is already mid-October!  The kids are doing great! They amaze me everyday.... This week in Reading we are focusing on a new theme...Me and My Family.  So, all of the stories will have to do with families.   A comprehension strategy that is being focused on this week is thinking about how a story makes you "feel".    When reading with your child, ask them how the story made them feel, this is an easy way to help them understand that part of their job as a reader is to connect with the characters...plus, you'll love to hear what they have to say!


In Math, we are continuing to work with building, writing and comparing numbers 1-20.  This is a concept that we spend alot of time nurturing in Kindergarten because it is the basis for all future math skills.  Having good sound number sense makes manipulating numbers later in school much easier. Continue to foster these skills at home too... Help your child see the many ways to represent one number...ex the number 6 could be: 3+3 or 5+1 (use counters to help them see this) or 6 tally marks or 6 pennies or a nickel and a penny.... My point is.... let them see that the possibilities are endless, there is NOT just one way to solve the problem.


In Science, we are discussing how books and movies can show plants and animals in a way that causes them to appear to have human characteristics.  We are discussing what it means to be living and comparing and contrasting non fiction text about bats to a fiction story about a bat named Stellaluna.  Talk with your child about animal characters in stories.  Ask them to describe the character's behaviors that show that the story is a make believe one.


In Social Studies we will be creating a timeline about events that happen on each day of the week in a very silly story called, Cookie's Week.  We will also explore with some maps and globes and identify where you can find land and where you can find water.  Show your child how you use maps in your life so they can see the relevance... I know the map app on my phone gets used many times a week. :)


We are going to be doing  a great seasonal math activity and it would be great if each child had their own pumpkin...They will be creating a book and recording the results of the measurements they will be taking of their pumpkin at each station.  Please be sure that it is a kid sized pumpkin (not the size of your kid, just make sure they can carry it on their own).  You can send them in as you purchase them and we will find a good spot for it in the room.  We will need them by the 27th :)

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I have loved having all of the help in the classroom :)  I am one very lucky teacher!!!