Hello Mr. Eric!

Hello! Hope everyone has had a great week. This week in math, the students have really been focusing on what an attribute is, specifically connecting the definition with attribute blocks. One of the activities for them to do was go on a scavenger hunt all around the school to find specific blocks based on clues. For example, I left clues such as "I am a thin, blue, large, rectangle. You can find me where you create art." I would have about 3 different blocks scattered throughout the room, and it was their job to find the block that was described, and justify why the other blocks weren't the "mystery block." They did this in small groups so it was exciting for them to get their time out of the classroom and be able to explore their school with Mrs. Gentry.

In literacy, we have been focusing on making predictions about books based on what we know (it is called using our schema.)One of the activities we did was called "Preview, Predict, and Confirm." The children loved to preview the book first by only looking at the pictures, and then thinking of words that could be in the book based on what they saw. As we read the book aloud, we would check off the words they predicted correct. They were thrilled when a word was read that matched a word on the list. If you want to keep the fun going, try doing this at home with the books from their reading folders. Since the beginning of the year, we have been touching upon short vowel sounds, but these past couple weeks we have really been focusing on them. Any chance you have to reinforce these sounds would be greatly appreciated! The "e" (as in exercise) and "a" (as in a- a- choo!) seem to be the most difficult for them.

By using a web camera, both GSCELC and SCOPE had the honor of talking to a fantastic author and musician, Eric Litwin. He has such a wonderful, silly personality that the children absolutely adored. This was on Tuesday, and they were still talking him today. It was a great opportunity to take part in live music, an answer-question session, and a reading of his new book that will be coming out in May. We have been thinking about what we would step in if we were Pete. I have been getting answers like hot fudge, ice cream, and mashed potatoes. It is fun to hear their responses. Here is a video from the web cast for you to enjoy:

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Greetings! I hope everyone is staying warm in this frigid weather. This past week, the Kindergarten students have been rocking out learning about the author Eric Litwin and his popular children's book Pete the Cat: I Love my White Shoes. They had fun creating Pete's town out of blocks, and placing the strawberries, blueberries, water, and mud on the sidewalks that Pete stepped in. They each had a role in the process. Everything from making the speed limit signs to making the sun that hung over the town, everyone was thoroughly engaged making a suitable town for Pete. The students (and the entire school) are looking forward to the 24th of January when we will be taking part in a Skype session with Mr. Eric himself! What an experience it will be! Perhaps Pete the Cat: I Love my White Shoes would be a great book to read on Monday evening with you child. If you haven't read it, it is a family-oriented book that sends a great message to people of all ages: No matter what you step in, keep walking along and singing your song... because it's all good.

In literacy this week, a major focus for the children has been learning their short vowel sounds. They had fun trying to "stump" their teacher by giving me a word that doesn't have a vowel in it. They were amazed! I even got the challenge of "Mississippi."The children loved pointing out vowels in environmental print, such as in their lunch food labels or in books. Try reinforcing this at home so they can take vowel sounds from their school classroom to their everyday life at home. They have also been excited about finding hidden words within other words, such as cat, cold, or one. They think it is so neat!

"I had 4 grapes but then I ate 2. How many grapes do I have left?" This is an example of subtraction stories the children have been introduced too. Last week, we talked about addition and what it means. This week was learning to subtract with manipulative's such as small blocks or crayons. We also talked about shapes such as hexagons, trapezoids and triangles. We studied the different characteristics of what makes a triangle... well, a triangle. They enjoyed making triangles with different shapes and angles today on their geoboards.

The veterinarian office is going to officially start on Monday. I would like to thank everyone who has donated items to the center. I couldn't have pulled it together without you! It will never be to late to donate, so don't hesitate to send something in if you have something just "lying around." I would also like to thank Bo James (J'Lyn's father) for coming early to shovel and put salt on the school's sidewalk. Such a kind gesture that is very much appreciated. Thanks again!

Here is J'Lyn exploring the bamboo tablet, something they were very excited to learn about!

Snow Fun!!

Hi Friends! I hope everyone had a fantastic Holiday filled with warm conversations and happy laughter. What a beautiful past two days it has been. I was outside for recess yesterday, and it was even hard for me to go back inside! The children were having so much fun with their friends making snowmen. There was about three of them pushing the bottom snowball on the ground to gather more snow, creating one large snowball. It was wonderful to see them working together to build something so magical to them. I wanted to capture the moment for you:

The students were very excited to be back at school (at least I think and hope!) In math, we have been getting ourselves familiar with a shape template that allows the students to trace the outline of shapes such as hexagons and trapezoids. They had fun making creatures and designs with the template. Jordan created an alien that was standing on Earth and Nathan created a boat floating in the ocean... very creative! They focused on making patterns with their shapes, extending patterns, and filling in the missing shape.

I also introduced them to a number game called "Top It" which they loved.

TOP IT Directions: Each player gets a set of cards number 1-20. Shuffle the sets. At the same time, each player turns over the top card of the deck. Who got the highest number? They get to keep all the cards. Count the cards at the end and whoever has the most wins the game! Many of the students moved on to a game called "Addition Top It" where you flip two cards over, add the two cards together, and whoever has the highest sum wins. There are your Friday night plans!

We have jumped right into the construction of a sentence. We have talked about capital letters at the beginning of sentences, periods, and how we sstttttrreeeetttccchhh out words to hear the sounds. If you want to encourage this at home, let your child use stretchy material such as an exercise band, silly putty, or a rubber band to sound out the word.

In the next two weeks, Miss Leslie's Kindergarten class will be turned into a veterinarian office! Based on the students interests, I am turning the grocery store into a vet office, where the students will have an opportunity to work in the office or take care of sick animals. Many learning opportunities will be Incorporated into the center, such as measurement, numbers, sentence writing, bar graphs, animal knowledge, poems, songs, and money just to name a few. I want them to understand what a veterinarian does and their responsibilities. If anyone has any supplies they would be willing to donate- extra leashes, water dishes, stuffed animals, boxes of pet medicine- the children would really appreciate it. Better yet, if anyone has a relative or friend that is a veterinarian, please let me know!

Again, I hope everyone had a great Holiday. I also hope you enjoyed your special present from your child. They worked so hard on that project and were SO excited to give it to you. I made sure to take a few pictures of the thoughtful process:

Pictures from our magical Polar Express day:

We got a mysterious present delivered to the school from the North Pole!

It was even cold to the touch. Here is the class anxiously awaiting to see what was inside!

Isabella's reaction to what was inside! They were the bells from the book!

Have a wonderful weekend with your Kindergartner.
Enjoy their age... I know I do!