Thank you for helping your kindergartner becoming more independent transitioning to the classroom each morning. Most of the children are entering the classroom by themselves and following the morning routines independently. This is an important step in their development!
BALANCED LITERACY
Fundations: This month in Fundations we will learn the following letters and their sounds: I (Ii-itch-/i/), Rr-rat-/r/, Oo-octopus-/o/, Gg-game-/g/, Dd-dog-/d/, and Ss-snake-/s/.
Writing: In writing we continue to stretch and write words that match our picture. We are also writing a story below the picture. Each story we write is based on our own real experiences. Please take some time to talk with your child about a few ideas that would be good stories to write about.
Word Wall Words:
We have started to add words to our word wall this fall. Each word that is added to the wall is a word that we read and write frequently. With practice students are able to use the word wall as a tool to help them when they are writing. Some of those words are a, at, I, it, is, in, me, to, the. When you are reading or writing with your child at home you can ask him/her to try and find a kindergarten word wall word.
Read Alouds, Shared Reading and Poems: In December, we will continue our focus on folk tales and fairy tales. Kindergartners will learn to retell familiar tales like The Little Red Hen and The Gingerbread Boy. This work will continue with The Three Little Pigs, Jack and the Beanstalk, The Three Billy Goats and Henny Penny. Kindergartners will learn several different strategies for retelling including oral retelling, dramatic retelling, and puppet retelling. Retelling is an important comprehension strategy in grades K through 2. Many of the stories we are reading are traditional folktales. If you have a folktale that reflects your culture or heritage we would love for you to share it with kindergarten! Please, let me know.
SCIENCE
We have started our study of Living & Non-Living Things. We will continue to investigate the question: Is a bulb a living thing? The children will participate in various experiments in order to answer this question. Each child has also planted and is caring for his or her own narcissus bulb. As scientists, we will observe, record, measure and compare our plants using a variety of tools. You will have a chance to learn more about this investigation at our K Family Drop-In on December 13th.
K DROP-IN
Our first K Family Drop-In is Thursday, December 13th from 8:20 to 8:45 AM. We will be sharing what we are learning in our Science unit about bulbs.
MATH
This month in math we will continue to learn about numbers in the “tricky teens”. We also be working on writing these numbers, making sure the digit “1” always comes first. We will also begin talking about number stories. We will also integrate math into our science unit this month, as we measure the growth of our bulbs.
WINTER CLOTHING
Please keep in mind that all kindergartners go out for recess daily! Unless the weather is extremely cold or our playground is very icy, we will go outside. Please send your child with appropriate clothing each day. This includes; jacket, hat, mittens/gloves, boots & snow pants (when there is snow on the ground). Please be sure to label all of the winter clothing that comes into school. It is also very helpful if you practice zipping and fastening the winter clothes at home so students can have more success getting ready independently at school.
Wish List/Volunteer your time
If you see a good deal on any of these items, we’d really appreciate it!
Paper towels
Red construction paper/posters
We have some ‘at home’ activities that would really help us to get prepared in kindergarten. If you have the time and would like to help out, let me know. Thanks!
KEEPING CONNECTED
The best way to get in touch with me is with a note or email. My address is:
Courtney_Bonzey@newton.k12.ma.us
