Busy at Work

Partners practicing counting collections during math.

Using our letter tiles to help sound out words during Reader's Workshop. Look at those three letter words!

Open House (10/1)

Reminder: Our Porters Point Open House is next 

Thursday (10/1) from 6:30 to 7:30! 

Can't wait to see you all again!

Classroom News

Wow, it is hard to believe that next week is the first day of Fall!  The weather and temperatures in the classroom feel like we are back in July!  I would like to take time to share our classroom rules with you all, so that you have a better understanding of what is expected of your child in school.  The following are our classroom rules that the students made up with me during the first week of school. Please go over our rules with your child. 

Our Class Rules

Be Kind:

Keep hands and feet to myself

No spreading germs (Chicken-Wing-It)

No sharing food

No teasing

Be Respectful:

Take care of our things

Take turns

One person talks at a time

Raise your hand

Literacy

This week we have been preparing to become readers!  We did a lot of group with at literacy centers during Reader’s Workshop. This allows for differentiated groupings so I can target exactly what each child needs.  This week we worked on identifying letters versus words, sounds that all of the letters of the alphabet make and even sounding out three letter words!  I am extremely impressed with the work that students are doing in here so early in the year!  Thank you for all of the support that you are giving your child at home.  It is showing! J  

Math

I sent home (on Thursday) an explanation of the math unit that we are currently working on.  I wanted to give you all an opportunity to see what we are working on and what you can work on at home with your child.  I am asking families to please send in any extra/old magazines that you may have.  We will be using these magazines for sight word hunts and shape hunts in the classroom!

Important Dates

School Picture Day: September 22^nd

Open House: October 1^st from 6:30-7:30pm

Classroom News

I hope that all of the children and adults are becoming accustomed to the kindergarten routine.  Our classroom atmosphere feels like we are going into month four instead of week four!  I am increasingly impressed with the amount of focus and work that I have seen this early in the year.

Literacy:

We have been working on writing and recognizing the letters in our names, as wlel as being able to name and sound out letters in the alphabet.  We are currently working on all of the letters of the alphabet now!  Ask your child to tell you the letter and sound and they will most likely give you a silly movement that correlates with the letter.  An example of this would be A, apple /a/ and then they pretend to take a bite of an apple. These silly gestures are helpful tools to remember the letter and sound it makes.

Word of the Week:

the

Math:

We have been working on our 10 frames and dot cards this week.  This is a great way for students to practice subitizing, breaking numbers apart and building them back together. To go along with our science unit, we have been making symmetrical pictures with pattern blocks.  Students have taken this challenge on and done an excellent job making their creations!

Science:

This week we began to talk more in depth about the life cycle of a butterfly.  Students learned about the four stages of their life. Our favorite part was starting out tissue paper butterfly project.  We can’t wait to show you all how great they look!

Our First Full Week of Kindergarten!

CLASSROOM NEWS

We have all successfully made it through our first full week of kindergarten! Despite the extreme heat, students did a magnificent job following our classroom rules and learning the routines.  They are quickly becoming independent with their morning routines!  I have had a wonderful time getting to learn more about your child.  As each day passes, they are becoming more comfortable with the transition into Kindergarten. 

I have added a list of the Unified Arts schedule.  Please make sure to have your child wear or bring sneaks on P.E. days.  As the year goes on, students will not be able to participate in some of the activities if they do not have sneakers.  Library books are to be returned the following week (on a Tuesday) from the “Check-out” date.

Monday: Guidance and Art

Tuesday: Library *return library book*

Wednesday: PE *sneakers*

Thursday: PE *sneakers*

Friday: Music

Allergies:

Reminder that there are children in our classroom with peanut and egg allergies. When thinking about sending in a birthday treat or class treat, please make sure to get in touch with me first. Thank you!

Homework:

Occasionally student work will be sent home. If it is not complete, that is something that you can do at home for extra practice. It does not need to be returned unless otherwise noted.  In the next month or so, I will be sending home weekly homework. This is something that is optional. Students can get extra practice, however, it is also to help parents get a better understanding of what we are currently doing in our classroom!

New Word Wall Words

am

I

Book from Home:

If possible, please send a favorite book from home for your child to have at quiet reading time. We have established book boxes and students are learning to point under the words as they “read” the pictures. Students are already able to point out their sight words I and am!  These books will stay safely in your child’s book box and will be eventually returned.

Thank you:

Thank you to the parents that have already sent in a brief bio on your child!  These kids are extremely loved and I am truly happy to be a part of their lives this year! If you have not done so yet, please take the time to write a little bit about your child so I have a solid understanding of their background and personalities! 

Four Winds Volunteers:

 Our classroom is looking for Four Winds volunteers! The Four Winds Nature Program explores nature in our surrounding area.  The only way that this program can be successful is with the help of our wonderful parent volunteers!  There will be a Four Winds information meeting, scheduled at MBS on September 9th for any parents that are interested in obtaining some more information. Please let me know if you are interested in volunteering for our class!

Meet Maddie Sivo:

My name is Maddie Sivo (Ms. Maddie to the kids).  I’m the school social worker at PPS.  I work with kids and families with varying needs and challenges.  I often meet with kids during breakfast or lunch in my office, and will sometimes allow them to invite a friend or two to work on social skills and help build positive friendships.  If you are NOT comfortable with your child being invited for these small groups, please contact me directly at sivom@csdvt.org or 264-5918.

Also, as cold weather approaches, it can be a challenge for some families to pull together enough warm clothing (especially with the amount of stuff kids misplace at school!).  If you have warm clothing (especially boots, snow pants, winter coats) to spare, send them my way!  It is also ALWAYS helpful to have Price Chopper gift cards on hand for families who are having a hard time making ends meet.  Your generosity is much appreciated.

Thank you!

As always, feel free to contact me!  Thank you for all of your support thus far, and I look forward to working with you and your child this year! 

Miss Bourgea 

Miss Bourgea's Wanted List

Parents are always asking for ways to help out the classroom.  Here are some items that would be a VERY helpful addition to Room 3!

o   Tissues

o   Baby Wipes

o   Disinfecting Wipes (such as Clorox)

o   Hand Sanitizer

o   Various Arts and Crafts Supplies

o  Stickers

o   Ziploc Bags

o  Paper Plates, Cups, Napkins, Plastic Silverware

o   Band aids

o   Healthy and allergy-safe class snacks (such as graham crackers, animal crackers, etc)

We are all readers!

               We learned how to read to ourselves...

         and how to read to a partner.  We learned the new saying that we sit and read  "hip to hip, knee to knee, hold the book so both can see!"