A Peek At Our Week!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend despite the dreary weather! Please see below for pictures and updates from Room 115! ⛅💮

Important Dates:

May 15th:

Early Release

May 22nd:

Kindergarten Music Concert

More details to follow!

May 25th:

Memorial Day

No School

Announcements:

Tyler Can!

On Wednesday we enjoyed a visit from Boyden parent, school committee member, and now author Kari Denitzio who shared her book Tyler Can! with us. This inspirational story features Tyler Forgeron, a young man with autism from Walpole who started collecting cans during COVID to stay busy. His efforts have continued since the pandemic ended, and Tyler has used the funds he has collected to make charitable donations to many local causes. We are excited to add a copy of Tyler Can! to our classroom library, and can't thank the Boyden PAC enough for their generosity! 💙🧡

Lost and Found

This sweatshirt is looking for it's owner. Please let me know if it belongs to your child! 😊

Curriculum Update:

Reader's Workshop

In Reader's Workshop we continued to ask the essential question: "What can I learn when I look closely?" as we brought module (unit) 7 to a close. We enjoyed reading the books Hey, Little Ant by Phillip Hoose, and a nonfiction text titled: Ants by Lisa J. Amstatz. These books provided us with practice identifying the topic and central idea of a text, making connections, and identifying opinions and reasons. In the week ahead we will begin module 8 which is titled From Plant to Plate and poses the essential question: "How do plants become food?". 

Math

In math last week we practiced our estimation skills! The class enjoyed estimating the number of counters, cubes, plastic bears and mini erasers that were put in our estimation jar each morning. We also practiced counting  by 10s and ones to get the exact number of items once our estimates were submitted. The estimation jar was such a hit that we will continue to fill it with fun items at least once a week for the rest of the year!

Along with estimation, we also continued to practice solving word problems/number stories! Emphasis was placed on subtraction stories as subtraction tends to be a bit trickier for most students. To help strengthen our understanding, we read the book Monster Musical Chairs, and then enjoyed playing a game of musical chairs in our classroom!

Phonics

In phonics we reviewed all of the digraphs that have been taught over the past few weeks. These include sh, ch, ck, wh and ng. In the week ahead the class will learn about words with beginning blends such as clam, frog, and stop.

The class enjoyed completing a Write the Room activity where they had to identify the beginning digraph for each picture. ✎

Writer's Workshop

In Writer's Workshop we began our unit on narrative/personal experience writing! We learned that narrative writing is a true story about something that really happened to you. It follows the typical story sequence and includes a beginning, middle, and end. As we build our understanding of this genre, we are all working to write a book about the first time we filled our classroom reward jar! I am SO proud of how hard all of the children are working, and can't believe how far their writing skills have come since the beginning of the school year!

Art Fun! 🎨

The class was busy making amazing paper creations in art last week!

Thanks so much for taking a peek at our week! Please check back soon to watch us learn, grow, and play in the wonderful world that is K! 🍎📖🚌

A Peek At Our Week!

    I hope your child enjoyed their spring break and is looking forward to returning to school tomorrow! Please enjoy a few highlights from our very busy week before vacation! 🌞

Important Dates:

May 15th:

Early Release

May 22nd:

Kindergarten Music Concert

More details to follow!

May 25th:

Memorial Day

No School

Curriculum Update:

Reader's Workshop

In Reader's Workshop we continued to ask the essential question: "What can I learn when I look closely?" We enjoyed learning about famous primatologist Jane Goodall as we read the books Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell and Jane Goodall and the Chimpanzees by Betsey Chessen. These books helped us strengthen our understanding of nonfiction and biography genres.

Phonics

The week before break we continued to learn about digraphs, or two letters than make one sound. At the beginning of the week the class learned about the wh digraph which helped them learn the new sight/heart word what. For the second part of the week, the children learned about the ng digraph which appears at the ends of words like rang, tong, and thing.

To reinforce the -ng digraph, the class enjoyed making their own Kings of Ing! This activity helped students practice reading words in the -ing word family, and featured our newly introduced digraph -ng. 

Math

In math we revisited addition and subtraction story (word) problems before the break. The students worked hard to find key words that indicated whether a problem should be solved using addition or subtraction, and used manipulatives, mental math, and equations to solve each story problem. In the week ahead we will review counting by tens and ones.

Writing

We completed our procedural or "how to" writing unit before the break! Be on the lookout for your child's complete piece titled "How to Brush Your Teeth" which will be coming home soon! 🦷🪥

Thanks so much for taking a peek at our week! Please check back soon to watch us learn, grow, and play in the wonderful world that is K! 🍎📖🚌

A Peek At Our Week!

 I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Please see below for updates and announcements from Room 115. 😊

Important Dates:

April 20th-24th:

Spring Break-No School

Announcements:

Glue Sticks Needed

As we enter the last leg of the school year our supplies are starting to run low. If anyone is able to donate glue sticks (even if it's just a few!) it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! 

Class Reward! 🌞

The class continues to work hard and display positive/expected behaviors in Room 115! They once again filled their reward jar and enjoyed extra recess time on Friday afternoon. It couldn't have been a more perfect day for it! 

Curriculum Update:

Reader's Workshop

In Reader's Workshop we continued to ask the essential question: "What can I learn when I look closely?" We enjoyed reading the books I Know the River Loves Me by Maya Christina Gonzalez, and Look-Alike Animals by Robin Bernard. These books provided us with practice identifying the topic and central idea of a text, as well as discussing the author's purpose for writing each selection.

Phonics

Last week in phonics we learned about the final -ck digraph, and practiced reading words such as lock, sick, and duck. We also entered our second week of sight/heart word review, as the words they and who require lots of extra practice! In the week ahead we will resume learned new sight/heart words as the class will be introduced to the word what.

Math

In math we continued with Unit 7 last week. The first module of this unit had us revisiting the concept of measurement. Our learning focused on weight and we examined various types of scales. We also used balance scales to compare the weight of different objects. We ended the week by exploring capacity, or the amount that a container can hold.

The students enjoyed using the Touchview to determine objects with greater and less capacity. 

Writer's Workshop ✎

We continue to learn about procedural or "how to" writing during our Writer's Workshop time. While we began the unit by sequencing events of well know activites that were provided for us, last week the children began to generate and write their own steps for a common task, brushing their teeth! We will continue to work on our How to Brush your Teeth books with the goal of publishing them by the end of the week.

A Look Inside Specials 👀

The class had an absolute blast in P.E. last week!

Thanks so much for taking a peek at our week! Please check back soon to watch us learn, grow, and play in the wonderful world that is K! 🍎📖🚌

A Peek At Our Week!

                I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Please enjoy a few pictures and updates                                                                                          from Room 115! 😊

Important Dates:

April 2nd:

Autism Awareness Day 💙

Wear blue to show support!

April 3rd:

No School

Day of Low Attendance

April 6th:

Spring Pictures 📸

April 20th-24th:

Spring Break-No School

Announcements:

Media Tomorrow! 📖

A friendly reminder that our class has media/stem as our special tomorrow. It will be a book checkout day, so please have your child return their book to school if they have not already done so. Thank you!

Curriculum Update:

Reader's Workshop

In Reader's Workshop we completed module (unit) 6 in our Into Reading curriculum! This unit was titled: Home of the Free and the Brave, and posed the question: What makes the USA special? We read the books Apple Pie 4th of July by Janet S. Wong, and Happy Birthday to the U.S. by Francine Alexander. Both texts explored the 4th of July holiday and how it can be celebrated. In the week ahead we will begin module 7 which will help the children develop their observational skills as the name of the unit is Zoom In! and asks the essential question: What can I learn when I look closely?

Phonics

Last week in phonics we continued to learn about digraphs, or two letters that make one new sound. We learned about the two sounds of the th digraph and how it can say the "voiced" sound like in the word the, or the "unvoiced/breath" sound like in with and bath. We also practice reading the new sight/heart word they. Ask your child to tell you about the song we sang to help us remember the correct spelling of the word they!

Math

In math last week the students reviewed the many number combinations that make the numbers 5, 6, and 7! They enjoyed playing games like Spill the Beans and Fill it up Five to help practice identifying and writing number sentences that equal five, such as 2+3, 4+1, and 5+0. We ended our week by making a spring kite craft for our classroom bulletin board! Each child picked 5, 6, or 7, and wrote four number combinations on the bows of their kite. It is so nice to have some signs of spring in our classroom!

Writing

Last week in writing we began a new unit on "how to" or procedure writing. During our first few lessons the class looked at examples of how tos, brainstormed potential "how to" topics, and sequenced the events for how to make applesauce! In the week ahead we will continue to put the steps of given procedures in order, and begin to write our own "how to" pieces!

Thanks so much for taking a peek at our week! Please check back soon to watch us learn, grow, and play in the wonderful world this is K! 🍎📖🚌

A Peek At Our Week!

               Last week was an exciting one as we celebrated many special days. See below for                                                                                     a few highlights! 🌈🌞💮

Important Dates:

March 27th:

Early Release

April 2nd:

Autism Awareness Day 💙

Wear blue to show support!

April 3rd:

No School

Day of Low Attendance

April 6th:

Spring Pictures 📸

April 20th-24th:

Spring Break-No School

Announcements:

St. Patrick's Day Fun! ☘

Our class was as good as gold as we enjoyed a wonderful Irish step performance from the Harney School of Dance on St. Patrick's Day!

Rock Your Socks! 

Thanks to those who celebrated World Down Syndrome Day by rocking their bright, crazy, and/or fun socks to spread awareness. It was a great way to end our week! 🧦

Curriculum Update:

Reader's Workshop

In Reader's Workshop we continued to explore the essential question: "What makes the USA special?". We enjoyed learning more about Martin Luther King Jr. as we read a biography written by Marion Dane Bauer, which highlighted his importance and the significant impact he made to our country. We also learned about many US presidents as we read the book Presidents' Day by Judith Stamper. The students continue to practice identifying people, places, and events, and discuss author's purpose.

Phonics

It was an exciting time in phonics last week as the class was introduced to a brand new concept, digraphs! We learned that digraphs are two letters that make one brand new sound, and practiced building and reading words with sh. We also continued to practice the sight/heart words who and two.

The students practiced reading words with sh as they made their own sharp looking sheep! 🐑

Math

Last week in math we reviewed teen numbers. Through our lessons and activities the students were reminded that all teen numbers start with a 1, and have one group of ten and then some "more". Circling back to this important concept helped the students recognize teen numbers with greater automaticity, and deepened their understanding of how teen numbers are composed.

Write the Room activities are always a great way to practice both new and review concepts!

Writing

Last week in writing we completed our unit on sentences. The children practiced identifying and fixing mistakes in sentences, as well as generating sentences for a given picture. In the week ahead we will move onto a new genre of writing known as "how to" or procedure writing. During this unit your child will practice writing the steps of a well-known process such as brushing their teeth or getting ready for school. 

Thanks so much for taking a peek at our week! Please check back soon to watch us learn, grow, and play in the wonderful world that is K! 🍎📖🚌