Here are a few last-day tidbits.
The college students in the picture below are my son Woodrow and his friend Olivia who came in to help out today (I am still struggling to format pictures + text in my blogging program).
As you may hear from your child, we changed table assignments today. I am fairly sure that I managed to move everyone to a new table. We also changed carpet letters.
The young scholars had the opportunity to visit with their reading buddies, write about our Star of the Week Issa, read several books, and visit all the kindergarten classrooms.
Our sad news is that we said goodbye to Issa, who is moving away. We will miss her!
Thank you to everyone who brought in snacks -- we still can use an infusion after break.
Thank you to everyone this fall for kind words, snacks, volunteering, and making this a wonderful fall!
Friday, December 20, 2013
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Late Start Tomorrow
Don't forget - tomorrow is a late start Wednesday, buses, bells, classes and everything will operate two hours behind schedule. I look forward to seeing everyone at 9:50.
Monday, December 16, 2013
This week in kindergarten
The week before winter break is always a fun week; half of the focus is on routine and fundamentals,and the other half is on diversions and celebrating the winter and upcoming break.
We will be continuing to focus on writing (conventions and details), reading in reading groups and math (weights).
We will have our last guidance class with Ms. Cox, our school counselor, on Thursday. She will be focusing her attention on higher grades in the winter and spring.
Issa is our star of the week, our song this week is Auld Lang Syne.
Instead of our usual switch to science and art, we will switch to fun activities around gingerbread people.
On Friday we will also do a winter celebration switch (e.g.. going to different classrooms) instead of going to the holiday sing-along.
Have a wonderful week.
We will be continuing to focus on writing (conventions and details), reading in reading groups and math (weights).
We will have our last guidance class with Ms. Cox, our school counselor, on Thursday. She will be focusing her attention on higher grades in the winter and spring.
Issa is our star of the week, our song this week is Auld Lang Syne.
Instead of our usual switch to science and art, we will switch to fun activities around gingerbread people.
On Friday we will also do a winter celebration switch (e.g.. going to different classrooms) instead of going to the holiday sing-along.
Have a wonderful week.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Ask your child
Here are a few questions for a Thursday afternoon...
What did you do at writing today? (letters to Serena)
What happened in Harry the Dirty Dog?
What happened in The Stray Dog?
What does Mr. Studt do that is different than what Mr. Doi did?
What song did you sing in music?
What library book did Cynthia read?
What did Ms. Cox talk about?
Did you play soccer at recess?
What did you do at writing today? (letters to Serena)
What happened in Harry the Dirty Dog?
What happened in The Stray Dog?
What does Mr. Studt do that is different than what Mr. Doi did?
What song did you sing in music?
What library book did Cynthia read?
What did Ms. Cox talk about?
Did you play soccer at recess?
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
School is cancelled today!
A very interesting snow day! Please be sure to check out the "Cold Weather" post for more information and thoughts on late openings and school closures.
Late Opening Today
Most of you should have gotten a phone call. Hopefully I'll see everyone at 9:50! Stay safe!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
This week in kindergarten
Here are some things we are working on this week...
In reading we are continuing to blend sounds and letters to make words, and we are visiting the /sh/ and /th/ sounds.
New words: he, she, with
New letters Nn and Bb
The students are, for the most part, doing a great job at extending their writing and adding details. We will be revisiting spacing letters and handwriting. We have created a list of winter words and have been cheerfully writing about the weather.
In math we will be counting by two's and measuring by weight.
We will be exploring different versions of the Gingerbread Man folktale.
Our star of the week is Lulu! We may start learning the song "Auld Lang Syne".
Be sure to dress your child warmly. We are spending lots of time tracking down missing hats and mittens.
In reading we are continuing to blend sounds and letters to make words, and we are visiting the /sh/ and /th/ sounds.
New words: he, she, with
New letters Nn and Bb
The students are, for the most part, doing a great job at extending their writing and adding details. We will be revisiting spacing letters and handwriting. We have created a list of winter words and have been cheerfully writing about the weather.
In math we will be counting by two's and measuring by weight.
We will be exploring different versions of the Gingerbread Man folktale.
Our star of the week is Lulu! We may start learning the song "Auld Lang Syne".
Be sure to dress your child warmly. We are spending lots of time tracking down missing hats and mittens.
Monday, December 9, 2013
Cold weather
Several things to be aware of during this cold weather...
1) If schools are closed, a phone call will (theoretically) go out to the primary phone number listed for your child. You may also want to sign up for flash alerts at http://www.flashalert.net/news.html?id=69, or check your favorite news source frequently.
2) Safety is paramount! When schools are open, please use your best judgement about coming to school. This is particularly true for our families in the hills.
3) Be aware that sometimes Chapman gets phantom snow days. This can happen when there is no snow on the ground at Chapman, but the conditions in the hills are treacherous. This can be vexing to families who assume that school is open and make the commute, only to find out that school is closed. (this is one more reason why it is important to walk your child into the school each day, rather than dropping them at the curb). Be sure to check before you leave home!
4) The district will occasionally get it wrong, call a closure late, or otherwise make judgments that you may disagree with. I do not envy the folks who have to make these calls.
1) If schools are closed, a phone call will (theoretically) go out to the primary phone number listed for your child. You may also want to sign up for flash alerts at http://www.flashalert.net/news.html?id=69, or check your favorite news source frequently.
2) Safety is paramount! When schools are open, please use your best judgement about coming to school. This is particularly true for our families in the hills.
3) Be aware that sometimes Chapman gets phantom snow days. This can happen when there is no snow on the ground at Chapman, but the conditions in the hills are treacherous. This can be vexing to families who assume that school is open and make the commute, only to find out that school is closed. (this is one more reason why it is important to walk your child into the school each day, rather than dropping them at the curb). Be sure to check before you leave home!
4) The district will occasionally get it wrong, call a closure late, or otherwise make judgments that you may disagree with. I do not envy the folks who have to make these calls.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Parking issues Wednesday
I'm re-posting this so it will be at the top of the blog tonight and tomorrow morning.
Wednesday morning is the big street sweep. There will be a host of tractors, dump trucks, street sweepers and, most notoriously, tow trucks. If you park at the wrong time (which often happens to be 7:50) they will tow your car.
So Wednesday is the one day where dropping your kids at the curb might be the best plan.
Wednesday morning is the big street sweep. There will be a host of tractors, dump trucks, street sweepers and, most notoriously, tow trucks. If you park at the wrong time (which often happens to be 7:50) they will tow your car.
So Wednesday is the one day where dropping your kids at the curb might be the best plan.
Parking Issues Wednesday
Wednesday morning is the big street sweep. There will be a host of tractors, dump trucks, street sweepers and, most notoriously, tow trucks. If you park at the wrong time (which often happens to be 7:50) they will tow your car.
So Wednesday is the one day where dropping your kids at the curb might be the best plan.
So Wednesday is the one day where dropping your kids at the curb might be the best plan.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Ask your child
Here are a few questions to ask your child this afternoon...
What center group are you in?
What center were you at today?
What did you write about when you wrote about Thanksgiving?
Did anyone else have a Thanksgiving story that you enjoyed?
What pictures are on the December calendar pieces?
How was your new P.E. Teacher?
What song did you learn in music?
What center group are you in?
What center were you at today?
What did you write about when you wrote about Thanksgiving?
Did anyone else have a Thanksgiving story that you enjoyed?
What pictures are on the December calendar pieces?
How was your new P.E. Teacher?
What song did you learn in music?
This week in kindergarten
It was wonderful to see all of you last week at conferences. Here are some of our plans for the week:
We are rolling out a new bunch of centers based on the book "Bear Snores On"
Students have new center groups
We will continue focusing on the letter Ii and the words "for" and "he"
Our writing will continue to focus on adding details, and on fundamental skills
In math we will be working on pattern block puzzles (shapes and spatial relations) and reading and writing numbers 0 - 8.
Our theme book is "Whose Garden Is It"
Our star of the week is Malvina
We will have a substitute teacher (probably Barbara Goldberg, a retired Chapman kindergarten and first grade teacher) on Thursday
We are rolling out a new bunch of centers based on the book "Bear Snores On"
Students have new center groups
We will continue focusing on the letter Ii and the words "for" and "he"
Our writing will continue to focus on adding details, and on fundamental skills
In math we will be working on pattern block puzzles (shapes and spatial relations) and reading and writing numbers 0 - 8.
Our theme book is "Whose Garden Is It"
Our star of the week is Malvina
We will have a substitute teacher (probably Barbara Goldberg, a retired Chapman kindergarten and first grade teacher) on Thursday
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