This week in Kindergarten

After a November of short weeks, it is nice to be in the midst of three full weeks of school.

We have been working on a number of things including reading our first chapter book (My Father's Dragon), making a "Butterfly Quilt", working on middle and last sounds in words, and writing short stories.

Snow: With our recent change in weather patterns, it is worth knowing that 1) if your contact info is up to date, you should get a message if there is snow day or late start, but 2) at times things can go wrong -- do check the media if there is any sign that it may snow.  It can be particularly challenging when it snows in the West Hills, but not on the valley floor -- we have had delays and closures when the ground around Chapman has been clear.

A big thank you to everyone who has volunteered in the classroom and to everyone who has brought in snacks.

This weeks themes:
Theme Book: A Bed For the Winter
Chapter Book: My Father's Dragon
Letter study: Ii
Letters we know: Mm, Tt, Aa, Ss, Pp, Cc
New words: he, for
Words we know: I, am, the, little, a, to, have, is, we, my, like
Writing: independent writing
Math: Butterfly Pattern Quilt
Song: Dinah
Star of the Week: River

Thanksgiving week in kindergarten

A short blog for a short week...

There is no school on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.  After this we have three five-day weeks in a row!!

Last Friday we said goodbye to Akayla, a PSU student who spent lots of time with our class as part of a practicum.

The week will include at least one big concept -- the Ii letter.  Thus far, for most readers, we have been playing with sounds and blending to make sense of simple consonant-vowel-consonant words with an a in the middle (e.g. sat or tap).  This week we make a huge jump into making sense of what happens when we switch out the a for i.  This can be a big challenge for many readers.

Aside from this we will learn two more words (he and for), write about our star of the week, Zeki, do some thanksgiving crafts (hopefully), learn a new math shape game called "Hungry Caterpillars", and learn a little about Thanksgiving.

This week also marks a transition at Chapman at the Ramona.  We  will be saying goodbye to Ms. D'Aurora on Tuesday, and welcoming Ms. Rodhe next week.  Ms. D'Aurora will be moving on to teach 6th grade science and math at Laurelhurst.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

Another Week in Kindergarten

After our divisive election, I want to be clear that the mission of public schools, and my personal mission, is to serve ALL students and families.  Your child should always feel welcome and safe in the classroom.

It was wonderful to see so many of you last week for conferences.  It was great to get the opportunity to sit down and learn more about your child.  I really appreciate the many insightful thoughts and the spirit of teamwork that were part of every single meeting this year!

As most of you know, pile driving began last week.  The noise inside, thus far, seems very manageable.  We are working hard to be sure that your child gets time to run around, and to be sure that they receive minimal exposure to the outside noise of pile driving.  For the most part we will be having recess at Pearl Court, however on certain days, we may be substituting a courtyard recess when it is quiet out (So far, the pile driver is off much more than on) or, as a last resort, doing an indoor recess.  We may even, as we did today when the pile driver was undergoing maintenance, venture to The Fields.

This week is our only full week of school in November and we are making the most of it, in terms of our core curriculum.  We are doing lots of reading, writing and math this week.

Many thanks to Charlie's family for the huge tub of trains.  This has made for some happy choice times.

Don't Forget: There is no school next Wednesday, Thursday, Friday due to the Thanksgiving Holiday.

This weeks themes:
Theme Book: Bear Snores On
Letter study: Cc
Letters we know: Mm, Tt, Aa, Ss, Pp
New words: we, my, like
Words we know: I, am, the, little, a, to, have, is
Writing: independent writing
Math: Playing Dominoes, shapes
Song: Take this Hammer
Star of the Week: Zeki

This Week & Conferences

This is a very short week -- our focus will be on our art project, writing, and math.  We probably will skip many elements of a typical week (theme books, new song...) this week.  Please note, there is no school on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday due to conferences and Veteran's Day.

Many thanks to our great volunteer crew who helped with our art project last Wednesday!  It was amazing to get a major art project underway while doing centers and reading groups.  Thanks also to Karen, Lucy's grandmother, who was helping in the classroom many days over the past several weeks!

I love conferences (and I wish that we could do them several times over the year).  This is a wonderful opportunity to sit down and compare notes; hopefully you and I will emerge with a better understanding of your child and his / her experience at Chapman.  In general I usually start the conference with a quick overview of your child's academic progress and my perspective on your child's social interactions and behavior. After that we can go anywhere.

Here are a few hints for a productive conference:

• Be on time.  I have a number of back-to-back conferences, particularly in the morning.  I do my best to stay on schedule.
• Bring notes.  If there are topics you want to cover, big or small, it helps to have a list so nothing gets neglected.
• We encourage you to find care for your child; conferences seem to be much more focused when your young scholar is not competing for your attention. However we understand that this is not always possible.
• Call and let me know if you need to reschedule.

I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday and Thursday!

Calendar:
November 9-10 No School -- conferences
November 11 -- No School -- Veterans Day
November 23-25 -- No School -- Thanksgiving holiday

This weeks themes:
Theme Book: No theme this week!
Letter study: Kk
Letters we know: Mm, Tt, Aa, Ss, Pp
New words: we, my, like
Words we know: I, am, the, little, a, to, have, is
Writing: independent writing
Math: tens!
Song: TBD

This week in kindergarten

Please note there is NO SCHOOL on FRIDAY due to a teacher planning day!  I will be here getting ready for parent conferences and organizing the classroom.

We are entering the interesting month of November.  To those unfamiliar with Portland Public Schools, it pays to carefully watch the calendar in November.   In addition to this Friday's teacher planning day, we have no school on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week due to conferences and Veteran's Day.  Later in the month we will miss three days of school around the Thanksgiving weekend.

I still have several families who have not scheduled their conferences.  Please stop by or shoot me an email if you need to schedule a meeting or if you are unsure of your conference date or time.

Library is on Thursday morning -- please have your child return any outstanding books.   Both library and share day are on Thursdays -- this may be a motivator to put a library book in a backpack along with share toys.

We are running low on snacks -- Please think of us as you shop this weekend!

Family photos -- we are working on a small family unit, including art and we would love to have a photo of your family to go along with the artwork.  Please send in a photo!  Speaking of art, we had a wonderful gang of volunteers who helped us make potato prints today (and helped make centers successful).  Many, many thanks!!

Rest  -- many young scholars in our room were beyond tired this Halloween week!  Please help them get lots of rest this long weekend, but try to keep them, to the extent possible, on schedule.  On many Mondays it feels like the kids are going through all the stages of jet lag.

Calendar:
November 4 -- No School -- teacher planning day
November 9-10 No School -- conferences
November 11 -- No School -- Veterans Day
November 23-25 -- No School -- Thanksgiving holiday

This weeks themes:
Theme Book: Animal Babies in Grassland
Other Books:  Miscellany 
Letter study: Pp
Letters we know: Mm, Tt, Aa, Ss
New words: we, my, like
Words we know: I, am, the, little, a, to, have, is
Writing: Halloween and Star of Week writing
Math: November calendar, Tally Marks
Song: River verse to "Roll on Columbia"

Grandparents day

Recess at the Fields

This week in kindergarten

We continue to work on our plans for when the pile driving starts.  It has been three to five days away for several weeks now, so it is difficult to plan anything with certainty.  Please keep your eye on your email for late breaking news of field trips or other diversions.

"Grandparents and Special Friends" day is this Thursday.  We are welcoming your child's relatives and close adult friends to the Ramona from 12:15 to 1:00.  

I hope to send leveled readers home today.  Your child should receive three copies of books that they have (theoretically) read with their reading groups.  If possible have your child read these to you.  If you can, create a space for your child to keep these books (and others that should follow).

I have slightly more than half of families signed up for conferences on November 9th and 10th.  If you did not sign up, feel free to stop by and sign up, or shoot me an email -- Thursday morning is fairly tight, but there are open slots at many other times.

Please note that there is no school on November 4th due to a teacher planning day, and there is no school on the 9-11th for conferences and Veteran's Day.

This weeks themes:
Theme Book: Armadillo's Orange
Other Books:  Miscellany 
Letter study: Ss
Letters we know: Mm, Tt, Aa
New words: is, have (week 2)
Words we know: I, am, the, little, a, to
Writing: telling a story
Math: Counting within 10's, patterns, shapes
Song: Home on the Range

This week in kindergarten

We had a wonderful wet day at Kruger's Farm last week.  The kids were cheerful and enthusiastic despite wet clothes and unrelenting rain.  Many thanks to our big crew of volunteers who made the whole trip easy and relaxing.

Tomorrow is a late start Wednesday!  School will start at 10:15, and buses will run two hours behind schedule.  The kindergarten team will  be at the main campus early in the morning for professional development.

Beginning today we will be meeting in the morning in the classroom.  I will miss seeing all the students and parents across the school each morning, but it will be nice to have parents have a bit of time in the classroom.

Our literacy work is entering it's more mature phase.  We are beginning the second round of "real centers".  Our four centers -- writing, reading for meaning, math, and art / science / discovery -- will continue their current form throughout the year.  I have been regularly meeting with reading groups during center time,  The work with different groups varies; some students are working on learning letter names, and  others on making sense of challenging words and letter patterns.  For a majority of students our work is beginning to focus on blending sounds together to decode simple two and three letter words, and on recognizing our "sight words" in context.

I really appreciate all the parent support last week.  Parents were quick to sign paperwork, donate snacks and volunteer in the classroom and on our field trip.

This weeks themes:
Theme Book: Life in an Ocean
Other Books:  No David 
Letter study: Aa
Letters we know: Mm, Tt
New words: is, have 
Words we know: I, am, the, little, a, to
Writing: telling a story
Math: Patterns
Song: Roll on Columbia

This week in kindergarten

This is an interesting and diverting week in many ways.  First off, be aware there is NO SCHOOL on FRIDAY, due to the statewide teachers inservice day.  We are heading to Kruger's Farm on Thursday and there will be a substitute on Wednesday while I am at a training session, Yesterday and today are relatively normal days, if you don't factor in the flood in Ms. Forst's room yesterday, and the impending beginning of pile-driving next week.

Speaking of pile driving...  As many of you know, our room has the best view of the future construction site and, probably, the most exposure to the noise of pile driving.  We are waiting until the noise begins to make a decision about what to do about this.  There are three options on the table at this point; 1) remain in our classroom, 2) move to the music room on the other side of the building, and 3) move to the open space on this side of the building.  We want to see what the relative noise levels are in each room before we make a decision.  

I am looking forward to our field trip on Thursday.  As of early this morning, we are only missing five permission forms.  Thank you to everyone who has expressed an interest in volunteering.  Please be at the Ramona by 9:30 or meet us at Kruger Farms at 10:15.  The weather forecast seems relatively grim -- periods of rain and temperatures in the 50's.  Please be sure to dress your child for rain, coolness and mud!

In the mean time, the work goes on...  We are enjoying our new centers, and slowly making progress in our writing and math. Our "quiet reading time" is growing quieter and more book centered.  We have read a slew of fun books and we had a great time with our reading buddies last week.

  

Finally, in my many years of teaching kindergarten, I have seen a lot of smuggling.  Students love to break the routine of kindergarten by sneaking in an assortment of items. Over the years I have seen countless Lego Star Wars figures and Pokemon cards, dolls, unicorns and even a live hamster!  But until yesterday, I have never had a student smuggle in a volume of poems by Robert Browning.

This weeks themes:
Theme Book: Dig Dig Digging
Other Books:  Farming
Letter study: Tt
Letters we know: Mm
New words: a, to (week 2)
Words we know: I, am, the, little
Writing: telling a story
Math: 10 frames
Song: TBD

More early October

Here's more news...

Be sure to check your child's backpack today for information about our Apple tasting and for our very important field trip information.  You can follow this link to pay the $10.00 that this field trip costs our school.  Let us know if you are unable to pay at this time.  PLEASE be sure sign and return our release.

I do plan on taking lots of pictures of our activities and posting them to this blog soon.  Be sure to let me know if posting photos of your child raises any privacy concerns.

We had a busy week with a visit from Susan Smallsreed, the NW library's children's librarian, a visit with Mollie Porter to explore the life cycle of a sunflower, and our amazing apple tasting on Wednesday (Thank you Food Front and Mollie).

Here are some important October dates...

October 13 -- Field Trip to Kruger Farm
October 14 -- Statewide Inservice -- No School
October 19 -- Late Opening -- School starts two hours late
October 21 -- OMSI Classes
October 27 -- Grandparents and Special Friends Day

Early October in kindergarten

My apologies for not getting this out earlier.  Our Ramona theme this week has been more about pile-driving...

It was great to see many parents from our room at last night's community meeting regarding the pile driving.  When I left, it seemed that there was very thoughtful conversations happening about each of the alternatives.  My understanding is that we will have a firm plan by next week.

Today (Thursday) is our day of "real" centers.  Over the next four center days your child will be working at the math center, the writing center, the art/science/discovery center. or the "reading for meaning" center.  Each day your child's animal group will be at a different center.  We usually do centers after recess Monday - Thursday, and we love to have volunteers during that time.

Speaking of volunteers, it has been great to see some new faces in the classroom.  Please consider making some time to help out in the classroom.

We are critically low on snacks -- starting tomorrow we plan to mooch off of other classrooms with a better snack supply.  Please think of us as you shop.

Ask your child (an occasional feature of the blog..)
Who is in your center group?
What center were you at today?
What book did Mr. Melling read?
What book did you read at quiet reading time?
What did you do in switch? (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)
What did you do in art? (Tuesdays and Fridays)

This weeks themes:
Theme Book: Julius
Other Books:  No theme this week
Letter study: Mm
New words: a, to
Words we know: I, am, the, little
Writing: "King of -ing"
Math: October calendar, sorting
Song: Do-Re--Mi.

End of September in Kindergarten

Things continue to roll along.  We are getting ready for our transition from simplified centers to our real centers that will continue through the year.  Kids are divided into their "animal groups" and are getting used to rotating around the room each day.  We are switching our music and library times on Thursdays so that we will be able to walk to the park on Thursdays.  I have been meeting with reading groups several times per week.  All in all, it is beginning to feel like we have established our routines and can focus on learning.

We would love to have more volunteers in the classroom.  We would love more help walking our reading buddies to Chapman on Fridays from 11:00 to 1:00 and we would love help in the classroom with centers most days from 9:50 to 11:00.  In addition we would love help in the afternoons from 1:25 until dismissal.  Shoot me an email if you can help -- my email is rmelling@pps.net.

We are making our way through our snack supply.  Please think of us as you are shopping!  Keep in mind that we do have dairy and nut issues.

We have two weeks of relative normalcy -- no days off and no late openings; I intend to make the most of this!

This weeks themes:
Theme Book: Miss Bindergarten Takes a Field Trip
Other Books:  Three Little Pigs & Apple Books
Letter study: Review S-Z
Writing: Family Words
Math: Shapes: shapes and probability
Song: This Little Light of Mine.

This week in kindergarten

This Wednesday is our first late opening  School will begin at 10:15.  All buses will run two hours behind schedule.  We teachers will be at the main campus for professional development.

Picture day is Thursday.  Have your child dress for posterity.

It was wonderful to have volunteers helping out on Wednesday and Friday.  Please let me know if you would like to help out in the classroom.  We could also use a volunteer or two on Fridays to walk with our reading buddies from the main campus to the Ramona and back.  My sense is that this would go from about 11:00 to 1:00.  

In general, this is a time of transition from the getting-to-know-you phase of kindergarten towards the well-oiled-machine phase.  I have a sense of who everyone is, individually and collectively, and they have a sense of how things work.  The crux of the biscuit, as Frank Zappa would say, is finding a way to combine our personalities and systems to produce a classroom that feels safe for everyone, is conducive to learning, and is joyful and fun.

This weeks themes:
Theme Book: Plaidypus Lost
Other Books:  Three Little Pigs
Letter study: Review K-R
Writing: More beginning writing process
Math: Shapes: square, rectangle, circle, square

Coming up:
September 21 - Late Opening
September 22 - Picture Day
October 3-7 Scholastic Book Fair at Chapman Main Campus

Reading buddies

Wednesday Assembly

Feel free to join us at our assembly on Wednesday morning at 8:30.  This week we will sing a song or two and celebrate everyone whose birthday falls in the first two weeks of September.  The assembly should be finished by 8:45.

Fire Drills

We will be practicing our fire drills today and tomorrow.  Today is a simple walk-through (no alarm) and discussion.  Tomorrow we will pull the fire alarm so students can get a feel for how the fire drill process really works.  When we have a fire drill, we will walk to our safe space on the (closed to traffic) road in front of the Abigail.

Students respond to fire drills in a variety of ways.  Before and after each of the first few drills we talk about why we have fire drills,  Inevitably there is confusion about the concept of drills versus real fires and there are lots of "what if" questions (what if there are four fires and the fire truck catches on fire?).  This is a great opportunity to discuss your child's worries (if they have any) and to broach the subject of fire safety at home.

This week in kindergarten

We have had a great start to the school year here at the Ramona.  We have been hard at work on establishing routines,  beginning the intellectual and academic work of the kindergarten curriculum, and, most importantly, getting to know one another and having fun together.

It was wonderful to see most of you at the Back to School Night.  If you missed it, be sure to check your child's backpack for an overview of the presentation.

One of the biggest challenges of our new space is that I see less of parents before and after school.  If you drop your child off in the morning, feel say hello! As always, please feel free to call or email with any quest concerns.

We would love to have volunteers starting this week.  Please let me know if you are available on Wednesday or Friday mornings from 9:50 to 11:00 (you are welcome to start earlier and help us on our walk to the park around 9:20).

We are planning or first week of "Switch" this week.  Your child should have Art with Ms. D'Aurora, Dance with Mrs. Leveille, and P.E. with Ms. Forst.

I do plan to send out an email this morning.  Please shoot me an email at rmelling@pps.net if you do not receive it.

This weeks themes:
Theme Book: Fix It Duck
Other Books:  Titch series by Pat Hutchins
Centers: Week 2 of Centers, first week of reading groups
Writing: Kindergarten writing paper, beginning writing process
Math: Shapes: square, rectangle, circle, square

Coming up:
September 21 - Late Opening
September 22 - Picture Day
October 3-7 Scholastic Book Fair at Chapman Main Campus

A great first day

We had a wonderful first day with lots of energy, lots of questions and lots of fun!  We went to The Fields Park twice, we read several books, we worked on learning "This Land is Your Land", we did a self-portrait, and we enjoyed our math workplaces and choice time.

We will have the same general structure tomorrow -- we will meet in the classroom and dismiss on the North Side.  Hopefully we will fit in an art project (line caterpillars) and more literacy, math and choice time.

Thank you again for sending such a wonderful bunch of students!!

First day choice time

First day of kindergarten

Tomorrow is the first day of kindergarten at the Ramona -- this should be an exciting day!!

Here are a few things to be aware of...

We plan to open the main doors of the school at 8:10.  On both Thursday and Friday, we will meet in the classroom. School officially starts at 8:15, and parents are welcome to linger (tomorrow only) until about 8:25 when I will ask everyone to leave together (this seems to work best for anxious children)  After 8:25 there will be a gathering for parents in the multi-purpose room.

While you are in here in the morning, be sure that Shari or I have confirmed your child's afternoon plans for going home.

Throughout the day children will be learning about school, working on art and activities and, most importantly, having fun.  We plan to go to The Fields Park for morning recess and for lunch recess (be sure you have signed your Walking Field Trip form).  We will be eating lunch in the classroom on both Thursday and Friday  -- next week we will eat in the multi-purpose room.

We will end the day at 2:30 in the multi-purpose room, not in the classroom.  We will have all the children who take the bus, sitting at lunch tables near the first door; the students who are getting picked up will be in the gym, further back in the building.

I am looking forward to a wonderful first day!!

A carbonate Freezing Chamber (involving bears)

Mount Hood

On Friday, the kids reinterpreted Childe Hassam's painting of Mt. Hood.  You can find the original hanging at the Portland Art Museum.

Making a "Transportation Mural"

Friday notes

We took advantage of the fine spring weather to do some sidewalk art, and enjoy some outside time with our reading buddies today.  Thank you also to Jin's mom, Lisa, for bringing in a dog and teaching us about the world of veterinarians.

We are low on snacks -- please think of us as you are shopping this weekend.

A few quick notes on the end of the year.

• Our Volunteer Appreciation Tea is Tuesday, May 31 from 2:30 to 3:30.  
• We plan to take a walking field trip to Macleay Park on Tuesday June 7, from 10:30 to 1:00 with our reading buddies.  We would love to have a few volunteers to walk with us.
• The last day of school is Thursday, June 9.  We usually have a party that afternoon for students and parents (maybe around 12:30 -- this will take some organizing.).  If there is adequate interest, we also hope to have a moving party that morning -- we would love help boxing up stuff for our move to the Ramona.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Class photo

Sidewalk art

Check out our art project, in front of Chapman, before it washes away.

A visit from Dr Yung

We learned about dogs, and being safe around animals, from Jin's mom.

Not twins!

I repeat, they are not twins...

First Grade Readers Theater

Our friends from Room 1 visited us today to perform their version of "The Bremen Town Musicians"

This week in kindergarten

Hi all:

It's a routine week of centers, reading, writing and math.

We are fairly low on snacks.  Please think of us as you are shopping, and keep your eye out for nut-free snacks.

We love volunteers, particularly on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Please consider coming at least one more time before the end of the year!

Next Tuesday, May 3rd is our Kindergarten Information Meeting.  We will be bringing the future kindergartners back to our classroom to get a taste of life in kindergarten.  Be sure to let your friends and neighbors know about this event.

General Theme: Transportation
Theme Book: On the Move
New words:  was, said, what
Words we know: I, am, the, little, a, to, have, is, we, my, like, he, for, me, with, she, see, look, you, of, they, go, here, from
New letter:  Uu
Letters we know: almost all
Math: addition and subtraction
Switch: science and social studies
Song: The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night
Star of the Week: David

News from Lea, our room parent

Chapman Room Parent 

May 2016

Mark your calendars

4/27	Administrative Professionals Day
4/29	Talent Show, 5:30 p.m. at Chapman
5/2-5/6	Staff Appreciation Week
5/5	Emergency Preparedness Meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Chapman
5/20	PTA General Meeting
5/21	Parent vs Teacher Kickball, 3:00 p.m. at Chapman
5/23-5/27	Buy one, get one free Book Fair
5/31	Volunteer Appreciation Tea
6/1 - 6/2	The Wizard of Oz
6/9	Last Day of School

What you need to know for your room

Don't forget to show Mr Melling and his team some love during Staff Appreciation Week May 2-6. 

What you need to know at Chapman

Chapman Talent Show on Friday, April 29! Doors open at 5:15 p.m.; show starts promptly at 5:30 p.m.and runs until 7 p.m. 25 Chapman students from K - 5. Don’t miss it!

Know any kindergartners in your neighborhood? Get them to Connect to Kindergarten on May 3, 9 – 10:30 a.m. in Chapman’s auditorium.

Get emergency preparedness on May 5 at 6:30 p.m. in Chapman’s auditorium. Chapman is designated as a location for disaster recovery for the entire community, not just students. All NW neighbors invited to join a discussion on how to prepare and what to expect.

Pancake breakfast fundraiser on May 21 from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Friendly House. The Lions Club is holding a pancake breakfast as a fundraiser for summer camp scholarships for two low income Chapman students. The Lions Club committed $500 (equal to 2 weeks of summer camp) and are looking to raise money for more weeks and more children. RSVP: Email Melinda@OLSHF.org or call 503‐413‐8055.

Kick it with Teachers vs. Chapman Parents Kickball Game on May 21 at 3 p.m. Teachers have challenged Chapman parents to a kickball game. Bring the family – your kids can be the cheerleaders for you or teachers. Adult beverages and refreshments will be provided. Make your $50 donation per person at: https://friendsofchapman.membershiptoolkit.com/  Forward your receipt to mollyehporter@yahoo.com and you'll be registered.

Chapman Night at the Thorns game! 18 lucky people will watch the Thorns from the Adidas suite Saturday, May 21, 7:00 p.m. $50 per ticket, all proceeds go to Chapman. Purchase tickets: emailbnqhefele@comcast.net 

Support Chapman buying books! The annual Scholastic 'Buy One, Get One Free' Book Fair is May 23 - 27 every morning from 7:40 - 8:00 a.m. and after school from 2:15 - 3:00 p.m. – downstairs in the art room. 

Help restore historic Chapman wood mural. Visit this link for more info, including a direct link to donate: 
https://chaps.ejoinme.org/MyPages/WoodMural/tabid/764127/Default.aspx

Volunteers needed

Talent show – 4/29 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. We need a few parent volunteers (especially grades K-3) to help promote the show and wrangle the talent. Email s_harrington@comcast.net.

Staff Appreciation Week – 5/2-5/6. If you are interested in helping, email ctmarten@yahoo.com. 

The Chapman Scholastic Book Fair needs your help May 23 - 27! Volunteer to run the cash registers and help kids find books before and after school. Sign up online http://vols.pt/cJ7dwp or email missylieser@gmail.com

Chapman lunches: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11 a.m. – noon. We desperately need parents to help maximize the time kids have to eat their lunch. Email 
Chapman.Volunteers@yahoo.com

Stay informed and sound off

Let’s face it, there’s a lot of stuff happening. Stay connected through your favorite media.

·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chapmanpdx/

·         Twitter: https://twitter.com/chapmanpdx

·         Website: FriendsofChapman.org

This week in kindergarten

I have collected a portfolio of everyone's art.  Please try to stop in by to pick up your child's art by the end of next week -- I hate to put so much beautiful work in backpacks.

After a wonderful week focused on art, we are back to our regularly scheduled programming.  We will be working on a new bunch of centers, making sense of some of our few remaining letters, and exploring addition.  Hopefully we will spend a bit more time outside, soaking in the spring weather.

We could use some more snacks.  Think of us as you shop this weekend.

Thank you again to Yuna, Natalie, and Tania, who spent a long morning last Thursday setting up the Art Gallery.  Thank you also to Morgan for coordinating the entire Art Ball.

Here are the themes for the week.

General Theme: Transportation
Theme Book: The Little Engine that Could
Chapter Book: Lulu and the Dog from the Sea
New words:  yellow, blue, green (week 3)
Words we know: I, am, the, little, a, to, have, is, we, my, like, he, for, me, with, she, see, look, you, of, they, go, here, from
New letter:  Uu
Letters we know: almost all
Math: measuring and addition
Switch: Dance with Ms. Leveille
Song: The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night
Star of the Week: Elli

This week in kindergarten

This is a short post for a week focused on art!

Don't forget the Art Ball on Friday night from 6:00 to 8:00.  This is a fun evening for the entire family.   Hopefully the evening will begin with some music with a Room 2 focus (starting right at 6:00).  Our classroom will be set up as a gallery featuring artwork from throughout the year.

While our primary focus this week will be on art, we are not forgetting literacy, math and other subjects.  I am only introducing a few new ideas in these subjects, but we will be fitting in writing, reading and math daily.

We are still looking for volunteers this Thursday during the day (and after school).  Please let me know if you can help.

Run for the Arts:  The due date for pledges is Monday the 18th.  Please be sure to return your sponsor sheets and $$$ before that date.

Thank you Morgan!  Morgan is not only coordinating the entire Art Ball, but for helping with an amazing Picasso collage project in all the kindergartens.

I look forward to seeing everyone Friday evening.

ART BALL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We would really, really love a few more volunteers for Thursday to get our Room 2 Art Gallery ready to be assembled in a flash!  

Art Ball runs on volunteers.  Here is a letter from Morgan with many more opportunities.

Dear Parents,

On Friday, April 15th, from 6-8pm Chapman Elementary School will be converted into an art gallery teeming with student-made art. Viewers will be invited to make art as well as look at art. Several classrooms and the gymnasium will host kid-friendly art activities. But we need parents to help make Art Ball a success, so please consider volunteering. Here are some ways you can help:

PREP:

- Make signs and decorations (various times and doable from home)

- Prepare materials for activities (some activities need paper cut or folded, also doable from home)

SET UP:

- Friday April 15th, 5-6pm, help set up activities before the event 

DURING THE EVENT

- Host an art project for an hour. Directions and materials will be supplied, all you have to do is invite families to participate. Sign up for an hour with a friend! Shifts are from 6-7pm or 7-8pm. 5th grade students have been invited to host activities too. 

CLEAN UP

- Teachers are kind enough to let us use their classrooms, but we must be sure projects are cleaned up and classrooms are back in order at the end of the night. Projects this year are not messy, so this won't take long. 

OTHER WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE

Are you an artist or do you work in a creative field? Are you a fashion designer, filmmaker, animator, creative director, designer, architect or musician? This year we're spotlighting parents with careers in, and related to, the arts so let us know so we can add you to our career profiles.

Does your child play an instrument? The talent show is on April 29th, but their will be an opportunity to sign up and play the piano in our doodle lounge at Art Ball.  

Contact Morgan Nystrom (moko_77@yahoo,com) and help make Art Ball POP!

Teacher Planning Day

It's been a long day of (mostly) sitting and entering data and comments onto report cards.  I did manage one major (and overdue) feat...

On Monday your child will have a new table and new tablemates.  Let them know that their first job when they come in is to find their new seat!

I sent Run for the Arts packets back home on Thursday.  Please send them in as soon as you can.  For those families who did not get a packet, you could 1) do nothing, 2) print out a Packet from http://www.ya-or.org/media/2015-2016-Web-Sponsor-Sheet-EN.pdf, or contribute online at http://runforthearts.ya-or.org/donate.asp.   I did keep lap totals for everyone without a sponsor sheet.  Let me know if you need these for your child.

I am still hoping for another volunteer on Monday, and a crew of volunteers on Thursday.  Please let me know if you are able to help.

Enjoy the sunshine!

This (short) week in kindergarten

Don't forget -- there is no school Friday, due to a teacher in-service day.  I will be here working on report cards (which will come home on Thursday the 14th).

This Thursday is Run for the Arts.  It looks to be a perfect day for thirty minutes of running and walking.  Feel very free to come  and cheer our  young runners along (things start at 1:00 in front of the school).  Please be sure to have your sponsor sheet back before Thursday.

Art Ball is Friday, April 15th.  This is a wonderful night of art and community.  The halls are filled with artwork, and their are opportunities to make art around the school.  We plan to transform Room 2 into an art gallery.  We need lots of volunteer help next Thursday during the school day.  Please let me know if you can help.

It has been wonderful to have Morgan, August's mom working on an art with us each Monday morning.  She needs volunteers to help in the classroom next Monday from 8:30 to 9:30.

General Theme: Transportation
Theme Book: Mayday, Mayday
Chapter Book: Lulu and the Dog from the Sea
New words:  yellow, blue, green (week 2)
Words we know: I, am, the, little, a, to, have, is, we, my, like, he, for, me, with, she, see, look, you, of, they, go, here, from
New letter:  Xx
Letters we know: m, a, t, p, s, i, n, b, r, d, k, o, l, g, e, j, w
Math: measuring and addition
Switch: Art with Ms. Rodhe
Song: Rock Island  Line
Star of the Week: Artem

Garden Day

This week in kindergarten

I hope everyone had a wonderful and restful break.

Be sure to check your child's backpack for notes from the school nurse regarding our hearing and vision assessments, as well as Run for the Arts sponsor sheets.

We are on stage this Friday at the Roundup Assembly.  We will sing two songs and do our best to engage in some snappy dialog.  Please have your child here at 7:55.

Library Books: I am continuing to urge kids to get their books back early in the week.  Thursday is library day (and share day).  My dream is to have everyone check out a book each week.

Morgan (August's mom) is helping the kindergarten (all five kindergartens!) with an art project involving patterns and shapes.  Look for more information as this comes together!

Through the spring, we will be focusing on improving our reading, writing longer pieces, and beginning to make sense of addition and subtraction.

General Theme: Transportation
Theme Book: Max Takes the Train
Author Study: Frank Asch
New words:  yellow, blue, green
Words we know: I, am, the, little, a, to, have, is, we, my, like, he, for, me, with, she, see, look, you, of, they, go, here, from
New letter:  Jj Ww 
Letters we know: m, a, t, p, s, i, n, b, r, d, k, o, l, g, e
Math: addition
Switch: Science and Social Studies
Song: Erie Canal
Star of the Week: Emma

Art with Morgan

Have a great break

Look for Run for the Arts sponsor sheets in your child's backpacks today!

We are still a little low on snacks.  Think of us as you shop.

Look for a new survey regarding different options for Chapman next year.  This will probably come out late this weekend.

Most of all, have a great break!

The Virginia Reel

Yesterday we did the Virginia Reel with our friends from Room 4.

Friday Notes

Daylight savings time is upon us this weekend.  I asked the kinders to try to get to bed early so they would not be too exhausted on Monday!

We are getting low on snacks.  Please think of us as you are shopping!

Many thanks to Natalie, Liana's Mom, who helped with an awesome art project today.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Making our Starry Nights

Here are a few tidbits about our week...

There are still well more than 100 items in the lost and found.  This should mean at least 3-4 items from our classroom.  These will be donated to charity very soon.  Be sure to check the front hallways for your child's missing stuff (and don't forget to mark your child's things with a name and room number).

This week is a simple, straightforward week with a new round of centers focused on the fine book My Lucky Day, math focused on estimating and comparing numbers, writing focused on giving instructions, and literature focused on the Goldilocks folktale.

Please consider volunteering.  Our mornings are way more wonderful when we have extra help in the classroom between 9:30 and 11:00, especially on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Chapter Book; Mabel in the Soup
Theme Book: Goldilocks
New words: go, here, from
Words we know: I, am, the, little, a, to, have, is, we, my, like, he, for, me, with, she, see, look, you, of, they, 
New letter:  Ee
Letters we know: m, a, t, p, s, i, n, b, r, d, k, o, l, g
Math: estimating and comparing numbers
Switch: Art
Song: Blue Skies
Star of the Week: Evie

Happy birthday Dr. Seuss

This week in kindergarten

Here are a few tidbits about the week:

Lost and Found -- A wonderful volunteer, Tiffany, spent several hours today moving the lost and found to the front hall, where it will stay for less than two weeks before being donated to charity. Tiffany took the time to track down all coats with names in them -- she reunited two coats with their Room 2 owners -- but there are still tons of unclaimed coats and miscellany .  Please be sure to check the front hall for your child's missing clothes, and don't forget to put your child's name in her coat -- today was proof positive that it pays off.

Dr. Seuss -- Wednesday is Dr. Seuss' birthday.  We will be doing a variety of activities to celebrate his life and work.

Library Books -- I would love to see fewer kids miss library checkouts.  I always encourage kids to put library books in their backpacks on Sunday so that they are at school on Monday.  This year seems to be a challenging one for getting books back by library day.

Health Screening -- This Thursday is health screening day.  If this is the same as in years past, we should be checking vision, hearing and dental health.

Story Problems -- We will be creating story problems tomorrow morning.  This is always a super fun math day, and kicks off our learning about addition and subtraction.

Leap Day -- We spent some time talking about Leap Day, why we have years, and orbital dynamics this morning (complete with a demonstration).  See if your child can tell you anything coherent about these subjects!!

Here's more...

Chapter Book; Mabel in the Soup
New words: one, two, three, four, five (week 3)
Words we know: I, am, the, little, a, to, have, is, we, my, like, he, for, me, with, she, see, look, you, of, they
New letter:  Gg
Letters we know: m, a, t, p, s, i, n, b, r, d, k, o, l
Math: Story Problems
Switch: science & social studies
Song: Take the Night Train to Memphis
Star of the Week: George

Jump Rope for Heart

The last day for Jump Rope for Heart is Monday.  Mr. Studt says that he cannot accept any money after Monday.

Schedule change

I was a little over-ambitious in my planning for math.  I am going to do our big day of designing a math story problem next Tuesday instead of tomorrow.  I would love a volunteer or two to help on Tuesday March 1.

OMSI science assembly

Another week in kindergarten

Here is a day-by-day breakdown of our week:

Today should be an ordinary Monday featuring a bunch of new centers plus Mandarin in the morning and music and dance in the afternoon.

We have a "Science Circus assembly early Tuesday morning.  In the afternoon we will go to Ms. Aksay's room for social studies.

On Wednesday we will take the morning to design and write story problems.  This is always a fun activity that integrates math, art and writing.  We could use a volunteer or two to help with this.

Thursday, of course, features P.E., library (don't forget those books), and share day.

On Friday we will write about Jin, go to P.E. see our reading buddies, and do a few special and fun other activities.

Our themes include...

Theme Book: One Little Mouse
Chapter Book; Chicken Squad
New words: one, two, three, four, five (week 2)
Words we know: I, am, the, little, a, to, have, is, we, my, like, he, for, me, with, she, see, look, you, of, they
New letter:  Gg
Letters we know: m, a, t, p, s, i, n, b, r, d, k, o, l
Math: Story Problems
Switch: dance & social studies
Song: TBD
Star of the Week: Jin

100 day crowns