Back in the swing of things

We had a busy week following Spring Break! The fourth quarter is here, and the boys and girls will be first graders soon. This means that the work is getting more difficult and the students are being asked to do more things independently. I am so pleased with how much they have grown as learners this year.

In math, we have been focusing on various ways to solve addition problems: using a number line, counting on, drawing pictures, etc. The students will take their formal addition test next week, and I am expecting great results! Then we will move on to subtraction.

In writing, we are practicing what we have learned about the rules of writing a sentence and the students are beginning to explore more writing opportunities on their own.

In reading, we had a great time with Max Takes the Train. What a fun story! We also discussed various types of transportation, including subways, jets, ferryboats, and bicycles built for two.

Before the end of the year, the students will have many opportunities to show what they have learned for their final report cards. Additional practice at home is a huge help! Please practice the following:
~Writing the first, middle, and last sounds in words.
~Saying all of the sounds in words. (For DIBELS, students must state 40 sounds in one minute.)
~Counting by 1 to 100.
~Counting by 10 to 100.
~Writing numbers 1-20 in order.
~Reading all of the letters and stating their sounds.
~Reading all of the sight words we have learned this year.

Enjoy this beautiful day!

March Minutes

It was another great week in kindergarten--although the kids and I were disappointed to have indoor recess several days due to rain. Hopefully next week will be dry and sunny!

In math, we are working on counting, putting groups of numbers together (the step before formal addition), graphing, and counting back. In reading, we had loads of fun with Little Red Riding Hood. We focuses a great deal on describing the characters in the story. We also acted the story out, which is always a hit with the boys and girls!

There are so many great things happening, it is impossible to share them all. But please be aware, the quarter is ending soon--we will have several assessments before Spring Break. Report cards will go home in April, after the week off.

Have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day...may the luck of the Irish be with you!

March Musings

March has been a great month for Room 201. The students are showing off all that they have learned. I could not be prouder of them. They have been working so hard. Each day we are practicing our letter sounds and sight words. This week we started to focus on consonant blends. We have included them in our daily message--blending words, such as slam, trap, plug, step. The boys and girls are picking up this skill quickly. Great job!