Mrs. Matulis' Kindergarten: November 2011

Sunday, November 27, 2011

In Math we are working with Ten-Frame cards and matching them to a number card. The students will be figuring out pattern block puzzles and enjoying Workplaces that relate to these lessons.
In Language Arts we will be reading many "Gingerbread" books. We will brainstorm some words that tie into this theme. The class will be introduced to "verbs" in their reading and writing. These words show "action" in a sentence.
November Book-It: Only a few days left to complete the November calendar.
Heart Word of the Week: "go"
Special Theme of the Week: "Gingerbread"
Gift Exchange: There won't be a gift exchange between students in Kindergarten for the upcoming holiday party. Instead, I encourage your family to participate with the Giving Tree in the school lobby.
Thanksgiving Food Baskets: Thank you to all who donated food for this special Hollywood project. Many families were in need this year and appreciated our help!

In Math we made another paper quilt with blocks of squares and blocks with trees. This will be on display in the hallway soon, where you can check out the students' observations about the quilt they made.
In Language Arts we are reading many Thanksgiving books. Some are fiction and others are non-fiction. The rebus stories are great because they have part words and part pictures.
In Social Studies this week the three Kindergarten classes will switch and learn something about the Pilgrims and Native Americans. Make sure you ask your child what they learned.
November Book-It: Take time to "gobble up a good book" and read over Thanksgiving break.
Heart Words of the Week: Review words from previous weeks.
Special Theme of the Week: " Thanksgiving"
Thank you to Mrs. Rydzinski and her third graders for inviting us to their play last Friday. We loved talking afterwards about the setting and characters from that play.
Gift Exchange: There won't be a gift exchange between students in Kindergarten for the upcoming holiday party. Instead, I encourage your family to participate with the Giving Tree in the school lobby.

Math: We heard the story, Butterfly Countdown, and also learned about number words. This week we will make pattern block designs.
Language Arts: We are learning how to make and confirm predictions of stories we read. We also take time to point out "rhyming words" in poems and books we read.
November Book-It sheet: It's in the green jungle folder. Happy Reading!
Heart Word of the Week": "see"
Theme of the Week: "Thanksgiving"
Kindergarten Progress Reports: They will be given to the parents at the November Parent Teacher conferences this week. A formal report card will be sent home at the semester break in January.
Conferences: They have been scheduled. If you are unable to make the conference, please notify the school. These will last only 15 min. It is very important to arrive on time so that we keep on schedule for all the conferences. Thank you!

In Math we are learning about tally marks and how they are used for counting. A new Workplace called, "Bucket of Frogs", was recently introduced. Here the students are sorting them by color, size, or other markings. They are using the counting mats to count them in groups of ten.
In Language Arts we are learning how to identify the "character" in a story. The students will learn about the "beginning", "middle", and "end" of a story.
The November Book-It sheet was sent home last week. Happy Reading!
Heart Words of the Week Review: "a" and "like"
Special Theme of the Week: "Seasons"
Kindergarten Progress Reports will be given to the parents at the November Parent Teacher Conferences. A formal Report Card will be sent home at the semester break in January. Any questions or concerns for the conference may be given to me ahead of time.
The Halloween Parade and Class Party were a huge success and lots of fun! Thank you to all the adults who helped make it a wonderful time for everyone!