February 3, 2011

• In math, we learned a new center called, "Beat you to 15 cents".  At this center we are learning that you can trade 5 pennies for 1 nickle.  We are also practicing with recognizing, ordering, writing, and comparing numbers in the teens.
• In language arts we practiced the strategy of recognizing story structure.  In the story we read this week, we decided the structure of the story was an ABC book.  We also practiced classifying and categorizing.
• In writing, we are working on adding more specific details.  For example, instead of saying, "We can play", we are working on writing, "We can slide down a slide".
• In science, we finished up our unit on winter.  This week, we focused on ice and what animals do in the winter.  To learn about ice, we read a book, explored ice, and did an experiment to see how to melt ice the fastest.  We discovered that hot water was faster than the heater, lamp, and our hands.  We also learned that in the winter, some animals hibernate, some animals migrate, and some animals stay active.
• We added a couple new centers to our community centers that were based off of what animals do in the winter.  With wooden blocks and small beanie baby animals, we built hibernation homes.  We also had a center where we drew on a map a path of a bird flying south.  We then measured how many cubes long that journey was.
• Heart word of the week: "are"
• Special theme of the week: "winter"
• Report cards were sent home on Thursday.
• The school is having a contest where they are collecting box tops.  Continue to send those in!
• We have started a new traffic light system.  A note was put in your child's folder on Wednesday explaining how they work.  

Smart Board rhyming

Measuring how many cubes long the bird's journey south was
 
Building a hibernation home

Animal sorting

 Melting ice experiment

 Melting ice experiment

 Exploring ice

January 20th, 2011

• In math, we focused on our calendar math.  This month, we are learning about a growing pattern using pattern blocks.  We are also beginning to learn about odd and even numbers.
• In language arts we continued with the strategy of summarizing.  We were also introduced to making inferences.
• In science, we read some nonfiction books and recorded what we learned from these books about snow.
• Most of our community centers were the same this week.  We added a Smart Board center where we played some learning games on Starfall.
• Heart word of the week: "is"
• Special theme of the week: "winter"
• Scholastic Book orders have been sent home.  They are due January 30th.
• We are now finished with the School-Home Links homework.  The new weekly homework will be heart word books.  Directions are included with the homework this week.
• A new Math Home Connection is being sent home today.

January 13, 2011

Hello Kindergarten families!  I am so excited to be back and teaching your children!  Here are some highlights from our week:

• In math, we were introduced to a new center called "Sea Creatures".  With these sea creatures, we will practice sorting, counting by 1's, 2's, 5's, 10's, patterning, etc.
• In language arts we practiced the strategy of summarizing after reading a story.
• In science, we started learning about winter.  We talked about and recorded what we already know about winter and what we want to know about winter.  We also decided that we will learn about winter by reading, asking an expert, and exploring.
• We have some fun new items added to our community centers to go with our "winter" theme.  Our dramatic play has been turned into a hot chocolate shop.  We are practicing taking orders, preparing the hot chocolate (chocolate scented play-dough), and exchanging money.  We are also working on strengthening our hand and finger muscles, as well as working on our creativity while making snowmen out of play-dough.  
•  Heart word of the week: "have"
• Special theme of the week: "winter"

December 19, 2011

• In Math we will be learning how to count to 20.  A new Workplace begins this week called, "Beat You to 20".  Students will play a game using unifix cubes, which will help them understand how to count to 20.
• In Language Arts we will be reading books about Christmas.  We'll also look at poetry and focus on "rhyming words". 
• In Social Studies we will focus on Christmas celebrations from Mexico, Germany, and the United States.
• Keep reading for "December Book-It".  The "January Book-It" calendar will be placed in their folder this week so your child can continue to read over the holiday break.
• Heart Words of the Week:  Review all the words they have learned so far.
• Special Theme This Week: "Christmas Celebrations Around The World"
• Gift Exchange:  There won't be a gift exchange between students in Kindergarten for the upcoming Holiday Party.
• My final day to teach in Kindergarten is December 23.  Mrs. Matulis returns on January 9.  Thank you for the opportunity to teach your child since September.  I have many fond memories and will miss the students and staff at Hollywood.  Thank you to everyone who has assisted in some way these past months. You are so appreciated!  Much joy to you throughout the holidays!               Miss Koehneke

December 12, 2011

• In Math we will be learning more about "counting and comparing".  The students will get to count, and then decide if their number is more, less, or the same.  We are reviewing counting to 50 by ones and counting by tens to 50 and beyond!
• In Language Arts we will be reading books about reindeers and Christmas.  We will focus on "sequence of events" as they read this week.  You can use words like " first", "next", and "last" to understand this skill. 
• The "December Book-It" calendar is in the green jungle folder.  Have a "jolly good time" reading!
• Heart Word of the Week:  "to"
• Special Themes This Week:  "Reindeer" and "Christmas"
• Gift Exchange: There won't be a gift exchange between students in Kindergarten for the upcoming holiday party.
• The Giving Tree:  Thank you to all who participated with this special project.  Your generosity is much appreciated!
• Box Tops:  Keep saving these for school!
• Check out the Lakeshore Schools' website for additional information about menus, newsletters, and much more!

December 5, 2011

• In Math we will be learning about "growing patterns".  The students will learn how to count by two's.  A new Workplace will begin this week where they will be able to "count and compare pennies". 
• In Language Arts we will be reading more "Gingerbread" books.  Last week we compared a couple of the books by reviewing details from the "beginning, middle, and end" of the stories.  This week the class will learn about "characters and plot" in a story.  "Adjectives" or describing words will also be introduced in stories and with their writing. 
• The "December Book-It" calendar was sent home last week.  Enjoy reading some holiday books as you work towards your monthly goal. 
• Heart Words of the Week: Review "see" and "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. 

November 28, 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!