Weekly Message

Sorry for the delay in this week's message...
     We have been very busy this week.  The students are excited about the warm weather and it fits perfectly with our discussions of spring.  Our read aloud books have been about many spring topics, animals, plants, weather, baseball etc.  They are really enjoying these stories.
     In science we continue our chapter on living and non-living things.  We have learned about the needs of living things and we are now focusing on how living things grow and change.  We have "planted" lima beans in the classroom and we hope to see some sprouts soon!  I am also working on getting some caterpillars for the room so that we can observe their life cycle.
   Our reading skills are really taking off.  We are now working on a strategy called Flippy the Dolphin.  Flippy reminds us that if we are struggling with a word we may need to flip the vowel sound.  We should try the word with the short vowel sound and with the long song.  We also continue to work on word families and consonant clusters.  All of these skills should help your child's reading and writing improve.
    In Writer's Workshop we continue our persuasive writing.  Students are writing to persuade those around them to "fix" a problem.  They must first think of a problem that exists in their world, then think of some solutions, and then write to invite others to help with this problem. Kindergarten problems are quite varied.  Some have problems keeping their room clean while others have problems with siblings or even parents!
Funny!
   In math we continue to work on subtraction strategies.  We have learned to use manipulatives and picture to solve subtraction problems.  We also know to cross out what we are subtracting or to use the number line.  Everyone is getting very good at both addition and subtraction!

Reminders:
  Don't forget to return the form for the spring music program.  Mrs. Bowles would like to know who plans to attend.  We are hoping for 100% participation.  Also, our program is about being healthy.  The students are asked to wear "workout" type clothes.  (Tennis shoes, sweatbands,etc)

Spring Fling will be coming soon.  We will be collecting items for a silent auction. The kindergarten basket theme is Family Game Night.  We are looking for donations of board games, cards, dice, etc.
Thanks!