We have finished our DIBELS test. The scores will come home next week with the mid-year progress reports. I am happy to report that every student showed improvements this time. I am looking for even more growth for our final assessment.
Our Kindergarten mid-year assessment will start this week and continue through next week. Students are asked to identify/write all uppercase and lowercase letters, and know the sounds. They need to write numbers to 20 (without reversals) and add and subtract within 5. They should be able to write their first and last name, and write a sentence including: uppercase at the beginning, spaces between the words, and punctuation at the end. They also need to draw a picture to a story. They should be able to read at least the first sight word list without mistakes or prompts. They will need to identify beginning sounds in words, and generate sets of rhyming words. Whew! It's a lot to know but I am confident they will be fine!
Every year at this time students start to slack in their work. They are getting faster, more confident, and sloppy! I spend many hours preparing, grading, and recording homework. Please help by monitoring your child's work at home. All homework should be done in pencil. I expect their BEST handwriting on every assignment. Homework is assigned Monday and Wednesday each week. It is due back the following day. Thank you for your help providing positive reinforcement for a critical study habit.
I am sending the January and February book orders together. They are due back no later than Tuesday, January 28. There are many good choices and some fun incentives to order this month.
This month we are talking about:
Social Studies: winter, bears.
Math: shapes-including 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional; square, circle, rectangle, triangle, hexagon, cube, cone, sphere, cylinder. Vocabulary includes: vertices (the corners), sides, angle, even, uneven. Adding and subtracting within 5. Writing numbers to 20.
Language Arts: ending sounds, syllables, all uppercase and lowercase alphabet recognition, writing and sounds; tapping or chopping words to read the parts, and putting sounds together to make whole words.
Writing: writing all the sounds we hear. Penmanship-using our best handwriting, starting every letter at the top, writing with lowercase letters except the beginning of a sentence or a name. Oral story telling for writer's workshop.
Reminders:
*If your child is absent please call the office 586-2840. I would appreciate if you could let me know as well. Text or email works great.
*Reading folders are due each Monday. Our reading goal in Kindergarten is 15 min. a day 4 days a week=4 hours a month.
*Library is on Wednesdays.
*PE and Music are on Thursdays. Gym shoes are best for PE activities.
Upcoming Schedule:
Thurs. Jan 30: Curriculum/Multi-Cultural Night 6:00-7:00
Fri. Jan 31: 2:00 AR assembly (I will notify parents of students getting an award)
We will celebrate Groundhog Day on Friday since the holiday is on Sunday. Watch for a special homework to see if the groundhog can see his shadow.
Thur. Feb 6: 100 day! I will send a note about this special day. We will be counting to 100, making a self portrait, making a book, and eating special 100 day snacks (I need a few parents to bring a dozen doughnuts for that day)
Fri. Feb 7: Dad's and Doughnuts 8:00 AM. Students can come with their dad (or another male adult) and have doughnuts in the gym.
Fri. Feb 14: Valentine's Day. We will have a party in class. Students are encouraged to bring valentines to share with their classmates. I WILL ASK THEM TO WRITE NAMES ON THE VALENTINES FOR HOMEWORK THE WEEK BEFORE. WATCH FOR A CLASS LIST. It is also Mrs. Hofeling's last day in our class. We will miss her!
Thank you for all you do to help your child and me be successful. We are having a fun year. It is going by so fast! I love seeing the light come on as they learn each new concept. They are cute friends and great students.
Some pictures from this month's work:
