IXL

Exciting news! I just got notification  from IXL that our class has correctly answered over 500 math questions. That is terrific. The following students have been working on Math problems on IXL as of today: Santiago, Lauren, Ben, Max G., Max Mc., Mia M., Colin, Adrianna, Danny and Maddie. Great job kids and thank you to your parents for helping you get on at home. I am able to check to see who has been on and for how long. I encourage you to help your child at home with this math enrichment program. I have heard back from some parents and they love this program. You will be amazed at how 15 minutes a day working on math will help your child with their math skills.  I am sharing this information with Mrs. Parsons so she can make an informed decision about what to purchase. Learning can and should be fun!

Early Prevention of School Failure- EPSF

Dear Parents,
Last week your child brought home their results from the EFSF testing that was done in August along with a packet of learning activities that you can do at home that will help your child. I really hope that you looked through those activities and are doing some of the suggested activities with your child.  If your child did not score AT EXPECTED for their age you will need to do the activities. I suggest that you do some of the activities even if your child scored AT EXPECTED or ABOVE because they are fun and will strengthen these areas especially in the areas of Auditory and Language. The next few blogs will be further explanations of the different areas.

Gross Motor Development

Gross motor development is the awareness and development of large muscle activities. A few examples of gross motor skills are: understanding body parts, walking with arms swinging, skipping, galloping, running, hopping on both feet and one foot, throwing and catching various size balls, body movement to the left and right. When we move from our building to the main building you may see us doing these movements. It is comical to watch us but it is beneficial the development of their large muscles. Large muscles need to develop before the small muscles development.

Trash bag fund raiser kick off

Watch the school newsletter for information about this fund raiser!

I Can......... What Mrs. Catton knows I can do in kindergarten

What's Happening in September

Here are some highlights in September.

• September birthdays- Sophia, Dayana, Jayce and Danny. Happy Birthday Kiddos!
• Picture Day is Thursday, September 4th.

• Language Arts-  I am introducing Daily Five which is a structure we use in K-5 classrooms for reading. Part of Daily Five is Read to Self. During Read to Self the children will be reading texts from their book baskets. Each child has a book basket I put together especially for them. In their book basket is their ABC book they decorated, a counting book, a school book, ABC book, and a picture book. I will explain to the children that there are three ways to read a book (read the pictures, read the words, retell the story) and then I will model the three ways.  We will be building stamina over the next few weeks with the goal of the children being able to sit quietly "reading" from their book baskets. When we get to  20 minutes with some consistency I will introduce  the other parts of Daily Five- Listen to Reading, Writing, Word Work, Working with the Teacher (guided reading). You will be hearing more about Daily Five. We play a game with names where the children learn letters, sounds as well as syllables. 
• Math- In Math we are counting everyday and practicing what Math Workshop should look and sound like. I will be teaching the children math investigations. We will be looking and discovering attributes in attribute blocks and other items. They will be sorting and discussing how they sorted with each other. We will also be starting a number book that will be eventually going into their book basket. 
• Religion- We are learning to make the sign of the cross correctly. It is made with the right hand- head, chest, left shoulder, right shoulder, hands together.  We will be attending Mass starting on Wednesday. If you do not attend church regularly with your child you will want to prep them about proper church behavior. We are learning and practicing how to be friends. The story of Creation is our first Bible story. The children will be making a book about the story of Creation that they will keep in their book basket and read during Daily Five.
• Social Studies- We will be looking for and learning about the important people who help us at school. We will ask questions to find out what they do and discuss how their job is important to us. We are saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
• Early Prevention of School Failure (EPSF)- During centers, morning work, free time, and Daily Five I will have activities for the children who need to scored moderately or considerably below in any areas of the assessment. Strengthening those areas are the priority for them.