A Great Start!

Dear Parents,

The children had a great first week in kindergarten!  We were very busy learning about our school, classroom, routines, and new friends!

Most weeks I will post pictures of the children learning and playing at school.  Once I receive a list of students whose pictures can/cannot be posted on our blog from Mrs. McGilvery, I will begin posting pictures.   Stay tuned!

So, I'm sure you are wondering what we did all last week.  Here is a brief overview:

• We began each day with Morning Meeting.  We will begin every school day in our classroom with Morning Meeting.  During Morning Meeting, we greet each other, engage in an activity, share something about a predetermined topic, and read a morning message together.
• On day two, we began Reading Workshop!!  We really did!!  I taught the children that they can read a book even if they can't yet read the words.  They do this by reading the pictures.  After we practiced together with Froggy Bakes a Cake, the children read pictures in books by themselves.  I was amazed at how focused and engaged the children were!
• I introduced a few of our daily math routines: counting the days we've been in school with the use of straws, determining the date and writing it on the next calendar piece, and collecting data about the weather.
• We started writing workshop on Friday!  I taught the children that just like the authors of books we read, they are authors, too.  When we write, we can think of something we've done, draw it, and then add words.

While we did begin some academics last week, the majority of our time was devoted to learning and practicing routines, establishing rules and expectations, guided discovery of materials in our classroom, and making new friends on the playground. 

Through guided discovery, I introduce a material/object to the class, we discuss what you can do with that object and how to use it appropriately and safely, and then children have time to explore that material.  We had guided discovery of pencils, crayons, books, foam blocks, trucks and cars, glue sticks, scissors, and the playground equipment.  We will have more guided discovery time this week.

I hope this information gives you a little peek inside your child's first week in kindergarten.  I look forward to seeing all of you at Parent Open House this Thursday, September 12 from 6:00-7:00 pm!

Warmly,
Katie