Buy One, Get One Free Scholastic Book Fair

ONE DAY ONLY EVENT.  Scholastic Book Fair:  BOGO!  Yes, buy one, get one free!

Date:  Tuesday, June 3

Time:  9-4 during the school day (classrooms will sign up for times to visit and buy)

           4-7  Family shop 

Where:  Carpenter Media Center

Please take this opportunity to stock up on summer reading AND support our library and reading programs at Carpenter.

A flyer is being sent home today, so you may preview books at home. 

Busy Week Ahead!

Here are some more gems from our list writing during Writer's Workshop over the last few sessions:

 A list of birthday party stuff

A list of -at family words

A list of movies

A list of train engines

(I learn something new everyday!)

A list of action words

A list of shapes

A list of robot parts

What GREAT ideas for list writing - generated by none other than the student him/herself! :)

A busy week ahead....

THURSDAY is our Field Trip!

Permission slips and the $4 cost is due tomorrow!  We have all the chaperones we can accommodate; and I will be contacting those family members tomorrow - thank you!

FRIDAY IS FIELD DAY!

We will be doing a variety of fun, athletic and team-building activities.  Most of the events are outdoors.  Kindergarten activities will run from 9:15 am - 11:30 am. 

Your child should wear these items TO school on Friday, to help the day run smoothly:

* Tennis shoes/sneakers

* Sunscreen (please apply BEFORE school)

* Comfortably, moveable, and cool clothing

Media Center Update

All Carpenter library books are due back to school by Friday, June 6th.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Burau (burau@aaps.k12.mi.us).

Field Trip: Health Exploration Station

Next week, we are taking a field trip to the St. Joseph Mercy Health Exploration Station in Canton!  Click here!

When?
Thursday, May 29th 
9:00am - 11:30am

Cost?
$4.00 per student and per chaperone

Permission slips are coming home today.  Please return it to school early next week.

We are in need of a few chaperones.  Space is limited, so it will be a first-come, first-pay, first-serve basis.  I will confirm with chaperones next week.

Remember, NO SCHOOL on Monday - happy Memorial Day!  Have a great weekend!

List Writing

Today, we learned a new genre of writing: List Writing!

We read a story title Bunny Cakes, in which Max and his sister make a cake for their grandma's birthday.  They make a list of things they need at the grocery store to make the cake.
We discussed different reasons people write lists and generated some ideas for list-writing topics.  Then we worked together in partners to write our own lists.  Take a look:

They wrote a list about what they would need to make cupcakes!

They wrote a list of frosting flavors!

They wrote a list of kinds of muffins!

They wrote a list of the months of the year -

 Look at those resourceful Ks using the Calendar to help! :)

Taking your child to the grocery store this week?  Have them help you to write a list! :)

Have a busy weekend ahead?  Make of list of things your family will do with your child! :)

TOMORROW is Carpenter's LAST BAGEL SALE for the school year!  Enjoy them while you can! :)

How-To Authors' Celebration!

Today we celebrated all of our hard work on our How-To writing pieces!  We shared our work with our classmates and had some juice and cookies :)
Take a look:

Here are some examples:

How to make french toast sticks

 How to make a train puff steam

Don't you just love Kindergarten writing?!

We kept one piece for your child's writing portfolio that he/she will take home at the end of the year.  But if your child worked on more than one piece over the unit, I sent those home in folders today.  Don't let those precious little gems of writing pieces slip through your fingers!  Ask your child to read you his/her work at home!

Just a reminder that Carpenter's Multi-Cultural Festival is tomorrow from 6-8pm!  It's a great time to socialize with the school community and to learn about each others' cultures!

Can you believe it?!

Can you believe it?!  Less than 4 weeks remaining in our Kindergarten year together.  It is always this point in the year when I realize how much we have all learned and grown together.  Wow-ee!  It makes me smile each day :)

Literacy Stations:  Putting letters in alphabetical order!

"Pickle" Time:  Working together as a team to build a great construction :)

Drama Center:  Pizza Parlor!

Here the guests are giving their orders, as the waiter records it :)

End of the Year Celebration

I am hoping to get the ball rolling on organizing some end of the school year events.  Last year, as a part of our celebrations we were able to go to a near-by student's house for outdoor activities and a picnic (the last week of school).  If any families live in walking distance from Carpenter and would be willing to have the class over outdoors, please contact me.  Thank you!

Book Packages

I apologize but I am behind on filling Book Packages!  If you have returned your book package in the last week and have been wondering where it is, I still have it.  I will get them to you asap.  Thanks for your patience and continued support with reading at home!

The week of June 2nd will be the LAST week for Book Packages.  All Book Packages are due back to school by Thursday, June 5th.  Thank you!

Spring Picture Orders

On Monday, your child's Spring picture proofs and order forms were sent home.  They are quite cute!  We took these pictures a couple weeks back.  If you are interested in ordering, order forms and money are due back to school by May 19th.  Thank you!

Happy Mother's Day

HAPPY Mother's Day to all our classroom mothers!

I hope you have a wonderful and special day with your families!

Here are some pictures of our Ks during stations lately:

Upper/lowercase Lotto

Math Sticks: showing a number in different ways

Sight Word Lotto

Library Station

Penny-Dime Exchange Game

Building a 100s grid

Write the Room:  Teen Buttons

HOW TO WRITING UPDATE

We have been working hard during Writing Workshop and each K has completed at least one how to writing piece!  Once they got the hang of it, they are rolling! :)

Here is one example. 

 Hope to send some more examples out soon!


BUG AND A WISH
We have been learning and working on using a new behavior strategy called a bug and a wish.  It involves using 3 steps when having a problem with a peer:
1.  Ignore (sometimes minor problems can just be ignored)
2.  Walk away (sometimes removing yourself can solve the problem)
3.  If those do not work, ask the person if you may give them a bug and a wish and deliver one.
It might sound like this;
"Caitlin, may I give you a bug and a wish?"
"Yes."
"It bugs me when you don't share the trains.  I wish you would let me have a turn."

Students use a little bug and a wand as the wish, to help them remember the process.

They have really attached to using this form of communication!

Try using this at home when appropriate! :)

Carpenter Field Day 2014

Each year in the Spring, Mrs. Cope (our main P.E. teacher) organizes a field day full of physical and mental activities.  This is always a favorite day for kids.  This year, the event will take place on Friday, May 30th.  Kindergarten will participate from 9:15 AM to 11:30 AM.

Mrs. Cope is looking for parent volunteers to support that day - she has limited numbers so far.  So please email her if you are interested: copel@aaps.k12.mi.us.

That day, your child should wear comfortable and moveable clothing, sneakers/tennis shoes, and sunscreen.  It will be here before we know it!

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