We are off to a great start to the school year! :) We have been working hard to learn the routines and expectations. And we are getting to know each other as classmates and friends.
One routine we have been working on is our Literacy and Math Work Stations. During this time, students work with a partner on a specific literacy or math-based task that we have previously learned. The purpose of this time is for students to practice Kindergarten skills, to gain independence, and to gain mastery of concepts. Once we are up and running smoothly, I will begin small-group guided instruction during this time. This is a critical time of our day.
Here are the rules that guide us during this time:
1. Stay in your work space (eyes and body).
2. Work quietly.
3. Think like a reader and a writer. Or Think like a mathematician.
4. Do you best.
I also encourage the kids to ask themselves, "How can I keep learning?" Please talk about these rules at home with your child to help support the expectations.
Here are some pictures from our work stations time over the last couple weeks:
LITERACY:
WRITING STATION: At this point in the year, we are drawing and practicing writing different types of lines.
WORD STUDY: Sorting Letters
HANDWRITING: Building Frog Jump Capital letters with wooden pieces
Parents, check out the Handwriting without Tears website.
I recommend using the Wet-Dry-Try App at home!
DRAMA: House and restaurant play. Here, she is making a shopping list!
COMPUTERS: Starfall website with letters and letter sounds. You can learn here at home too!
MATH:
Making Patterns
Sorting by shape
Making Patterns
Sorting: Coins!
To introduce the concept of SORTING, we read A Pair of Socks. Then we worked together as a class to sort the socks in different ways. First, we matched up the pairs. Then, we thought of other ways: patterning on the socks (stripes, plain, etc.), size, colors...
These 2 Ks practice it on their own in work stations.
Sorting: by shape
Sorting Buttons: by the number of holes
Sorting: by the number of corners
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT
The kids are doing a great job adjusting to our Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) system. The goal of this system is for students to learn to take responsibility for their learning behaviors. In the beginning of the year, it is important for each child to understand what is expected in the learning environment and to do their personal best. There are some behaviors I am being "pretty strict" on at this point in the year, so that we may maintain an environment where everyone can learn and feel safe.
I hope the color-coding system is working out for you at home as well. I find that when families are involved in this process, students work to achieve their personal best. This system also helps me to keep track of student learning behaviors.
Sometimes a student may move to yellow (oopsie) after I have already spoken to him/her about a problem. I do give students the opportunity to move back up to green (ready to learn) if he/she works hard to correct the problem.
Here are a few things you can do to support your child in this routine:
1. Check the weekly behavior chart on a daily basis. Talk with your child about his/her behavior for that day. Praise your child for those green and above days! Talk about what happened on those yellow and below days and how your child might do better tomorrow.
(When possible, I will make a note explaining why you see a yellow or orange day. If I don't get a chance, feel free to email me.)
2. Keep this weekly behavior form in your child's folder throughout the week. At the end of the week, sign or initial the form and return it to school the following Monday.
These forms will be an important talking point for us at conferences.
More posting to come! Here's to a great week ahead!
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