Weekly Volunteers

I have my Thursday PM weekly volunteer for math stations.  However, in looking at my schedule I could also use a weekly volunteer on Monday afternoons.  The time would be 12:20-2:20 (has the potential for leaving earlier).  Please let me know if you can help out during this time slot each week.

Thank you!

Non-Fiction Writing & More

HOW TO WRITING
Last week, we begin a new type of non-fiction reading and writing:  HOW TO!  Writers can write in order to tell how to do something.  So we have been reading some how to texts and practicing sequential and step-by-step thinking involved with this genre.

First, I showed our Ks how to make a bowl of cereal.  We talked about each step and I modeled how to draw and write it:

(Notice the capitals and bold word big?  Well, Toby suggested that we do that in order to emphasis the word big.  What readers and writers we are becoming!)

We also worked together this week to draw and write how to wash our hands.  Pairs of Ks worked together on one step of the process.  Take a look at our work:

We have also been reading how to texts in our small-group guided reading lessons.  You may see some how to books in your child's book package over the next week or two.  Take some time to talk about the steps in order.  Ask your child to re-tell how to do the topic of the book in his/her own words.  You may even talk about and add in any new steps you can think of (This would also be a great idea for writing!).

This week, we will work on brainstorming how to ideas for our individual writing.  Talk with your child about things he/she can do that he/she could tell or teach to someone else. 

Coins, coins, coins!

This week, we also learned about the dime.

This dime and nickel can be tricky for kids to tell the different between.  Grab a handful of coins at home and ask your child to sort them.  Talk about each one.  These songs may help:

Penny, penny

Easily spent

Copper brown

And worth one cent!

Nickel, nickel

Thick and fat

You're worth 5 cents

I know that!

Dime, dime

Little and thin

I remember

You're worth 10!

Subtraction

We have also been working on telling take away or subtraction number stories.  We drew and wrote our stories and often showed subtraction by crossing out.

These was 5 fish and a shark came along and ate one.  How many fish are left?

Practice telling some take away number stories at home! :)

SEEKING WEEKLY VOLUNTEER

I am seeking a weekly volunteer to help with math stations on Thursday afternoons from 12:20-1:40.

I need some help running a station (Mrs. A is out of the room at this time).  Please let me know if you can help during this time slot each week.  Thank you!

Book Package Reading: How's it Going?

I hope everyone is enjoying the recent arrival of Spring and your week!

So... have you been reading?! :)

Here is some information about how to best use this reading assignment:

1.  Each time you read together, record it on the reading log.  For this assignment, YOUR CHILD is doing the reading, not you.  You are there to observe, listen, prompt, and guide your child.

Feel free the make the log work for you, but this is your communication to me about what and how your child as been reading.  If I don't see every book title written down, I assume you have not read it.  And if I only see the title once, again I have to assume you have only read it once.

For the "Comments" section, consider comments related to reading accuracy and comprehension.  If your child needed a lot of prompting, jot that down!  If it's too hard, jot that down.  If your child says something really great about the book, jot that down!

Keep this out as well while your child reads.  When your child gets stuck or makes a mistake while reading, don't simply tell them or correct them - instead use these prompts!  These prompts help your child learn how to be more independent and strategic readers.

2.  Read every day together!  Your child should be reading all of the books within the package multiple times, but not necessarily every book every day.  Re-readings are important for all reading skills!  Your child will have at least one book within the package that he/she has never read before.  Plan to spend at least 20 minutes on reading per day (including the word work or writing along with it).

3.  TALK, TALK, TALK about the book together!  (see included notes)

4.  Do some word work together and/or write about one of the books! (see notes)

While working on word work or writing, it is best if your child does not simply copy sentences or words out of the book.  Encourage your child to write from memory or to "stretch out the words."  Kindergarten writing is not about accuracy, it's about learning to develop confidence as a writer.  I will discuss sight words in a later post (which you can encourage your child to write accurately).

Secondly, expect that your child does his/her best work that includes detailed drawing and coloring.  Quality is just as important! :)

5.  Keep the package in a safe place.  All of the contents should remain inside when not in use.  You do NOT need to return the package to school everyday; but if you prefer you may keep in within your child's backpack.

6.  When you feel like your child is reading all of the books solidly (after multiple readings and several days of practice), return the package to school for new books.  There will not be an assigned day of the week for this, but instead do what is best for your child.  I will be checking the log for evidence that each book has been read many times.  Make sure your child understands when he/she is turning it in for new books.  This should be about once a week.

7.  Enjoy this time together! :)  This is not meant to be a stressful time, so make it work for you and your child.  If your child is too tired/unfocused at night, consider reading together in the morning instead.  And continue to read together over the weekend.

Keep in mind that when you return it to school, you may not get it back right away.  I will try my best to get it filled with new books that day or the next day.

I look forward to seeing the confidence and progress that your children will make in reading with this assignment.  Please let me know if you have further questions!