Next week we will be talking about the letter Q and its best friend U. Each day we will be looking for q words and we will see if we find one that does not begin with the qu combination. (We will also talk about the letter u and how it can be found in other places besides just next to the q!). During the week we will read books about quilts. Do you have a quilt at home? If you do, please show it to your child-maybe there is even a special story behind it that you can share with them. You may find some fun "quilt" squares coming home as we are introduced to some quilt square writing during writer's workshop. At the end of the week, your child will begin their kinderpress stories. Each student should be prepared to write a story that will then be published with the help of our many parent volunteers. Most kids write a personal narrative about a favorite trip or family memory. We will be working on these in class on Wednesday and Thursday. You might want to brainstorm some ideas for these books-we want narrative books to contain several events that happened and we want fiction ones to have a clear beginning, middle, and end.
In math we have been engaging in a LOT of "math talk". During "math talk", students have to explain how they grouped objects, solved a problem, or figured out how to orally answer a question. The most amazing thing about this is how much we learn from each other. The students have been enjoying a math series by Greg Tang that is filled with mind-stretching riddles and LOTS of opportunities for "math talk". This would be a great series to have at home. You might want to check it out so you can engage in mathematical discussions this summer. We will also be spending time discussing and practicing the structure of 5. Although this may seem like an easy concept, it is much more challenging than you think. The new common core standards (being adopted next year) require Kindergartners to be fluent in their understanding of the number 5....we will play partner games, use our 5 math racks, and learn some new dice games...all of these things will manipulate the number 5 in surprising ways.
As always we will continue to work on reading strategies and reading independently, as we prepare for the year to end, and for your child to become a FIRST GRADER! I am sure I will say this many times before June 1st, but I am very proud of the learning that has taken place this year and I am grateful to all of you for your continued support and efforts at home! THANK YOU!
On a final note...our last field trip is quickly approaching. We will be going to the Children's Museum on Wed. May 23. We will be attending a classroom program on 3-D shapes as well as exploring the museum. I will need 5 parent volunteers to attend this trip. If you are available to come with us, please email me. Have a great weekend!
