Super learning going on!

Next week we will introduce the letter S. During the week we will read fiction and non-fiction books about spiders. We will compare these two genres and do some non-fiction and opinion writing. Our jolly phonics will continue as well. We are now on the 5th book of sounds. We are beginning to learn some vowel combinations. We practice saying "when two vowels go walking, the first one does the talking" to help students remember how to sound out words like 'pail. goat, tie'. When we learn the 'ng sound next week we will also introduce our first SECRET story. Secret stories are a fun way to learn about irregular sounds. Be sure to practice sight words at home too....soon we will be starting writer's workshop and it is much easier to write when you can spell some common words.

In math we will continue to learn about shapes (2D and 3D), keep practicing number writing, begin to learn about teen numbers and learn how to play a fun game called Skyscrapers. During the week a math talk page will come home for you to explore with your child. There will be questions on the back. These questions will give you some insight into how we "talk about math" at school. Having your child explain their mathematical thinking is a big part of common core. You should ask your child to do this as much as possible. It is interesting to hear what is going on in their heads...they have a lot to say!

We are hoping to meet our 4th grade buddies this week too. When we get together with our buddies, we read, or write, or play games. Both kindergarteners and 4th graders love this time they get to spend together. Our 4th grade buddies are in Mrs. Buetler's class.

October is when we really get in a groove. Look for updates on guest readers, literacy centers and volunteer opportunities in the next few weeks. Check out the top left corner of the blog to find out about some supplies we need. Scholastic book orders should be in next week. I will be sending home the new order catalogs soon. Scholastic books are a great way to fill your at home book shelves and help us earn books for our classrrom. Don't forget we have Monday Oct. 8, off of school. I hope you enjoy the long weekend and get to do some fun fall activities.

* Be sure to check the blog on the right hand side for some things you can practice at home to help your child succeed in school. I will update this section every few weeks. It is always a good idea to review concepts at home. Please be sure to encourage your child to write their letters/numbers by starting at the top...this is very important for future writing! Your child shouls also begin to transition to only using a capital letter at the beginning of their name and then all lower case letters.

Please read letter below from our head room mom: Vidya REALLY needs you to send her your email...please do that ASAP! Thanks!

Hello KW parents,

My name is Vidya Gopinath (Madhav's Mom and Ved's too he is in Mrs.Doranski's class), and I am excited to be KW's Room Parent this year! I will help to coordinate volunteers in the classroom as well volunteer opportunities that can be done at home. These include three class parties (Fall, Winter, and Valentine's Day), classroom support, supply donations, field trips, and other needs that arise throughout the year.

We will be using the scheduling website called www.signupgenius.com again this year. This will allow you to view availability online and plug yourself in to your desired slot -- a VERY user friendly and efficient way of planning.

Because our school is so careful about privacy issues, I need to please ask for your e-mail directly. When you send me your e-mail address, I will add it to my distribution list. I'd appreciate having all e-mail addresses by Friday October 5th so we can get started!

Thanks in advance,

Vidya.

vidya_gop@yahoo.com