"No footprint is too small to leave an impression on this earth." I heard this quote on the news this morning as I was getting ready to come to school while listening to the names of the children/teachers in CT. It brought me to tears. I can not imagine how one moves on after such a tragedy. I am sure it was extra difficult to send your children off to school today, I know it was for me. I hugged my boys extra tight and made sure I told them I loved them. I am sure the next few days may be harder than usual, but together we will get through it. I bet many of you tried to keep your children away from the reporting of the events. I want to assure you that we will not be discussing them at school. If someone does bring it up I will say something like this.... "We know this is sad news and you might have questions. We don't really have the answers right now. You are safe at school today. Like your families, the adults at school will make sure you are safe."
If you have any questions or concerns in the next few days, please don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you so much for entrusting your children's care to me. I cherish the time I get to spend with them each and every day.
More gingerbread stories....
Next week we will continue comparing and contrasting gingerbread stories. The students seem to love these stories and are getting good at making predicitons based on the patterns we have noticed. We will be doing math, language, and art activities based around gingerbread. Each day you will see some sort of gingerbread "thing" come home. Please take the time to ask your child about the gingerbread stories and activities we are doing. You might want to check out some gingerbread books from the library to read with your child as well. During the week, we will decorate gingerbread cookies and make a special winter surprise for your family. The gingerbread cookies will be sent home for you to see and EAT as a family. THANK YOU SO MUCH to all the people who sent in $2 to support these activities. It is so much appreciated!!!!!!!
It is hard to believe, but 2nd quarter is almost over. Next week and then after break we will be assessing many skills. I have noticed that MANY students need to work on writing two digit numbers (68, 36, etc) PLEASE practice this skill at home. It is best if you tell them a number and then have them write it down. I would prefer that they do not use a visual to help them form the numbers. Another good thing to practice is writing the numbers in order from 1-50. It is typical of kindergarten students to reverse the formation of the number (although we do hope this disappears soon), but we do not want them to write 68 for 86! Some students still need to practice counting to 100 (those transitions can be tricky). Have you been completing the math homework pages? TALKING about the problems and listening to your child's thinking is so important! Has your child been practicing their popcorn words? All students are expected to know all 36 words by March. Is your child writing their name with only a capital letter in the beginning? Are they beginning to use spaces between their words when they write? Can they read books at their level? These are all skills that will be assessed in the next few weeks. You may get an email from me telling you specific skills your child needs to work on. Any at home work you can do (especially over the break from school) will help them become better readers and writers. You will be amazed at how much they grow as learners come January!
Have a wonderful weekend!
