Right now in kindergarten, we are really working on applying all that we know with letters and their sounds as we read books and write complete sentences filled with words that include beginning, middle, and ending sounds. We are also applying our math number sense (reading and writing numbers, knowing which number is more/less, and sequencing numbers) as we challenge ourselves with math story problems and addition and subtraction number sentences.
If you notice that your child still does not know their letter names, letter sounds, and numbers 0-31, review them. It could be something as simple as flash cards. Those skills are the foundation for being able to read and write and being able to to do more challenging math story problems. You can even find resources on our kindergarten wiki (the link is right here on the home page of my blog).
As you know, we are partners in making sure that your child grows and finds success in kindergarten. Please continue to read at home to your child, but also have your child read to you. With some students, I have been sending home small book bags with books at their guided reading level (these are the book bags that I introduced at conferences). These are books that they should be able to read independently with just a little bit of guidance from you. Those kids that are continuing to bring back their bags nearly every day have already been finding great success. Parents are loving the resources, and the kids are loving being the ones to read the books. If you have not returned the book bag that I gave to you at conferences, but would like for one to be sent home, please send me an email.
Also, every week the kindergarten teachers send home a weekly newsletter with ideas for you to work on with your child. Please utilize those as they relate directly to what we are teaching and the kids are learning in the classroom. There is usually an activity that practices a strategy we are learning on the back as well.
I am a little behind on updating you with pictures from our classroom. You will find pictures from our Polar Express Day (with some surprise visitors with magic beans), the winter party (which was fabulous thanks to our wonderful room parents!), and our penguin project that incorporated math, art, and writing. Enjoy!
