Happy New Year

I hope each of you has a chance to reflect on 2010 and to celebrate the arrival of 2011. As I reflect back upon our time together this year I am struck by the many acts of kindness and generosity that I witness each day. Your children are making wonderful choices and are showing that they care. Thank you for all of your support and enthusiasm.

In the coming year, I will be lining up regular weekly classroom volunteers in the afternoons. Our schedule will be changing a bit, and we will dedicate the entire academic morning time to literacy activities. Afternoon times will be math, and science focused with some writer's workshop time as well. We will also continue to have center time each afternoon. Please contact me if you would like to volunteer weekly for an afternoon slot.

Peace, Susan

Fun in the Snow 2010

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Day in the Dark!

It was a great and busy day in the dark. In the morning, we read with our buddies in Mrs. Cody's first grade.We also sang some songs together.

We worked on some projects, then we had a pizza lunch sent in by Ian's family. Many thanks to Max and Karen for our yummy lunch.

In the afternoon we enjoyed making goggles, and also having centers in the dark. Katie, a UVM student,( and former student of Mrs. Koch), helped us to make the day special!

Many thanks to ALL of you who helped by sending in items for the class on this special day!

We Worked Together to Earn Warm Fuzzies

Our class worked so hard to follow our class rules. They met the class goal! We had a special meeting today to decide how to celebrate! There were many excellent ideas, as you can see. We will be having an ice cream celebration in the afternoon tomorrow. I am so proud of these good listeners!

Reading with Fourth Grade Buddies

We had some reading time with our fourth grade buddies today. Mrs. Hickey's class will be visiting each Tuesday to practice literacy skills with our class. As you can see by all of the smiles, everyone enjoyed this experience!

Day in the Dark

On Tuesday, December 21st, the kindergarten classes will be having a day in the dark to reinforce our learning about day and night; including solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year! If you have anything at home that would light up in the dark we would appreciate it if you could send it to school. Here are some suggestions:

Light Brights,Flashlights,Black Lights,Glow in the dark markers/paint

Lava Lamps,Glow Sticks,Glow in the dark stickers/beads

***Disco Balls****

We will return your items the following day (December 22nd). Please bring all items to school by Thursday, December 16th.

If you have any questions, just let us know.

New Book Baskets

We have been exploring the concept of "just right' books these past two weeks. We have tried to determine what kind of books are 'just right'. They are books that are not too short, and not too long. They are books that have mostly words that we know. They are books we can read by ourselves. We recieved new book baskets today to store these books. We will be focusing on reading "just right "books in school. After the winter break, we will begin bringing home books to share with families.

The Three Musicians

We have been looking closely at Pablo Picasso's cubist work. We have studied "Three Musicians."
We decided to replicate this classic work of art.

Look at our "Three Kindergarten Musicians". Can you find your musician?

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What will happen?

November 10, 2010

We looked at some dried corn back in November. We wondered what would happen if we added water. We put the corn in water and made some predictions.Some thought the corn would break into pieces, some thought the leaves would fall off, some thought the corn would get clear, some thought it would get moldy. We watched carefully and noticed many changes. The biggest change of all: The corn got very stinky!!

                                                               December 7, 2010
"It smells like compost."  "The leaves did not come off but they got yucky."" It is slimey."

Working our Muscles

Jen Matthews came to class today to share her expertise in occupational therapy. She helped the kindergarteners to warm up their finger muscles. Kids did "finger pops" a variety of finger grips,the three fingered chuck, rolled putty snakes, then used scissors to cut the putty.Everyone really got to work their finger muscles. Thanks, Jen!

Winter Weather

Thank you for sending your child with winter weather wear. We will go out each day unless the weather is below zero. Your child will need snow pants, a jacket hat, mittens and boots each day. Indoor shoes are also needed.Your child can leave indoor shoes here at school instead of transporting daily. We also are collecting any extra socks, gloves(mismatched are okay) and mittens for emergency use. Thanks so much!

Putting Numbers in Order

As we explore the "Bridges" math program, we have many opportunities to build number sense. Recently, each student was given a number card, and asked to help put the numbers in order. Not only did we get to see how many students were in math class that day, we also practiced math language, and used words like"larger, smaller, more, less, before, after, next to."

It took two shots to capture this ordered group!

Guidance Lessons with Mrs. Baker

Mrs. Baker, school counselor,will be coming to our classroom weekly . She will read stories, teach songs, and create learning opportunities for students to practice social skills. Her focus this past week, was the term"personal space". We each had a chance to participate in a mini skit, demonstrating the use of "personal space." Groups shared  a book, math blocks or legos, and practiced using their words when they needed more space. Some groups also practiced saying, "Excuse me," when they needed to move carefully, or to line up.Look for a letter from Mrs. Baker which includes her contact information should you have any questions about guidance lessons.

Updates for this Week

Welcome back!
A few quick updates about this week:
1.  New Times-Car riders and bus students will be dismissed at 2:40-walkers dismissed at 2:45!
2. Mrs. Koch and Mr. Adams will teach together this week.
3. Mr. Adams last day is this Friday-  (surprise)celebration at 2:00.
4. Nature Adventure Program this Friday morning in Hubbard Park.
5. We are studying Pablo Picasso in Kinderart- please send in any reprints that you can share.
6. Please check this blog for updates!

Giving Thanks

This is one time of year when I reflect upon all of the things I am grateful for. I am so glad that I have your children in this class. They have come to school excited about learning, and open to new ideas. We have had generosity of spirit, and many acts of kindness. I appreciate all of your family involvement, your donations, and your support. I look forward to our time together in the coming years .

Enjoy your family time this week, and have a fantastic Thanksgiving!!

Thank you!

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FIT Time Begins

This week marks the beginning of Focused Instructional Time (FIT) for literacy in Kindergarten! We’d like to tell you how it works.

Every Monday through Thursday we dedicate thirty minutes to teaching our students literacy skills appropriate for their needs. The Kindergarten team has created different size groups to work with a FIT teacher at this time. At the same time, a Kindergarten teacher meets with a small number of students in different instructional spaces around UES to teach targeted skill-building lessons.

Your child may be working with any one of the following literacy teachers at this time, including Ms. Thein, Mrs. Michaud, Mrs. Brigham, Mrs. Guyette or Mrs. Burke. Or your child may be working in a small group with a Kindergarten teacher.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Save Gallon Size Jugs

Please start saving your empty gallon size plastic jugs. We will need over 500 for a project in January. Please help by carefully rinsing the jugs and sending them to school with their caps on. Cider jugs, water jugs and milk jugs will work. Please make sure they are rinsed!!Thank you for your help.

Annual Thanksgiving Dinner

The UES Parents Group presents the annual Thanksgiving lunch.
Wed. Nov 17th, 11 am - 1:30 pm in the UES cafeteria
Roast turkey & all the fixings including squash raised by students at MHS!
Vegetarian option (Quiche)
Apple and Pumpkin pies
All UES parents & grandparents are welcome!
Adults $4.00


Our class will pick up lunches in the cafeteria, then move down to the classroom for a community meal. Our scheduled lunch time is 12:25-12:55.Hope you can join us!

Nature Adventure Program

We have Nature Adventure Program tomorrow. The weather should be fantastic. it will probably be frosty in the morning so please help your child dress in layers. Sandal plans to take us to Hubbard Park!

Veteran's Day Parade

On Thursday at 9:50, we will be walking to the front of  the Kellogg- Hubbard Library to watch the Veteran's Day Parade march down Main St. We will be carrying homemade flags and will be looking for veterans to wave to. We might even see some interesting vehicles too. Please feel free to join us if you are in town on Thursday morning. 

Sharing Time is Starting This Week

Each morning, our class begins with a  morning meeting and a greeting.This week we will introduce a new component of the meeting,"Sharing Time". Children  will have a chance to share some news of interest with the class. Usually four children share each day. Sharing might be about a visit to a grandparent, store, library or friend’s house. It might be sharing a special rock from a collection, or a special happening with a friend or sibling. It might be sharing of a special treasure that your child possesses. After the child shares, he or she asks the circle, “Are there any questions?” In the conversation that follows children learn much about each other, especially respect for someone else’s ideas. Please help your child to be prepared to share on his or her sharing day. Also, help your child remember to not bring toys or cars to school for sharing. 

Sharing Days

Mondays- “Lightning Share” (everyone tells about their weekend)

Tuesdays- Anna, Anthony, Cameron, Cokie

Wednesdays- Everett, Isaac, Ian, Jillian

Thursdays-Lillian, Liam, Logan, Maria

Fridays-Molly, Mya, Ryan

Our Class is in the News!

Check out the latest edition of "The Bridge". Our local weekly newspaper has written about the Nature Adventure program."Learning by doing" is our motto.We have been getting out in nature to connect, and learn through experience. Our class is featured in the photo. See if you can find your chid, or your child's legs. :)  Remember, our next outdoor experience is FRIDAY,NOVEMBER 12th.

Waxed Leaves!

Our 4 Winds lesson today included leaf study. Ask your child about the special name for the stem of a leaf(petiole). We also learned about teeth and lobes on leaves. Thanks to Jen, Tiffany and Beth for all of their help! We dipped some leaves in wax to preserve them. Check your child's green folder for this special leaf.