Little Scientists

Today we had a group of parent volunteers come in to make lava lamps with the children. They had so much fun observing what happens when oil and water come in contact with each other. I sent home directions just in case you wanted to try it again at home.

New Classroom Guests

Our room is turning into a very cool science lab. Last Friday our Painted Lady Caterpillars arrived for the children to observe. Jacob Whitcomb also brought in an abandoned hornet nest today. We will be begin growing an enchanted garden and some crystals later this week.

Congratulations Authors!

Today was our Kindergarten writing celebration day. The TreeHouse team came down to our space to share their "How To" books with us. Our team has been writing poetry and every child had a small collection of poems to choose from while partner reading with kids from TreeHouse. Our class lead a sing along of the song "It's a Small World". Every child took home an author medallion. It was a fun time!

A Few Fun Recent Photos

Popcorn, Poetry, and the Five Senses

Plastic bottles

We still need one small, empty plastic water bottle for every child in our class for an experiment on 4/6. If you have any, please consider donating. Thanks.

Request from Front Office

Please remember to go to the office to sign your child out of the building whenever s/he is leaving early. The office will then call the classroom and we will have the child get ready to be picked up.

Also, if your child is arriving after 8:10, please be sure to go to the office for a blue slip first. The child will then give this slip to the teacher.

Thanks for your help.

Happy Spring: Classroom Update

Here is a breakdown of what the kids are studying in each subject area:

Reader's Workshop/Guided Reading Groups: Reading Comprehension strategy of Questioning, Poetry

Writer's Workshop: Poetry-We are getting ready for a Kindergarten writing celebration with the Treehouse team on Monday. By then, the kids will have written about 5 poems each. On Friday, they will bind their own poetry to make their own poetry anthology books to share at the celebration on Monday:)

Math: Measurement, 5 new math workplaces will be introduced by Monday of next week.

Science: Being a scientist unit- They are learning how to record their observations in a science journal. They will be applying these observational skills to an activity where they will write poems about jelly beans and popcorn using their five senses. Of course they will get to eat them as well! I am looking to borrow some microscopes for our new dramatic play area which the kids want to turn into a science lab. The offer still is out there for any parents to come in to teach the kids something they may know about science. They love to hear other voices!!!!

Personal/Social Development: We have been getting outside again in the AM for an extra recess. The kids love this ten minute break and it comes right between writer's and reader's workshop so it revitalizes them for some more deep thought and successful work time.

This time of year is so much fun. They can do so much and are all continuing to love school.

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedules to meet with me for conferences! FYI-If you have scheduled a time to meet with me these past two weeks, you do not need to schedule another conference for April 20.

Journey Spring Clothing and Boots

We just wanted everyone to know that you can keep the snow pants at home from now on. However, every child still needs to wear boots and a proper coat as well as hats and mittens if needed. Rain pants may also be helpful because the children do love to crawl around and sit on the ground. With rain pants, we can avoid having to have them sit in wet clothing for the remainder of the day. We asked the children to be sure to wear their boots to and from school so that their backpacks can lighten up a little. Shoes take up a lot less space.

Also, I am sending home extra clothing today for you to check to be sure that they fit and that they are appropriate for the current weather. Every child should keep a change of clothing either in their backpacks or their cubby.

Thanks for your help in trying to eliminate the dirt and mud mess in the classroom by sending boots to school EVERY DAY until further notice.

Progress Reports and Conferences

Progress reports were sent home in the students' yellow folders. I am excited to discuss your child's progress at our conference time in the upcoming weeks.

K-5 Unified Arts Teachers will be available in their classrooms on Monday, April 16th from 3-5PM for Parent Conferences. Please feel free to schedule a conference or simply stop in to see them if you have questions.

Calling All Water Bottles

We are in need of empty plastic water bottles for a craft/science experiment on Friday, April 6th. We need one for each child. The smaller 12-14 oz. personal sized ones would be best. Please send one for your child. If you have extras, we will take them as well.
Thanks a bunch once again!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

After beginning the day with listening to The Cat in the Hat, the kids got to create their own hat to wear to our school assembly to honor Theodor Seuss Geisel. We began work on a bulletin board within our classroom inspired by the story called And To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street. Two guest readers, Ms. Miller and Mr. Madden came in to read various favorite Seuss books. There was green eggs and ham for lunch. Fun stuff on this first day back!

Hello Over Vacation

I hope that everyone is enjoying this winter vacation. Finally, snow in the Champlain Valley! I also hope that everyone is staying healthy. Just before break many kids were home sick with a common illness that seemed to sweep across the classroom. I even got it and am thankful for some quiet time home to recuperate. I still do not have my voice back fully but am on the mend!

During the month of March, we are beginning a science unit called "Being a Scientist". If you are interested in coming in to do an experiment or discuss a job that you have that is in the science field, please let me know. The kids always love this unit.

Well, goodbye for now and I cannot wait for Dr. Seuss's birthday festivities at school on Tuesday!

Corking

The children had fun learning how to do a new knitting activity called Corking today. Thank you so much Nikki, Dana, and Jeanne for teaching us this craft. Please encourage your child to continue with his/her corking at home this weekend. Who knows, maybe you will want to cork too!

Spring Conferences

Our classroom conference sign up has been updated and is ready for everyone to sign up for a time to come in to discuss student progress. Simply go to www.scsvt.org, click on teams, then Journey Kindergarten, and finally find the page line on the left for our classroom conference sign up.

Thanks so much! Can't wait to talk about everyone's progress!

Zero the Hero

SCS Book Fair News

The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to SCS next week. Our class will be going to preview the books on Monday morning. Our buying time is Friday 2/17 at 9:30. If you would like to send your child in with money to buy a book, please do so next week and we will send kids with money down with our team para on Friday. I would prefer for families to come buy books together with their children at the after school family night times. The after school hours will be Tuesday and Thursday from 3-8PM. If you cannot make any of those times, no problem. Just send your child to school on Friday with money. Happy reading!

Happy 100th Day of School

Hip, hip, hooray! It is the 100th day of Kindergarten. We celebrated by making these special crowns that helped the kids count to 100 by tens and ones. They also tried really hard to write 100 words from an activity that we call "Write Around the Room." The Hiyaku snack was really yummy and the kids worked together to count by hundreds to see how many pieces of food were in our trail mix...1900. Wow! This afternoon the kids will enjoy a special visit from our 100th day hero named "Zero the Hero". They will also begin learning how to work their way around a hundreds chart. All of this on Kindergarten concert day! What great workers!

News About the Kindergarten Concert

I am excited to announce we will be streaming, LIVE, our kindergarten program! A first at SCS!! Those not able to attend will be able to view the concert over the Internet! I am sending a note home today with the details. Check it out!

Healthy Choices Restaurant

Our classroom restaurant in now open. Thanks for the many donations. As of now, I think we are all set with items. If you have anything out of the ordinary that you think we may not have and the kids would enjoy, please consider donating it to our dramatic play area.