Busy Week in K2!

We had quite the busy week here in K2! In ELA we talked about the World of Bugs.  Our essential question was what kind of bugs do you know about?  Our vocabulary words were curious, observe, attaches, process, and slender.  We reviewed the letters Mm, Aa, Ss, Tt and Pp and the sight words I, can, the, we, see, a, like.  We listened to the books "I Love Bugs" and "From Caterpillar to Butterfly." In Math we started Topic 3 titled "Numbers 6 to 10."  We will be reading, counting and writing those numbers.

We had a visit from Firefighter Rob.  He talked to the kindergarten students about fire safety rules such as Stop! Drop! Cover! and Roll! and what number to call in an emergency.  Miss Tetreault, a student teacher in K1, even got to dress up in Firefighter Rob's fire suit.

On Friday we had so much fun at the "Appleblossom the Possum" festivities.  First we saw an animal adventures show where we saw all different creatures such as a snake, skunk, alligator, chinchilla and a possum.  Students were able to touch some of the animals if they wanted to. It was fun learning all different things about the animals.

Then we went to the gym for all the fun Appleblossom themed games. And then in the classroom we made Possum headbands and watched a quick video about possums.   It certainly was a fun day!

Happy Birthday, Johnny Appleseed!

Today the students in grade K and 1 had a visit from Johnny Appleseed in honor of his birthday. Johnny talked to the classes and then gave each student and teacher an apple.

 Happy Birthday, Johnny!

Week in Review ~ September 10 - 14

We made it through our first full week of Kindergarten and boy were we busy! In ELA our essential question was "How is everyone special?" We talked about how we are all different but that makes each one of us special in our own way. We read the stories Animals in the Park: An ABC Book and The Ugly Duckling and we introduced the first sight word, I. We also learned the sound for 10 letters: p, b, t, d, f, v, s, z, k, and g. In learning centers we sorted letters and words, practiced writing our names with an uppercase at the beginning and the rest lowercase, wrote our first sentence and worked on many alphabet activities.

In Math we started Topic 1 titled numbers 0 to 5.  In this topic we will count, read and write the numbers 0 to 5.  We also introduced some number poems for numbers 1, 2 and 3 to help the K2ers remember how to form them correctly.  We will work on the poems for 4 and 5 next week.  Any number writing practice at home would be very helpful.

Be sure to check out our class Instagram page theworldofk2. If you have not sent in the paper with your instagram username, please do so.  I do not accept followers unless I know who they are. If you sent a request and I have not accepted it, please let me know. 

Monday night, from 5:30 - 7:30, is Open House at Johnny Appleseed. This is a great opportunity to have your child bring you to the classroom to see what we have been working on so far, as well as walk you around the school to see the various places they go during the week.  I hope to see you Monday night. 

Thank you for the MANY donations to our classroom...it is greatly appreciated!

Panda Cam

This week in ELA we are reading an informational text (non-fiction) story called Panda Kindergarten. The K2ers learned some interesting panda facts such as the color of a panda bear when they are born. During center time and snack time I put up on our smart board a live panda cam from the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. The K2ers LOVED watching what the panda was doing so I thought I would share the link. 

Panda Cam - National Zoo


Here are some pictures from when I visited the National Zoo with my family in the summer of 2016.

Week in Review ~ April 30 - May 4 and EcoTarium Field Trip

Last week we started Unit 9 Week 2 in our reading series.  Our essential question was 'What do good citizens do?" Our vocabulary words were citizen, respect, necessary, hauled and tidy.  We read the stories Hen Hears Gossip, The Little Red Hen, and Team Up to Clean Up. We focused in on the long i sound in words and introduced the sight words has and play. In learning centers we sorted short i and long i words, practiced reading and writing sight words and wrote in our journals about how we can show respect.  We also wrote about what we can do to help the Planet Earth.

In Math we started Topic 9 which is reading, writing and counting to 20.  We will be focusing in on the teen numbers. 

On Friday we had such a fun trip to the EcoTarium. There was so much to see and do and our trip to the planetarium drew a lot of oohs and ahhhs as they looked at stars up in the sky with the help of Big Bird and Elmo.  Here are some pictures from the trip.

Enjoy the beautiful weather that this week as in store for us!

Week in Review ~ April 9 - 13

This week was a busy week! I"What do you see in the sky?" Our vocabulary words were surface, recognize, distance, space and challenge.  We reviewed the letters Uu, Gg, Ww, Xx, Vv, Jj, Qq, Yy and Zz. We have now focused in on every letter of the alphabet. When we return from vacation we will be working on long and short sound that vowels make. We also reviewed the sight words introduced so far.  Please continue to practice these at home.  Being able to fluently read sight words helps students become stronger readers.

In Math we worked on decomposing (breaking apart) the numbers 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.  We found multiple ways to break the whole into two parts. 

With vacation next week, I have challenged all of the K2ers to complete one Books & Beyond sheet. If they return a completed sheet on the day they return from vacation, they will earn a prize.  I sent home a Books & Beyond sheet, as well as a Nonsense word sheet, with everyone today. 

Be sure to ask you K2er about the AMAZING assembly we went to this afternoon with the talented musicians from the Crocodile River Music group.  Thank you the the Fitchburg Art Museum for sponsoring this wonderful show to Johnny Appleseed. You can see some pictures and short videos on our class Instagram page from the assembly: theworldofK2

I hope everyone enjoys their April Vacation.  Once we get back on the 23rd we will be in the homestretch. It will surely fly by with all the fun activities that happen during the spring and early summer. 

Week(s) in Review ~ March 26 - 30 AND April 2 - 6

Sorry for not getting a post up last week. I wanted to include the Animal Habitat Projects and was waiting on a couple pictures so I figured I would put both weeks together this week.

 In ELA we started Unit 8 where the big idea is: Where can you go that is near and far? Last week our essential question was: What can help you go from here to there? We listened to the stories When Daddy's Truck Picks Me Up!, The King of the Winds, and From Here to There. Our vocabulary words were journey, transportation, vehicle, wide and fierce.  We focused in on the letters Qq and Jj and introduced the sight words here and me. We have started doing learning centers a little differently thanks to a wonderful new shelf I received through Donor's Choose.  Each day the K2ers have to choose between two activities that are called "Have-To's" that reiterate a concept we are working on.  After they finish their "have-to" they can choose an activity from their groups colored buckets.    The activities are more geared to what each child is ready to work on.  They get to choose from 6 different centers which makes them work better, I feel, because what they are working on for that day is their choice.  Here are some pictures of the K2ers working with the new learning center shelf.

This week our essential question was: What do you know about your country? We listened to the stories Ana Goes to Washington, D.C., The Best in the West, and See Our Country. Our vocabulary words were country, careful, travel, purpose and connect.  We focused in on Yy and Zz and introduced the sight words this and what.

In Math we started Topic 8 titled more addition and subtraction.  We worked on decomposing and representing numbers to 5, worked on related facts such as 4-1 = 3, 3 +1=4. We also started working on fluency within 5.  By the end of kindergarten we want students to be able to add and subtract, within 5, fluently.  Next week I will send home a photocopy of small flashcards with the fluency facts that students should practice at home.  

Last week we shared our Habitat Projects with Dr. O'Hearn-Curran and Mrs. King. They came and looked at all the projects.  They were very impressed and Mrs. Ouellette and I were as well. Here are pictures of all the projects...great job K2!!

We are in DESPERATE need of Clorox wipes to clean the tables and tissues. If you are able to donate either of those items, it would be greatly appreciated!!!

Have a great weekend!

Week in Review ~ March 12 - 16

Between last week's early release and snow day and this week's snow day and two-hour delay, we are lucky we have accomplished as much as we have. 

In ELA we are talking about the animal kingdom.  Last week we talked about how animals are alike and different.  This week our essential question was how do you take care of different kinds of pets?   Our vocabulary words were depend, responsibility, compare, train and social.  We listened to the stories The Birthday Pet, The Family Pet, and The Perfect Pet. We focused in on the letters Gg and Ww and introduced the sight words of and they. As a reminder, please practice the kindergarten sight words at home.  As I am sure you have noticed with the books sent home in the book bags, kindergarten sight words are everywhere.  If a child fluently knows the sight words introduced it will help them with their reading. If you need another set of sight words let me know.  There is also a complete list on the tab at the top of the blog titled "Kindergarten High Frequency Words."In learning centers we worked on sorting pictures by the initial sound of /g/ and /w/, practiced writing the letter Gg, wrote about why we are lucky, tapped out and wrote cvc words such as pig and wet, rainbow wrote our sight words, and practiced reading cvc words.  In reading groups we are busy reading stories.  I am always talking to the K2ers about how we want to sound like we are talking when we read and not like robots because that means we are becoming more fluent.  I am very proud of how well everyone is doing with sounding out and reading.  Keep up the great work of practicing at home with the book bags. 

 In Math we continued with Topic 7 on subtraction. The K2ers worked hard on writing, reading and solving subtraction equations.  We will be finishing up topic 7 next week.  We also worked on some addition and subtraction St. Patrick's Day themed math centers. 

Today we were  lucky enough to have some Irish Step Dancers in to perform for us. Some of the dancers were our very own Johnny Appleseed students. The K2ers were very entertained during the performance.  There was even a leprechaun sighting through out the hallways and classrooms!

Next Tuesday, K2 will be visiting the Scholastic Book Fair during their library special: 11:15 - 11:55.  Parents are welcome to come during that time to shop with their child. If you are unable to make it there is no need to worry because there are plenty of adults there, including Mrs. Ouellette and myself, to help them shop.  

Students came home this week with a notice about World Down Syndrome Day which is Wednesday, March 21st. Our Developmental classrooms at JA are inviting students to  wear as many socks as they can and the crazier or more mismatched the socks, the better!  This day is also near and dear to my heart because my ADORABLE 5 year old nephew/godson, Evan, has Down Syndrome. Here is Evan practicing for World Down Syndrome Day by rocking his crazy socks. Could he be any cuter?!?!?!?!

I hope everyone has a nice weekend and just 4 more days until Spring. Fingers and toes crossed that we are DONE with snowstorms!

Animal Habitats

Check your child's message tube today for information about a project on animal habitats that is due March 23rd!

Week in Review ~ February 26 - March 2

We had a fun week back from February vacation  especially with our Dr. Seuss themed days!

In ELA our essential question was "How can you stay safe in bad weather?" Our vocabulary words were safe, prepare, notice, celebration, and enough.  We reviewed the letters Hh, Ff, Ee, Bb, and Kk and the sight words is, little, she, was.  We listened to the stories Waiting Out the Storm, Rainbow Crow, and Be Safe in Bad Weather. In learning centers we practiced reading and writing our sight words, looked around the room for February words, practiced writing the letters we reviewed,and spelled a lot of cvc words.  We even had a couple of fun Dr.Seuss-themed centers such as Mystery sight words on cat in the hat hats and rhyming words.

In Math we started Topic 7 titled "Understand Subtraction." We discussed different vocabulary words related to subtraction such as subtract, take away, difference, left (as in how many are left), separate, and minus sign.  We explored the idea of subtraction and represented subtraction as taking apart and taking from.  We will continue with Topic 7 next week as well.

Today is Dr. Seuss'  actual birthday. We learned that if he were still alive he would have been 114 years old today.  In celebration of his birthday it is also "Read Across America Day." We had a special community reader come in to read to K2. Our community reader was Alicia Remillard. Alicia is one of my very best friends and also works at IC Federal Credit Union in Fitchburg.  We were so happy to have her in to read to us today. Thank you, Mrs. Remillard!

I hope everyone has a great weekend...only 18 more days until spring!!

Dr. Seuss Week

Week in Review ~ February 5 -9

Well, I guess that Groundhog was not kidding last Friday when he said there would be 6 more weeks of winter. I am about ready for some spring days!

This week in ELA our essential question was "How are the seasons different?" Our vocabulary words were weather, seasons, migrate, active and spot.  We focused in on the letters Bb and Ll and introduced the sight words is and little. At learning centers we practiced writing Bb and Ll, sorted words that began with b and d, wrote in our journals about our favorite season, sorted sight words and listened to the initial sound in words.

In Math, we continued on with Topic 6 on addition.  We represented and explained addition with equations and solved addition word problems.  We will begin working on fluency in addition next week.  In kindergarten students should know addition and subtraction facts to 5 fluently by the end of the school year.  I will be sending home flashcards to practice this with soon.  

Today for enrichment we talked about the Winter Olympics that started yesterday in Pyeongchang, South Korea.  We talked about the different sporting events that take place during the winter Olympics and the K2ers talked about which ones they would like to try.  We showed this quick clip so that they could see some of the sports in action.  Some of them asked if I could put it onto the class blog so here it is...

At Free Choice time some of the students had fun playing an Olympic Memory matching game.

Next Wednesday the K2ers will be exchanging valentines. As a reminder we have 23 students: 11 boys and 12 girls.  Please have your child just sign their name to their valentines as this helps us pass them out quicker. You may also send in a special snack for your child to enjoy on that day while they look at their valentines. 

Lastly, we will be celebrating the 100th Day of Kindergarten next Thursday. (fingers crossed we have NO MORE SNOW DAYS between now and then) As a friendly reminder, the kindergarten classes are trying to collect 100 food donations in honor of our 100^th day of school We are about 3/4 of the way there as of today. The following is a list of items that can be donated for the “kare kits” that will be provided to children:

·         100% juice boxes

·         Macaroni & Cheese (boxes as well as Easy Mac)

·         Cans of Chicken Noodle Soup

·         Individual boxes of Cereal

·         Peanut butter Crackers

·         Cans of Chef Boyardee Beef Ravioli

·         Cans of Chef Boyardee Spaghetti & Meatballs

·         Granola Bars

·         Fruit Cups

·         Applesauce Cups

·         Pudding Cups

·         Yogurt Raisins

Enjoy your weekend!!

February Homework

For February's homework I am sending home a notice tomorrow with  Nonsense Word Fluency (NWF) practice on the back.  Nonsense Word Fluency was one of the DIBELS sub-tests that the K2ers were assessed on back in January.

In the notice  I mentioned three videos that I would post for you to see the different stages of nonsense word fluency.




On Monday, I will also be sending home a book bag with each student to practice reading at home.  The great thing is, if you sign the Books & Beyond sheet included in the book bag, your K2er will also receive credit for one station because of doing their homework!

As always, please contact me if you have any questions.

Week in Review January 29

Sorry for not posting a "Week in Review" last week. I was away in Lake Placid, NY  for the weekend with my family for my son's hockey tournament.  It was such an amazing place to visit and they brought home the bronze medal which made it even nicer.  If you ever get the chance to go someday, I would highly recommend it!

This week in ELA we moved into Unit 5 Week 3.  Our essential question was "What kinds of things grow on a farm?" Our vocabulary words were fresh, delicious, beneath, raise and special.  We listened to the stories An Orange in January, Farms Around the World, and Farmer's Market. We focused in on the letters Ff and Rr and introduced the sight words he and with.  In learning centers we wrote about what grows on a farm, practiced writing Ff and Rr, sounded out words, practiced reading and writing sight words and read cvc words.

In Math we are working on Topic 6 titled "Understand Addition." We represented addition as adding to and putting together and we introduced the plus sign as we started to write equations.  We also played some football themed addition games to get ready for the big game on Sunday.  

For enrichment we talked about Groundhog Day, predicted if Punxsutawney Phil would see his shadow or not, and made Groundhog puppets.  We also watched real footage from today's Groundhog Day festivities in Pennsylvania.  There was a big sigh when the K2ers heard that he predicted 6 more weeks of winter!

Tis' the season for lots of illnesses.  We have been trying our best to keep the germs out of K2.  We are running VERY low on Clorox wipes and tissues.  As always, any donations would be greatly appreciated as we head into February.  

As a reminder, next Wednesday, February 7th, is a Half Day for Students. Dismissal will begin at 11:30.  Kindergarten goes to lunch at 8:55 so if you would rather your child just have a snack at that time instead of purchasing school lunch, please let us know.

Have a great weekend!