Just Right January

January is an important growth and development time for children in Kindergarten.  It is a time in development that kids begin to connect learning pieces, take more ownership and pride over the quality of their work, and at the same time begin to toe the line of boundaries and expectations.  Courtney and I have observed all three of these things in the classroom over the past two weeks and are spending equal time on the academic and the social-emotional development.  

Important Dates and Information:

1/19 - No School

1/29 - Birch St. Bash

1/30 - GO GREEN WITH GRALAND and Spirit Day!

2/11 - Kindergarten Concert Assembly 8:30-9:20 and 2:20-3:10 

2/13 - Valentine's Day Celebration - details coming soon!

2/16 and 2/17 - No School

2/27 - GO GREEN WITH GRALAND and Spirit Day and Noon Dismissal!

2/27 - Lower School Sock Hop 4:30-6:30

Content and Curriculum:

Next Week during Writing Workshop we will begin publishing our small moment stories!  We would like to invite you into the classroom next Friday morning 1/23 at drop off to listen to your child's story and celebrate with us!

Our Reading lessons will continue to focus on why readers read.  Reading is about more than just reading the words on the page, closing the book and going on to another book.  Continue reading to your child at home and stopping along the way to ask questions.

We will also begin another new chapter in Math in Focus.  We will be zeroing in on ordinal words.  Shelley Dubose, our Math in Focus Coach, has said chapters like this are "brain break" chapters strategically placed in the curriculum.  This chapter focuses primarily on the importance of math talk.  As a teacher coming from a different math curriculum, I can see the drastic boost in mathematical talk and conversations that Math in Focus facilitates from your children.

Enjoy the pictures below.  This afternoon each buddy pair got a puzzle piece to decorate with a design or something that is important to them and then had to work together to complete the puzzle as a class.