December 19th - December 22nd

This is our final week before winter break! The kindergartners have been working so hard and I am so proud of them. Sometimes when the weather changes kids can have a hard time adjusting to the change, but they have done a great job remembering our routine.

Learning all about Jobs

Last week we did a study on different jobs in the community. The students have already met a police officer and been to a firestation, so I decided to include two jobs that they weren't so familiar with. Early in the week we read about dentists and then made a marshemellow tooth mouth. To end our week we did a KWL (what I know, what I wonder, what I learned) about the post office. The next day we wrote the post office a letter and asked them all kinds of questions about their day. I am going to send the letter to the post office and I am hoping that they will write us back! Here are some pictures from our week.

December 12th - 16th

This is our last full week until winter break. We have 4 days after this week and then we will have winter recess until January 3rd, and the kiddos will return on January 4th.

I have really been noticing how much the kids have been working at home. It really makes a huge difference. Working on heart words, reading books, and just engaging in conversation is so important for the kindergartners development as readers.

This week in reading we will...

• Learn the /ch/ sound 
• Draw a chick
• Make some CHocolate treats and make a list of /ch/ sounding foods

This week in math we will...

• Continue to work on groups of ten
• Continue to work building teens

December 5 - Decemeber 9

Well, it definitely feels like winter outside. I can't believe how quickly that happens. One day you are wearing a jacket and the next it is time for the puffy coat, hat, and mittens. So, with that being said, please make sure to bundle your kiddo up. We will be going outside if we can. The kids don't seem to mind too much and it is good for them to run around if we can.

This week in reading we will...

• Learn the letter "I"
• Draw a "pig"
• Go over our daily five stations; routines, procedures
• Learn the /ch/ sound

This week in math we will...

• Practice making groups of five
• Practice making teen numbers

Firestation Field Trip

Yesterday we walked over to Firestation number 2 for a tour and talk with the firefighters. The kindergartners loved getting to hear all about firefighters and fire safety. They got a tour of the building, saw the tools that the firefighters use, and watched a firefighter get in all his gear. The firefighters also talked about fire safety with the kindergartners. It is especially important that the kids know what to do in case there is a fire. Probably the big highlight though, was walking through the firetruck on their way out of the building! Big fun!

November 28th - December 2nd

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break. I know that I for one really enjoyed being around family, sleeping in, shopping, and helping Olive learn how to crawl (we are almost there!).
We have about three full weeks until winter break and our class is going to work really hard! Some of the kindergartners are reading and some are REALLY REALLY close! Please keep working with your child at home, it really does make a difference.

This week in reading we will...

• Draw a "moon."
• Learn all about "Woody Woodchuck." He makes the /oo/ sound as in book. 
• Draw a "book."

This week in math we will...

• Work on visualizing and telling addition and subtraction math stories
• Show tens using pennies and number tiles
• Practice writing 3, 4, and 5
• Review graphing 
• Learn the ABC pattern

Wow, that is a lot in math. We may not get to all of that, but it is better to over-plan than to under-plan.


In social studies we will also start exploring jobs in and around our community. Ms. Rusco set up a trip for the kindergartners to go visit the local fire department. We will be walking there on Tuesday and aiming to be there at 1:30. To prepare for our visit we are going to read some books about firefighters. We are also going to build and label a class fire engine.

We will also be visited by the counselor this week and Friday our nurse, Mrs. Wilcox, will be giving her final presentation about personal safety. 

Turkey Math

Today we used turkey feathers to measure things around the room. We had a great time finding out how many turkey feathers long our arms and legs were. I think they especially liked finding out how tall I am.

Fall Party

I thought I would go ahead and post some photos from our fall party. It's always nice to see them in color :)

And here is one of us in our cool and crazy hats with our "M" pumpkin.

November 21st and 22nd

It is a very short week. We do not have school on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. These types of weeks are hard on everyone. They are nice because they are short, but then they also have a tendency to throw everyone off of their routine. Our little kinders are especially victim to that. Hopefully we can get some learning accomplished, but also have a nice and easy two days.

In Reading we will...

• Learn the /oo/ sound by getting to know Lou Lou Moose! 

In Math we will...

• Work on the teen numbers
• Explore partners in numbers; partners of 4 are 2 - 2 and 3-1
• Use turkey feathers to measure different things around the room

Because Thanksgiving is this week we will also be talking about what we are thankful for. We are going to make a thankful tree using our hand-prints and hang it up in our room. This would be great thing to carry over into your conversations with your child at home.

Last week we also read a non-fiction book about turkeys and then made a list about what we found. We will be making turkeys using paper and coffee filters. They will use marker on the coffee filter and then spray water on to them to make the colors run together!

November 14th - 19th

We are officially into the 2nd trimester of school! Your kinders have made some huge gains during the first trimester and I'm sure they are going to make even more as the year progresses. Here is a look into our week.

Reading
Drawing and labeling a "hen"
Exploring different tellings of "The Little Red Hen"
Lou Lou Moose (the /oo/ sound)

Math
Unit 2 test
#'s 1-10 and Math Stories
Introducing and working with the teens

Our counselor will be visiting us on Tuesday and we will also be having our 3rd session with our nurse, Mrs. Wilcox, about personal safety. 

October is almost here!

It is almost October in our classroom and we have been learning so much in our classroom. I am so excited about all the progress I see with my kinders and I hope that you are seeing their learning expand at home too! Here are some things you can look forward to happening in October...

Ar - Arnie Aardvark

J - Jenny Jaguar

More heart words are coming! So far we have learned; a, I, can, for, he, and, is, see, an. Try playing "popcorn" with you child at home. Use the flashcards that I sent home and flash them for your child. They clap and say the word as fast as they can. It is a fun way to practice.

In math we are starting Unit 2. We finished Unit 1 this week and took our test. The kiddos have learned how to write numbers 1 through 5. Keep practicing writing these numbers at home. In our room we are working on making groups of numbers using all types of manipulatives. Try using objects, like beans and pennies, to help your child make groups of numbers. In October we will be continuing to work on these types of activities, but will also be expanding into pattern making and counting beyond 20.

Here are some photos of the kiddos during our daily five stations. Some are listening to books online and others are practicing making their letters using playdoh!

August

School is just around the corner! I am so excited to meet my students and I get a chance to a little bit early. Here are some important dates to remember for August.

August 16th - "Sneak Peek Night" Kindergarten parents and students get a chance to meet their teachers and see their classroom.


August 18th - Half of my kindergarten class will come for a fun filled day!


August 19th - The other half of my kindergarten class will come for a fun filled day!

August 22nd - Our regular schedule begins. All students will be attending school!

Here they are during our first week of school!

Welcome!

Welcome to my kindergarten blog! My name is Lauren Mitchell and I am a brand new kindergarten teacher. I am so excited to start teaching this year and I hope to document as many lessons and ideas that I come up with throughout the year. Hopefully this blog will serve as a place to educate parents, students, and other teachers on the goings-on inside our classroom!