Monday September 30

We had a fun week last week reading Mouse's Birthday, reviewing nursery rhymes, studying shapes, and learning about apples.  Ask your child about the apple activities they did in Mrs. Shogren's classroom on Wednesday and Thursday.  On Friday, we had our first early release day.  In the morning we got to meet our 2nd grade buddies.  We interviewed them and got to spend some time talking with them while we worked and read books.  We also attended an assembly in the gym and got to see Rascal, our school's mascot!

This week, we are reviewing position words (up, down, over, under, above, below, middle, in between, etc.) Today we headed out to the playground to practice these words.  I called out each word and the class would try and show me that word by going somewhere on the playground.  I took lots of pictures and plan on making them into a position word book.  We also went on a shape search in small groups and took some pictures of the shapes we found.  It was a great experience.  Later this week, we will be reviewing and practicing making different types of patterns.  We will also practice sorting.

We started reading books by the author and illustrator, Lois Ehlert.  She uses lots of fall materials like leaves, acorns, and tomatoes in her illustrations, so it is the perfect time of year for an author study on her.  If you can, check out some of her books!

I sent lots of papers and notes home today.  I hope they all made it home!!!  Included in these notes were a new homework packet for October, a poetry packet to practice at home, a revised sight word list for our homework packet, and a note about the Homecoming parade on Friday (wear "chef" accessories to go with our theme).  I also asked families to send in an apple and signs of fall is possible.

I realized that I didn't send the snack bags home last Friday, so I sent the 3 that I have left home today with those who are scheduled for snack.  Please return the bags when you send in snack!!!  I started the year with 6 and now have only 3.  If you have any extra green bags that you would like to donate to the classroom, we would greatly appreciate them!

Here are a few pictures from this week:

Some of Lois Ehlert's books

Our word work for the sight words I and SEE

Benno and Aarin showing us "in the middle" during math

One group's picture of a circle from the playground

Tuesday, September 23

We have been busy in kindergarten over the past several days!! Last week we practiced several nursery rhymes, made tons of projects, and acted out some nursery rhymes.  In math, we have been practicing numbers and shapes.  We are making a set of shape posters in our room and talking about the characteristics of each shape (ex. How many sides and corners, straight or curved lines, etc).  This week we did a fun activity using our imaginations to turn a shape into something. See some of the pictures below.

In phonics, we have started practicing each letter in the alphabet. This week we have done a capital and lowercase A.  Please help your child practice at home using the correct formation.  For example, a capital A is made by slanting down to the left, lifting, slanting down to the right, lifting, and straight line across.  A lowercase a is made by circling back all the way around, pushing up, and pulling down.  

In science we are studying apples.  This week, we took a closer look at some apples from my parents' apple tree.  We talked about some of the parts of apples and read books about apple trees.  We cut up apples with "real" (butter) knives and cooked them in a crockpot to make applesauce.  It smells delicious and we can't wait to try it later today!! We will be using our 5 senses to talk about the applesauce as we eat it.  Later this week, our class will go to Mrs. Shogren's room to learn more about apple parts.  

On Friday we have our first early release day.  Did you return your blue sheet letting me know if your child needs a bag lunch to take home?  We will be meeting our 2nd grade buddies and doing some fun activities.  

Here are some pictures from the week:

Some of the triangles we found during our shape hunt...

Mrs. Miller came for life skills and talked to us about good listening.

Math centers

Making circles

Saturday, Sept. 14

We had a great week this week!  On Friday, we went to library with Mrs. Chappados for the first time.  We will have library every Friday (unless there is an early release or no school).  Please be sure to return library books on Fridays so that your child can check out another book.  

We talked about rules for our classroom that are important for making kindergarten fun for everyone.  As a class, we thought of MANY ideas for rules and then narrowed them down into three bigger rules: be kind, be safe, do your best.  These reflect our school-wide rules of Be Respectful, Responsible, and Safe.

Next week, we will be reviewing and learning nursery rhymes.  I have some fun projects that we will make.  In math, we will continue to talk about numbers and practice number formation.  We will also review shapes.  I can't wait for another great week!

Coming Soon: Picture Retake Day is Friday, September 20th.  I will send reminder notes home on Monday and picture envelopes with students who haven't yet gotten their pictures taken.  If you would like your child's picture retaken, please let me know and I will send home an envelope for you!

A few pictures from the week:

Color mixing experiment

Some pictures from independent reading...great job!!

Specials Schedule

Here is our specials schedule for the year!

	Edgerton Community Elementary School
	2013-2014 Specials Calendar
September 2013 week Su M Tu W Th F S 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 2 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 1 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 2 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 29 30		October 2013 week Su M Tu W Th F S 1 1 2 3 4 5 2 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 2 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 1 27 28 29 30 31	November 2013 week Su M Tu W Th F S 1 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 2 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 1 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
December 2013 week Su M Tu W Th F S 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 2 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31		January 2014 week Su M Tu W Th F S 1 2 3 4 1 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 1 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 2 26 27 28 29 30 31	February 2014 week Su M Tu W Th F S 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 2 23 24 25 26 27 28
March 2014 week Su M Tu W Th F S 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 2 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 1 30 31		April 2014 week Su M Tu W Th F S 1 1 2 3 4 5 2 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1 20 21 22* 23* 24* 25* 26 2 27 28* 29* 30*	May 2014 week Su M Tu W Th F S 2 1* 2* 3 1 4 5* 6* 7* 8* 9* 10 2 11 12* 13* 14* 15* 16* 17 1 18 19* 20* 21* 22* 23 24 2 25 26 27* 28* 29* 30* 31
June 2014 week Su M Tu W Th F S 1 1 2* 3* 4* 5* 6* 7 2 8 9* 10* 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Mrs. Skeels’ Class Schedule 2013-12014

		Blue Day- Gym			Early dismissal for students at 11:35.  There are no colors assigned to early dismissal days.
		Red Day- Music			No School
			*Please note:  If there is a snow day the specials rotation will not change.   For example, if Monday is a red day and Tuesday is a snow day, Wednesday will still be a purple day.  The first two snow days do not need to be made up.  If there is a third snow day, school WILL be held on Monday, April 21st.  The color rotation after April 21st will depend on whether or not school is held on April 21st.
		Green Day- Gym
		Purple Day- Art