Learning how to read

Kindergarten students are learning how to read every day whether they are reading familiar environmental print found from restaurant wrappers or new words and sounds they learn at school or home. Every child develops these skills at their own pace but they are more than capable to pick up on how to read in Kindergarten. Studies show that children who are read to at home have a higher likely hood to have a love of reading throughout the years.

DIBELS mid year benchmark will be given this month. It would be beneficial to practice with your child at home every day for a few minutes. Here are a list of suggestions:
*letter names and letter sounds
*dolch sight words on flashcards
*breaking words into sounds by listening.. IE: your word is cat ....then they say ......c-a-t
*reading consonant vowel constant words from paper IE: what are the sounds? = c-a-t
*Reading Swirl books from our classroom or checking out library books from the school library. AR suggestion is .5-.8 mid year kindergarten. Please see me for questions.
*non sense words IE: zig

Note: Reading is comprised of many of these ideas put together, not just being able to do one area really well. I am always available before or after school to answer any questions on your child's reading development.

Here is a great website I found if you want free games or flashcards to practice at home:
http://www.kellyskindergarten.com/
There are so many good ideas to practice specific to the kindergarten level.

Thank you for your dedication to your child's academic success.

Mrs. A :)


**Taken from Mrs. Miller's blog :)

Kinder Swim-Dec 2008

Here are pictures from Halloween and PJ day, thank you Jill!

Just a quick thank you to all the families that have given stuff to our classroom this month.
We have gotten dry erase markers, bells, cotton balls, hot chocolate, cups, gingerbread playdough, and Clorox wipes.

Thank you for your help and support!

Mrs. A :)

**Idea of the week:
work with your child on reading and writing color words and number words.

December Information

Dear families,
Please make sure you or someone is reading to your child five nights a week, this will help with fluency as your child learns to read. After you finish reading make sure you have your child color in the picture on the reading calendar for that night. If your child has 15 nights colored in by the end of the month they will receive a free pizza from Pizza Hut for the Book It! program.

Items we can use for the classroom for this month:
· Large cotton balls
· Ribbon
· Large non-breakable ball ornaments
· Glitter
· Small bells
· Anything winter or Christmas
· Buttons
· Styrofoam cups
· Hot chocolate
· Spoons

This week the homework is to review the sight word flash cards. Please have your child write two sentences using words they know.
Every year parents and students are more than generous around the holidays and feel the need to give me something. While I appreciate the gifts, I would love things for the classroom that everyone can use. Some things the class could use

Eric Carle games
-ABC Game
-The Grouchy Ladybug Game
-Opposites
-The Very Hungry Caterpillar game
Dr. Seuss’s ABC game
Dora the Explorer’s ABC Game
Post its
Glue sticks
Finger paints
Paper plates

Thank you,

Mrs. A :)


**Kinderswim pictures coming soon!

Thaksgiving 2008

Being silly!

Class photo

Making butter in Ms. Webert's room

Kinderswim

Kinderswim is this Monday, December 1st, through Friday, December 5th. Please have your child wear their swimming suit under their uniform each day. In addition, please pack a towel, a plastic bag, and a pair of underwear in their backpack.
In order for your child to attend kinderswim at the Aquatic Center, they must have their permission slip turned in by Monday.
On Friday 12/5 your child will need to be picked up at the Aquatic Center at 1:30.
Thank you,


Mrs. A :)