Lots of info!

Superkids  
Thursday we finished our unit on Oswald and will meet a brand new Superkid Friday.  I really feel like we are flying through these lessons!  The kiddos are doing such a wonderful job working in their books each day and following directions.  Your child brought their Oswald papers, book, and letter home Thursday.  For the language homework Thursday night, look through the Oswald book with your child!

Reading Groups
On Monday I began calling small groups back for reading instruction.  While the children are working in their independent literacy centers, I have each group (there are 5 total) come sit at the reading table with me for a mini-lesson.  Each group is working at a slightly different level, so my lessons vary a bit from group to group.  But so far we have learned about the expectations in reading groups (as well as for the rest of the class while they are working on their own and I am unavailable), practiced letter and sound review with all 26 letters, focused on the sound /o/, and talked about book parts (front/back cover, title page, title, author, illustrator).  

Math
This year we are setting a goal for 100% of Kindergartners to count to 100 by the 100th day of school.  I will often assess the children on counting on their own.  If a child reaches 100 WITHOUT hints or help, and without skipping any numbers, their star in our classroom climbs to 100 on our counting chart, they color a slice of pizza to hang on the Kindergarten wall in the hallway, and they are invited to come to a pizza party soon after we celebrate our 100th day of school in January.  So far we have 7 friends from our classroom that have a slice of pizza hanging in the hallway.  Keep practicing at home!  :)

Handwashing 
As you know, so many germs are spread among children because of improperly washing hands.  We talk all of the time in our classroom about making sure everyone is washing hands with soap after using the restroom and before lunch. I remind the children everyday about not putting their hands on their face, in their mouths or noses, and catching coughs in their elbows rather than hands.  We have hand sanitizer for a quick clean-up for those who forget, but please talk to your child about this at home as well.  We want to have everyone well and here at school each day.  :)

Scholastic Book Orders

Book orders went home with students this week.  Don't forget you can order online if you choose, and all will be due Friday, September 18th.  I will send home a book order every month from September-April.

Parent-Teacher Conferences   
In your child's folder Thursday you will find a sign up sheet for parent-teacher conferences that will be held October 7th and 8th.  Please sign up your preference for a time to come meet with me to discuss your child's progress, and return to school as soon as possible.  It will be no problem giving everyone their first choice of day, but please understand you may not get your top choice of times.  I will do my best to accommodate each family, but with 21 children and many having the same top three choices, it just isn't possible.  But I promise to get as close to your time as I can.  I will give preference first to those who turn their forms in sooner!  Our goal is 100% parent participation, so let's make it happen for our class!

Labor Day

Just a reminder--No school on Monday!  See you Tuesday!

Movie Night

One Friday a month the PTO has a special movie night for students.  The permission slip is coming home Thursday, so if you are interested in this opportunity, see the flyer for more details.  Movie night is Friday, September 18th.

I doubt I will do another blog post tomorrow, so just in case...have a great Holiday weekend and I will see you Tuesday!