Our website has been updated. Check out the latest additions.
~ January / February Newsletter
This newsletter is full of new information. Take a look!
~ January Photo Album
Check out pictures from the month of January. Don't forget you can save these photos for your family's collection by dragging them to your desktop or right clicking and selecting "Save Image As…" or "Add Image to iPhoto Library" for Mac users.
~ November Photo Album!
I found some fun pictures hiding on my Nikon! I added them to our November Photo Album. They go way back to November and highlight our Thanksgiving Feast event. They were fun to look back on, and I am amazed how much my Kinder friends have grown in a few short months!
~ Welcome Page's Upcoming Events and Calendar Page
Mark your calendars! There are some important events coming up in February and March. Check out the Calendar tab or the Upcoming Events section on the right sidebar of our Welcome Page.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Special Event: Authors' Cocoa 02.08
Willowwind is pleased to announce our annual Authors' Coca! This is a wonderful event where your child will have the opportunity to READ a variety of their own writing pieces. Come celebrate their Literary success! This year Authors' Cocoa will take place in conjunction with Willowwind's Literature Festival, and due to our growing K-6 family this much loved event will take place over the course of two days. On Thursday, February 7th, the 3-6 graders will present their writing and on Friday, February 8th, K-2 grade will present their individual writing pieces from 10:30 - 11:30. You are welcome to come and listen to our young readers. Below is a sample invitation that the Kindergarteners created today. Be sure to check your child's Take Home Folder for your own personal invitation.
Authors' Cocoa
Who: Willowwind Friends
What: Sharing Poetry
When: Thursday, February 8th 10:30 - 11:30
Where: GD Space
Why: To share our love for reading with you!
We hope to see you for our much anticipated Cocoa event. Check out SignUp Genius for Authors' Cocoa volunteer opportunities.
Finally, to continue our literary celebration one of your child's Authors' Cocoa pieces will be submitted to Iowa City's annual Poetry in Public contest.
Authors' Cocoa
Who: Willowwind Friends
What: Sharing Poetry
When: Thursday, February 8th 10:30 - 11:30
Where: GD Space
Why: To share our love for reading with you!
We hope to see you for our much anticipated Cocoa event. Check out SignUp Genius for Authors' Cocoa volunteer opportunities.
Finally, to continue our literary celebration one of your child's Authors' Cocoa pieces will be submitted to Iowa City's annual Poetry in Public contest.
Special Event: Valentines' Festivities
Valentines' Day is right around the corner and the Cottontails are excited to celebrate in a number of ways. With Valentines' Day, brings another beloved Willowwind tradition - the Secret Valentine Exchange. Your child will learn more about this K-6 fun next week, but I wanted to communicate to you what it entails early enough to give you time to prepare.
Next Wednesday, students will "draw" a slip that will highlight who they will deliver secret Valentine gifts to the week of Valentine's (M, Tu, W, & Th). I will communicate home with you who your child selected. Then, beginning Monday, February 11th your child will deliver a HOMEMADE daily gift to their recipient's Valentine mail sleeve. Along with this HOMEMADE gift they must also deliver a clue that hints to their identity. On Thursday, February 14th, they will reveal their identity with one last, slightly larger, gift.
Here is where your help is needed!
Please help your child prepare TWO HOMEMADE GIFTS and TWO CLUES. As part of our Fabric unit, we will prepare one of our homemade gifts and corresponding clue here at school. Then, on Monday, February 11th have your child bring their two HOMEMADE gifts and clues to school to deliver throughout the week. One of these two HOMEMADE gifts can be a baked good. If your child would like to deliver a baked good please email to confirm any possibly food allergies or restrictions before gifting.
On Thursday, February 14th we will have a big Secret Valentine Reveal where child will reveal their identity and they will also learn who has secretly delivered gifts to them throughout the week. To prepare for this your child will need bring one final gift for the big reveal. This gift must a book no greater in value than $5. This book does not need to be brand new and can be gifted from your own library if it is like new condition. Please note that 100% participation is required in this school wide tradition.
In addition to our weeklong K-6 Valentines' fun, the Cottontails will also be having a small class party. Your child may bring class Valentines if they'd like. This activity is optional. If your family is interested, please note that there are 12 students in our class, and that a Valentine must be delivered to each classmate. Our class list is below.
As always, please let me know if you have questions. I will communicate who your child will be delivering gifts to next Wednesday afternoon. We're looking forward to a week of love!
Cottontails' Class List
Ainsley
Aubrey
Catie
Danielle
Hannah
Jonah
Kaden
Libby
Marko
Quinn
Tai
Tia
Next Wednesday, students will "draw" a slip that will highlight who they will deliver secret Valentine gifts to the week of Valentine's (M, Tu, W, & Th). I will communicate home with you who your child selected. Then, beginning Monday, February 11th your child will deliver a HOMEMADE daily gift to their recipient's Valentine mail sleeve. Along with this HOMEMADE gift they must also deliver a clue that hints to their identity. On Thursday, February 14th, they will reveal their identity with one last, slightly larger, gift.
Here is where your help is needed!
Please help your child prepare TWO HOMEMADE GIFTS and TWO CLUES. As part of our Fabric unit, we will prepare one of our homemade gifts and corresponding clue here at school. Then, on Monday, February 11th have your child bring their two HOMEMADE gifts and clues to school to deliver throughout the week. One of these two HOMEMADE gifts can be a baked good. If your child would like to deliver a baked good please email to confirm any possibly food allergies or restrictions before gifting.
On Thursday, February 14th we will have a big Secret Valentine Reveal where child will reveal their identity and they will also learn who has secretly delivered gifts to them throughout the week. To prepare for this your child will need bring one final gift for the big reveal. This gift must a book no greater in value than $5. This book does not need to be brand new and can be gifted from your own library if it is like new condition. Please note that 100% participation is required in this school wide tradition.
In addition to our weeklong K-6 Valentines' fun, the Cottontails will also be having a small class party. Your child may bring class Valentines if they'd like. This activity is optional. If your family is interested, please note that there are 12 students in our class, and that a Valentine must be delivered to each classmate. Our class list is below.
As always, please let me know if you have questions. I will communicate who your child will be delivering gifts to next Wednesday afternoon. We're looking forward to a week of love!
Cottontails' Class List
Ainsley
Aubrey
Catie
Danielle
Hannah
Jonah
Kaden
Libby
Marko
Quinn
Tai
Tia
Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer opportunities are available. Please email me (unless otherwise noted) if you are interested. As always, Volunteer Opportunities are also highlighted on our Welcome Page's right sidebar. I am always grateful for your help and could not do what I do at such an amazing level without your help.
Drivers Needed: Home Ec Workshop Field Trip
Friday, February 22nd 9:30 - 11:45
We are so excited to make our way to Iowa City's local fabric shop Home Ec Workshop! Fabric experts will be on hand to talk to us and to lead using a fabric class. If you are interested in driving please email me and let me know how many boosters can fit in your car. Also, please be sure you leave your child's booster seat for this field trip.
Washing Weekly Rags
A BIG thank you goes out to the Anderson family for consistently taking home our classroom rags to launder each weekend. We strive to be a paper towel-less school and family volunteers to wash the Kindergarten and Kitchen rags helps makes this possible. I am looking for a family to fill the Andersons' footsteps for the remainder of the year. Please let me know if you are willing to take home our rags to wash each Friday, returning them on Monday. This can earn you 30 minutes of volunteer hours each week. THANK YOU in advance.
Spanish Book Binding
Look to SignUp Genius for a volunteer opportunity with Ms. Danielle. She is in need of one parent to help copy and bind our Spanish ABC books. Kindergarteners work through these books while studying Spanish letter sounds beginning in February. Please email Danielle with questions about this opportunity at daniellee@willowwind.org and go to SUG to sign up if interested.
Authors' Cocoa / Book Fair
With Authors' Cocoa and the Book Fair right around the corner, there are a variety of volunteer opportunities available to help make these events a success. Visit Sign Up Genius if you are interested in helping out.
Drivers Needed: Home Ec Workshop Field Trip
Friday, February 22nd 9:30 - 11:45
We are so excited to make our way to Iowa City's local fabric shop Home Ec Workshop! Fabric experts will be on hand to talk to us and to lead using a fabric class. If you are interested in driving please email me and let me know how many boosters can fit in your car. Also, please be sure you leave your child's booster seat for this field trip.
Washing Weekly Rags
A BIG thank you goes out to the Anderson family for consistently taking home our classroom rags to launder each weekend. We strive to be a paper towel-less school and family volunteers to wash the Kindergarten and Kitchen rags helps makes this possible. I am looking for a family to fill the Andersons' footsteps for the remainder of the year. Please let me know if you are willing to take home our rags to wash each Friday, returning them on Monday. This can earn you 30 minutes of volunteer hours each week. THANK YOU in advance.
Spanish Book Binding
Look to SignUp Genius for a volunteer opportunity with Ms. Danielle. She is in need of one parent to help copy and bind our Spanish ABC books. Kindergarteners work through these books while studying Spanish letter sounds beginning in February. Please email Danielle with questions about this opportunity at daniellee@willowwind.org and go to SUG to sign up if interested.
Authors' Cocoa / Book Fair
With Authors' Cocoa and the Book Fair right around the corner, there are a variety of volunteer opportunities available to help make these events a success. Visit Sign Up Genius if you are interested in helping out.
Happy 100th Day!
Is it really the 105th day of school?!? It seems like we were just gearing up for that big 100th day celebration! It is so hard to believe that we are 100 days smarter. Our actions sure show it and our brains are definitely 100 days stronger! Here's a top ten list of our fun 100th day activities! Check out the January 2013 photo album for more fun pictures!
Cottontails Top Ten List for the 100th Day
10. Brainstorm a list of things we have learned in our first 100 days of Kindergarten. Ideas included learning to….read, share, play, climb on the playground.
9. Write about ways we'd spend $100. Ideas included buying 100…legos, toys, cars, houses, horses.
8. Share our 100th Day Collections. Collections included 100…legos, pennies, cereal pieces, knitted felt balls.
7. Count out a 100 pieces of snack. We created 10 piles of 10 snacks to make our 100th day trail mix. Thank you parents who helped provided our fun treat!!
6. Do 10 sets of 10 exercises. The Cottontails did 10 jumping jacks, 10 toe touches, 10 sit ups, 10 push ups, 10 stretches, 10 one-foot hops, 10 two-feet hops, 10 seconds of marching in place, 10 seconds of running in place, and 10 crunches.
5. Wish for 100 things and write about what we'd do with those 100 things.
4. Count to 100. We counted by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s! Some friends even tried the challenge of counting by 3s and 4s!
3. Read a variety of 100th day books. Check our our Book Shelf page to see which books we read!
2. Investigate the 100 Chart. What patterns do we see? We looked at even and odd numbers, the 10s family, similarities in rows and similarities in columns.
1. Celebrate our first 100 days together and look forward to the rest of the school year to come!
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Books, Books, Books
A few quick book related reminders and announcements. As always, let me know if you have questions.
ICPL Field Trip - TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 30th
We will be traveling to the ICPL tomorrow morning via the city bus. Please be sure your child has their library card.
Returning ICPL Books
Our ICPL books are always due three weeks from their check out date. You can always return them directly to the library and at the drive-up drop-off bin located at the Eastside HyVee (just down Muscatine). Now, in addition to these two options, students will have the opportunity to return Iowa City Public Library books at Willowwind beginning Friday, February 8th. Books will be picked up and returned to the library every Friday. If you have any books that you would like returned, simply send them to school with your child and place them in the bin located in the Kindergarten Project Room. Please note that if your books are due on a Wednesday, for instance, you will need to bring them to Willowwind the Friday before they are due to ensure that they are returned on time.
Scholastic Book Fair - February 4 - February 7
We will be holding a Scholastic Book Fair from Monday, February 4, through Thursday, February 7. The event, scheduled in conjunction with our Literature Festival, provides a great opportunity to purchase books for your students, friends and relatives. At the same time, our school will earn Scholastic points based on total sales, which can then be cashed in for books for classrooms, furniture and other supplies.
Students and families may also wish to purchase books for teachers; each teacher will provide a wish list that will be available at the fair. You can purchase items at the fair and designate them to a particular teacher. Book plates will be available to indicate both the donor and the recipients' names. Alternatively, you or any out-of-town parents, relatives and supporters of Willowwind may write a check to the Willowwind Friends and Family Library Fund. Donations of any size are welcome, but donations of $25 ensure that you will be able to purchase at least two books. Donations can be earmarked for a specific classroom, and the donors' names will be acknowledged with book plates.
Tomorrow, I will be sending home a Book Fair flyer that highlights some of the books that will be on display and on sale at the upcoming Book Fair. Parents wishing to work at the fair or help set-up or tear down the event should go to Sign-Up Genius for details. Questions? Please call Katherine House, Book Fair Chairperson, at 319-339-9801. Happy book shopping!
ICPL Field Trip - TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 30th
We will be traveling to the ICPL tomorrow morning via the city bus. Please be sure your child has their library card.
Returning ICPL Books
Our ICPL books are always due three weeks from their check out date. You can always return them directly to the library and at the drive-up drop-off bin located at the Eastside HyVee (just down Muscatine). Now, in addition to these two options, students will have the opportunity to return Iowa City Public Library books at Willowwind beginning Friday, February 8th. Books will be picked up and returned to the library every Friday. If you have any books that you would like returned, simply send them to school with your child and place them in the bin located in the Kindergarten Project Room. Please note that if your books are due on a Wednesday, for instance, you will need to bring them to Willowwind the Friday before they are due to ensure that they are returned on time.
Scholastic Book Fair - February 4 - February 7
We will be holding a Scholastic Book Fair from Monday, February 4, through Thursday, February 7. The event, scheduled in conjunction with our Literature Festival, provides a great opportunity to purchase books for your students, friends and relatives. At the same time, our school will earn Scholastic points based on total sales, which can then be cashed in for books for classrooms, furniture and other supplies.
Students and families may also wish to purchase books for teachers; each teacher will provide a wish list that will be available at the fair. You can purchase items at the fair and designate them to a particular teacher. Book plates will be available to indicate both the donor and the recipients' names. Alternatively, you or any out-of-town parents, relatives and supporters of Willowwind may write a check to the Willowwind Friends and Family Library Fund. Donations of any size are welcome, but donations of $25 ensure that you will be able to purchase at least two books. Donations can be earmarked for a specific classroom, and the donors' names will be acknowledged with book plates.
Tomorrow, I will be sending home a Book Fair flyer that highlights some of the books that will be on display and on sale at the upcoming Book Fair. Parents wishing to work at the fair or help set-up or tear down the event should go to Sign-Up Genius for details. Questions? Please call Katherine House, Book Fair Chairperson, at 319-339-9801. Happy book shopping!
Friday, January 18, 2013
100th Day of School Homework
Our 100th Day of School Celebration is fast approaching! Today the Cottontails Jake's 100th Day of School to learn more about the fun we will have on our own 100th Day of School (NEXT Thursday, January 24th. Through Jake's story we talked about a special project to complete in preparation for the 100th Day of School. This afternoon, your child brought home a letter about our upcoming 100th Day of School and a small homework assignment. Please take a look at the letter sent home or the information below for more information (this information can also be found in the right sidebar on the website's Welcome page).
As part of our festivities, I am asking each student to count and collect 100 small objects, and to place those objects in the attached plastic bag labeled “_____’s 100th Day Collection”. All the objects in your child’s collection bag should be the same. After all students have returned the bags to class, we will use the collections to conduct fun-filled classroom learning activities. The bagged collections will then be returned to the students to bring home. It is important that each bag close securely over the 100 objects, so please help your child count and choose 100 objects small enough to fit in the bag.
Here are some collection ideas:
• 100 pieces of popcorn
• 100 paper clips
• 100 stickers
• 100 metal washers
• 100 hair elastics
• 100 rubber bands
• 100 toothpicks
• 100 pennies
• 100 pieces of cereal
• 100 beans
• 100 pictures of toys (or 100 pictures of animals, etc.) cut from magazines
Please consider the items on this list to be suggestions only. Feel free to help your child collect any objects that will fit into his or her bag. I only ask that you avoid objects that are sharp (such as tacks). Your child’s 100th Day of School Collection is due back to school no later than Wednesday, January 23rd.
Also, we are in need of snacks for our 100-item snack. Please use the “100th Day Snack Sign Up” link to volunteer to bring in a snack. This link can also be found in the right sidebar on the website's Welcome page. When signing up, please include the type of snack you are providing. Snacks should be items where students can easily take 10 pieces from each provided snack. Examples may include small crackers, pretzels, cereal, dried fruit. There are 12 students in our class so please be sure your provided snack has at least 120 items in the box. Please bring the snack on or before Thursday, January 24th.
Thank you in advance for helping to make our 100th Day of School a complete success.
Fabric Homework
We have started a brand new unit on Fabric this week, and we are so excited. We have started our fabric unit by exploring ten different types of fabric and creating a fabric collage. We can't wait to work with fabric dying, sewing and designing and plan to complete many projects including tie-dyeing t-shirts, creating fleece blankets, assemble a class quilt with individual quilt squares, and decorating a keepsake pillowcase for our end of the year sleep over. With these projects, your child is in need of some supplies to help with our fabric unit. Please bring in the following supplies no later then Monday, January 28th.
By Monday, January 28th, please bring in the following items:
(1) plain, white t-shirt (no screen printing) - Individual t-shirts can be found at Hobby Lobby, WalMart, and possibly Michaels, too.
(1) white pillow case
(2) yards of fleece fabric (cut into ONE YARD increments) - The fabric must be cut into one yard increments and can be from the same style of fleece or from two different styles. It is your choice, and/ or your child's choice. Fabric can be found at Hobby Lobby and Joann Fabric
Be sure to use check out the area craft stores' coupons to help you with your supply shopping. Hobby Lobby includes weekly coupons on their website, and JoAnn Fabric has coupons available online or on your mobile device. They also have weekly circulars (with coupons) available at the entrance of their store. Although, Michaels doesn't sell the necessary fabric they do have online and mobile coupons available for any of the other craft supplies you need and find.
Make your trip to the fabric store an adventure! Be sure to bring your Kinder and take some time to explore the different types of fabrics. What does your child discover and identify? In class we have learned about corduroy, burlap, denim, fleece, knit, nylon, organza, satin, seersucker, and terrycloth.
On Monday, we will be going on a fabric hunt around Willowwind. How many items in our school are made of fabric? The results will surprise your child. Monday afternoon, your child will bring home "This is fabric." and "This is cloth." slips. Use these slips and send your child on a fabric hunt throughout your home. Have your child explore the different types of fabric in your home. Examples may include: couch, closet, bed curtains, rugs, carpet, throw pillows, etc.
Through it all make sure to have fun. I look forward to hearing about your child's at-home fabric adventures. Please remember to bring in your child's necessary fabric supplies by Monday, January 28th. Let me know if you have questions. Thank you so much!
By Monday, January 28th, please bring in the following items:
(1) plain, white t-shirt (no screen printing) - Individual t-shirts can be found at Hobby Lobby, WalMart, and possibly Michaels, too.
(1) white pillow case
(2) yards of fleece fabric (cut into ONE YARD increments) - The fabric must be cut into one yard increments and can be from the same style of fleece or from two different styles. It is your choice, and/ or your child's choice. Fabric can be found at Hobby Lobby and Joann Fabric
Be sure to use check out the area craft stores' coupons to help you with your supply shopping. Hobby Lobby includes weekly coupons on their website, and JoAnn Fabric has coupons available online or on your mobile device. They also have weekly circulars (with coupons) available at the entrance of their store. Although, Michaels doesn't sell the necessary fabric they do have online and mobile coupons available for any of the other craft supplies you need and find.
Make your trip to the fabric store an adventure! Be sure to bring your Kinder and take some time to explore the different types of fabrics. What does your child discover and identify? In class we have learned about corduroy, burlap, denim, fleece, knit, nylon, organza, satin, seersucker, and terrycloth.
On Monday, we will be going on a fabric hunt around Willowwind. How many items in our school are made of fabric? The results will surprise your child. Monday afternoon, your child will bring home "This is fabric." and "This is cloth." slips. Use these slips and send your child on a fabric hunt throughout your home. Have your child explore the different types of fabric in your home. Examples may include: couch, closet, bed curtains, rugs, carpet, throw pillows, etc.
Through it all make sure to have fun. I look forward to hearing about your child's at-home fabric adventures. Please remember to bring in your child's necessary fabric supplies by Monday, January 28th. Let me know if you have questions. Thank you so much!
Enjoy the Long Weekend
As a reminder, there is no school and BASP on Monday, January 21st in lieu of Martin Luther King Junior Day. I am eager to spend the day at Willowwind further developing our curriculum and planning the last half of our exciting year.
On Monday, Iowa City and Coralville are offering a variety of enriching activities for families. The Iowa Children's Museum is offering a special Monday session day camp called Theatre Thrills. Their current exhibits will also be open in addition to a very special Martin Luther King Junior Day celebration.
Family Yoga is also available at IC's Heartland Yoga from 4:00 - 5:15 on Monday. This is a donation based event. What a great way to relax with your family.
Please visit the embedded links for more information. I hope you have a great long weekend! See you Tuesday, January 22nd.
On Monday, Iowa City and Coralville are offering a variety of enriching activities for families. The Iowa Children's Museum is offering a special Monday session day camp called Theatre Thrills. Their current exhibits will also be open in addition to a very special Martin Luther King Junior Day celebration.
Family Yoga is also available at IC's Heartland Yoga from 4:00 - 5:15 on Monday. This is a donation based event. What a great way to relax with your family.
Please visit the embedded links for more information. I hope you have a great long weekend! See you Tuesday, January 22nd.
Monday, January 14, 2013
Cottontails' Star of the Week
2013 brings another new activity to the Cottontail classroom….STAR OF THE WEEK! Throughout the coming months, each child will get the chance to be the Star of the Week. Save the date, mark your calendar, and take a look at our Star of the Week Calendar (also found on the Welcome Page's right sidebar) to see when your child will be featured!
I am taking this current week to show students what Star of the Week entails by sharing fun things from my life through my own Star of the Week turn. The students are eager to learn about each day's events and sneak peeks into my life, my family, and my favorites.
The week prior to your child's Star of the Week, your child will take home our Star of the Week bag full of materials to help prepare for their Star of the Week to begin the following Monday. In the week before, activities to prepare include:
• Completing the "All About" Poster
• Filling out "About Me" Slips
• Taking Rufus or Rudy (our class rabbits) on a "week-in-your-child's-life" photo adventure.
• Gathering Special Photos and Memorabilia
• Filling the Estimation Jar
• Finding your child's Favorite Book
The week prior to your child's Star of the Week, I will send home a DETAILED parent letter in the Star of the Week bag and via email. I have linked the blank letter template in the previous sentence and on the Welcome Page's right sidebar. Please take a look at it now to help your family plan for the tasks that lay ahead. I have also included a Timeline of Events (also found on the Welcome Page) that show you what components your child will be presenting each day of their week.
Below is a quick photo journey through my own Star of the Week preparation.
My Star of the Week Display
On the countertop I displayed some of my special memorabilia including my favorite book, my favorite game, a class photo, Rufus, my Star of the Week crown ;).
Left to right on the bulletin board you will see:
• my "About Me" Slips
• my special photos - My special photos include my wedding day, my niece & nephew, a childhood photo, my sister and me, and Brian and me at the beach - my favorite place.
• my "All About" poster - I colored my poster, wrote some words, included pictures of my family, my favorite food, my pet, and me. Your child may include photos and/or draw in pictures.
• my construction paper poster with Rufus's adventures from home - I have uploaded examples of Rufus's Adventures in a photo album under the website's photo tab to further detail the photos I took last week of Rufus at my home. Below are a few pictures, but click on the photo album linked above for more ideas. My photos include: going out to eat, running errands, playing with my dog, checking email, reading a book, crocheting, updating the website. In addition to my own examples I tried to create some examples that showcase activities your child may do during the week like helping with the dishes, brushing teeth, and picking out clothes to wear.
Some Rufus Examples:
Check out Rufus's Photo Album (linked above) for more photo examples.
Running Errands
Reading a Book
Brushing Teeth
Doing Dishes
AS ALWAYS, please email me with questions or concerns. I am happy to help. Remember to have fun! Your child is super excited! What a fun adventure it'll be, and what a fun way to further build our beautiful classroom community and strong friendships. Thank you for your helping in making this experience memorable.
I am taking this current week to show students what Star of the Week entails by sharing fun things from my life through my own Star of the Week turn. The students are eager to learn about each day's events and sneak peeks into my life, my family, and my favorites.
The week prior to your child's Star of the Week, your child will take home our Star of the Week bag full of materials to help prepare for their Star of the Week to begin the following Monday. In the week before, activities to prepare include:
• Completing the "All About" Poster
• Filling out "About Me" Slips
• Taking Rufus or Rudy (our class rabbits) on a "week-in-your-child's-life" photo adventure.
• Gathering Special Photos and Memorabilia
• Filling the Estimation Jar
• Finding your child's Favorite Book
The week prior to your child's Star of the Week, I will send home a DETAILED parent letter in the Star of the Week bag and via email. I have linked the blank letter template in the previous sentence and on the Welcome Page's right sidebar. Please take a look at it now to help your family plan for the tasks that lay ahead. I have also included a Timeline of Events (also found on the Welcome Page) that show you what components your child will be presenting each day of their week.
Below is a quick photo journey through my own Star of the Week preparation.
My Star of the Week Display
On the countertop I displayed some of my special memorabilia including my favorite book, my favorite game, a class photo, Rufus, my Star of the Week crown ;).
Left to right on the bulletin board you will see:
• my "About Me" Slips
• my special photos - My special photos include my wedding day, my niece & nephew, a childhood photo, my sister and me, and Brian and me at the beach - my favorite place.
• my "All About" poster - I colored my poster, wrote some words, included pictures of my family, my favorite food, my pet, and me. Your child may include photos and/or draw in pictures.
• my construction paper poster with Rufus's adventures from home - I have uploaded examples of Rufus's Adventures in a photo album under the website's photo tab to further detail the photos I took last week of Rufus at my home. Below are a few pictures, but click on the photo album linked above for more ideas. My photos include: going out to eat, running errands, playing with my dog, checking email, reading a book, crocheting, updating the website. In addition to my own examples I tried to create some examples that showcase activities your child may do during the week like helping with the dishes, brushing teeth, and picking out clothes to wear.
Some Rufus Examples:
Check out Rufus's Photo Album (linked above) for more photo examples.
Running Errands
Reading a Book
Brushing Teeth
Doing Dishes
AS ALWAYS, please email me with questions or concerns. I am happy to help. Remember to have fun! Your child is super excited! What a fun adventure it'll be, and what a fun way to further build our beautiful classroom community and strong friendships. Thank you for your helping in making this experience memorable.
Der Parints - A Parent Letter (the Kinder Version)
Using a bit of "kid spelling", here is a fun letter of encouragement. Enjoy! :)
Der Parints,
As ur child brings hom riting, do not be serprizd at the speling. The inglish langwij is confuzing for studints. Prematur insistints that studints use standar or "correct" speling inhibits thair dezir and ability to rit. We will uz "kid speling" or "fnetic speling" in r wrk. It is a grat asesment to se wit yur child nos.
Az parints u can hlp ur child bi prazing awl thair riting. Let ur child red thair riting to u. Displa thair riting arownd ur hom. No that as ur child becomz familyer with riting, he or she wil mak the tranzishun to standar speling.
Sincrle,
Mz Mishel
Der Parints,
As ur child brings hom riting, do not be serprizd at the speling. The inglish langwij is confuzing for studints. Prematur insistints that studints use standar or "correct" speling inhibits thair dezir and ability to rit. We will uz "kid speling" or "fnetic speling" in r wrk. It is a grat asesment to se wit yur child nos.
Az parints u can hlp ur child bi prazing awl thair riting. Let ur child red thair riting to u. Displa thair riting arownd ur hom. No that as ur child becomz familyer with riting, he or she wil mak the tranzishun to standar speling.
Sincrle,
Mz Mishel
Reminders / Upcoming Events
A quick reminder and some quick information regarding upcoming events.
Reminder: Winter Gear
Thank you so much for having your child prepared for our outdoor time. The snow has gone, but the cold and mud are still here. Please be sure your child still brings their snow pants and boots to school each day. This gear now helps protect against the cold (we go out if it is above zero air temp) and those tempting puddles of mud. Coats, hats, gloves are also needed.
Upcoming Event: No School / No BASP - NEXT Monday, January 21st
There will be no school and no BASP next Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The teachers will be at WW working on professional development activities to further strengthen our wonderful program here at Willowwind.
Upcoming Event: K-6 Curriculum Open House - NEXT Tuesday, January 22nd 6:30 - 7:30
Next Tuesday, Willowwind will be hosting a K-6 Curriculum Open House . Here you will have the opportunity to learn more about the programs in the older classes. Come speak with the 1-6 teachers to learn more about your child's further at Willowwind. They will be on hand to discuss their dynamic curriculum, units, yearly plans, Personalized Education Plans, experiential learning, our innovated Spanish program, and how your child will beautifully fit into the class. The Curriculum Open House begins at 6:30.
Have friends, family members, neighbors or coworkers with Kindergarten ready children? The Kindergarten classes will be open on the 22nd to discuss our growing program and progressive approach to the Kindergarten year.
RSVP to Amber at the Front Desk or by calling 319.338.6061. See you there!
Reminder: Winter Gear
Thank you so much for having your child prepared for our outdoor time. The snow has gone, but the cold and mud are still here. Please be sure your child still brings their snow pants and boots to school each day. This gear now helps protect against the cold (we go out if it is above zero air temp) and those tempting puddles of mud. Coats, hats, gloves are also needed.
Upcoming Event: No School / No BASP - NEXT Monday, January 21st
There will be no school and no BASP next Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The teachers will be at WW working on professional development activities to further strengthen our wonderful program here at Willowwind.
Upcoming Event: K-6 Curriculum Open House - NEXT Tuesday, January 22nd 6:30 - 7:30
Next Tuesday, Willowwind will be hosting a K-6 Curriculum Open House . Here you will have the opportunity to learn more about the programs in the older classes. Come speak with the 1-6 teachers to learn more about your child's further at Willowwind. They will be on hand to discuss their dynamic curriculum, units, yearly plans, Personalized Education Plans, experiential learning, our innovated Spanish program, and how your child will beautifully fit into the class. The Curriculum Open House begins at 6:30.
Have friends, family members, neighbors or coworkers with Kindergarten ready children? The Kindergarten classes will be open on the 22nd to discuss our growing program and progressive approach to the Kindergarten year.
RSVP to Amber at the Front Desk or by calling 319.338.6061. See you there!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Cottontails' Classroom Wish List
Our classroom is bursting with mid-year excitement and progress. We have completed the first half of Kindergarten and are very excited about all the new things coming our way. We are starting to see new centers "open up" within the classroom. These new centers will challenge our brains with our upcoming adventures in sight words, phonics, reading, writing, science, and math. This "halfway point" is a great time to stop and assess where we are and where we want to go. In doing so, we are in need of a few supplies to help our centers grow! Your support in helping through providing a few of these supplies would be much appreciated. Click Cottontails' Classroom Wish List (also found on the Welcome page's right sidebar) to view and sign up to provide a list of helpful supplies we'd love to have in our classroom. When signing up, please send in your designated supplies at your next convenience. If you have questions about desired products, please let me know. Most products can be found at craft stores (with coupons!) or superstores.
Remember, each donation to Willowwind is tax-deductible. If you would like to receive tax documentation for your donation please notify Amber at the Front Desk of your donation and a tax-deductible donation letter will be mailed to you.
THANK YOU, and your family, for your continued support.
Remember, each donation to Willowwind is tax-deductible. If you would like to receive tax documentation for your donation please notify Amber at the Front Desk of your donation and a tax-deductible donation letter will be mailed to you.
THANK YOU, and your family, for your continued support.
MidWest One Bank Art Exhibit Entry
Today your child brought home a submission form for Iowa City's upcoming MidWest One Bank 2013 Art Exhibit. Ryan, our Art teacher, has included a parent letter with more information. This year, Willowwind is asking students to submit a piece of artwork (that fits within MidWest One's specific guidelines - see take home handout) from home for the 2013 Art Exhibit.
Please discuss this opportunity with your child and the type of art they would like to submit. To submit a piece of art, please follow MidWest One's written guidelines, fill out the submission form, and submit BOTH the artwork and submission form to Willowwind's Scholars' Studio by NEXT Friday, January 18th. If you have any questions please email Ryan at ryanb@willowwind.org.
All artwork will be on display at MidWest One's 2013 Art Exhibit and Reception on Friday, March 1st from 5:30 - 8:00.
Have fun! We can't wait to see your child's piece!
Please discuss this opportunity with your child and the type of art they would like to submit. To submit a piece of art, please follow MidWest One's written guidelines, fill out the submission form, and submit BOTH the artwork and submission form to Willowwind's Scholars' Studio by NEXT Friday, January 18th. If you have any questions please email Ryan at ryanb@willowwind.org.
All artwork will be on display at MidWest One's 2013 Art Exhibit and Reception on Friday, March 1st from 5:30 - 8:00.
Have fun! We can't wait to see your child's piece!
Willowwind's 2013 Summer Camp
Willowwind's 2013 Summer Camp - See More, Do More, Learn More!
We are excited to announce our 2013 Summer Program for PreK through 6th grade students! Willowwind's 2013 Summer Program begins June 3 and ends August 9. Many brand new classes are available. This summer, at Willowwind, choose from more than 50 exciting and enriching summer classes! Learners can participate in our 20+ new classes as diverse as World Music, Who Wants to be a Superhero?, Explosive Science, Creative Cooking, Choreography Workshop, Super Spies, Yoga, and Sign Language! These classes and more will help your child grow their mind and expand their skills over Summer Break. For your younger child, full-day, week-by-week preschool classes are also offered during the 10-week summer program. Click "Willowwind's Summer Camp Brochure" (also found on the right sidebar for our Welcome page) to view class descriptions.
Register early as registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and some classes may fill quickly. THIS YEAR, register online (at Willowwind's website or by clicking "Register Online") to save $20 on the regular registration free. The Register Online link can also be found on the right sidebar of our Welcome page. A computer is also available at Willowwind to support this NEW online registration process. To register, you may also print off a Registration Form (found in the linked brochure above) or by picking one up from the Front Desk Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Registration opened January 7th.
Feel free to forward this information to friends, family members, neighbors, coworkers that may be interested in Willowwind's fun for their child. If you have any questions, contact our Program Director, Katherine Anderson at katherinea@willowwind.org or by calling 319.338.6061. We look forward to a great summer of discovery and fun!
We are excited to announce our 2013 Summer Program for PreK through 6th grade students! Willowwind's 2013 Summer Program begins June 3 and ends August 9. Many brand new classes are available. This summer, at Willowwind, choose from more than 50 exciting and enriching summer classes! Learners can participate in our 20+ new classes as diverse as World Music, Who Wants to be a Superhero?, Explosive Science, Creative Cooking, Choreography Workshop, Super Spies, Yoga, and Sign Language! These classes and more will help your child grow their mind and expand their skills over Summer Break. For your younger child, full-day, week-by-week preschool classes are also offered during the 10-week summer program. Click "Willowwind's Summer Camp Brochure" (also found on the right sidebar for our Welcome page) to view class descriptions.
Register early as registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and some classes may fill quickly. THIS YEAR, register online (at Willowwind's website or by clicking "Register Online") to save $20 on the regular registration free. The Register Online link can also be found on the right sidebar of our Welcome page. A computer is also available at Willowwind to support this NEW online registration process. To register, you may also print off a Registration Form (found in the linked brochure above) or by picking one up from the Front Desk Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. Registration opened January 7th.
Feel free to forward this information to friends, family members, neighbors, coworkers that may be interested in Willowwind's fun for their child. If you have any questions, contact our Program Director, Katherine Anderson at katherinea@willowwind.org or by calling 319.338.6061. We look forward to a great summer of discovery and fun!
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Iowa City's One Book, Two Book Event
This next weekend (January 11 - January 13) brings Iowa City's annual Celebration of Literature event One Book, Two Book. This innovative three-day event will feature non-stop action including book readings, author signings, puppet shows, arts and crafts, costumed characters, young writers' workshops and more! Check out each day's activities or attend the events that interest you.
Friday's Celebrate Young Writers Dinner
January 11th 6:00
Sheraton Downtown Hotel
Friday's dinner will be a magical literary experience created to celebrate stories written by children from each local elementary school. This exciting, kid-friendly even will include a scrumptious dinner, children's literature costume characters, keynote speech by best-selling author Nancy Krulik, and young author readings. Activities with the Iowa Children's Museum will be held across the hall for children ages four and up.
The dinner menu includes:
Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! Mixed Green Salad
One Potato Two Potato Herbed Mashed Potatoes
Night of the Veggie Monster Chef's Best Blend
Love and Roast Chicken Herb Jus Lie
Louise the Pig Cheese Tri-Color Tortellini Primavera
Sticky Fingers Chocolate Fever Brownies
Congrats to Willowwind's Sasha, Caroline, Catie, and Tia who will be recognized and Friday's dinner! Join us on Friday night to celebrate all young writers. If you'd like to purchase tickets for a table, Willowiwnd has a few tickets remaining. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased with Amber at the Front Desk or by visiting One Book, Two Book's website. We'd love to see you at Friday's event!
Saturday's Children's Book Fair
January 12 9:00 - 4:00
Sheraton Downtown Hotel & Downtown Iowa City (Pentacrest and Iowa City Public Library)
Educators (including Willowwind!), librarians, authors, illustrators, publishers, bookstores, parents, and of course, children will gather together to recognize the important role of literature in the development of children's literacy, imagination, and love of reading. Come discover a new book, play with some of your favorite storybook characters, and be inspired by the variety of programming and workshops throughout the day. Be sure to stop by the Willowwind booth to say "hi" and to check out your child's literacy poster their partner family decorated in preparation for Saturday's event. Click "Schedule of Events" to learn more about what Saturday will have to offer.
Sunday's Storytime Events
January 13 1:00 - 3:00
Join your favorite community members and leaders for a special interactive story time at your public library. Find out what it's like to put out fires, fly a plane, race to a crime scene, bake a delicious cake, shoot a winning basket, and more! All three libraries (Iowa City, Coralville, AND North Library will host a story time session from 1:00 - 3:00. The event is free, but space is limited, so you must have tickets. In order to attend Sunday's events, please pick up your tickets on Saturday, January 12th at One Book, Two Book's Children's Book Fair at the Sheraton Downtown Hotel.
Come read stories with firefighters, police officers, bakers, doctors, train conductors, farmers, engineers, athletes, veterinarians, pilots, postal offices, and the mayor or elected officials. Concurrent storytime sessions will occur at each public library in Coralville, Iowa City, and North Liberty.
Storytime Schedule:
1:00 - 1:30 and 1:30 - 2:00 - storytime with pilots, train conductors, doctors, athletes, farmers, and bakers
2:00 - 2:30 and 2:30 - 3:00 - storytime with engineers, elected officials, veterinarians, postal officers, police officers, and firefighters
Weather permitting, head to your library parking lot after story time to get an up-close look at a firetruck, a police cars, and a ambulance.
Special Event - Ice Skating
Pentacrest and Iowa Avenue
Friday, January 11 4:00 - 10:00 pm
Saturday, January 12 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sunday, January 13 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Free skating will be available on a synthetic ice rink on Iowa Avenue throughout the entire One Book, Two Book weekend. The rink will be open regardless of the temperature, and skates will be available, or you can bring your own.
Check out One Book, Two Book's website for more information on all three days' events. I'm looking forward to the weekend and we hope to see you there!
Friday's Celebrate Young Writers Dinner
January 11th 6:00
Sheraton Downtown Hotel
Friday's dinner will be a magical literary experience created to celebrate stories written by children from each local elementary school. This exciting, kid-friendly even will include a scrumptious dinner, children's literature costume characters, keynote speech by best-selling author Nancy Krulik, and young author readings. Activities with the Iowa Children's Museum will be held across the hall for children ages four and up.
The dinner menu includes:
Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! Mixed Green Salad
One Potato Two Potato Herbed Mashed Potatoes
Night of the Veggie Monster Chef's Best Blend
Love and Roast Chicken Herb Jus Lie
Louise the Pig Cheese Tri-Color Tortellini Primavera
Sticky Fingers Chocolate Fever Brownies
Congrats to Willowwind's Sasha, Caroline, Catie, and Tia who will be recognized and Friday's dinner! Join us on Friday night to celebrate all young writers. If you'd like to purchase tickets for a table, Willowiwnd has a few tickets remaining. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased with Amber at the Front Desk or by visiting One Book, Two Book's website. We'd love to see you at Friday's event!
Saturday's Children's Book Fair
January 12 9:00 - 4:00
Sheraton Downtown Hotel & Downtown Iowa City (Pentacrest and Iowa City Public Library)
Educators (including Willowwind!), librarians, authors, illustrators, publishers, bookstores, parents, and of course, children will gather together to recognize the important role of literature in the development of children's literacy, imagination, and love of reading. Come discover a new book, play with some of your favorite storybook characters, and be inspired by the variety of programming and workshops throughout the day. Be sure to stop by the Willowwind booth to say "hi" and to check out your child's literacy poster their partner family decorated in preparation for Saturday's event. Click "Schedule of Events" to learn more about what Saturday will have to offer.
Sunday's Storytime Events
January 13 1:00 - 3:00
Join your favorite community members and leaders for a special interactive story time at your public library. Find out what it's like to put out fires, fly a plane, race to a crime scene, bake a delicious cake, shoot a winning basket, and more! All three libraries (Iowa City, Coralville, AND North Library will host a story time session from 1:00 - 3:00. The event is free, but space is limited, so you must have tickets. In order to attend Sunday's events, please pick up your tickets on Saturday, January 12th at One Book, Two Book's Children's Book Fair at the Sheraton Downtown Hotel.
Come read stories with firefighters, police officers, bakers, doctors, train conductors, farmers, engineers, athletes, veterinarians, pilots, postal offices, and the mayor or elected officials. Concurrent storytime sessions will occur at each public library in Coralville, Iowa City, and North Liberty.
Storytime Schedule:
1:00 - 1:30 and 1:30 - 2:00 - storytime with pilots, train conductors, doctors, athletes, farmers, and bakers
2:00 - 2:30 and 2:30 - 3:00 - storytime with engineers, elected officials, veterinarians, postal officers, police officers, and firefighters
Weather permitting, head to your library parking lot after story time to get an up-close look at a firetruck, a police cars, and a ambulance.
Special Event - Ice Skating
Pentacrest and Iowa Avenue
Friday, January 11 4:00 - 10:00 pm
Saturday, January 12 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sunday, January 13 12:00 - 5:00 pm
Free skating will be available on a synthetic ice rink on Iowa Avenue throughout the entire One Book, Two Book weekend. The rink will be open regardless of the temperature, and skates will be available, or you can bring your own.
Check out One Book, Two Book's website for more information on all three days' events. I'm looking forward to the weekend and we hope to see you there!
New Reminders 2.0
It was simply wonderful to be back to school with your child and their classmates. We were able to take Thursday and Friday to get back into our routine. The Cottontails were also excited about all the changes in the classroom….a new Cottontail, transitioning from Rest Time to Quiet Reading Time, new pencils, and new table spots! More changes will be occurring throughout the coming weeks. Stay tuned as we add fun activities to our daily routines. Here are a few more reminders as we move into our first full week of 2013
Outdoor and Indoor Gear
A big thank you to you all for preparing your child for the cold weather outside. Each Cottontail was prepared with their outdoor gear and indoor shoes. Thank you for lugging in all the extra gear. One additional reminder, if your child brings cozy slippers to wear inside, please be sure they also have Movement shoes to wear on Tuesday and Thursdays. In doing so, your child will be prepared for the Gross Motor activities and development that occurs in Movement.
January's Library Field Trip
We will be traveling to the library on Wednesday, January 30th. Please be sure your child has their library card on this day.
Spanish Newsletter Blurb
I have added Danielle's Spanish blurb to our December/January Newsletter. Check it out.
Snacks
Don't forget that two snacks are needed each day (except for Thursday when only one snack is needed). Cottontails seem to be without their afternoon snack, at times. This snack is important in helping them sustain the energy they need for a productive afternoon. Please be sure your child has two snacks and they know what they should be eating for morning snack, for lunch, and afternoon snack. Thank you.
Outdoor and Indoor Gear
A big thank you to you all for preparing your child for the cold weather outside. Each Cottontail was prepared with their outdoor gear and indoor shoes. Thank you for lugging in all the extra gear. One additional reminder, if your child brings cozy slippers to wear inside, please be sure they also have Movement shoes to wear on Tuesday and Thursdays. In doing so, your child will be prepared for the Gross Motor activities and development that occurs in Movement.
January's Library Field Trip
We will be traveling to the library on Wednesday, January 30th. Please be sure your child has their library card on this day.
Spanish Newsletter Blurb
I have added Danielle's Spanish blurb to our December/January Newsletter. Check it out.
Snacks
Don't forget that two snacks are needed each day (except for Thursday when only one snack is needed). Cottontails seem to be without their afternoon snack, at times. This snack is important in helping them sustain the energy they need for a productive afternoon. Please be sure your child has two snacks and they know what they should be eating for morning snack, for lunch, and afternoon snack. Thank you.
New Tools Coming Home Monday
On Monday, January 7th, your child will be bringing home a variety of new tools/activities. Below you will find more information about these tools/activities.
Math Flashcards and Time Test Tuesdays
Each Monday, beginning on January 7th, your child will bring home a sheet of weekly basic math fact flashcards. Please see that your child cuts these cards out, puts their initials on them, and practices them nightly. We will also take time daily to practice our basic math facts. Like a variety of your child's school words (for example their new Literacy Tool Kit and Weekly Words Flashcards) these basic math fact flashcards should travel back and forth to school each day. They can be stored in a labeled Ziploc bag in your child's Bunny Bag. A labeled Ziploc bag will go home with the new basic math fact flashcards on Monday, January 7th.
Each Tuesday, beginning on January 8th, students will complete a three-minute time test focusing on memorizing their basic math facts. As students score a 90%, or higher, they will move onto more challenge math facts. The goal is to memorize all our basic addition and subtraction facts so that we can readily, and easily, solve harder problems as we move into two- and three-digit addition and subtraction. Look for your child's weekly time test to go home the following Monday.
Weekly Word Flashcards
On Monday, January 7th, your child will begin the study of sight words ("Weekly Words"). Each week, the Cottontails will study two, three, or four sight words during our "Weekly Word" focus. These "Weekly Words" will be listed in the Monday row of each week's Cottontail Communicator. On Monday, January 7th, your child will take home the "Weekly Words" we will be study over the next several weeks. Please have your child cut out these sight words, put their initials on the back, and practice them nightly. We will practice these words daily at school, too. Together we will discuss that sight words are words our brains should "just know". Often times, sight words do not follow the English language rules and just need to be memorize. We will understand that if we can learn these words it will give our brains the chance to focus on more challenging words. Like your child's Spelling Sort, black and white books, and new Literacy Tool Kit these Weekly Words Flashcards should travel back and forth to school each day. They can be stored in a labeled Ziploc bag in your child's Bunny Bag. A labeled Ziploc bag will go home with the new Weekly Words Flashcards on Monday, January 7th.
Literacy Tool Kit
On Monday, January 7th your child will be adding their much anticipated Literacy Tool Kit to their Bunny Bag. I have changed the name from "Reading Tool Kit" to "Literacy Tool Kit" as the items in this tool kit will help your child's literary development grow in all areas of Literacy (Reading, Writing, and Spelling). This Literacy Tool Kit holds a variety of "tools" your reader can use to help their reading grow. Your child's Tool Kit should stay in their Bunny Bag and travel back and forth home and school. New tools may be added as our reading continues to grow. Items you will find in your child's Tool Kit on Monday, January 7th include:
• reading strip (to focus on line-by-line reading)
• pipe cleaner (to focus on line-by-line reading)
• post-it notes (to focus on line-by-line reading, mark holding spot in book, writing down ?s or thoughts that may occur during reading, and a way for you to help them with at-home post-it note writing)
• bookmarker (to mark holding spot in book)
• witch finger (to track words while reading)
• googly-eye pointer (to track words while reading)
• word blending mat (A hands-on way to help sound out words and blend them together. See below for more information.
Encourage your child to use their Literacy Tool Kit while reading, writing, and spelling. This will help build their fluency, comprehension, writing confidence, and phonemic awareness. Have fun!
More Information Regarding the Literacy Tool Kit's Blending Mat
This blending mat can help your child sound out three and/ or four letter words. It will help them further strengthen their recognition of consonant sounds, short vowel sounds, and even long vowel sounds. Take a few minutes each work to use this blending mat to help your child start spelling and sounding out words. You can use magnetic letters, or a dry erase marker as the mat is laminated. If using a dry erase marker, just use a tissue, sock, or cotton ball to wipe it clean. If you have little trouble wiping it clean, just use a bit of water. This laminated mat should last throughout the remainder of Kindergarten and beyond.
Here are few ideas of words to spell on using the blending mat.
• Word Families such as -at, -an, -ad, -ag, -ot, -op, -og, -ill, -it, -et, -en, -ug, -un
• Change CVC words to CVCe words (For example, mat to mate; pin to pine)
• Weekly Words listed on our Cottontail Communicator
Other Items you will find in your child's Take Home Folder
In addition to the above items you will find in your child's backpack and Take Home Folder, your child will also be taking home the following items.
• Math in Focus Chapter 6 Parent Letter
• completed math packet and other classroom work
• new Cottontail Communicator
• new spelling sort
• new math packet with new fact practice pages (Have your child use the fact practice pages to strengthen their recognition of basic math facts. As we introduce "Time Test Tuesday" and get use to the routine use these homework, fact practice pages to practice your own at-home, three-minute "Time Test" event. Kinders in years past LOVE this "game"! Often times, it becomes a student-created center activity as the time eachother.
Math Flashcards and Time Test Tuesdays
Each Monday, beginning on January 7th, your child will bring home a sheet of weekly basic math fact flashcards. Please see that your child cuts these cards out, puts their initials on them, and practices them nightly. We will also take time daily to practice our basic math facts. Like a variety of your child's school words (for example their new Literacy Tool Kit and Weekly Words Flashcards) these basic math fact flashcards should travel back and forth to school each day. They can be stored in a labeled Ziploc bag in your child's Bunny Bag. A labeled Ziploc bag will go home with the new basic math fact flashcards on Monday, January 7th.
Each Tuesday, beginning on January 8th, students will complete a three-minute time test focusing on memorizing their basic math facts. As students score a 90%, or higher, they will move onto more challenge math facts. The goal is to memorize all our basic addition and subtraction facts so that we can readily, and easily, solve harder problems as we move into two- and three-digit addition and subtraction. Look for your child's weekly time test to go home the following Monday.
Weekly Word Flashcards
On Monday, January 7th, your child will begin the study of sight words ("Weekly Words"). Each week, the Cottontails will study two, three, or four sight words during our "Weekly Word" focus. These "Weekly Words" will be listed in the Monday row of each week's Cottontail Communicator. On Monday, January 7th, your child will take home the "Weekly Words" we will be study over the next several weeks. Please have your child cut out these sight words, put their initials on the back, and practice them nightly. We will practice these words daily at school, too. Together we will discuss that sight words are words our brains should "just know". Often times, sight words do not follow the English language rules and just need to be memorize. We will understand that if we can learn these words it will give our brains the chance to focus on more challenging words. Like your child's Spelling Sort, black and white books, and new Literacy Tool Kit these Weekly Words Flashcards should travel back and forth to school each day. They can be stored in a labeled Ziploc bag in your child's Bunny Bag. A labeled Ziploc bag will go home with the new Weekly Words Flashcards on Monday, January 7th.
Literacy Tool Kit
On Monday, January 7th your child will be adding their much anticipated Literacy Tool Kit to their Bunny Bag. I have changed the name from "Reading Tool Kit" to "Literacy Tool Kit" as the items in this tool kit will help your child's literary development grow in all areas of Literacy (Reading, Writing, and Spelling). This Literacy Tool Kit holds a variety of "tools" your reader can use to help their reading grow. Your child's Tool Kit should stay in their Bunny Bag and travel back and forth home and school. New tools may be added as our reading continues to grow. Items you will find in your child's Tool Kit on Monday, January 7th include:
• reading strip (to focus on line-by-line reading)
• pipe cleaner (to focus on line-by-line reading)
• post-it notes (to focus on line-by-line reading, mark holding spot in book, writing down ?s or thoughts that may occur during reading, and a way for you to help them with at-home post-it note writing)
• bookmarker (to mark holding spot in book)
• witch finger (to track words while reading)
• googly-eye pointer (to track words while reading)
• word blending mat (A hands-on way to help sound out words and blend them together. See below for more information.
Encourage your child to use their Literacy Tool Kit while reading, writing, and spelling. This will help build their fluency, comprehension, writing confidence, and phonemic awareness. Have fun!
More Information Regarding the Literacy Tool Kit's Blending Mat
This blending mat can help your child sound out three and/ or four letter words. It will help them further strengthen their recognition of consonant sounds, short vowel sounds, and even long vowel sounds. Take a few minutes each work to use this blending mat to help your child start spelling and sounding out words. You can use magnetic letters, or a dry erase marker as the mat is laminated. If using a dry erase marker, just use a tissue, sock, or cotton ball to wipe it clean. If you have little trouble wiping it clean, just use a bit of water. This laminated mat should last throughout the remainder of Kindergarten and beyond.
Here are few ideas of words to spell on using the blending mat.
• Word Families such as -at, -an, -ad, -ag, -ot, -op, -og, -ill, -it, -et, -en, -ug, -un
• Change CVC words to CVCe words (For example, mat to mate; pin to pine)
• Weekly Words listed on our Cottontail Communicator
Other Items you will find in your child's Take Home Folder
In addition to the above items you will find in your child's backpack and Take Home Folder, your child will also be taking home the following items.
• Math in Focus Chapter 6 Parent Letter
• completed math packet and other classroom work
• new Cottontail Communicator
• new spelling sort
• new math packet with new fact practice pages (Have your child use the fact practice pages to strengthen their recognition of basic math facts. As we introduce "Time Test Tuesday" and get use to the routine use these homework, fact practice pages to practice your own at-home, three-minute "Time Test" event. Kinders in years past LOVE this "game"! Often times, it becomes a student-created center activity as the time eachother.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)