Becoming 1st Grade Readers & Writers

Spring is here and we are already beginning to prepare for what's to come in first grade.  It is so hard to believe that first grade is right around the corner.  Please read the information below carefully as some routines are changing as we make way for routines to help us familiarize with activities similar to first grade routines.

Plastic Book Bag
In order to better focus our school time, and preparation time, on furthering students' reading abilities we have finished up our routine of taking home books from school.  Please note that your child will no longer bring their plastic bag home.   If you are further interested in finding leveled for your child at home please click HERE to visit Scholastic's Book Wizard.  I am happy to provide your child's current reading level if interested.  Feel free to ask.

Guided Reading Homework
Kindergarten students will continue to meet weekly in guided reading groups.  Here your child will work with texts and literacy activities appropriate with your current level of reading.  Reading strategies and activities may include exploring text, sounding out words, connecting to our reading, studying characters, mastering sight words, describing the story's setting, etc.  Beginning this week, students may receive guided reading homework.  Please look periodically in your child's take home folder for this homework.  Each guided reading homework will include clear instructions and whether or not this homework needs to return to school and it's due date if necessary.

Weekly Writing Homework
Today your child took home their first weekly writing homework assignment.  Please see your child's take home folder for the assignment and more information.  Each week, please discuss the homework's sentence starter with your child and have them use kid spelling (see previous blog post) to complete the prompt.  Your child’s writing homework can be worked on throughout the whole week.  If your child is excited to complete their homework at the start of the week then embrace their excitement; however, it is okay to work on it bit by bit, day by day.  We are working towards being able to write the same number of sentences as our age (5 or 6 sentences).

When they have completed their writing assignment have them draw a picture on the back of the paper with crayons or colored pencils.  Kindergarteners are encouraged to use the same number of colors as their age (5 or 6 colors).  We will share our weekly writing homework next Monday during Moring Meeting.  Please be sure your child is ready to share.

As always, please let me know if you have questions.  Please enjoy helping your child continue to grow.  Your support is much appreciated!