New Routine: Star of the Week

As we continue to grow together as a class, I'm excited to present a new activity that brings us closer together - getting to know one another on a more personal level - our new STAR OF THE WEEK routine!  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 to see when your child will be featured!  I will also add each student's week to our website's calendar page.  This activity is the perfect way for Kindergarten classmates to get to know each other better.  Over the last few weeks, I, along with 2 Cottontails have taken turns sharing fun thingsthrough our own Star of the Week weeks.

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
• Taking Rufus (our class rabbit) on a "week-in-your-child's-life" photo adventure.
• Gathering Special Photos and Memorabilia
• 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.  Please take a look at it now to help your family plan for the tasks that lay ahead.

Below is a quick photo journey through my own Star of the Week preparation.

On the table in our Group Area, I displayed some of my special memorabilia including my favorite book, my favorite game, some framed photos, Rufus, my Star of the Week crown ;).

On display you will see:
• my special photos
• 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 drawn pictures.
• my construction paper poster with Rufus's adventures from home
Below are just a few pictures of Rufus's adventures while at home with me.

Some Rufus 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.

New Routine: Math Homework

Each week Kindergarteners are introduced to a new academic subject area as we gradually build our structured academic routine.  Last week, the Kindergartners began a new routine - Math class!  Today, we discussed our new math homework routine.  You will find this Math homework packet on the Right Back to School side of the Take Home Folder.  The Cottontails are so excited to have weekly math homework just like their older friends, partners, and family members. Please help foster this excitement as they bring home their weekly work.  Each Monday, students will take home a weekly math packet.  This math packet will contain three double sided worksheets to be completed throughout the week (on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays / weekends).

At the top of each double-sided worksheet you will find instructions that state, "To be completed on or after ___day."  This is important to note as the concepts on some of the later pages won't be introduced until mid week and I want to be sure your child has a classroom understanding of the concept before trying it independently at home.  This helps with confidence building and skill mastery.  You will notice, too, that at the start of each unit, I will include a parent letter in your child's Math Packet that explains our new area of study within Math class.

These activities are supplemental activities to the activities and lessons we complete as a class throughout the week. They are meant to provide your child with added practice and reinforcement. It is my hopes that this homework routine provides you with the opportunity to take a look at some of the concepts your child is studying in Kindergarten.   Math homework should take no more than 5 or 10 minutes per evening.  As we get into our Math routine, I will provide optional online opportunities for your child to use on Tuesdays and Thursdays (our "off" Math worksheet days).

ASP kiddos are encourage to use "homework time" to complete their homework before heading home.  If your child is in ASP, I encourage you to leave the Math Packet in your child's Take Home Folder so they are able to work on it while at school.  Otherwise, you are welcome to leave your child's Math Packet at home until it is due.  On the following Monday morning, your child should return their packet back to school and turn it in.

Finally, at the end of each unit I will offer an optional Enrichment Packet as an additional resource for you to use at home.  I will plan to send home a packet for each student to complete at your desire, UNLESS I hear otherwise.  Please let me know if you'd like to pass on the Enrichment packet as I account for how many packets to make.  As you begin our new Math homework routine please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  Enjoy!

New Routine: Recycling Routine

Willowwind students have taken some time to revisit our schools waste disposal practices for snack and lunchtime. Our new policy is to recycle any items that are made of paper, cardboard, aluminum, tin or hard plastic as long as there is no food left inside. When the food item is unfinished, students should pack in-pack out, and bring it home as they did previously. This allows you to monitor what your child is eating. They may still need to bring home some messy items if their food is unfinished. Please help them be prepared to do so by packing in reusable containers or items that can be resealed.

Volunteer Opportunity: Fall Field Trips

Our Fall Field Trips are about all planned.  Take a look below for more information.  Drivers are needed for our three Tuesday field trips.  Please click HERE to visit our Volunteer Opportunity Sign Up to express commitment in driving and volunteering for the field trip.  Your support in these field trips are incredibly important.  If you are interested in driving please sign up on the links below.  Prior to your first field trip, please leave a copy of your license & proof of insurance with Rachel B. at the Front Desk.

1)  Wilson's Apple Orchard - DRIVERS NEEDED
Tuesday, September 27th  1:00 - 3:00
We will travel to our local apple orchard here in Iowa City to taste test apples, tour the orchard by tractor ride, and pick apples.  PLEASE leave your child's booster seat at Willowwind on the morning of Tuesday, September 27th.  All Kindergarteners MUST use a booster seat when traveling on school field trips.

2)  Iowa City Public Library Field Trips
Wednesday, September 28th  9:30 - 11:45
Wednesday, October 26th  9:30 - 11:45
Beginning in September, the Kindergarten class will travel to the library the last Wednesday of the month (subject to change) to check out library books and participate in their story time.  Please be sure your child has their own library card.  I will be sending home library card applications on Monday, September 19th, if needed.  If your child does not have an Iowa City Public Library card please stop by the library with them between now and Wednesday, September 28th's field trip to fill out an application for your child to receive their card.  To check out books, your child must bring their library card to school on Wednesday, September 28th for our first library field trip (and all following library trips).

3)  Allen's Apple Orchard Field Trip - DRIVERS NEEDED
Tuesday, October 4th  11:30 - 3:00
We will travel to Allen's Apple Orchard in Marion for an educational field trip revolving around the life cycle of apples.  Retired teachers will take us on a tour of the orchard and discuss how an apple grows from seed to storefront.  We will also eat lunch there.  PLEASE leave your child's booster seat at Willowwind on the morning of Tuesday, October 4th.

4)  Colony Pumpkin Patch - DRIVERS NEEDED
Tuesday, October 11th  11:30 - 3:00
We will travel to North Liberty's Colony Pumpkin Patch for an educational field trip revolving around the life cycle of pumpkins.  We will eat lunch there and then learn about how pumpkins grow, how the Colony Pumpkin Patch plants & harvests pumpkins, receive a tour of their patch, play on their Fall play structure, take a ride in their tractor train, and take pumpkins back to school.

5)  Iowa City Fire Department
Friday, October 14th  9:30 - 11:45
In honor of Fire Prevention Week, we will visit the downtown fire station #1 to learn about our local firefighter heroes and the importance of their job.

6)  Fall Walk to Friendship Park
Date TBD  1:00 - 3:00
We will take our second walk to Friendship Park to explore the season of Fall and the changes occurring.  We will use our five senses to compare or Summer and Fall walks.  Please be sure your child wears comfy walking shoes.

Scholastic Book Orders - Deadline Extended to Fri 9.23

Encouraging reading is one of the most important things we can do to help children succeed.  Sometimes the right book is all it takes to nurture a child's love of reading.  That is why I'm pleased that Willowwind's Kindergarten Program is offering you another opportunity to enhance your family's home library.  It can be tough finding the right books to keep children interested, which is why I am so excited that our class will be participating in Scholastic Book Orders (now known as Scholastic Reading Club).  During the school year, your family will have the chance to order a variety of inexpensive books for home.  In doing so, our class is able to earn points to enhance our classroom library.

With Scholastic Reading Club:

•  every book you buy earns FREE books for our classroom library

•  you can choose from handpicked, grade- AND reading-level specific books of your child

•  find the best values on a variety of formats, including eBooks

Throughout the school year, your child will bring home Reading Club flyers and you will have access to our online Scholastic Reading Club store where together, with your child, you can choose from a variety of books and then order right online or return the flyer's hard copy order form and payment to me.  Recently, your child brought home ordering instructions and hard copy flyers.  Take a look through the flyers and find some of the books I've circled and recommended for our Kindergarten families.

To shop online:

1)  VISIT scholastic.com/readingclub

2)  Here it will ask you to set up an account for your profile for your family.

To do so, ENTER the one-time Class Activation Code (NCNYY)

3)  SHOP from a variety of inexpensive books.  The beauty of the online Book Orders is that you can order books for any age infant to middle school.  Looking for gifts for family members or friends? Wanting to stock up inexpensive gifts for all those birthday parties?  Shop here!

4)  SUBMIT your order online by Friday, September 23rd (deadline extended) and earn FREE books for our classroom.

To shop via flyer:

1)  SELECT books to order from each flyer.

2)  FILL OUT each flyer's order form.

3)  MAKE check payable to Scholastic Reading Club

4)  TURN IN order form(s) and payment by Friday, September 23rd (deadline extended) and earn FREE books for our classroom.

When the ordering deadline (September 23) has passed all classroom orders will be collated, gathered, and shipped directly to our classroom where we can continue to celebrate the joy of reading together!  Have a special gift that your ordering for your child?  Let me know and I'll be sure to stow this book away from their excited attention.

In our classroom's online shop, you will also find book recommendations that I have personally selected for the classroom.  I have also recommended some great books that revolve around our curricular focuses including starting Kindergarten, being a good friend, and the life cycles of apples and pumpkins.  You will also room find a classroom wish list in our online shop where your family can select special gifts to help our classroom library grow.

Remember to order online, just use the one-time activation code NCNYY.  Ordering through Scholastic Reading Club provides you with access to inexpensive books and also coupons for discounts on future orders.  It also helps enhance our classroom library, too.  Enjoy and have fun shopping!  Thank you for your support!

September Announcements

A few reminders to send your way...

Willowwind Apparel Order - Due THIS Monday, September 19th
It's that time of year for new Willowwind apparel!  There are adult and youth t-shirts and sweatshirts, available.  Show your school pride all around town with your Willowwind gear!  Orders will arrive Tuesday, October 4th just in time to march in the City High Homecoming parade on Wednesday, October 5th.  Please see the Weekly News for the link to the order form.  Dana and Rachel B. are happy to help, too.

Picture Day - THIS Wednesday, September 21st
This year's Picture Day is coming up!  Destiny Borland of Identity Photography will be here to take individual school pictures and class pictures.  Please see the Weekly news for the link to the order form.  Or, please pick up an order form for your child's school pictures at the Front Desk.  Pictures will be taken outside on the Willowwind lawn.  With a 9:00 am photo call, please consider our outdoors location when selecting a Picture Day outfit for your child.  I am looking forward to this year's Picture Day - my family is a frequent client of Identity Photography and we love Destiny and her work.  I am thrilled to have her be a part of our school picture day!

Harvest Fest - Saturday, September 24th  2:00 - 4:30
Our annual Harvest Fest is this Saturday with live music, games, and food.  I hope to see you there.  Please visit Willowwind's Facebook page as well as the Weekly News email for more information.  Our class's Book Walk is still in need of new or gently used book donations.  Please help out if you can.  Support for class gift baskets for Silent Auction are also needed  Caroline & Cassie, our room parents, are happy to answer questions, too.