​December 15, 2014

 ​December 15, 2014

Dear Kindergarten Families,

December always reminds me of how wonderful it is to be a kindergarten teacher. Since Thanksgiving the class has been talking about holidays and family traditions. We have been learning how holidays are different and in what ways they are alike.  We enjoy hearing stories, playing games and making crafts. We will continue to share and celebrate holidays through February. If your family would like to share any of your family’s holiday traditions, games or special foods please let me know.  

Kindergarten has been using our celebrations and the winter season as springboards for reading, writing and math. We are reading stories to learn more about holidays, changes in the seasons and what animals do in the winter. We are writing about stories we have read, holiday traditions, and what we are excited about this holiday season. In math we are practicing numeral writing and recognition, counting, patterning and addition.

I am beginning to see great improvement in Writer's Workshop and REACH centers.  The students are ready to take off as readers and writers. Having volunteers during writing and reading help the class to get more individualized attention. I am also able to meet with more reading groups when the independent students have support from other adults in the room. Please let me know if you are available in the mornings from 8:30-9:20 and or 9:45-10:40.  

I am looking forward to this last fun filled week before break. We will be reading Jan Brett's The Gingerbread Baby and other versions of The Gingerbread Man.  We are hoping to decorate mini Gingerbread Houses with our third grade buddies.  We will end the week by making Gingerbread Cookies and having our holiday party to say goodbye before break.

I would like to extend our gratitude to the family and friends who have given their time and energy in our classroom so far this year.  Our best days come about with your help. Thank you for the volunteers who have been in class to help us in Writer’s Workshop and REACH Literacy Centers.  Thank you to Karen for helping with art very week!  Thank you for all of the help we had for our Stone Soup Celebration! Thank you for all of the work outside of the classroom as well with preparing projects, sharpening pencils and planning the auction art project. Thank you again for all of the dedication and support you are giving our classroom.

Late Start this Wednesday!

Holiday Party:

We will be having a holiday party on Friday the 19^th starting at 12:00.  We will be reading holiday stories, having crafts, playing games, and eating healthy treats. We will be going to the auditorium for Kindersing at 12:20- 12:45, then return to our room to enjoy the rest of our celebration day. Everyone is welcome to come, help and say goodbye before our winter break.

Winter Break Reading Challenge:

I will be sending home a reading log for winter break (attached as well).   I have challenged the class to read at least one book a day everyday we are apart. If the class can read over 100 books during our break we will host a Literature Party!! Please encourage your child to read to you, your dog, a sibling or a stuffed animal. Then write the title of the book on this reading log. If your child is reading longer books, a ten-minute read counts for one line on the reading log. When we return to class we will tally their book total and see if they have earned their party!

Toy and Food Drive:

It is an annual community service project at Ainsworth to collect food and toys for this organization.  Our class will be collecting toys, books and food for the seasonal workers for the holidays. The toys, food and clothes will be delivered Friday after school.

I hope to see you this week before break,

Ms. Fale