NEWS FROM KINDERGARTEN!

Learning for the Month

Language: In December, we have worked on the letters: M, D and G. This month in January, we will continue to build on our letter skills with the letters: Oo, Uu, Ll, Ff and Bb. Through games, such as Bingo, we will review previously learned letters. As we move towards February, we will be focusing on blending letter sounds (e.g., sh, th, ch). To draw upon these sounds and letters in writing, students will participate in increased Writer Workshop sessions where they will be encouraged to continue to write simple messages but also use classroom resources (e.g., magnetic letters, word wall/frames to support their writing). In Reading, students will continue to make predictions with unfamiliar texts, but they will be provided with opportunities to read just-right texts, share their reading with the whole class and model proper book conventions. During whole class stories, students will be asked to draw/write/ orally share their ideas in response to a problem, question or solution in the story. Math: We will continue to explore learning goals from our Number Sense unit. In this unit, students will work on identifying numbers. Students will investigate the idea that quantity is greater when counting forward and less when counting backwards. They will also work on one-to-one correspondence when counting objects and groups of objects. In addition to Number Sense, students will also explore, sort and compare traditional (triangle, square) and nontraditional 2-D shapes. Students will make and build designs and pictures using 2-D shapes. Health: We will be talking about personal hygiene (hand washing, brushing teeth) that helps promote good personal, family and community health. Science: In December, we discussed about making changes to ourselves and our homes during the winter months. We will make predictions and explore how animals behave and change in cold weather. Personal and Social Development: Using books and films, students will learn about examples of self-reliance, trying new activities and adapting to new situations. Dance and Visual Art: Students will use a variety of tools and materials of their own choice to create dance and visual art in familiar and new ways (e.g., Using Jan Bretts The Mitten).
January 6th, 2014

Reminders:
Healthy snack options are best! Consider: -granola bars -fresh sliced fruits -vegetables -cheese and crackers -yogurt

Dates to Remember:
School Starts P.A. Day 6 24

Home and School/ School Council Meeting, Jan 28th at 6:30 p.m.

Winter
Happy New Year, Kinder Families! We hope you had a wonderful break! Decembers ice storm proved to be a challenging experience for many families across Toronto and we hope this letter finds you in peace. We would also like to thank ALL our families for your support during Selwyns Winter Concert. Many, many thanks, Kinder Families!

Book Bags!
In January, we will continue to build on home reading with our class book bags. Again, the frequency in which the books are returned to school is a decision that is up to you and your family. Some families prefer to switch books daily and some families enjoy returning the books every 2 to 3 days. A few learning goals we would like all our students to accomplish with the book bags at home is to a) Make predictions about the problems or solutions in the story using pictures or words and B) Identify sight words we have explored. Sight Words: is, it, in, the, and, my, me, a, like, with, see, for, can, she, he Sight Words we will be working on next: am, go, no, to, you, yes, has/have

Teamwork
This month our school is focusing on the character trait: Teamwork, which can be defined as: the work completed by people who work as a group or a team. Using examples from picture books, short films and personal experiences, we will learn about examples and non-examples of teamwork. At home you can support your childs character development by reading books or watching videos that show teamwork. Have your child share with you the ways in which they or their peers showed teamwork at school.

Science Experiences
In December, our students had the opportunity to use their measurement skills and take part in technological problem-solving skills in science as they built a protective vehicle for a grandmother from the story, Grandma and the Great Gourd. In this story, Grandma was placed inside a large gourd to transport her home safely after visiting her daughters home far away. The gourd seemed like a safe plan until it cracked open after a fox curiously ripped the gourd open. Our students were asked to devise a protective case for grandma so she could get home safely. It didnt take too long for our brave students to get into planning and constructing mode. They really wanted to protect grandma from harm! Some students used egg cartons and tape, others used boxes, a number of students used lego pieces and when they did so, they justified their constructions (We covered all the holes so the fox wouldnt smell her and try to eat her.) When they were finished, the students measured their protective cases u sing popsicle sticks, blocks, toothpicks. What an experience! Our students will be provided with more opportunities to use their science and technology skills. The skills are the same skills that Ms. Virjis class will demonstrate as they prepare for their future Scientist in the School experience coming soon. More details about the I am a Scientist workshop will be provided in a future letter for Ms. Virjis class.
Welcome Back! Visit our class blogs to stay in touch with the learning that happens every week in our rooms!

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