We are excited to welcome some new parent helpers into the room in the upcoming weeks! This week, we return to centers and we also have our leprechaun trap making activity in the Makerspace. Please see a new section at the bottom of the weekly email, which lists the helpers for the upcoming week.
Language Arts
This week, we will be looking at words with r blends, for example, trap, cross, brown, and drip. Our sight word is run. Continue reviewing those high frequency words posted on the website with your children.
Math
This week, we return to Module 4 in Eureka Math for the subtraction component. Subtraction is our last big math concept to introduce this year, and often needs additional reinforcement at home. Parent tips for this module can be found
here.
Mask Mandate
As you know, beginning Monday, the mandatory mask mandate for inside the classroom has been lifted. Mask-wearing on any USD campus is now advised, but not mandatory. We have had several discussions around this in class revolving around the theme of respecting everyone's choices. Please be sure to discuss your preference with your child before Monday, as I am unable to enforce or encourage any behaviors around wearing/not wearing masks.
Class t-shirt Wednesdays
As a reminder, we are now wearing our class t-shirt every Wednesday to show our class/school spirit! Alternatively, you can wear blue & gold or an Alta Vista t-shirt. Whatever you wear, Wednesdays are the day that we show our Alta Vista School spirit at the afternoon PAWS assembly (on Zoom) each week.
STEAM
Last week, our first trip to the Makerspace for the Strawbees activity was a success! We are going to continue going into the Makerspace to use some of the tools there to create and design. This week, we are excited to return to creating leprechaun traps after a one year hiatus! This is an annual favorite for the kindergartners, and we are looking forward to seeing this year's creative designs. I may add a few upcoming dates to the Sign-Up Genius for Makerspace Wednesdays. Those activities will all be between 9:45 and 10:30. If you were unable to get on the helper schedule and you have some time on an upcoming Wednesday between 9:45 and 10:30, please email me so that I can reserve a spot for you. Otherwise, look out for the Sign-Up Genius with some added dates soon!
Kimochis
This week, we talked about feeling left out and the Kimochis® kotowaza that accompanies this emotion: “Make room for everyone.” This Japanese saying inspires children to push themselves to get included and to seek to include everyone in play. These are the steps your child learned that can help him/her get included in play: • Choose a person who looks friendly or who you know and stand where they can see you. • Call this child’s name. • Give a Communication Tap and wait for eye contact. • Smile and ask, “Can I play?” • Respond with a friendly-sounding “Thank you” and a smile.
**Children should return library books by Tuesday, so they can check out a new book on Wednesday.
**We have P.E. every Monday. Please send your children in shoes & clothes appropriate for fitness
Helpers & Activities This Week
Monday: PE with Mr. Field
Tuesday: Return library books, Centers (Kassie & Emily)
Wednesday: Grasshopper t-shirt day, Leprechaun Traps in the MS, 8:30 to 10:00 (Arthisre, Tiffany, Deanna), PAWS assembly
Thursday: Centers (Agnieszka & Sarah)
Friday: Centers (Daniel & Josiah)
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, 3/16: Leprechaun Trap Making in the Makerspace
Wednesday, 3/23: Rigamajig in the Makerspace
Thursday, 3/24: Be Seen & Heard Assembly (Zoom)
Friday, 3/25: Spring Picture Day
Friday, 4/1: Spring Fling
4/4-4/8: Spring Break
