- Please avoid parking in loading zones or blocking driveways because these areas need to remain clear for buses, emergency vehicles, and smooth traffic flow.
- Consider carpooling with neighbors or friends if possible. Children LOVE it. This reduces the number of cars around the school and makes the drop-off / pick-up process quicker for everyone.
- If possible, try walking or biking to school for students who live nearby. This can be a great way to get some fresh air and exercise before class.
- Arrive a few minutes earlier to allow for more time to park safely or to find parking a short walk from the school entrance.
Language Arts
In language arts, we continue introducing letters and letter sounds, along with the handwriting of those letters, using the Fundations program. We have introduced Tt, Bb, and Ff, which are all "sky-line letters" and this week, we will introduce Mm and Nn, which are "plane-line letters." If you'd like more information about the formation of these letters to support your student at home, as well as posters that are similar to the ones we use in the classroom, please read this week's home support letter.
We will wrap up our drawing unit this week. Next week, we will begin moving onto labeling our pictures using phonetic spelling. We encourage children to sound out words on their own using their knowledge of phonics, and we encourage you to do the same. Rather than spelling words for beginning writers, have them listen for the sounds they hear in that word. If they spell "goat" as "got" at first, that is ok! This is a stage in writing, and we want the focus right now to be on developing their independence as writers.
Math
This week we will begin Topic D: Decompose Numbers. Students explore number relationships. This begins with the familiar context of sorting and then moves to story problems. Students begin to use number sentences like 5 is 2 and 3. These early experiences with problem solving set the stage for work with addition and subtraction concepts in modules 4 and 5.
Kimochis
This week, the Kimochis® Character named Cloud will join our classroom to teach your child about the feelings happy, sad, and mad. Cloud is the Kimochis® Character who can be moody, so sometimes it is hard for him to get along with his friends. When Cloud is happy, he spreads sunshine everywhere, which makes everyone feel fantastic! But when Cloud feels mad or sad, he might snap or yell. Because he has a hard time controlling his anger, he might do things that hurt feelings, even though he doesn’t mean to. Cloud helps children develop patience, tolerance, and understanding for friends who are still learning how to express upset feelings in positive, healthy ways.Library Books
Our first trip to the library was a success! Thank you to Shelbie for reading a story & helping with check-out. Remember to return your child's library book by Tuesday at the latest, so that they can check out a new book when we go to the library again on Wednesday. This week, we have Emily as our reader, but we still have an opening for the check-out person. This is a super easy job-- just scan the child's book & help reshelf the books that get returned. Please see the Sign-Up Genius for openings in both library and centers. Remember that other family members (aunts, uncles, grandparents, nannies, etc) are welcome too!
Class T-Shirts
Don't forget to submit your child's t-shirt size to Shelbie so that she can get our "Grist's Grasshoppers" t-shirt ordered! For those of you who have older siblings who were Grasshoppers, we keep the t-shirt design the same so that you can use your older child's shirt if you still have it. :) The XS shirt size is a good size for most kindergartners.
Upcoming Events
Friday, 9/20: Movie Night @ Alta Vista
Tuesday, 9/24: Picture Day
Friday, 10/4: No School
Tuesday, 10/8: Field Trip to YSI Vasona
Saturday, 10/12: Alta Vista Walkathon
Friday, 11/1: No School
