Week of 3/2

With conferences coming up, I wanted to give some information about "sight words" or "high frequency words" (these terms are used somewhat interchangeably). With this week's words, we have now introduced 29 words. For a full list of these words, please see the website. Helping your children see the spelling chunks/"secrets" in the words help them to read and spell words more successfully. Here is a great article to read so that you can better understand how words become instantly recognizable and the importance of mapping words so that they can become "sight words." We have about 20 words left to learn in kindergarten-- please check in with your student to see how they are progressing on instantly recognizing these high frequency words.

Language Arts
Our sight words this week are as and has. We purposely chose these words together this week since they are rhyming words that both have the "s" making the /z/ sound. 
We are now in our 4th week of Unit 3 in Fundations. Blending sounds to read and spell words is now the main focus in our reading curriculum. There are some great resources in the Unit 3 Fundations Home Support letter.

Math
We are continuing with Module 5: Addition and Subtraction. In Topic A, students make an important transition in how they say number sentences. In previous modules, they used familiar language to describe part-total relationships, such as, “7 and 2 make 9” or “9 is 7 and 2.” In topic A, they begin to read number sentences using mathematical language, “7 plus 2 equals 9” and “9 equals 7 plus 2.” They also write number sentences using math symbols. Students compare the structure of number bonds and number sentences to better understand how to find the parts and total in an addition sentence.

Art Vistas

We will have our next Art Vista lesson this Friday the 6th. This lesson will be on portraits. Thank you to Eva, Kay, Fatemeh, Anda, and Nadia for supporting our Art Vista lessons this year. 

Upcoming Events & Activities

Parent-Teacher Conferences: These optional conferences begin on 3/12. They are available to anyone who would like an update on their child's progress. If you cannot meet at this time, report cards will be sent home on 3/18 in the Wednesday envelope. 
Leprechaun Traps: On Monday, 3/16, children will be designing and creating their own leprechaun traps! Most of the materials for this activity are provided by the AVHSC funds, but if you are out and about and see something that looks like a fun addition to our leprechaun traps, (enough for the whole class to enjoy) we will gladly take your donations for our supply of trap "accessories!" Thank you in advance!

Reminders
**Library is every Wednesday. Please return your child's library book by Tuesday each week.
**School spirit days are every Wednesday. Wear your Alta Vista t-shirts or your Grasshopper t-shirts to show your school pride

This Week's Helpers & Activities:

Monday: Centers @ 12:20 (Michelle M. & Karen H.)

Tuesday: Return library books, Centers @ 12:20 (Anda & Laura)

Wednesday: Library @ 9:10 (Reader: Brian, Checkout: Tomas), Dismissal @ 1:15

Thursday: Music with Mr. Jason @ 12:50

Friday: Art Vistas @ 12:20

Upcoming Events

Monday, 3/9: No School: Professional Development Day

3/12-3/20: Parent-Teacher Conferences

Monday 3/16: Leprechaun Trap making activity 8:30-10:00

Friday, 3/20: Clay project @ 12:20