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Weekly Report
March 28, 2020 Dear Kindergarten Parents, I had the chance to review the completed work that was dropped off and I’ve got to say, KUDOS to you!! You have played such a big role in your child’s learning these past two weeks – thank you! I hope that this process has not been too stressful for you. Please remember that we are all still figuring out how to make this work as best as it can, while keeping in mind that every family and home schedule is different. If something isn’t working or frustration levels get too high, it is okay to take a break and go back to it at another time. If an activity needs to take place of a worksheet – fine! Please just document with photos or video of proof of the learning occurring. We go with the flow to help our children succeed and keep a positive attitude about learning, while still challenging them along the way. We are all a team – if one member is having a tough time, we rally together to help them out. If you have any questions, need any help, or need to vent, I am here. Please do not hesitate. I am more than happy to zoom to help your child individually, or set up a zoom/phone call to chat with you, whatever you need.
This past week, our letter was Qq. This was our last letter for us to focus on in the alphabet! We will now begin focusing on digraphs and blends. This coming week, we will be working on the digraphs th, ch, sh. We have touched upon these throughout the year while looking at sight words and readings, but I will provide an introduction video as well as review during zoom meetings this week.
The children seemed to do really well with the math focus on time! As we change focus in this subject this week, as always, it is important to continue to practice the skill of reading an analog clock so the children don’t lose it! Perhaps make a schedule and ask what time you are going to have lunch, go for a walk, etc. (Link for schedule maker - pages 30-33 have clock where you can draw the hands to make the time and personalize what is going to happen at that time: https://cdn.thisreadingmama.com/wp- content/uploads/2017/08/VSSC-SF-TRM.pdf ). In the packet you picked up from school, there were two sheets of numbers that we would use to make a clock using a paper plate as a project in class. I included them so your child can review the number order on the face of a clock. Your child can decorate a plain paper plate (or paper, construction paper), cut and glue/tape the numbers in the correct spots for the analog clock. You can use anything you think would work best for the clock hands that you have at home...pencils, toothpicks, popsicle sticks etc. I would love to see their clocks when they are complete! This week, our math focus is shifting to physical measurement. We will look at the size, height, length, and distance around objects. The worksheets you received would be a supplement to measurement activities and centers throughout the week. We typically look at nonstandard (using Legos, pencils, shoes, etc. to measure) as well as standard (inches, ruler) units of measurement. Some examples of what you can do at home: How many Legos tall is a can? How many cans tall is the table? How many inches long is the television remote? How many inches long is a hairbrush? Some measurement activities will be made available on Splash Math this week. I have included a measurement book as an additional resource if you would like to print, make, and do the height and length pages this week. I have also include an extra practice worksheet for length. (Additional & optional).
New packet information: Please have your child write their first and last name on all worksheets.
I typically use phonics pages as one of our opportunities to differentiate for the children with challenge directions. For page 165, my directions would go like this: On this page, we are listening for the short Ii sound in words. First, you will practice writing your best upper case and lower case Ii’s on each line – if it’s not your best, you know what to do! Next, we will label all of the pictures with the vowel sound that you hear. A challenge for this page is to label each picture with the whole word by sounding out as best as we can. Last, if the picture has our short i in the word, we will color it with our best coloring. Note: Some sounds can be tricky and middle vowels may not be heard, but the children know to say it out loud and do their best to write what they hear. Please encourage them to do it on their own, and only guide if your child really needs it.
The handwriting books came home to continue practicing letter formation. We have officially ended our singular letters of the week so these pages may be completed if you have extra time.
Illustration journals came home for free writing so the children can practice writing sentences with matching illustrations. They can make their own story up, tell me how their day is going, share something new they tried today, what their favorite part of the day was, something they don’t like, etc. This can be done whenever you find the right time. I would love to see at least two weekly entries.
We will continue with zoom meetings next week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:00am. Monday will consist of: phonics focus of the week, sight word introduction, calendar, and a quick share. Wednesday will be a whole class read aloud. Friday will be phonics review with letter box (an item with ch, sh, or th) or show and tell item. I will send the link for each zoom the morning of the meeting. As previously mentioned, if you are unable to join, that is okay. Once again, thank you again for all that you are doing and please do not hesitate to contact me!
