Checking in with Reading

I have assessed your child on some of the reading skills kindergarteners are expected to know by the end of the trimester on March 2nd. Please work on any highlighted areas from the note that is coming home.
Phonological Awareness:

• isolates beginning and ending sounds (at least 5 out of 6)



• blends sounds into words orally/ aurally



• segments words into sounds orally/ aurally



• separates words into syllables



• produces rhymes

Knows the sounds of the consonants (Since many children know all or some, I checked for short vowel sounds as well, though they are not expected of kindergarteners.)

Reads at least 20 sight words

100th Day Collection

Next Thursday, February 2nd is our 100th Day of School! Students are welcome to bring in a collection of 100 things to show the rest of the class. The collection should be able to fit in your student's backpack. You can bring it in anytime between now and then. Some ideas include:

• a building of 100 Legos


• 100 pennies


• 100 stickers


• a 100 paperclip chain


• 100 mini-marshmallows


• 100 pieces of candy


• 100 Cheerios

Scholastic Book Orders

Scholastic book order forms went home this week. If you do not wish to order, no problem. If you would like to order books, please complete the form by Friday, January 27. You can either order online with a credit card, or send the form back to me with a check made out to Scholastic.

Class Activation Code: G8Q66

We earn a free book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.
•SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the “Register” button in the “First Time Here?” section. Register for your own user name and password. When prompted, enter the Class Activation Code: G8Q66. This unique code ensures that your order is sent to me.
•SELECT the books you’d like to order—choose from thousands of titles—many more than in the flyer.
•SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child’s books will be delivered directly to my classroom. Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure.

Checking in with Math

I've been assessing students on some of the 2nd trimester math expectations and am sending a note home to reflect this. The trimester ends on March 2, so please practice any highlighted skills on your note so kids are up to par by then!
Count to 70 or beyond.
Count to 100 by 10s.
Count back from 12.
Identify any number 20 or less, in random order.
Write any number 15 or less, in random order. A backward digit is still acceptable, but digits out of order are not (not 41 for 14.)

I'll assess some reading skills and send home another note soon.

Kindergarten Registration Opening Soon!

In case you have another little one entering school next year or know a friend or neighbor with one, please check out the district website or click here.

Box Tops for Education

The PTO collects Box Tops (those pink labels on certain foods and household products) all year round to raise money for the school. However, for the next month, we will have a school wide contest for bragging rights awarded to the classroom that can collect the most amount of Box Tops. Don't throw them away or recycle them! Bring them into school; the PTO will do the counting. You can bring them in at any time this year, but the contest lasts until February 10th. Last year this contest raised over $1,000 for the school!

Nourish to Flourish

Our Wellness Committee is focusing on adequate sleep and a healthy breakfast for the month of January.

• The week of the 16th and 23rd, you will have a homework assignment! With adult help, students should track the number of hours of sleep they get each night. I will send home a graph with which to do this.


• "What's Your Sleep Secret?" Students are also welcome to bring in their personal advice on how to fall asleep. Advice will be posted on the bulletin board outside the library.


• January 27th is Pajama Day! Make sure pajamas are appropriate for school.


• January 27th is also a day to eat a healthy breakfast at school. Think of all the time you'll save not having to get dressed or eat breakfast at home! Students are welcome to bring something healthy to eat for breakfast in our classroom. Please bring everything you will need (silverware, milk, etc.) Breakfasts should be nut free. Suggestions include fruit, yogurt, whole grain cereal/ toast/ bagel, low-fat cheese, and hard-boiled eggs.

A Few Reminders...

• Turn in your Book It! calendars for December if you haven't already. If you ever lose a calendar, you can print any one off the internet.


• Tuesday is our day to check out books at the library. Today students "graduated" to the privilege of checking out two books. They cannot check out any books if another is overdue, so make sure to return them each week.


• Tuesday and Friday are our P.E. days. Don't forget gym shoes, especially on days when students wear boots to school. They may want to dress in layers, too, in case they get hot in the gym.


• You wouldn't guess it from the weather lately, but it IS winter. Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather. We go outside unless the temperature or windchill dip into the single digits. Label all your things!


• Please continue to bring a folder back and forth to school. If you lose yours or it is ruined, please replace it. Empty it at home each night.