Rich's Rascals: Newsletter ~ January 5, 2013

Ring in the New Year, Rascal Families!

Great beginnings for the first week of school in the year 2013! The children have entered the classroom and prepared for class with much less adult assistance. Removing outer garments, passing in papers and notes are just a few of the tasks your child needs to perform independently. Dressing in extra layers and packing school bags to go home have always been the biggest challenges (for teacher and student). Have you noticed that we've been ready for dismissal a little earlier than the '12 days? Your child deserves all the credit for this monumental accomplishment!!!

Mrs. Pearl and I greeted your child on Wednesday by calling them by their last name. Of course, all the name tags and labels are displayed on the last name side. The Rascals are asked to write their last name on all papers.

Yes, they are encouraged to copy their name tag until they know all the letters in their last name by memory. I am proud to say that each and every Rascal is on a ‘know your last name mission’!

We have eased back into our routines with challenging reading and math activities. Yes, we are most ready!!! Next week we’ll be moving forward with letters/sounds Bb and Cc. Sight words can and his are in the plans. New Year Math Goals will focus on addition and subtraction concepts.

Moving right along….We are on Unit 5 in the Imagine It! Program. The big idea in this unit is, “What does it take to reach a goal?” The Rascals responded to this question by sharing personal experiences about sticking to a goal. During Art Workshop, they used water colors to paint themselves sticking to something they want to get better at for the New Year, 2013.

All paintings will be displayed on our concept bulletin board entitled “Stick To It”. It is in the making….perfect for the New Year, don’t you think????? Take a peek…..

Journal writing is a priority in the year 2013. Since the beginning of school, the children have enjoyed making class books. They are very proud of having individual journals and showing off their Literacy Talents. Each child draws and then writes a story about his/her illustration. He/She spells words the way they sound; and not necessarily the way adults would spell them. This method of recording is called "smartie spelling"; and helps build a good phonetic foundation. The children are enthusiastic about illustrating, writing and reading their very own journals!

Reading/Writing readiness is most evident in each child’s journal and daily writing assignments. Many of us are hearing beginning and ending consonant sounds. Others can hear middle sounds, too. Several of us are hearing vowel sounds and writing words. Some of us are ready to write sentences! The whole reading process is fascinating and most rewarding to observe. The sentence dictation papers sent home on Friday will give you an indication of the sounds your child is hearing.

The work planned for the rest of the year will vary among the students in our class, but each child will be challenged to his/ her level of reading and writing readiness.

Assessments have been ongoing and every student has made progress since the 2012 days. Kindergarten days at Underhill have been marked with much growth and many accomplishments. This week your child will be assessed on the twenty sight words introduced thus far in Chapters 1-4 in the ‘Imagine It!’ Reading Series. Also, the DIBELS Assessment will be administered by the Reading Team during the week of January 22^nd. Results of both the Sight Word and DIBELS Assessments will be sent home for your review.

‘Tis the New Year for positive happenings! There’s been an updated addition to the holiday elf bulletin board display in the hall and classroom. We’ve embellished your child’s kindergarten elf with hats, noisemakers, streamers and balloons.