Home Among The Gumtrees (Stereo)

Give Me a Home Among the Gumtrees by Bob Brown co writer/original singer...

A Verb is a word...is an action word!

http://havefunteaching.com/videos/grammar-videos/verb-rap-video/

Playdough recipe

Newsletter

Reminders

Please label coats, hats, mittens and scarves with names.  They are so hard to keep track of. 

Cultural Fair

December 18^th and 19^th with a potluck the night of

December 18^th.  6-7:30

Winter Concert for Choir and Dance Team

December 19^th at 6:30

Winter Party

December 20^th.  I have one volunteer so far and could use one or two more.  Just let me know. 

Winter Break

December 21-January 1

We return to school on January 2^nd. 

Just realized that I forgot to proofread the

last newsletter!! Oops.  I do know the difference between to and too.  I think I typed that one on a late night. 

Reading

We continue to work hard in reading.  I am pleased with the progress I am seeing so far.  Many are beginning to figure out how to now use the isolated skills they have with letter sounds and combining it together to begin using stategies in decoding.  We added with that and on to the word wall this week.  We have focused on writing the lowercase letters r, n, m, hand b.  They are the diver letters. Top start-dive down-bump bottom-swim back up through the bubbles-and finish in a variety of ways.   I have kept the list of words I mentioned in the last newsletter below in case you did not get a chance to find them on internet last week.

http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/26402063145620440/lib/26402063145620440/zeno_word_list_-_numbered.pdf

Do not forget that they may also get on study island from home throught the JME school website. 

Sign in is:

First name last initial@jme

Password is:  study

Here are some game practice links to use at home.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/clifford1/flash/vowels/index.htm

http://pbskids.org/lions/games/blending.html

http://www.professorgarfield.org/Phonemics/pig_waller/pig_waller.html

http://www.professorgarfield.org/Phonemics/hay_loft/hay_loft.html

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/construct/

http://www.ictgames.com/machine.html

Math

We are continuing work on ten frames and recognizing that when all frames are filled it is ten.  They also need to see and understand the number missing in a ten frame.  We are working on recognizing and writing numbers to 20 in order.  Here are some games that will help reinforce that skill.  We are just completing the second unit assessment and will begin a chapter on two and three dimensional shapes.  We will refer to them as flat and solid shapes. 

http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=75

http://www.k-5mathteachingresources.com/kindergarten-math-activities.html

http://www.abcya.com/connect_the_dots_20.htm

This is a paid site but they may have 20 free practice problems a day.  Here is the membership link. The cost is $ 9.95 per month or 79 dollars a year. 

http://www.ixl.com/membership/

Cultural Fair

Our school will be having a cultural fair on December 18^th and 19^th.  It will be the first time we have done this event and it will be so exciting.  Each classroom is responsible for researching and presenting information learned about a country to all the other classrooms in the building.  There will also be an Open House Pot luck event on the evening of the 18^th in the cafeteria.  Our country is Australia.  If any of you have artifacts, pictures, personal connections or ideas please send them our way. I have a few things lined up already.  We will be turning our room into the land down under!! Look for specific details to follow as we learn more about the event.  We are lucky because as luck would have it, Ms. Hogue in the office is a host to an exchange student from Australia who is doing her practicum at our school.  She has graciously volunteered her services to our class for the week.  We are so excited to get to learn about Australia through a native Aussie’s eyes and experiences.  We still could use a volunteer or two to help our class present.  We do our presentations on the 18^th. 

Gingerbread houses

Attached you will find a list requesting items for the gingerbread houses we will make.  Thank you for your support in this project. 

Winter Party

I did hear back from one parent offering to help with the party.  If you are interested in helping, please contact me and we can plan activities. 

Workshops

1.        Literacy- CVCE word building- The children blend and decode CVC words and then add the silent e to make a whole new word.  Example tub-tube.  Then they record their work. 

2.       Social studies- Australian flags- children are making Australian flags out of balled up pieces of red and blue paper glued onto white paper for a base.  Will the union jack become visible? 

3.       Literacy- writers workshop- writing to inform- The children are using information we have learned and are learning about Australia to list facts they are interested in. 

4.       Math- ten frames.  Children draw a number out of a bucket and have to place counters onto a double ten frame to make the number drawn.  Then they have to color in the ten frames on a recording sheet and write the number that corresponds with the ten frame. 

5.       Ipads/computers- they used the ipads and computer to practice and reinforce skills necessary to be successful in kindergarten. 

 

Have a fabulous weekend with family.

 

 

More Guest Readers

 

Mrs. Wilburn’s Class Newsletter 11-16-12

Reminders

No school

November, 21st, 22nd, and 23

rd

- Thanksgiving Break

No homework next week but unofficially, please practice the skills using some of the

links from the blog or from the links I have listed in this newsletter. Also continue

to read each night and stop during your read a loud and ask questions about what is

happening, what they predict will happen, how the characters are feeling etc.

The fourth and fifth grade classes are collecting items for the homeless. New socks

are greatly needed along with small toiletry items. There is a contest to see which

class can turn in the most items. We need more items to be in the running. I

appreciate all you can do for their drive. They are hoping to make a difference in

someone else’s lives while bettering their own through the joy of giving.

Any gently used books are also still needed for Read to Me Week. We will be

donating those to organizations as well. Read to Me Week was lots of fun and we

really appreciate all your help in filling out the reading logs and taking the time to

read with your child. I also want to thank the guest readers. It meant so much to

your children to have you come into the class to read. If you ever have any time to

read, we always love having parents come in.

Reading

We are working hard in reading groups. They are learning to

blend and segment onset rimes and simple cvc words. Every child

must learn to hear how the small individual sounds within words

work. They must also learn to name the letters and the sounds

they make quickly. This quick recall is crucial to the reading

process. It is the beginning fluency piece of the puzzle. If they

have to think to long about the letter and the sound it makes,

then decoding to read unfamiliar words becomes a great struggle.

Play with the sounds. Stretch them out break them apart and see

if they can do the same. Set a timer and challenge your child to

name the capital and lowercase letters in 1 minute. They must

also be able to write each letter in a second or less. We will be

working soon to start timing quick recall of sight words and cvc

words. Sight words that research shows occur in over 33% of all

material we read even as adults are as follows: the, a, and, to, of,

I, in, was, that, it, he, you, for, had, is, with, her, she, his, as, on,

at, have, but, me. If by the end of kindergarten your child can

read these quickly and efficiently, they will be on track for what

they need by first grade as far as sight words go. These 25 are on

a greater list of 107 that occur in just over 50% of all we read as

adults. The next jump is a group of 900 sight words and it only

goes up to 65%, so if your child can master the 107 sight words,

their reading fluency will improve greatly. Knowing these words

automatically, takes the think time our of reading and they will be

able to comprehend what they are reading at a greater rate. Here

is a link to the list of 107 words.

http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/26402063145620440/lib/264

02063145620440/zeno_word_list_-_numbered.pdf

Do not forget that they may also get on study island from

home throught the JME school website.

Sign in is:

First name last initial@jme

Password is: study

Here are some game practice links to use at home.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/clifford1/flash/vowels/index

.htm

http://pbskids.org/lions/games/blending.html

http://www.professorgarfield.org/Phonemics/pig_waller/

pig_waller.html

http://www.professorgarfield.org/Phonemics/hay_loft/ha

y_loft.html

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactive

s/construct/

http://www.ictgames.com/machine.html

Math

We are working on ten frames and recognizing that when

all frames are filled it is ten. They also need to see and

understand the number missing in a ten frame. We are

working on recognizing and writing numbers to 20 in

order. Here are some games that will help reinforce that

skill.

http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=75

http://www.k-5mathteachingresources.com/kindergarten-mathactivities.

html

http://www.abcya.com/connect_the_dots_20.htm

Mrs. Wilburn’s Class Newsletter 11-16-12

This is a paid site but they may have 20 free practice

problems a day. Here is the membership link. The

cost is $ 9.95 per month or 79 dollars a year.

http://www.ixl.com/membership/

Cultural Fair

Our school will be having a cultural fair on December 18

th

and 19

th. It will be the first time we have done this event

and it will be so exciting. Each classroom is responsible for

researching and presenting information learned about a

country to all the other classrooms in the building. There

will also be an Open House Pot luck event on the evening

of the 18

th in the cafeteria. Our country is Australia. If any

of you have artifacts, pictures, personal connections or

ideas please send them our way. I have a few things lined

up already. We will be turning our room into the land

down under!! Look for specific details to follow as we

learn more about the event.

Winter Party

I did not yet hear back from any parents about volunteering to

be a homeroom parent for the parties. We have a winter party

and a spring party.

Our Winter Party will be the afternoon of December 20

th. I like

to keep parties low key and productive at this age so I usually

design five workshops they can complete in one afternoon and

then we do what we like to do best and eat at the end of the day. I

need a volunteer to be homeroom parent and help me organize

some activities for them to do. I like the make and take approach

which keeps them busy, engaged and lets them have fun as well

without it being as chaotic. I also need some parents who would

be willing to assist and run a workshop. Please let me know.

Just let me know if you would be willing to donate some time to

help with this. In the past, we have collected a dollar a child and

we have also left it open to different parents sending in treats

but I don’t want it to be too much for them. One of the rotation s

could be for them to decorate their own cookie to eat for later. I

am open to cute ideas. I know Pintrest has loads of ideas.

Workshops

Voting and holidays and read to me week

messed up the schedule but along we tread!

11-7 to 11-14-12

1. Literacy- CVC word building- The

children used letter tiles to spell the

cvc words that matched pictures.

Then they wrote the word they spelled

with the tiles. Word cards 1-12.

2. Literacy/Social Studies- The children

wrote a guess who poem about

community helpers.

3. Literacy- Writing workshop-

Literacy/science- The children wrote

about their opinion on which community

helper was the most needed and why.

They based this opinion on books we

read and videos we watched.

4. Math- The children used bats to write

the numbers to from 10 to 21 on and

glue together in order.

5. Ipads/computers- they used the ipads

and computer to practice and

reinforce skills necessary to be

successful in kindergarten.

11-15- to 11-26-

1. Literacy- CVC word building- The

children used letter tiles to spell the

cvc words that matched pictures.

Then they wrote the word they spelled

with the tiles. Word cards 1-12.

2. Literacy- Nouns- Is it a noun? Well, is it

a person, place or thing? The children

sorted through magazines and cut out

pictures. They had to decide if their

picture was a person, place or a thing

and then glue it onto the sorting

board.

3. Literacy- writers workshop- What are

you most thankful for? After reading

books and watching videos about

Thanksgiving, the children wrote an

opinion piece about what they were

thankful for and told why.

4. Math- number writing, counting and

sequencing to 20. The children wrote

numbers to 20 on the tummy of a turkey

and then had to count and color the

same number of feathers. Then they

had to cut them out and sequence them

on paper.

5. Ipads/computers- they used the ipads

and computer to practice and

reinforce skills necessary to be

successful in kindergarten.

More Read to Me

Story Book Character Dress Up Day

Storybook character dress up day has been lots of fun!! The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly, Angelina Ballerina, Batman, Junie B Jones x2, Fancy Nancy, Belle, Skippy Jon Jones, Sponge Bob, Thing 1, and Disney Princess. 

Sample - Popcorn Words by Jack Hartmann

Star Writer Assessment

<iframe src="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8Fu_4n1Z9rVMGYzYzM4MTktMDRiZi00MGVmLThmMzAtMzIzYjk4NjAzZmQx/preview" width="640" height="480"></iframe>

Newsletter 9-14-12

Reminders

Fund raiser is in full Swing.  Sell that wrapping Paper! 

October 5^th is The Fall Festival.  The hours are from 5 to 7.  There will be a silent auction and each class is responsible for getting a gift certificate or two to auction off.  If you or any of your family members has ties to a business that would be willing to donate please let me know.  You might also have services that you would be willing to create a coupon for and donate to be auctioned off (photography, cleaning service, lawn work etc.)

School Pictures

Pictures will be taken on October 8^th.  Time to be announced but usually they try and schedule KG early.  Hopefully before lunch!

MAP Testing

We will have MAP testing in the computer lab on the 19^th and the 26^th.  Please try and make sure they get plenty of sleep the night before.  Results will be shared with you as soon as I get them.  These are norm referenced tests and they will let us know some of the skill strengths and deficits each child has.  The findings will help me to individualize literacy and Math instruction. 

 

Don’t forget to save those Box Tops.  We have been getting a number of them in.  Keep up the great work. 

Scholastic Magazine money is due.  Please send it in if you have not already done so.  Make checks or money orders out to: Scholastic.  The amount is $6.00.  Cash is also fine because I will have to write a personal check for any amount not collected from my personal account.  I am hoping that amount will not be too large.  The children do enjoy using them and they are a great teaching tool. 

Link to parent order form is also on the blog.  In the main feed, not to the side bar. 

BABY PICTURES NEEDED

Don’t forget Baby Pictures!

I still need to get them for our hallway writing.  They look so cute. 

Literacy

We added the words “green” and “will” this week to the words we have already been practicing.  We have also been learning the color words: red, blue and yellow. 

We continue to build stamina learning to “read to self” during daily 5.  We are building that stamina in the “work on writing” segment and we have introduced “Read to Someone” Ask them about EEKK.  We will start Word Work next week.  When we have learned each section of Daily 5 Reading groups will begin!  YAY!

Homework

Please, please, please do not stress over homework or let it become a major point of contention during the often stressful bedtime routine.  Pace it and do a little at a time.  It should take no longer than 15 minutes each night.  If it does, something is wrong.  Just try to enjoy the time with your child reading.  

Science/Social Studies

We have been learning how to be a good friend at school and in the classroom.  We have begun learning about life cycles and I am sure in the next few weeks they will have some exciting news to share about their observations. 

Wilburn’s Kindergarten News

I added some videos to the blog on life cycles and also some on number counting, alphabet recognition and our favorite “Pete the Cat”  Check them out if you have not before.  You can find posts to the right or keep scrolling to find older posts on the actual blog.  I will keep loading them.  On the right are also some great skill practice sites.  I will be adding “Study Island” and your child will have a login and password so that they may also access the site from home.  It provides crucial practice of skills.  I can track progress and gather information from time spent on the program about their instructional needs.  I do not yet have the log in information but as soon as I do and we have practiced logging on at school, I will send the log in and password home.  I would also love to add some pictures and short videos of their work at school.  I have three children who do not have permission, so I have to be careful of pictures posted.  Remember that I would never have a face and a name together.  I will only post  pictures. 

http://wilburnskindergartennews.blogspot.com

Workshops

1.     Social Studies and Arts and Humanities- They made small miniatures of themselves to go with the writing they did last week.  They will be alongside their baby pictures.  

2.     Literacy- Sight word practice using watercolors and Q-Tips.  Different, fun way to practice writing.

3.     Writing Workshop- We read the “Lets Find Out” Scholastic News Magazine about how to make friends and then they wrote one way to be a friend. 

4.       Science-They put together a life cycle of the butterfly puzzle.   

5.       Technology/Skill Practice- ipads and computers-Children work on the computers and ipads to increase basic literacy and math skills. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

 

 

 

 

The Big Pig Song

Uploaded videos (playlist)

Alphabet Chant - FULL SONG - Preschool Kindergarten Video

News 9-7-12

Reminders

Fund raiser is in full Swing.  Sell that wrapping Paper! 

Thank you to the Grandparents that came to Breakfast with them.  It made their day!

Morning work that comes home unfinished and unchecked does not have to be returned.  It is usually something they have out at first to do while the other children come in from breakfast and we watch the news.  They have been writing in their journals and workbooks and those will come home as they finish.  The writing pieces that are completed during workshop are kept for the writing portfolio.  I will send home anything not used at the end of the year.  So it may seem like not much is coming home but we are working hard and I have already seen so much growth!

 

Don’t forget to save those Box Tops.  We have been getting a number of them in.  Keep up the great work. 

Scholastic Magazine money is due.  Please send it in if you have not already done so.  Make checks out to: Scholastic.  The amount is $6.00. 

BABY PICTURES NEEDED

Don’t forget Baby Pictures!

Literacy

We added the words “the” and “go” this week to the words we have already been practicing.  We have also been learning the color words: red, blue and yellow. 

We continue to build stamina learning to “read to self” during daily 5.  We are building that stamina in the “work on writing” segment and we have introduced “Read to Someone” Ask them about EEKK.  When we have learned each section of Daily 5 Reading groups will begin!  YAY!

Homework

Homework will start next Monday.  Each week there will be a reading log and a couple of books selected for them to read with and to you. Have your child read the book and you sign each night.  There is a spot for Thursday night reading that I included so that if by some chance you do not get a chance to turn it in on Thursday, you can log time on Thursday and turn it in on Friday.   Homework goes home on Monday unless we are out on a Monday then it will be Tuesday.  It is due on Thursday but if you have something going on that week and you can’t turn it in on Thursday, they will get credit for doing it.  There will also be a literacy paper or two and a math.  Right now it will be all one level.  Eventually, homework pages sent home will be more individualized.   The books selected now are some that they have not had the opportunity to read in class so it will not be familiar to them.  What we are working on for most is telling the story through reading the pictures, memorizing text, tracking print (touching each word)

Science/Social Studies

We have been learning about rules and their importance at home, school and in the classroom.  We have begun learning about life cycles and I am sure in the next few weeks they will have some exciting news to share about their observations. 

 

 

 

Workshops

1.     Math- Number writing to 6.  The children learned number writing poems and practiced writing numbers on dry erase boards and in number poem books. 

2.    Literacy- Beginning sounds.  They matched animal pictures to their names based on the beginning sound they heard and then recorded the words.   

3.    Writing Workshop- We read the book.  ”I Am Big” and they wrote about what they did as a baby and what they can do now that they are big.   

4.       Science-The children sorted different kinds of seeds and glued them to paper.  This was to observe seeds and how they were different and to work on those classifying skills.  

5.       Technology/Skill Practice- Ipads and computers-Children work on the computers and ipads to increase basic literacy and math skills. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!