Home Reading in Action!

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Class News Update

1) Well, it's official. The puppet shows are a hit! Next week, all the children will have had a chance to be puppeteers in the puppet area. Last week, we had the Little Red Hen story characters. This week we will also have the Wolf and the Three Little Pigs. Some parents may be wondering where the puppet centre is. Aha! You can't see it in the classroom. The puppet area is set up during centre time in the little hallway at the back of the coat area. Feel free to ask me and I can show you the little stage etc. We always welcome puppet donations or puppet loans. Thank you to Kelsey and her son (C) for lending us the Three Little Pigs set.

2) Health. There's another yucky cold going around. If your child feels sluggish, watch for signs of a cold or flu virus. It's wonderful to hear that your Kindergartener doesn't want to miss any school. However, assure your child that I support your decision to keep him/her home to recover from illness.

3) Buddies. Since this is Division 14's last week of mornings, we will have another chance to work with our Buddies in Mr. Bartlett's class on Friday.

4) The Switch. Yes, this is the last week of Division 14 in the mornings 5 days a week and Division 15 in the afternoons 4 days a week. Remember, that there is not any school on Wednesday afternoons. The first day of the switch is Monday, February 4.

5) Home Reading. All the children have started taking home reading books in their folder. Before your child brings home more difficult books, you can make these easy ones more challenging. The second time or third time reading through the book try these reading development activities:
i) Ask you child to try "finger-tracking" while reading. Even when the child has quickly memorized the book, tracking the words with the finger develops the concept of matching the oral words with the text.
ii) Ask your child to find a word on the page. For example, if the sentence is "A is for apple," you may ask your child to find the word for. Your child will probably reread while finger tracking or look at the words that start with the letter f. These are both reading strategies.
iii) Pick any letter and play a game of how many times it appears in the book. When you find a word with the letter say the word together and see if you can hear the letter sound in the word.

6) Kindergarten Registration. If you know of anyone who has a Kindergarten- aged child in the community, please let them know to register for Kindergarten by going to the office. We have LOTS of children already registered for next year. However, the more the merrier. Plus, if people register now rather than at the last minute, it can help with school planning. In other words, we won't turn people away if they register on time. Then we can adjust our school planning to accommodate everyone. It's very possible to have 3 Kindergarten classes next year as long as registrations are in the next month or so.

7) Word of Mouth. If you love our school like I do, let people know. It's unfortunate how many children hop in cars to go to other schools when their community school is such a magical place. Until Public Schools start advertising like private school, it's up to you to spread the good news.

Stay tuned for a student reading on You Tube!
Hope you had a great healthy weekend!
Love Mrs. App

Division 14 Puppet show

The Puppet Centre is open! Check it out! Love Mrs. App.

Puppet Show #1

We have been doing various literacy activities based on Folk Tales in the class. The class is taking turns at this drama/ literacy activity. Here is two Division 15 students acting out The Little Red Hen during Centre Time. It was tricky trying to shorten the show for the computer. Still, they were very entertaining!
Love Mrs. App

Puppet Show #2 - Division 15

Here's two puppeteers putting on their own creative show. The background activity of the class is louder than the performers at times. You may have to watch it a few times to hear them. Turn up the volume and enjoy!

Journal Writing - Division 14

Here's a peek at the morning class working on their Journals. You'll also also see our platter project at the end.

First Steps

I've tried emailing this little clip to family members, but it doesn't work. So, I'm posting it here for anyone to enjoy. Of course if I knew the moment to record James walking was coming, James would be in a cute outfit, the room would be clean, and my husband wouldn't be in his pj's! Ah, well! I was incredibly lucky to be standing near a camera when I saw Jamesie standing upright! Enjoy!

What a Great Night!

I'm now home after a great night of seeing a series of wonderful parents. Thank you for all your kind words and concern for you children. Teaching the kids is a pleasure for both Michelle and me.

Here's a couple notes about what is going on in the class. We are fully into our Folk Tale Theme. We have been reading and comparing versions of The Little Red Hen, The Three Pigs, and other tales. We made Red Hen puppets today. We will make the three other characters tomorrow. When the children bring home their puppets, ask them to act out the story for you!
I hope to bring the puppet stage into school tomorrow.
In Math, we are developing calendar awareness, patterns, shapes, and of course numbers.

Home Reading will start on Monday. (See below)
Love Mrs. App
P.S. I hope there is not any typos! I'm up after bedtime and must go!

Scholastic Book Orders are Due

Scholastic Book orders are due on Friday (Jan. 18.) Thank you to the families that order through our classroom. When there is a large order, schloastic donates some books to the class.

Check your emails. I'll be asking your input regarding the switch and a possible change for next year.

Thanks.

Love Mrs. App

Here Comes Home Reading!

Of course, we all read to our children every night.... So what's this Home Reading thing? This program means that your child will be bringing home a book that is at his/her reading level. Yes, these books are boring so please supplement your reading time with some other rich literature. Meanwhile, these little books will give your child a chance to try reading on his/ her own. It's remarkable to see how quickly our little readers catch on!

The children will also keep track of their home reading. This is what the Reading Record will look like.

____________ 's Home Reading Record

Every night your child will bring home a book in his/her Take Home Folder. The first books will develop awareness of letter sounds (phonics.) Then your child will move to pattern books where only a word or so changes per page. Please spend time reading this book with your child. Help your child use reading strategies such as looking at the picture , looking at the first letter or a word, or asking the question, “Does that make sense?” This is meant to be an educational and ENJOYABLE experience. So, if your child is reluctant, avoid any struggles or tears. Instead, take the lead and read the book to your child. Your child may then try reading it for round two or help you with some words. You'll probably find your child is very proud of his/her reading skills. (And, yes.... even figuring out what's going on by looking at the picture is “reading.”)

Important notes:

Signing a book out: Choose a book from basket with child's name on it. Remove the card from the book and put it in child's name pocket on the wall.

Returning a book: Take card out of wall pocket and return to the book. Return the book to the basket with same letter.

New Records: After reading 10 books, your child will get a ten strip to put on the reading wall. We will use the wall to learn how to count by 10's. (This is not necessary in Kindergarten, but some are ready and eager.)

Thank you! Enjoy your literacy experience. Love Mrs. App

(There is a little chart for printing the name of the book and writing a parent signature. I took it off the blog example since it took up too much space.)

Get Ready for Change!

You may have noticed that we have a new student in each class! Division 14 welcomes our sweet new girl. Division 15 welcomes our darling new boy. I'm sure our new families will quickly find out what a magical group of children and parents we are lucky to have here at Bayview Kindergarten.

Here's the big change with our morning routine that starts on Monday, Jan. 14. (Yes, that's our next school day!) We will not be starting with Book Time anymore. Not to worry, it's not completely gone. It's just more advanced to keep up with the growing needs of our children. The classes have practiced the new routine already. I'll outline the new plan here so parents won't be mixed up on Monday!

1) The coat/shoes/name in school house/Take Home Folder routine is the same.
2) Next, the children (and any present parents) go to their desk. Of course, staff will also be circulating to help students. Each child will have their calendar folder waiting for them. Children update their calendars using the pattern. Children then fill in the blanks in their booklets. The daily information they fill in is name, date, weather, number of days at school in 2008, and how they feel. An example sheet will be hanging by the sink for children to use for reference. Feel free to assist your child as much as needed. This is a "no tears" exercise.
3) Hand in the folders into Bin on Round Table. Get name books and do two pages. Their are pink dots to remind children where to start their letters. I believe the many extra sets of eyes in the classroom will help the children develop good printing habits when writing their names. Children are understandably reluctant to let go of random capitals in their names. The daily practice with an adult present will help many children adapt to the "school way" of printing their name. At the same time, they will learn how to correctly print lower case letters for other words.
4) Hand in Name Books in to Bin on long table. Get a book to read for Good Old Book Time.
5) Once everyone is at Book Time, I will know all children have finished their morning exercises. As usual, the Harmonica will signal the beginning of carpet time.

This new start may take a little time to get used to. And yes... for some of you, it may mean getting to school on time. (LOL!) These morning exercises will allow each child to be fully engaged in calendar activities and will shorten the wait time at the carpet.

Thank you to Hilary who has been helping me get some books ready for Home Reading. We hope to get the program up and running for Monday, January 28.

Remember, the SWITCH DAY is Monday, Feb. 4.

I look forward to seeing many of you next week at the conferences. Thursday is the run-away hit for popularity!

Are you still reading? Good. This is the exciting part. Michelle is engaged! She plans on marrying her lucky fellow next year.

Love Mrs. App

Kid's Activity

Try this puzzle together!

January Intake Conferences

Happy New Year, everyone and welcome back! This is a very important posting, so please read carefully and take note of the details and deadline.
Parent / Teacher conferences for Division 14 and 15 will be held on (1) Tuesday, Jan. 15 from 2:00 to 5:00 (2) Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 1:00 to 3:00 and (3) Thursday, Jan. 17 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 4:00 to 7:00. Unlike the family meetings in September, these meetings are for adults only.
Please print and fill out the form called January Intake Form in the Right Column. ( You may simply email your request if you prefer.) If you would like to make an appointment, please indicate on the form (or in your email) the two times that are convenient for you. Each appointment will be for 15 minutes. If possible, please try to choose one of the afternoon times so that the evening times can be reserved for those parents / guardians who absolutely can’t make it during the day. If you have any other children who attend Bayview, please indicate this and I will try my best to coordinate the appointments. It might not be possible to accommodate your choice of appointment time if you return this form after the Thursday, January 10th deadline. I will send home confirmation slips by the end of this week.

Thank you,
Mrs. App
P.S. This was a very formal notice. See the following post for a more fun notice.

Happy New Year!

I trust everybody had a lovely time with family members over the break. I'm happy to report that my family and I are finally all better. We had a lovely vacation in Mexico. I was better after a few days of sun, but unfortuately the boys took a longer time. Finally, on the 5th day in Mexico my oldest son started eating again and we had a stressfree time for the last 3 days!

I've put pictures up just for fun. A couple of the Kindergarteners have asked me, "When are you bring in your kids for us to see?" Rather than bring in the clan, I hope the kids enjoy this photo. Here's Mrs. App (Caroline), Mr. App (Peter), Ryan, and James.

Thank you for all the generous Christmas gifts. I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful group of children and parents at Bayview. Tell you children to stay tuned for personal thank yous via email.

Here's a head's up of January and February.

1) We will start Home Reading. Look for more information on the blog and for reading records to come home in the Take Home Folders. Note: The program will start using Home Books, or Library books, not classroom books.

2) Our next literacy unit will be Folk Tales. This will integrate nicely into math and art.

3) Puppets. Once we know some Folk Tales, I'll be bringing in a puppet theatre for us to use to extend our knowledge. We will also make puppets.

4) Patterns. In addition to number concepts, we will develop AB and ABC pattern identification, reproduction, and creation.

5) And as always.... so much more.... including printing, journals, reading, music and a new personal calendars!

See you soon,

Love Mrs. App