Time For Some Fun...

Students at the Computer Center

We are beginning the 3rd quarter this week (oh how time flies when we are having fun).  We have completed all of our assessments for the 2nd quarter and report cards will be coming home in the next week.  It is important to understand to receive your child's report card you must have paid $25 of the $50 school fees.  If you are unsure if you have paid or if you have a balance please contact me or Mrs. Ilg in the office at 943-6900.  In addition, your child will receive one of two scores on their report card.  The two scores are yes (Y) or no (N).  This basically means if your child can do the assigned skill he/she will receive a yes, if he/she is unable to complete the skill independently then your child will receive a no.  Please do not be discouraged if they receive a no because progress may have been made.  We will discuss this more at conferences.

Parent-Teacher conference forms were sent home on Thursday and Friday of last week.  It is imperative to send those forms back to school on Monday or Tuesday.  We only have two evenings for conferences this time; therefore, it will be a first come first serve.  In addition, we may ask for some phone conferences if all time slots become filled.  We appreciate your willingness to cooperate with us during our tight schedule.  We want to accommodate all of our families in some way as it is important for us to have these conversations.

This week we will be continuing on in our reading street and discussing the differences between today and long ago.  This always allows for some great conversations to occur about what we had awhile ago to what we have today.  You may want to take some time and talk about how school was different for you.  We will continue to work on blending words.  The children are doing this extremely well and I am impressed with how well they are learning their sounds and words.  We have three new sight words this week (they, of, you).  I have noticed the word "like" and "me" have been somewhat difficult for the children.  Please take some time to review the sight words nightly for about 5 minutes.  We are working extremely hard on our writing too.  The children need to be able to write a sentence with spacing, upper/lowercase letters, and punctuation by the end of kindergarten.

This week in math we are working on comparing and ordering numbers to 20.  The children are doing this skill extremely well.  One game we are learning is taking a set of cards numbered to 20 and the children have to order them.  Next, one person "steals a card" and the other person has to figure out which card is missing.  The children are loving this game and it is fun to watch them figure out the missing number.  In addition, the children can learn "war," which will help them with comparing numbers.  You can play where the winner is the one with the largest number or you can change the rule to the person who has the smallest number.  Finally, we will be concentrating on writing numbers to 20.  It is important for the children to be able to do this without a model.  Many children do have difficulty with the teen numbers as children want to write 14 as 41 or 17 as 71.

Thank you for all of your support...I am looking forward to a great week of learning :)

Conferences....

Parent-Teacher Conferences are quickly approaching.  The conferences will be held on November 15, November 18, and November 21.  You will need to send in all purple forms if you wish to schedule a conference. I only have a limited number of available times; therefore, all forms need to be turned in by November 4.  If you have not sent in a form and you can email me your request.  I will try and honor your first choice, but it may be necessary to have your second choice. In addition, there was an error on the form. On Monday, November 21, the times are from 4-7:30. If you have any questions please let me know. I look forward to talking with many of you about your child's progress.

Conference Time...

Thank you for everyone who attended conferences over the past two weeks. Parent-Teacher conferences are one of the most enjoyable times I have while working. It was wonderful to meet with you and discuss your child's progress. I thoroughly enjoy the time we are able to meet and partner together. I have made notes about various information we discussed and if I mentioned I would send something home with your child, please look for it on Monday or Tuesday of next week (I will be out Thursday and Friday). I will say overall I have seen a huge growth in maturity in all the children socially, behaviorally, and academically. We will be raising the bar these last 3-4 months of school. I know the children can succeed and we want to end the year as strong as possible. Once again thank you for all of your support!

Conferences...

We are three-fourths of the way through our conferences. I must say I have thoroughly enjoyed talking with each one of you about your child's progress. If you have not had your conference you may be scheduled for next Tuesday (Nov. 23). Your children are very important to me and I love each one of them. I have seen growth in them since the beginning of September and I look forward to seeing them continue to grow as learners and kids throughout the year. I have to say "Thank You" to all of you for helping your child. I only see them for just less than 3 hours a day and without your support at home, then the growth would not be occurring. I just continue to ask you to work through letters, sounds, and numbers. I mentioned to some of you some of the key skills we are approaching in 2nd quarter. Children must be able to count to 50, write numbers 1-10, and begin to show alphabet knowledge when writing words. Please continue to work on these skills at home. I am hoping you are seeing some transfer skills of your child beginning to do (try) to read words as you are out and about. They are becoming little readers and they are soaking up lots of knowledge! I look forward to continuing to work with you throughout the remainder of the year. If you have any questions or thoughts which arise please feel free to call, email, or send in a note. I will get back with you within 24 hours.