Dear Families,
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break and enjoyed
the time with your family. I know I heard many wonderful stories of what the
children did over break. Last week we came back to school and jumped right
back into things! We focused on the letter Gg and our new alphafriend is
Gertie Goose. The children are really doing a superb job at recognizing
words and pictures that begin with the letter Gg and the other letters we
have learned thus far this year. The children are also becoming very good
readers! I am amazed at how they sound out words. It is unbelievable to
watch the children do this task by taking out their sound arm making the
sound for each letter, and blending them together. I am sure if you listen
to your try to sound out words you will marvel over what he or she can do!
January 22nd our class is going to the Morton Grove Police Station. On our
field trip an officer will give us a tour of the 9-1-1 dispatch room, we will
get to see the garage where they keep all of the police cars, and we will see
where people get finger printed. It will be a great field trip! I had
several volunteers for this field trip. I will try to have parents who have
not been able join us in the past volunteer. I will let you know by early
next week.
In math we introduced simple addition and the children have been working
very hard on their addition skills! In a few weeks we will begin something
called ”morning math.” When the children come into the classroom there will
be a math page waiting for them at their seat. The students will complete
their math page independently and then have it checked by a teacher. Morning
math is to help improve the students’ simple addition skills. As the year
goes on the morning math topics will vary and become more difficult.
Please continue to practice addition at home with your child! I can see many
of the children have been practicing at home and it is wonderful. A great
way to practice at home is using different types of food like M&M ’s or
goldfish crackers. When the children are able to see how a number sentence is
formed it helps their understanding.
During the next two weeks we will be introducing all 5 vowels of the
alphabet. These letters are: A, E, I, O, U. Each of these letters have 2
sounds. They each say their name, as well as a second sound. Vowels are
essential for the children to know since every word has a vowel. Knowing
these sounds will make learning how to read much easier! Please do not fret
if your child does not bring home any alphabet word next week. We will be
making a vowel book in class and doing lots of vowel work.
Winter Weather
Please remember as it begins to snow and as the temperature begins to drop
that the children still do go outside for recess. Please remember to dress
your child in the proper winter attire. Snow pants and boots are recommended
for snowy days! If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Best wishes,
Ms. Roos :)
