Mrs. Williams Kindergarten

Classroom News of
Room 103
Kindergarten

January 9, 2012

2012 in Room 103 is off to a great start! The children seem to be rejuvenated and ready to continue their learning. I wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year!

December was a very busy time in kindergarten. It was so nice to see many of you at our Winter Solstice Celebration. Thank you to Julie Liu, Tama Leventhal, and M.J. Martis for planning such wonderful crafts for the children. It was a great day!

On the Friday before vacation, Mrs. Button, Mrs. Maestri and I mixed all of our kindergarten children into three groups. Each group rotated to each classroom for a fun winter activity. In my classroom, we read The Gingerbread Boy and then decorated gingerbread people. Mrs. Button read Dr. Seuss's Oobleck and then made oobleck with the children (hopefully, it made it home still inside the plastic baggy!). Mrs. Maestri read Snowballs, and then the children made their own snowball people out of paper plates. They are currently on display in our hallway. This was a fun day for us all!

Important Person

Nina was our Important Person early in December. Her Mom, Dad and older sister, Naomi, came in for her special sharing day. We learned that Nina likes to ski, play in the fort that she and her sister made together, and go on vacations. She would like to be a teacher when she grows up. We also learned that Nina wishes she could fly! Nina celebrated her 6th birthday on December 2nd. Happy Birthday, Nina!

Marco was an Important Person in December, as well. We learned a few new things about Marco. First of all, he loves his big brother Luca. He enjoys traveling to Italy to visit his grandparents. Marco speaks fluent Italian, and speaks Italian regularly with his Dad. The whole class really enjoyed reading Marco’s book about dragons, titled Dragon World. He celebrated his 6th birthday on December 5th. Happy Birthday, Marco!

We celebrated Charlotte as our Important Person just prior to vacation. Her Mom, Dad, and older sister, Sophia all came in for her sharing day. We learned that Charlotte wants to learn more about science, and would like to be a scientist when she grows up. Charlotte’s favorite place is her family’s beach house. She loves arts and crafts and playing in the kitchen area. Did you know that Charlotte was born in Korea? Charlotte turned 6 years old on December 21, 2012. Happy Birthday, Charlotte!

Language Arts

We read our featured Scott Foresman big book Cat’s Colors and the featured trade book Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse. Of course, we read various picture books daily, typically related to the season or classroom curricula. Our letters of the week were Cc and Pp.

The children practiced writing the upper and lower case Cc’s and Pp’s in their handwriting books.

During our morning routines the children are signing in with their last names! They have been practicing writing their last names and making them with playdough. Prior to this, they practiced writing their first names repeatedly with proper upper case and lower case letters and are now expected to write their names properly.

We have been reading various versions of The Gingerbread Boy. We will also read The Gingerbread Baby and Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett. This month we will continue reading other books by Jan Brett. We are also reading various versions of The Mitten.

Additional literacy centers/activities:

• Poetry and Song Books: Holiday/winter songs and poems

• Holiday/winter mini-books for book box

• Literacy games: letter identification, letter sounds, rhyming, word-building (beginning, middle & ending sounds).

• Sight Word Bingo

• Sight Word “Go Fish”

• Bubble Gum Bingo (lower case letters)

• Important Person books

• Listening Center

    Too Many Toys by David Shannon

    Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep

    The Three Bears

   The Hat by Jan Brett

During Writer’s Workshop the children selected a piece of writing to ”fix up and fancy up” for our very first Author’s Celebration. Our lessons included how to add onto and edit their writing, and how to add details to their illustrations.

Finally, we celebrated the children as authors on Tuesday, December 20th. During our celebration, all of the children sat in a circle, read their story and displayed their pictures. We practiced the author’s circle prior to the celebration. The children were very excited to share their stories to the following audience members: Mrs. Sepe and Mrs. Azeredo (Fiske School’s Literacy specialists), Mrs. McCarthy (the LPS K-5 Language Arts Coordinator), Mrs. Murphy (Fiske’s ELL teacher), Mrs. Abrams (our Speech and Language pathologist), Mrs. Hendrix (Fiske’s Math specialist), and Mrs. Carol Pilarski (LPS’s Assistant Superintendent). The children did a fabulous job and were very proud of themselves. Our audience was very impressed too! (And we thank them for coming!). Their “fixed up and fancied up” pieces are on display in our classroom. Parents will be invited to our next Author’s Celebration later in the year.

We also taught the children how to organize and store their writing in their writing folders. In the right pocket, labeled with a green dot, they store all writing that they want to keep working on. In the left pocket, labeled with a red sticker, they store all of their finished stories.

Most recently, the children were introduced to writing their stories in “booklets.” We examined The Snowy Day and discussed what the story would have been like if it were written on one page. Then we went through and reviewed all of Peter’s adventures, each written on it’s own page. The children were amazing, and enthusiastic, as they began writing their own stories in booklets. Please ask your child what they are currently writing about, and what details he/she has included (or could).

Math

We have been focusing on the following math concepts:

> more than, less than, the same as

> one more than a number

> adding two numbers

> writing number sentences

Other Math Activities:

• The children created candles and gifts using pattern blocks.

• The Dreidel game

• The Holiday Double Dice Roll game

• Number sequence activity (North Pole)

• Grab Bag Counting

(one more than and adding two numbers)

• Make-A-Train Race

• Build-A-City game

• Sum Swamp board game

• Tell Me Fast activity

Science

The children created a Holiday Fun book where they illustrated and labeled their favorite holiday sight, sound, smell, and taste.

We will soon begin a new study of magnets.

Social Studies

We have been learning about various winter holidays such as Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Day, and the Chinese New Year.

Learning Buddies

The children enjoyed playing Charades with their Learning Buddies this past week.

Open Circle

We have been focusing on “personal space,” “giving compliments,” and “whole body listening.”

Winter Clothing

Please be sure to send in a winter coat, hat and mittens/gloves with your child each day. Although we do not have snow yet, it can be quite chilly outside during recess.

Classroom News of
Room 103
Kindergarten

November 28, 2011

I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday with your families.

Thank you for helping us celebrate a fun-fulfilled Slipper Day. The children enjoyed many literacy games and activities with Mrs. Cox (Charlotte’s Mom), Mrs. Kennealy (Rory’s Mom), Ms. Leventhal (Nina’s Mom), and Bridget (Mrs. Potdevin’s daughter!). The entire day was delightful for all of us!

Important Person
Isatu was our Important Person recently. Her Dad and baby sister came in for her special sharing day. Isatu is one of four children! We learned that Isatu’s parents are both from Sierra Leone, Africa! Now Isatu and her family live in Roslindale. We helped Isatu celebrate her birthday on September 16th.

Aidan was our Important Person last week. Aidan’s parents, grandparents, and older brother, Samuel joined us for his sharing day. It was such a pleasure to have his Mom, Dad and brother each read one of Aidan’s favorite books to us. Aidan turned 6 years old on November 16th. Happy Birthday, Aidan!

Language Arts
We read our featured Scott Foresman books Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert and Dinner at the Panda Palace. Our letters of the week were Ss and Tt. The children practiced writing the upper
and lower case Ss’s and Tt’s in their handwriting books.

The children were introduced to their Poetry and Song Books. Each child will cut out, glue, illustrate, and write about many of the poems and songs that we learn throughout the school year. They will always have the opportunity to read their Poetry and Song Books at their leisure periodically during the school days. By the end of the school year, they will each have a wonderful collection of poems and songs that they can read and sing independently!

Additional literacy centers/activities:
• Literacy games: letters, sounds, rhyming, word-building
• Mini-books for book boxes
• Important Person books
    (for Ivy, Jackson, Isatu, Aidan)
• Listening Center

Writer’s Workshop is off to a wonderful beginning! The children are extremely enthusiastic about it. Their stories, and the effort they are putting into them, are amazing. We have Writer’s Workshop in our classroom every Tuesday and Thursday. Please ask your child to tell you what they are writing about in Writer’s Workshop. The more storytelling they can do, the better. This will develop their sense of story, and help them articulate what they want to write (What do they want the reader to know?).

We discussed how to use both pictures and words like famous authors do (which all of the children are doing!). We have been modeling how to “spell the best we can....and move on.” We practiced “stretching words” and listening for the main sounds, then writing what we hear. Some children are able to write the initial consonant sounds, while others may be able to hear beginning, middle and/or ending sounds. We always encourage risk-taking and doing the best we can.

The children were introduced to the Word Wall, as well. The Word Wall is where we post “very important words” for the children to use as a reference as they think and write. These are words that we use frequently in our writing. We began by examining the Word Wall and sharing what we noticed. For example, the children noticed that the letters are in alphabetical order and that both capital and lower case letters are displayed. Each child posted his/her own name on the Word Wall first since the children’s names are the most important words of all! We then posted our very first sight words: a and the. We have since added: at, am, can, I.

Math
The children have been playing numerous number and counting games. These games reinforce the concept of counting with 1-1 correspondence, recognizing number patterns and quantities, and making numbers larger and smaller.

We do many activities to help the children begin to subatize. Subatizing is when we instantly recognize a quantity, such as the dot combinations on a die. When we subatize, we are able to combine these smaller numbers to manipulate and figure out larger numbers.

Please play board games and card games with your children at home. They reinforce a variety of valuable concepts and lessons!

Social Studies
We have read various Thanksgiving stories and poems, and discussed what we are all thankful for. The children wrote about what they are thankful for and drew a picture.

Multiage Learning Buddies
The children loved creating “Doodle Bugs” with their buddies. This is a fun dice game which allows the children to create silly creatures.

Rhythm Kids
The children LOVED drumming and dancing to African music and rhythms during this ACT performance. I am eager to share the photos with you (coming soon!).

Holiday Celebrations
The holiday season is upon us and families everywhere are preparing to celebrate in their traditional ways with family and friends. To share the diversity of our celebrations, I invite you to come and spend some time sharing your family traditions with your child’s class. If you are able and willing to do this, please send me an email or write a note. Thank you!

Thank you very much for your support. Feel free to contact me with any thoughts, questions or concerns.

Lisa Williams, Classroom Teacher
Chihiro Mukai, Kindergarten Aide
Jackie Potdevin, Overmax Kindergarten Aide
lwilliams@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us
Fiske (781) 541-5001

Classroom News of
Room 103
Kindergarten

October 28, 2011

Important Person
Ivy was our very first Important Person! Her Mom came in for her special sharing day. We we learned so much about her. Ivy has a younger sister, Julie. Ivy read us a story about the Chinese Zodiac while her Mom showed us the illustrations on the computer. They also gave every child in the class a name tag with their names written in Chinese. Thank you, Ivy and Mrs. Zheng!

Jackson was our Important Person this past week. His Mom came in for his special sharing day. Jackson has two-year-old twin sisters! Jackson is a hockey player so he brought in his hockey bag and demonstrated how he puts on his hockey gear. The children enjoyed learning about what hockey players must wear to protect themselves on the ice. Wow! Jackson handed out a jersey template so the children could design their own hockey jerseys. Thank you, Jackson and Mrs. Powers!

Language Arts
The featured big books were Mice Squeak, We Speak by Tomie DePoala, All I Am by Eileen Roe, and Mouse Mess by Linnea Riley.

We have continued making little books for our Book Boxes, which the children are very excited about. We read them together, pointing to each word with our pointer fingers.

We also formally began our Zaner-Bloser handwriting program, beginning with the letter Mm. The letter of the week this past week was Bb. There will be a “letter of the week” every week. The children practiced writing the upper and lower case Mm’s and Bb’s in their handwriting books.

Alphabet letters, letter sounds and rhyming words continue to be the focus of our literacy centers.

We read The Best Story Ever by Eileen Spinelli. This helped prompt the children to write their first “story” (writing sample) of the year using pictures and/or words.

We have begun a very important part of our language arts curriculum: Writer’s Workshop. This program was developed by Lucy Calkins, and is being implemented in kindergarten for the fourth year at Fiske School. We have Writer’s Workshop in our classroom every Tuesday, Thursday, and sometimes Friday. To date, the children have been introduced to the routines of Writer’s Workshop and how to tell their stories orally. We have also been learning how to tell stories through detailed illustrations. The children have been introduced to authors who use words to label their illustrations, and authors who write the words underneath the pictures. The children decide what is best for their story. Some children have been labeling and writing sentences.

Storytelling is a significant skill we are modeling and rehearsing, and will continue throughout the year (“Tell me your story for today.”). During each session, the children are asked to tell their story to a peer and/or teacher. Then they illustrate and write their story on paper. The phrase we use repeatedly is “When you are done, you have just begun.” When the children feel done, they may:
1. Add to their picture;
2. Add to their words; or
3. Start a new story.

We want the children to feel comfortable expressing their thoughts on paper through illustrations, and writing. We encourage risk-taking, and provide each child with the appropriate and individualized support.

Next week, the children will be introduced to the Word Wall, as well. The Word Wall is where we post “very important words” for the children to use as a reference as they think and write. These are words that we use frequently in our writing.

Math
The children have been playing numerous number and counting games. These games reinforce the concept of counting with 1-1 correspondence, more than and less than, recognizing number patterns and quantities, and making numbers larger and smaller. Some of these games are: the Double Dice Roll, Build A City, Build A Staircase, Roll A Tower, Sorting Colors, Cover the Dots, Creation Stations, and Number Bingo.

Please play board games and card games with your children at home. They reinforce a variety of valuable concepts and lessons!

Every child received a small pumpkin from Roche Bros. after coloring a Halloween picture. Thank you to Julie Liu (Allison’s Mom) for getting them for us. The children did various Pumpkin Math activities and recorded some observations and measurements in their Pumpkin Math books. They enjoyed decorating them most of all!

At the end of every month the children create their own weather graph by copying the class weather chart from our Morning Meeting board. They are required to write the name of the month and record the number of days for each type of weather (sunny, cloudy, rainy, snowy), write the numbers in the boxes, then color the bars to create a bar graph. This is a very challenging task, but they did a great job with the September graph. We will keep all of their graphs in their Science Journals.

Multiage Learning Buddies
The children look forward to seeing their Learning Buddies every other week! Most recently, they created Halloween wreaths together. One of the challenges is deciding which buddy gets to take the project home, so we take turns. The kindergarten children took home the poster they made together (two weeks ago) and the third graders took home the wreaths. It’s a nice way for the children to share what they have learned and enjoy about their buddies with you. Please encourage them to talk about their buddies by asking specific questions.

Social Studies
We read a book about Columbus Day and discussed Christopher Columbus’s significance.

Science
We went on our Fall Big Backyard Walk Friday! Thanks to our parent volunteers, it was a success, as the children explored and discovered many signs of life (plants and insects). They learned about the different parts of a plant and then “recorded” (illustrated and labeled) some of what they learned when we returned to the classroom. These pictures will be hung on our science bulletin board in our classroom.

Halloween Parade and Celebration
We are having our annual kindergarten parade on Halloween day! We will be sure to take many photos of the children to share with you. Later in the morning we will enjoy our Halloween, craft and game party. It is sure to be a fun-filled day!

Conferences
I look forward to meeting with all of you during the next couple of weeks. Please see the conference schedule on this website if you are unsure of your scheduled time.

Thank you very much for your support. We enjoy your children every day! Feel free to contact me with any thoughts, questions or concerns.

Lisa Williams, Classroom Teacher
Chihiro Mukai, Kindergarten Aide
Jackie Potdevin, Overmax Kindergarten Aide
lwilliams@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us
Fiske (781) 541-5001

Classroom News of
Room 103
Kindergarten

September 30, 2011

It was wonderful to see many of you during our Back to School Night last week! If you were not able to attend, please take a moment to read through the materials that were sent home. Feel free to contact me with any further questions.

Language Arts
Every week we read a featured Scott Foresman big book or trade book as well as weekly poems and songs. The featured big book this week was From Head to Toe by Eric Carle. We created our own From Head to Toe class book together. Each child wrote and illustrated a page to contribute to the book. This seemed to be one of their very favorite read-aloud books!

Letter recognition, rhyming words, and the children’s first names have been the primary focus of our literacy stations.

We read The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The children then made their own “Hungry Caterpillar” mini-book, which retells the story. The children were very eager to bring this book home. We will will keep most other mini-books in their “Book Boxes.”

Each child will create mini-books throughout the school year and will collect them in his/her Book Box. (We transformed their Me Boxes into their Book Boxes). They will become familiar with these stories and will read them repeatedly throughout the year.

All students always have the option to read or “look at books” at their leisure during our reading time (which follows snack), center time and Learning Buddies.

The children completed their “All About Me” books. They were distributed with the curriculum packet during Back-to-School Night. Please have your child read their book to you. They all gave their best effort!

Social Studies
We have been continuing with the theme “All About Me.” The children did a wonderful job sharing their Me Boxes (and an amazing job listening)! They showed us what was in and on their boxes and why. After they shared, the audience asked specific questions. We are learning the difference between a question and a comment!

Sharing
Every child has been assigned a “sharing day” each week. Please encourage your child to share, and help him/her to plan for it. We encourage the children to tell us 2-3 things about their sharing. Your child may choose to bring something in or share “news” with the class. Sharing is an important component of our literacy curriculum, as it helps the children develop their communication skills (listening, speaking, comprehension, vocabulary).

Math
Shapes, colors, patterns and counting remain a focus in our classroom. The children have continued to explore with many of our math manipulatives. They have learned and played various counting games/activities which include the Number Dice Roll, Cover the Dots. and Roll A Tower. Another favorite activity is Creation Stations. They build “creations” with unifix cubes using pictures to guide them. After they make the creations, they count the number of cubes that were required to build them.

Additionally, the children created shape sponge paintings, and created patterned caterpillars with pom-poms.

Science
Our caterpillars ate and ate until they became very large. They formed a J-shape and then created their chrysalides. It was VERY exciting because we saw one caterpillar form it’s chrysalis. This was the first time I have ever seen this (and I have been teaching for a long time!). The children drew their observations in their Caterpillar Journals.

Unfortunately, the chrysalides turned black and died a day later. Karen McCarthy, LPS’s Science Specialist, reported that the caterpillars all had a disease and did not survive. This happened last year too. :(

Did you know that, in nature, only 1 out of every 10 caterpillars successfully become butterflies and survive?

More bad news: our Beta Fish died too! The Beta’s that were delivered had a parasite. So, we are going to wait a while and then try to get another healthier Beta.

Open Circle
Frequently, you will find an Open Circle letter informing you of recent lessons. Please read them to learn the language we are using with your children as we discuss social skills, friendships and responsibilities.

Multiage Learning Buddies
We met our third grade Learning Buddies from Mr. Heeden’s class. The children were all very excited and seemed quite happy with their new partners. They talked about some of their favorite activities, their favorite foods, their interests and what they want to be when they grow up to help them get to know each other. Every Buddy group created a poster sharing some of these interests. Please ask your child to tell you what their Buddy's name is and something they learned about their Buddy.

Rest Time
During rest time (at 1:30 every day) the children rest on their own mat for approximately 20 minutes. Each child is welcome to bring in a small animal, pillow or blanket, as long as it can be kept in a sealed gallon size ziploc bag (this is for sanitary reasons).

Conferences
If you have not yet signed up for a conference, please review the Conference Schedule posted on the class website and email me your preferred time. Another option is to send a note in your child’s folder.

Thank you very much for your support. Feel free to contact me with any thoughts, questions or concerns.

Lisa Williams
and
Chihiro Mukai
lwilliams@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us
Fiske (781) 541-5001

Classroom News of

Room 103
Kindergarten
September 9, 2011

We have successfully completed our first seven days of kindergarten! The children are delightful, and seem to be very happy. The transition into kindergarten has been remarkably smooth for every child.

We have been focusing on classroom routines and getting to know one another. Building strong trusting relationships and communicating classroom expectations is crucial during the first few weeks. Our class has created our Classroom Promises (Rules) together. Every child and teacher made a handprint with his/her “signature” to show their agreement to these rules.

Language Arts
Every week we read a featured Scott Foresman big book or trade book as well as weekly poems and songs. The featured big book this week was Mary Wore Her Red Dress.

We have begun an “All About Me” unit which has included various read-alouds, poems, and questions of the day. Each child drew a self-portrait; they are all posted on our bulletin board. The
children began their very first book entitled “All About Me.” You should have received the Me Box assignment today as well. During the week of September 19th, the children will share their Me Boxes; our
regular sharing schedule will be on hold.

The children were introduced to their Zaner-Blozer handwriting books and routines. We have begun with prewriting skills and will soon begin letter formations. Once we begin letter formations, we will have a “Letter of the Week” and will learn and rehearse the proper formation of each letter.

Math
The children have been playing with many of our math manipulatives, which we will be using for much of our learning throughout the school year. It is very important that they familiarize themselves with the materials prior to any structured learning activities.

Much of our focus during our math explorations has been on colors and various shapes, such as square, rectangle, triangle, diamond, circle and oval. The children have been using pattern blocks to make designs with these shapes. They have been exploring with geoboards, unifix cubes, small blocks. and large blocks. We will continue with art and math activities during the coming weeks to help us learn our shapes and colors.

Science
During the next week or so, we are expecting to get a teeny tiny caterpillar, which we will watch grow and change. The children will use magnifying glasses and microscopes to observe our new visitor. They will all record (draw a picture of) their observations in their Caterpillar Journals. As the caterpillars continue eating, the children will record how they grow and change throughout their lives. They grow fast!

Multiage Learning Buddies
Every other Thursday, we will meet with our third grade Learning Buddies from Mr. Heeden’s class. The two classes met each other yesterday. The children will meet their assigned buddies for the first time on Thursday, September 22nd!

Library/Gym/Music
We have had all of our specialists this week for the first time! The children seemed to enjoy the classes and meeting their specialist teachers. Please remember to have your child wear or bring sneakers to school on Mondays and Fridays. Library books should be returned on Tuesdays.

All School Meeting
We have attended our first All School Meeting. All School Meetings are held every other Thursday at 11:30 am (alternating with Learning Buddies). The children are very excited when they see their siblings, friends, Learning Buddies, and teachers.

Open Circle
The children met Mrs. Pirone, our Guidance Counselor, and were formally introduced to Open Circle. We played a fun animal name game to help us remember each other’s names. Please ask your child what name he/she chose. :)

School Tour
During our school tour last week, we all spent a few minutes in Mr. Martellone’s office. He spoke to the children about what his role is in our school. We also visited the nurse’s office, the main office and other important places in our school.

Rest Time
During our afternoon rest time, the children rest on their own mat for approximately 20 minutes. Each child is welcome to bring in a small animal, pillow or blanket, as long as it can be kept in a sealed gallon size ziploc bag (this is for sanitary reasons).

Back to School Night
Please join us on Thursday, September 22nd from 6:00-6:45 pm for Back to School Night to learn about your child’s first year at Fiske. Try to bring your calendars with you as well, as I will have sign ups posted for our Fall conferences.

Back-to-School Night Schedule:
6.00-6.45 pm
Classroom presentations
for Grade K, 1 & 2 parents

6.45-7.15 pm
Meet your child's Specialists:
1) Art, Music and Gym
2) Reading, Math Support, Library
and ELL
3) Special Education and Guidance

7.15-8.00
Classroom Presentations
for Grade 3, 4 and 5 parents

Parent Volunteers
I will send home a parent volunteer form soon. We begin inviting volunteers into the classroom sometime in mid-October. This will give all of the children the opportunity to become accustomed to their classroom and routines. I welcome and look forward to your help in the classroom!

Thank you very very much for such a smooth transition and for your many many donations. Feel free to contact me with any thoughts, questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Lisa Williams, Classroom Teacher

Chihiro Mukai, Kindergarten Assistant
lwilliams@sch.ci.lexington.ma.us
Fiske (781) 541-5001

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Mrs. Williams Kindergarten

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