Kindergarteners have homework every night! They should read the book in their
homework bag to mom or dad. Talk about what is happening in the story as you
read.
Example: "Why did he go there, or what do you think will happen next?"
JOURNALS! All st. should be working on a journal. One night they put the date
at the top, Draw an illustration first to give an idea of what to write. Help
your child to sound out the first sound of each word when he/she tells you
about the
picture. Example: I went to the store. Help your child write: I w s .
For: I love mom. You would try to help your child hear and write: I l m
The illustration
should be... drawn in pencil, traced in marker, and colored with crayon.
You may also write some journal entries using Word on the computer.
Last, mom or dad write above or below the child's writing to show proper
spelling. By the end of Kindergarten we want your child to write at least 3
related sentences.
6 Ways to Practice Writing Your Name
Name writing is an important skill for the beginning of kindergarten, but can
be practiced from about the age of three. Any activity that provides a
tactile approach will draw a child into the activity.
1.Rice and Sand Trays: Pour rice or sand into a shallow baking pan. I
actually prefer to use the 9X9 foil pans. Write your child's name on an index
card. Have your child use his/her index finger to trace the letters in the
rice or sand tray. For those that are having trouble, you may want to place
the index card in the bottom of the tray and have the child trace directly on
the card.
2.Shaving Cream: Follow the same directions as for the rice and sand trays.
3.Rainbow Writing: Parent writes the child's name in pencil or pen first. The
child traces his/her name with crayons using correct letter formation. Do
this 3 times using a different color each time.
4.Play Dough Words: Have your child roll play dough into the letters needed
to spell his/her name. Place letters in the correct order. Read name. Orally
spell name. Then, write name on a piece of paper.
5.Magnet Madness: Have your child look at an index card with his/her name
printed on it. Orally spell the word. Using refrigerator magnets, arrange the
letters in the correct order to spell the word. Orally read and spell the
word again.
6.Chalk: have your child use a small broken piece of chalk to write hie or
her name on a chalk board. Use a tiny wet sponge piece to retrace the letters
to erase them.
**Helpful Tip: Use broken crayons for handwriting practice. The smaller
pieces help your child grip the writing utensil properly.**
Self Help...
Continue practicing to tie your shoes.
Do not touch your mouth or nose, cover mouth and nose when coughing or
sneezing.
Try to do what mom or dad says the first time asked.
Put away your own things.
Help mom or dad around the house... set the table, fold the clothes, walk
the dog, etc.
Any little books that go home, I love school, My Family... Please read
with your child, pointing to each word as you read. Have your child read the
book to you. Yes, it is memorizing, but it is a familiar book, they are
learning the mechanics of reading, left to right, front to back... and can be
successful!
Practice writing your first name with correct capitals.
** I am sending home "Fine Motor Skill Practice" sheets for those needing
that help.
Math...
Fun Ways to Practice Sight Words
The words that are known as sight words are to be read and recognized upon
completion of Kindergarten. What exactly are "sight words?" These are words
that good readers may instantly recognize without having to "figure them
out." They are studied and reviewed daily in our classroom. Please help
your child practice these words. I will send activities and homework to help
with this throughout the year. Thank you so much for your help and
encouragement. By working together, we can introduce your child to reading!
If you need activities for your sight word flashcards, please click on the
Home Learning page. You can download activities there.
Pipe Cleaner Words- Bend pipe cleaners into the shape of each letter in the
word. Place letters in the correct order. Read word. Orally spell word.
Then, write word on a piece of paper.
Play Dough Words- Roll play dough into the letters needed to spell the
words. Place letters in the correct order. Read word. Orally spell word.
Then, write word on a piece of paper.
Rice or Sand Tray- Pour rice or sand into a shallow foil pan. Placing a
black sheet of construction paper on the inside bottom of the pan helps to
be able to see the word better. Orally spell the word. Write the word in
the rice or sand with your finger. Say the word. Then, spell the word
orally again.
Hair Gel or Pudding Baggies- Use hair gel or instant pudding to fill a zip-
lock baggie half full. Lay the baggie flat and practice writing letters
with your finger on the baggie. Adjust the amount of gel or pudding
accordingly. Read the word you are practicing. Orally spell the word.
Write the word on the gel baggie with your finger. Orally read and spell
the word again.
Shaving Cream- Using non-menthol shaving cream, spread shaving cream on the
counter or table. A cookie sheet will also work. Read the word you are
practicing. Orally spell the word. Write the word in the shaving cream
with your finger. Orally read and spell the word again.
Bath Time Fun- Use crayons made especially for use in the bathtub. Orally
spell the word. Write the word with the bathtub crayon on the sides of the
tub. Do this three times. Orally read and spell the word again.
Outside Water Painting- Read the word you are practicing. Orally spell the
word. Using a paintbrush and a cup of water, paint the word on a backyard
fence or sidewalk. Orally read and spell the word again.
Magnet Madness- Read the word you are practicing. Orally spell the word.
Using refrigerator magnets, arrange the letters in the correct order to
spell the word. Orally read and spell the word again.
Concentration- Write the words on index cards. Play traditional
concentration (matching game). When a match is formed, the person must read
and spell the word to get the match.
Scrambled Words- Write each word on an index card in nice big letters. Cut
each word apart into individual letters. An easy way to store each word
separately is to use one Easter egg per word. Randomly dump one word on the
table. Unscramble the letters to form the secret word. Read the word.
Then, spell the word.
Later in the year:
**Sight words will go home in homework folders, with a note giving ideas
on how to use them.
If your child can read these words, then they become their spelling words.
a am and are at
an as be big but
by cat can come dad
do dog for go get
got he here has have
his her him it if
in is I like look
love mom me my no
not off on of or
she said see the to
there these that they them
this then up where what
when will was with we
who why you yes red
orange yellow green blue purple
pink brown black white
