March 10, 2009

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Dear Parents,

The kindergarteners are progressing by leaps and bounds, but we still have a lot to accomplish in the remaining 62 days of kindergarten. On Monday we began our new thematic unit, Construction. We will investigate the construction processes that are necessary in order to develop and carry out an effective construction project. We will research and identify shelters from around the world, including both human and animal shelters.

Listed below is our integrated language arts (ILA) content:

In math we will work on the following processes and skills:

• Number and Numeration
  • Skip count by 10s.
  • Count a collection of pennies.
  • Use manipulatives to represent numbers.
  • Skip count by 2s.
  • Use objects to represent groups of 2s.
  • Count and compare numbers in groups.
  • Compare time measurements.
  • Use calculators to skip count by 2s, 5s, and 10s.
  • Represent half of a whole using concrete objects.
  • Count objects in a collection.
  • Read and write 2- and 3-digit numbers.
• Operations and Computation
  • Model and solve comparison number stories with counters.
  • Use pictures to represent and solve addition and subtraction stories.
  • Identify addition and subtraction number stories.
• Data and Chance
  • Record and display data.
• Measurement and Reference Frames
  • Make exchanges with pennies, nickels, and dimes.
  • Explore the characteristics of the dime.
  • Learn about the value of the dime.
  • Identify pennies, nickels, and dimes.
  • Exchange pennies, nickels, and dimes.
  • Use tools to measure and compare time.
  • Identify names and values of coins.
  • Make exchanges with coins.
• Geometry
  • Construct 2- and 3-dimensional shapes and explore their properties.
  • Identify names of 2- and 3-dimensional shapes.
• Patterns, Functions and Algebra
  • Recognize a growing number pattern on a number line or grid.

Our thematic unit block (social studies) outcomes are:

• People who build constructions use their knowledge to consider many factors in order to develop and carry out a plan.
• A shelter protects living things and has essential features that are functional to the construction.
• A building is a permanent form of shelter that is constructed in a variety of ways.
• Projects are carried out that reflect the knowledge and understanding of what is attractive and useful.

In your travels, or perhaps in your own neighborhood, please take time to observe and discuss ongoing construction projects with your child.

Following the March 9th JEMS Science Fair, exhibits can be placed on the counter space outside the kindergarten classrooms. We will proudly display these projects in our classrooms throughout the week. Please make arrangements to pick up your child’s exhibit by the end of the day Friday, March 13th.

We encourage interested authors to take advantage of the Jarrettsville Elementary School Publishing Company. Please continue to practice the following concepts with your child:

• Write first and last name on all homework papers before beginning the assignment. Please use a pencil to complete homework assignments unless directions state otherwise. For tracing activities, a highlighter works well.
• Recite address and phone number.
• Tie shoes, and zip and button clothing.
• Drill sight words in isolation. Read sight words in context by creating sight word sentences. Many students have been struggling to add recent sight words to their familiar sight word bank, particularly the “th” and “wh” words. Please review all sight words throughout the week.
• Attempt stretch spelling homework assignments independently.

Please discuss with your child the importance of following the rules displayed on our kindergarten constitution. Your encouragement and high expectations will support our classroom success. Proper classroom manners will help us make the most of our instructional time together.

You can contribute to your child’s early school success by checking homework, reading theme-related books together, listening attentively as your child talks about school activities, and enjoying theme-related experiences together. Please send photos of your child participating in theme-related activities for inclusion in the Construction Photo Album.

To insure ongoing parent-teacher communication, we ask that you check your child’s book bag and school folder every day. Please remember that our work day begins promptly at 8:50.

Does your career or hobby relate to our current theme? Consider sharing what you know with us by visiting our classroom as a guest speaker or planning a theme-related lesson or hands-on project. We’d love to have you join us. Please save and send to school as they become available:

• Clean Styrofoam meat trays (various sizes)
• Plastic lids (both pull-off and screw-off types in various sizes except small soda bottle and water bottle type lids)

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Sincerely,