Dear Parents,
Hang on tightly as we enter the final five-week crunch of the 2008-2009 school year. We will continue to introduce new concepts and challenge the children with critical thinking and problem solving opportunities. We ask for your support in keeping the children focused on their school work through June 12th.
On Monday we will begin our final thematic unit, Spring. Our spring visit to Ladew Topiary Gardens was a perfect introduction to this unit. During this unit we will explore seasonal changes, the growth cycle of trees, parts of a tree, animals that use trees for shelter and/or food, human needs for and uses of trees, and conservation and preservation.
Listed below is our integrated language arts (ILA) content:
In math we will work on the following processes and skills: Number and Numeration Compare numbers to decide which is greatest. Manipulate digits in numbers. Make exchanges with pennies, dimes, and dollars. Represent numbers using manipulatives, drawings, tallies, and numerical expressions. Generate equivalent names for numbers. Count the number of nonstandard units used to weigh an object. Compare the weight of two or more objects using nonstandard units. Practice making exchanges with $1 and $10 bills. Operations and Computation Use “counting on” as a strategy to add numbers from dice throws. Apply addition and subtraction based function rules. Use mental math strategies to add and subtract numbers. Represent numbers with simple addition and subtraction number sentences. Apply addition and subtraction based rules. Explore the difference between addition and subtraction rules. Solve missing number problems using concrete objects. Identify addition and subtraction situations. Use calculators to model and solve number stories. Recognize number stories as addition or subtraction stories. Measurement and Reference Frames Make and use hour hand clocks. Explore the characteristics of the $1 bill. Learn about the value of a dollar. Add the minute hand to paper clocks. Recognize the difference between the hour hand and the minute hand. Copy clock times on a paper clock. Read clocks to the hour. Match times shown on digital and analog clocks. Use nonstandard units to weigh objects on a pan balance. Explore the characteristics of the $10 bill. Learn about the value of the $10 bill. Patterns, Functions and Algebra Use function rules to generate related pairs of numbers. Use related pairs of numbers to identify function rules. Use rules to determine missing numbers in a number pair. Write number sentences. Use +, -, and = symbols to create number models for number stories.
Our thematic unit block (social studies) outcomes are: Changes in temperature from one season to the next cause changes in the growth cycle of trees. In spring and summer, trees change by growing from seeds (seasonal growth) or by growing bigger roots and stems, and more leaves (life cycle). In order to grow, trees need warmth, light, water, and food (minerals). Artists express their feelings and views about the changes that take place in trees in spring or summer by varying the way they use color, lines and space. Many animals use different parts of trees for food, shelter and protection. Children and adults use trees differently in spring and summer than in winter. Children, acting as poets, can express those differences through rhyme. Musicians and actors express their feelings and views about the changes that take place in spring and summer trees by varying the essential elements of their craft. Trees sustain life and keep the world a healthy and beautiful place to live. People share responsibility for respecting, preserving and planting new trees.
Please be aware of the following upcoming events:
We encourage interested authors to take advantage of the Jarrettsville Elementary School Publishing Company. Please continue to practice the following concepts with your child:
The kindergarten team would like to thank you for a thoughtful and fun-filled week of teacher appreciation festivities. As always, we thank you for your continued support.
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 Spring Photo Album.
Please check your child’s book bag and school folder every day. Thank you for your ongoing support.
Sincerely,