Another 'TACKY' Week! :-)
This was a very busy week for us in kindergarten. We are learning so many new things. This week, we learned about the –et word family. We also ready Tacky the Penguin and learned more about story sequencing. We played more with solid figures, wrote another class book, and even had time to learn about maps. This was a fun filled week!
Children are becoming very fluent in their ability to read basic words. Words (such as –et) are becoming easy to the children. Children are beginning to understand how to substitute initial sounds to make new words. I am very proud of them. We are almost finished with our primer sight word list. We have about two weeks left. I am asking that you practice all pre primer and primer words with your children nightly. Your child is expected to know both lists by mid February. This will help your child become a more fluent reader. We read Tacky the Penguin this week. We are working very hard on identifying the beginning, middle, and end in our stories. Have your child retell the story to use. Remember to remind them to name the characters and locate the setting. Also have them identify the problem and state the solution. Children will need to be able to retell a story with mastery by the end of kindergarten.
Mastery includes: retell a story from beginning, middle, to end stating the characters. Students will name the setting, and also state the problem and solution. Students will use words like then, and, next. Words like first, second, third, etc… should be used to transition from beginning, middle, to end. Finally, the teacher will not be prompting the student.
In math, we continued learning about solid figures. We learned the different ways they move. We learned that the cylinder can roll, slide, and stack. We also learned that the cylinder is the only solid figure that can do all three. Review the names of the four basic solid figures with your child. Create a map and sort as to whether they can roll, stack, or slide. Next week, we will learn more about solid figures. We will focus on identifying the shapes made by the solid figures.
In social studies we learned about maps. Students were excited when Gibbstown was brought out of the file cabinet (Gibbstown was our community project at the beginning of the year). We learned the difference between a picture and a map. We also learned how to identify key things on a map using symbols. Have your child draw a map of their community or home. Mrs. Shannon and I would LOVE to see it and display it in the classroom.
In science, we learned about penguins! “We read a weekly reader,” said Olivia. Children love reading the weekly readers. Weekly readers are social studies and science magazines at which children can read independently. This week it was all about penguins. We learned a lot! In afternoon workshops, we laced a penguin to work on our fine motor skills. We also made a penguin paper craft and a snow globe.
Parents, we are currently working on behavior with our class. We have had some issues throughout the past three weeks of following directions. Please enforce the rules at home and continue to state the importance of following them. Thanks!
I almost forgot to tell you! Have you asked your child what book they are reading? We have started literature circles this week. Each group is reading a different book. We will read it to understand it and create a project when finished. The two books we are reading are: Green Eggs and Ham and Frog and Toad Together. Ask your child what one they are reading!
Agenda for Feb 1 – 5: We will be learning about shadows as we study Groundhog Day! We will also review all short e word families. We will continue to learn about solid figures and finally, we will celebrate the 100th day of school on Thursday!!!! Remember to bring in your 100 day of school special snack!
Our student of the week was Cole. Way to go! Cole is in the following picture next to our newest addition - a reading playhouse!
Children are becoming very fluent in their ability to read basic words. Words (such as –et) are becoming easy to the children. Children are beginning to understand how to substitute initial sounds to make new words. I am very proud of them. We are almost finished with our primer sight word list. We have about two weeks left. I am asking that you practice all pre primer and primer words with your children nightly. Your child is expected to know both lists by mid February. This will help your child become a more fluent reader. We read Tacky the Penguin this week. We are working very hard on identifying the beginning, middle, and end in our stories. Have your child retell the story to use. Remember to remind them to name the characters and locate the setting. Also have them identify the problem and state the solution. Children will need to be able to retell a story with mastery by the end of kindergarten.
Mastery includes: retell a story from beginning, middle, to end stating the characters. Students will name the setting, and also state the problem and solution. Students will use words like then, and, next. Words like first, second, third, etc… should be used to transition from beginning, middle, to end. Finally, the teacher will not be prompting the student.
In math, we continued learning about solid figures. We learned the different ways they move. We learned that the cylinder can roll, slide, and stack. We also learned that the cylinder is the only solid figure that can do all three. Review the names of the four basic solid figures with your child. Create a map and sort as to whether they can roll, stack, or slide. Next week, we will learn more about solid figures. We will focus on identifying the shapes made by the solid figures.
In social studies we learned about maps. Students were excited when Gibbstown was brought out of the file cabinet (Gibbstown was our community project at the beginning of the year). We learned the difference between a picture and a map. We also learned how to identify key things on a map using symbols. Have your child draw a map of their community or home. Mrs. Shannon and I would LOVE to see it and display it in the classroom.
In science, we learned about penguins! “We read a weekly reader,” said Olivia. Children love reading the weekly readers. Weekly readers are social studies and science magazines at which children can read independently. This week it was all about penguins. We learned a lot! In afternoon workshops, we laced a penguin to work on our fine motor skills. We also made a penguin paper craft and a snow globe.
Parents, we are currently working on behavior with our class. We have had some issues throughout the past three weeks of following directions. Please enforce the rules at home and continue to state the importance of following them. Thanks!
I almost forgot to tell you! Have you asked your child what book they are reading? We have started literature circles this week. Each group is reading a different book. We will read it to understand it and create a project when finished. The two books we are reading are: Green Eggs and Ham and Frog and Toad Together. Ask your child what one they are reading!
Agenda for Feb 1 – 5: We will be learning about shadows as we study Groundhog Day! We will also review all short e word families. We will continue to learn about solid figures and finally, we will celebrate the 100th day of school on Thursday!!!! Remember to bring in your 100 day of school special snack!
Our student of the week was Cole. Way to go! Cole is in the following picture next to our newest addition - a reading playhouse!
Happy Birthday MLK!
We just finished a short but fun week in kindergarten. We learned about the –en word family, the names of solid figures, and Martin Luther King, Jr. We did several fun things this week. We read, “Happy Birthday Martin Luther King Jr.” We did a sequencing activity to help us review the order in which events occurred. We also read “Young Martin Luther King Jr.” to help understand who he was and what he stood for. This week, we even made our own class book on Martin Luther King Jr. and being kind to one another.
In math, we reviewed the names of solid figures. The names of most solid figures should come easy to your child. Review the names and objects that look like each solid figure. Next week, we will classify them as to how they move. Do they roll, stack, slide, or can they do all three? We also wrote numbers to 55 this week. Next week, we will be writing to 60!
In social studies, we learned about Martin Luther King Jr. We honored him by reading books and doing different activities that reminded us of what he stood for. Children should now have a good understanding of who he was.
We continued book-in-a-bag this week. We are almost done with the primer list and will be moving on to the next set shortly! Because we are learning so many words, our books are becoming full. If you can please send a new spiral bound index card book with your child ASAP, it would be greatly appreciated. Can you believe how many words your child can recognize?
Remember, Samsula Academy’s open house is on Sunday from 1-3pm
Next week, we will be learning the –et word family. We will also be studying maps and penguins! It is going to be another fun week!
Thanks,
Mr. Gibbs
In math, we reviewed the names of solid figures. The names of most solid figures should come easy to your child. Review the names and objects that look like each solid figure. Next week, we will classify them as to how they move. Do they roll, stack, slide, or can they do all three? We also wrote numbers to 55 this week. Next week, we will be writing to 60!
In social studies, we learned about Martin Luther King Jr. We honored him by reading books and doing different activities that reminded us of what he stood for. Children should now have a good understanding of who he was.
We continued book-in-a-bag this week. We are almost done with the primer list and will be moving on to the next set shortly! Because we are learning so many words, our books are becoming full. If you can please send a new spiral bound index card book with your child ASAP, it would be greatly appreciated. Can you believe how many words your child can recognize?
Remember, Samsula Academy’s open house is on Sunday from 1-3pm
Next week, we will be learning the –et word family. We will also be studying maps and penguins! It is going to be another fun week!
Thanks,
Mr. Gibbs
What DO snowmen do at night?
The weeks continue to fly by! This has been another fun week in kindergarten. We learned the names of solid figures, learned how things move, and also how to blend and decode words with the –ed ending.
In reading, we learned about the –ed word family. We began the week creating a circle map. We wrote as many –ed words as possible – real and nonsense words. We also learned the words saw, say, so, soon, and ride. We reviewed the words now and new. We read two books this week. We read, “The Biggest Snowman Ever.” We discussed sequencing and wrote stories about a big snowman. We also read, “Snowmen at Night.” We focused on real vs. imaginary when we read this book. We also wrote our own version and made another class book. We are writing machines!
We began a new unit in math. We learned basic 3D solid figures this week. We learned their names. We learned about the cube, sphere, cylinder, and cone. We also learned how to identify objects in our real world that look like these solids. “I love math stations,” said Zane. This week, we had three math stations that all focused on identifying 3D solid figures. We played a math game, sorting real word objects, and created a solid figures shape book.
Science was fun! We learned about how things move. We learned about pushing and pulling. We also learned how some things need wheels in order to be moved. We ended the week by learning about magnets. Students participated in their first guided discovery lab as we explored what objects magnets attract. Children enjoyed working together. I was very proud of them!
Afternoon workshops were a blast! Our theme was snowmen. We created a snowman snow globe and wrote stories about what life would be like if we lived in a snow globe. We also made a paper plate stand up craft and used sponges to add glitter snow. The snowman bags were a hit this week. Students enjoyed watching Mr. Gibbs make these only because he had to use the dreaded “hot glue gun!” After 8 close encounters and 5 blisters, Mr. Gibbs finished them! The last workshop had children using blue construction paper to create a winter landscape. We then added black strips of paper to form a window. The original picture then looked like it was far in the distance.
Hannah is an “official” big girl now. She lost her front tooth! “I got two dollars,” she said! Emily Simmons is our terrific kid. Emily Simmons did a great job this week. We are very proud of her as we are with everyone.
In reading, we learned about the –ed word family. We began the week creating a circle map. We wrote as many –ed words as possible – real and nonsense words. We also learned the words saw, say, so, soon, and ride. We reviewed the words now and new. We read two books this week. We read, “The Biggest Snowman Ever.” We discussed sequencing and wrote stories about a big snowman. We also read, “Snowmen at Night.” We focused on real vs. imaginary when we read this book. We also wrote our own version and made another class book. We are writing machines!
We began a new unit in math. We learned basic 3D solid figures this week. We learned their names. We learned about the cube, sphere, cylinder, and cone. We also learned how to identify objects in our real world that look like these solids. “I love math stations,” said Zane. This week, we had three math stations that all focused on identifying 3D solid figures. We played a math game, sorting real word objects, and created a solid figures shape book.
Science was fun! We learned about how things move. We learned about pushing and pulling. We also learned how some things need wheels in order to be moved. We ended the week by learning about magnets. Students participated in their first guided discovery lab as we explored what objects magnets attract. Children enjoyed working together. I was very proud of them!
Afternoon workshops were a blast! Our theme was snowmen. We created a snowman snow globe and wrote stories about what life would be like if we lived in a snow globe. We also made a paper plate stand up craft and used sponges to add glitter snow. The snowman bags were a hit this week. Students enjoyed watching Mr. Gibbs make these only because he had to use the dreaded “hot glue gun!” After 8 close encounters and 5 blisters, Mr. Gibbs finished them! The last workshop had children using blue construction paper to create a winter landscape. We then added black strips of paper to form a window. The original picture then looked like it was far in the distance.
Hannah is an “official” big girl now. She lost her front tooth! “I got two dollars,” she said! Emily Simmons is our terrific kid. Emily Simmons did a great job this week. We are very proud of her as we are with everyone.
A big "Happy Birthday" goes to Jack! Yay Jack! He is now 6!
Next week:
-No School Monday and Tuesday
Phonics: -en word family
Comprehension: sequencing
Math: Moving Solid Figures
Theme: Martin Luther King, Jr.
Samsula Academy welcomes the Community!
A blessing in disguise!
At the end of the 2007-2008 school year, The Volusia County (Fla.) School Board decided to close seven schools over three years in an attempt to avert a budget crisis. Board members said they had no choice because they are being "held hostage" by a lack of state funding. The district closed Bonner Elementary, Boston Avenue, Samsula Elementary and Seville Public at the end of the year.
The great community fought hard to keep this small school open; however, the school board wouldn't even consider such. Thanks to Margaret (Peggy) and Don Comardo, our great school was given another chance. Peggy and Don Comardo are the founders of Reading Edge Academy, Inc and have been very successful throughout the years. The Reading Edge Academy in Debary was Volusia's premier charter school. It has now been in operation for eleven years. The community of Samsula, along with Peggy and Don Comardo reopened the small school that has been in existence since 1912. The school opened it's doors as Samsula Academy in August of 2008. This was the school for 150 students, most of which previously attended Samsula Elementary.
In August of 2009, the school opened for it's second year with a larger enrollment which called for a larger staff. Samsula is growing rapidly; however, it will always be known as the small-town school with great community support.The staff at Samsula are teachers who have a strong emphasis on reading skills along with an innovative approach to student learning.
Samsula Academy is hosting an open house on Sunday, January 24th from 1:00-3:00pm. This is a great time to come explore our great school. Parents (and children) can visit various classrooms and engage in school-related activities. I strongly encourage current kindergarten parents to tell their friends about our great school and to come visit us on January 24th!
To prepare for this event, we created a small brief commercial... We encourage you to check it out -
At the end of the 2007-2008 school year, The Volusia County (Fla.) School Board decided to close seven schools over three years in an attempt to avert a budget crisis. Board members said they had no choice because they are being "held hostage" by a lack of state funding. The district closed Bonner Elementary, Boston Avenue, Samsula Elementary and Seville Public at the end of the year.
The great community fought hard to keep this small school open; however, the school board wouldn't even consider such. Thanks to Margaret (Peggy) and Don Comardo, our great school was given another chance. Peggy and Don Comardo are the founders of Reading Edge Academy, Inc and have been very successful throughout the years. The Reading Edge Academy in Debary was Volusia's premier charter school. It has now been in operation for eleven years. The community of Samsula, along with Peggy and Don Comardo reopened the small school that has been in existence since 1912. The school opened it's doors as Samsula Academy in August of 2008. This was the school for 150 students, most of which previously attended Samsula Elementary.
In August of 2009, the school opened for it's second year with a larger enrollment which called for a larger staff. Samsula is growing rapidly; however, it will always be known as the small-town school with great community support.The staff at Samsula are teachers who have a strong emphasis on reading skills along with an innovative approach to student learning.
Samsula Academy is hosting an open house on Sunday, January 24th from 1:00-3:00pm. This is a great time to come explore our great school. Parents (and children) can visit various classrooms and engage in school-related activities. I strongly encourage current kindergarten parents to tell their friends about our great school and to come visit us on January 24th!
To prepare for this event, we created a small brief commercial... We encourage you to check it out -
Extra Practice and Support
We reviewed the short a word families this week. We have already learned the -an, -ap, and -at word family. This week, we reviewed them all. We learned to build, read, and spell basic CVC words, words with blends, and longer words that contain up to 5 letters. Review these with your child. Next week, we will be moving on to short e. First word family will be -ed.
extra practice: http://wallwisher.com/wall/cgibbs1
Have your child think of additional words. If your child posts one word for each word family, your child will receive a "BEE" on our classroom reward chart! Scroll throughout the page to find the -an, -ap, and -at word families.
-ap video
-an video
-at video
extra practice: http://wallwisher.com/wall/cgibbs1
Have your child think of additional words. If your child posts one word for each word family, your child will receive a "BEE" on our classroom reward chart! Scroll throughout the page to find the -an, -ap, and -at word families.
-ap video
-an video
-at video
Brr! It's Winter in Samsula!
We had an amazing first week back. Mr. Gibbs and Mrs. Shannon were so impressed with how much information the children retained over the winter break. Students came to school eager to learn on Monday and it continued throughout the week. It has been a long two weeks and we are so expected to be back into our normal routine. After all, students need structure and routine. We had a very busy week and one student said, “I feel like I am in first grade!” It is certainly that time – we are getting our little youngsters ready for the big switch – it is less than 100 days away! We celebrated the 80th day of school on Tuesday!!!
In reading, we read The Mitten by Jan Brett. We read the story throughout the week. We learned how to identify characters, problems, and events in a story. We also retold the story from beginning, middle, to end. We used special props to reenact the story too.
We also continued learning about winter during science and social studies. We learned about the weather in winter. We also learned about what people wear in colder weather. We discussed animals and where they go in the winter. Finally, we discussed snow! The weather this week was perfect for our theme. There is a chance of snow flurries on Saturday and Sunday – keep an eye on the weather!
Afternoon workshops are a chance for students to build their fine motor and social skills in small group settings. This week, our theme was winter and The Mitten. We laced a mitten and put cut-outs of the animals that were in the story into our mitten. The children can now retell the story using these props. We also made an Eskimo in Mrs. Shannon’s workshop. We followed directions to create a winter Eskimo. We also created a paper scarf using pattern blocks. We created a pattern and decorated a scarf for the season. Finally, we created an ice skate craft! Look for all of these projects and more to be sent home in the upcoming weeks. These are great to save for memories.
We are becoming star writers! We are beginning to do more writing in our classroom. Writing is becoming more intense. Children are writing fiction and nonfiction stories. This week, we wrote a story about winter. Children were to write four sentences correctly using the star writer’s rules: (1.) use finger spacing (2.) use top line, mid line, base line (3.) use proper letter formation (3.) always start with big letter – other letters small (4.) end in a period (5.) use word wall for unknown words. On Thursday, we wrote a nonfiction story about a lost mitten. We are currently in the process of binding it together to make another class book. Continue to write nightly with your child – writing rocks!
Speaking of writing, our class books came back. If you ordered one, it is in your child’s folder. These books are wonderful! If you remember, back in September we wrote a book about what we liked most about kindergarten. We put it all together and sent it away to be published into a hard-bound book. We just got them back and our “Kindergarten Rocks!” book is amazing! Even if you didn’t order one, you can stop by in our classroom to view my copy. It shows great growth. This was done in September. The writing of our students has improved greatly.
In math, we reviewed ordinal numbers, skip counting, and even/odd. We also learned how to write numbers from 1 to 45. Next week, we will begin 3D shapes. Please practice the sphere, cylinder, cube, and cone with your child. They will need to be able to identify them next Friday.
We also reviewed sight words this week. Next week, we will begin our book-in-a-bag again. Children are doing so well. Continue to practice at home nightly.
Hannah is our terrific kid this week. Hannah has had a great week this week. She follows all classroom and school rules and continues to do her personal best. Hannah is becoming an accomplished reader and writer. We are so proud of her! Good job Hanna-Banana!
Next week:
We are looking for afternoon volunteers on Tuesday and Thursday.
Reading:–ed word family
Math: 3D geometric solids
Science: How things move.
Workshops: Snowman
Early release on Wednesday!
In reading, we read The Mitten by Jan Brett. We read the story throughout the week. We learned how to identify characters, problems, and events in a story. We also retold the story from beginning, middle, to end. We used special props to reenact the story too.
We also continued learning about winter during science and social studies. We learned about the weather in winter. We also learned about what people wear in colder weather. We discussed animals and where they go in the winter. Finally, we discussed snow! The weather this week was perfect for our theme. There is a chance of snow flurries on Saturday and Sunday – keep an eye on the weather!
Afternoon workshops are a chance for students to build their fine motor and social skills in small group settings. This week, our theme was winter and The Mitten. We laced a mitten and put cut-outs of the animals that were in the story into our mitten. The children can now retell the story using these props. We also made an Eskimo in Mrs. Shannon’s workshop. We followed directions to create a winter Eskimo. We also created a paper scarf using pattern blocks. We created a pattern and decorated a scarf for the season. Finally, we created an ice skate craft! Look for all of these projects and more to be sent home in the upcoming weeks. These are great to save for memories.
We are becoming star writers! We are beginning to do more writing in our classroom. Writing is becoming more intense. Children are writing fiction and nonfiction stories. This week, we wrote a story about winter. Children were to write four sentences correctly using the star writer’s rules: (1.) use finger spacing (2.) use top line, mid line, base line (3.) use proper letter formation (3.) always start with big letter – other letters small (4.) end in a period (5.) use word wall for unknown words. On Thursday, we wrote a nonfiction story about a lost mitten. We are currently in the process of binding it together to make another class book. Continue to write nightly with your child – writing rocks!
Speaking of writing, our class books came back. If you ordered one, it is in your child’s folder. These books are wonderful! If you remember, back in September we wrote a book about what we liked most about kindergarten. We put it all together and sent it away to be published into a hard-bound book. We just got them back and our “Kindergarten Rocks!” book is amazing! Even if you didn’t order one, you can stop by in our classroom to view my copy. It shows great growth. This was done in September. The writing of our students has improved greatly.
In math, we reviewed ordinal numbers, skip counting, and even/odd. We also learned how to write numbers from 1 to 45. Next week, we will begin 3D shapes. Please practice the sphere, cylinder, cube, and cone with your child. They will need to be able to identify them next Friday.
We also reviewed sight words this week. Next week, we will begin our book-in-a-bag again. Children are doing so well. Continue to practice at home nightly.
Hannah is our terrific kid this week. Hannah has had a great week this week. She follows all classroom and school rules and continues to do her personal best. Hannah is becoming an accomplished reader and writer. We are so proud of her! Good job Hanna-Banana!
Next week:
We are looking for afternoon volunteers on Tuesday and Thursday.
Reading:–ed word family
Math: 3D geometric solids
Science: How things move.
Workshops: Snowman
Early release on Wednesday!
