Field Trip Coming Soon!

I am very happy to announce that we will be going on our first field study on November 12, 2009! We will be going to see Slim Goodbody's presention of Bodyology! We are so excited to learn more about our small bodies in a fun and interactive way! The field trip forms were sent home today. The cost is $7.00. After the presention, we will be going to Spruce Creek Park in Port Orange, Florida. There, we will eat lunch and go on a nature walk. The money is due by October 13, 2009. It is important we have all slips and money at this time so we can reserve our seats. Scholarships are available -see Mrs. Comardo or Ms. Conrad! We do not need any chaperones for this adventure. If you would like to drive your own car, you can purchase a ticket here: http://www.slimgoodbody.com/

This image is intended for the wonderful parents! I am so blessed to have great parental support. You help make my job easier. You are always willing to help, volunteer your time, or donate to our classroom. For that, I am truly greatful! Most importantly, I want to thank you for sharing your AMAZING children with me! What a great group of students!

Writing with Shaving Cream

Who said handwriting couldn't be fun? It is certainly not the students in Mr. Gibbs' kindergarten class! We began learning how to properly write the letter Bb today. In an attempt to master the correct letter formation, Mrs. Shannon and I pulled out the shaving cream! It was amazing to see the reactions of each child as I got my hands all "gooey" and "messy." Each child individually smeared shaving cream all over their table. We then practiced writing capital B and then the smaller b. Children had a blast doing this quick activity It took more time to clean up than the actual activity itself). See - learning CAN be fun!

I sent home several important papers today with your child. It is important to read through the information. We are starting to blend and spell basic CVC words. This week, your child will have their first spelling test - your child is so excited. Please practice these. Your child know them; however, he/she still needs the encouragement. Remind them that they know their sounds - therefore, they can spell! Enjoy the short video below from our handwriting activity!

Physical Education and Update

Michelle Coats took pictures of the children last week. Because of the rain, P.E. was held in the classroom. Below is a short video clip of our little children having fun - getting their wiggles out! Enjoy!



Next week we will be working with the letter Oo on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday we will be working with Ff. Please practice these along with all the letters and sounds with your child. Your child should also be able to blend basic CVC words. We have been doing this in class every morning and they are great at it! Remember we will continue book-in-a-bag. Remember to practice all words inside the book. We have also started formal handwriting instruction. Your child will now make the transition from unlined paper to lined paper. We have already sent home a letter formation handout so you can practice letter formation with your child. If you have lost it (or need an extra) let me know - I have plenty!

I am excited that next week is fire safety week. We will learn about fire prevention and even have a visit with a fireman and his truck! It will be another exciting fun learning week in Mr. G's class! I hope your child is just as anxious as I am!

Happy Birthday Johnny Appleseed!

Look at Lane! Lane has been named our Terrific Kid this week! Lane has shown so much growth and progress. I am so proud of Lane. Lane has changed his behavior in ways I didn't see possible. Lane comes to class prepared and ready to learn. Lane understands the difference between right and wrong. Lane also continues to do his personal best while making the right choices. Lane was so excited hearing his name over the announcements. I was so happy to see his excitement.

Terrific Kid will continue throughout the year. When your child is selected he/she will receive a bumper sticker, a gift certificate for McDonalds, and their name called over the announcements. Lane said, "I am so happy." Lane we are so proud of you - continue to do your personal best.

Today, we celebrated Johnny Appleseed's Birthday! Once the doors to our classroom opened, the students knew they were in for a very fun learning day! I dressed up as Johnny Appleseed. I wore clothes that resembles him in pictures, wore a bag across my shoulders, used a walking stick, and even had a pot on my head as a hat! In the morning, we read the story of Johnny Appleseed, made celebration hats, and even began adding ingrediants for our applesauce. We had a blast this morning getting everything in gear for the day ahead.


When the time was right (in the early afternoon) we decided that the apples were soft and ready to me "mashed." We mashed the apples as best as we could. The smell (or aroma, as Oliva calls it) was amazing! We could hardly wait to dig in! The children and I enjoyed mashing the apples.

In the afternoon, we finished our workshops related to apples. We continued to make apples using construction paper and paper plates and even completed our apple painting. These crafts will be sent home next week and would be great to place on the fridge! After workshops, it was time to celebrate. The children was each given a 'taste.' If they liked it, they would be allowed to get more. Although a few declined, many attempted and tried it. It was simply amazing! It was great. Most of the children loved it. Most importantly, we made it together - and that is what was so special about it. We all sat back ate our applesauce and drank our apple juice and reflected on the day.

"I really liked the apple juice. I like wearing the hats," Sawyer said at the end of the day. Jermey said, "I liked the apple sauce. I liked apple stamping." Another student said, "This was a very fun learning day!" Seeing the joy of the faces of these children almost brought tears to my eyes. This is why I am a teacher! I love PLAYING, LEARNING, and GROWING together. I can't wait for the many more fun celebrations that are yet to come. Below are some pictures that I made into a video. I hope you enjoy.



Have a great 3-day weekend!


-Mr. Christopher Gibbs

Digital Navigators Exploring our Senses!

We are so excited about our upcoming digital storybook! The children in my class are working hard taking pictures of various objects. Students will eventually create a writing piece to go along with their picture and will then record it. Our video will be completed in two weeks. Here are our Busy Bees at work!

Kindergarten visits Mrs. Riddle

"Mr. Gibbs', do we get to go there everyday?"
"No, not everyday."
"Almost everyday?"
"No, but we will make several visits throughout the year."
"AWESOME!"

That was a brief conversation I shared with a student today after our first visit to the learning center at Samsula Academy!
The children fell in love with the learning center immediately. This year, Mrs. Johanna Riddle is helping Samsula Academy by combining a library with a technology infused research environment. The children loved the colors, small tables, and even Mrs. Riddle! Mrs. Riddle taught the children how to take good care of the books in the library and even allowed students to select books for further reading (which will be used in our classroom). At the end of our time, Zane (who was hugging his book) walked out the door. As he was walking out, he turned to Mrs. Riddle and said, "Mrs. Riddle, I am starting to love you already!" What a great, joyous experience! This is truly what learning is all about. Mrs. Riddle also introduced children to library camera. Children learned how to properly use the camera. As I stated before, we are currently working on making a digital storybook. Kindergarten is truly going digital, with the help of Mrs. Riddle. Below is a short video, created by Mrs. Riddle of our experience today! I am so happy and proud of each and every child. They behaved so well and are so ready to explore the world of books and technology.



Remember that tomorrow, we will be celebrating Johnny Appleseed! We will be making applesauce in the morning and will be eating it in the afternoon. We will be finishing our apple crafts tomorrow. Your child will also be tested on the next set of Dolch words tomorrow. Remember to continue practicing with our great readers!

Weekly Dolch Words: is, it, jump, look, little
Other Words to Know: the, see, like, go
Weekly Letters/Sounds: Nn and Cc

Remember to check the B.E.E folder daily (Bring Everything Everyday). Please take everything out of the folder before sending it back with your child the next day. The B.E.E folder contains graded work, letters, and sometimes additional practice of skills and strategies. Mrs. Shannon and I have been sending home several small books with your child. These books are in the B.E.E folder and are books your child can read. We are already readers! Wow!

Also, I would like to mention the importance of phonics. I run a very structured phonics rotunine. Research has shown that successful phonics instruction leads to successful readers in later grades. Your child knows how to properly blend words and would be more than willing to show you. It is important to practice blending basic CVC words with your child. I will be posting a video of the routinue so that you know how to best practice with your child. Thanks for all you do!

Special Person's Video