Today our class, along with Ms. Cassetta’s class, got to share with the school what we have learned about our word for the month of September, respect. We said we learned that we can show respect to people, places and things, by treating them like they are special and important.
We were problem solvers, and helped some storybook characters to learn how to show respect. Click on the link to download our presentation.
Enjoy!
The Three Little Pigs
Here are some helpful videos for all the families that are struggling with teaching their little ones how to tie their shoes.
P.S. Us kindergarten teachers will love you for this!
or try this way:
Good luck!
Last week, we celebrated Dot Day in our classroom. International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration, began when teacher Terry Shay introduced his classroom to Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot on September 15, 2009.
The Dot is the story of a caring teacher who dares a doubting student to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to “make her mark”. What begins with a small dot on a piece of paper becomes a breakthrough in confidence and courage, igniting a journey of self-discovery and sharing, which has gone on to inspire countless children and adults around the globe.
We talked about the message of The Dot, to always try and not get discouraged. We created our own dots and used the app Quiver to make our dots come “alive.” You can download this free app at quivervision.com and use it to make drawings come alive. We had so much fun using it in the classroom!
Enjoy the story of The Dot!
Every month we will be focusing on a new word of the month for our character education program. Our first word is “Respect.”
It is always a difficult day for many of us. September 11- a day that changed our world. It is especially difficult for us to talk about with young children who were not even born on that fateful day. In our school, to remember Patriot Day, September 11, we gather as a school community and say the Pledge of Allegiance, have a moment of silence and listen to some patriotic songs. We then read the book, September 12; We Knew Everything Would Be Okay with our classes in the classroom.
On September 11th horrific events occurred, yet through the simple text and vibrant art of first graders, we are reminded that the world continued the next day. On each page, children experience the comforts of ordinary routines, such as their teacher reading books to them, having homework and recess, and knowing that 2 + 2 still equals 4. This is a poignant message of hope that reassures us all that even after bad things happen, tomorrow always brings a new day.
Below is the full text, September 12th: We Knew Everything Would Be All Right read by Jeannine Carr.
We remember all we have lost and the heroes of that day, and we are reminded to live each day to the fullest, and never miss a chance to tell those dearest to us how much we love them.
Last year, I posted a few times with the help of Kid President, Robby Novak. He and his brother, Brad Montague, inspire kids to do great things. This year, I will be using their book, Kid President’s Guide to Being Awesome, with my class to talk and learn about ways that we can change the world for the better. I am looking forward to an AWESOME year together with my kindergarteners. Here’s a video to get us ready:
And you can check out more bout Kid President here:
Kid President
Can’t wait to meet all my awesome new friends!
As we are winding down our school year, here are some fun ideas to try this summer:
Language and Literacy:
Talk and listen– take time to talk to your child during a trip in the car, a walk to the park, or even a day at the beach. Your child has so many interesting things to say! Stretch your child’s thought process and expressive language by asking “Why?” “How do you know that?” and “Tell me more about that.” Encourage your child’s imaginative thinking by asking “What if?” questions.
Read, Read, Read– Go to the library! There are many great programs ongoing this summer and a wonderful summer reading program with lots of incentives for kids to read. Encourage your child to use their reading strategies:
Preview the book together. Look through all the pictures and talk about what’s happening.
Point out sight words (words we know by heart).
Point to the words- although many children are beginning to “outgrow” this strategy, having them point to the words helps children focus on the print and make sure they are reading what they see.
Look at the pictures- if your child gets stuck on a word, they can use picture clues to help figure out the word.
Get your mouth ready- this means that your child should be looking at the first letter of the word and have their mouth/lips formed to make that sound.
Does it look right? This is to help your child self monitor her reading. If the word is “dog” and s/he reads “puppy,” this question will help cue your child in to look more closely at the word and read the correct word.
Does it make sense? Another strategy for your child to self monitor his reading.
Read on and then go back- if your child gets stuck on a word and cannot figure it out, encourage her to keep reading and then go back and reread to see if she can now get the word. This will help your child to get an idea of what may make sense in the sentence.
Read, reread. and keep rereading- rereading helps develop fluency, accuracy and comprehension. After your child is comfortable with the story, ask questions about the story, or have your child write and/or draw about the story. You can ask basic retelling questions like “What happened?” “Where did the story take place?” “What was the problem/solution in the story?” and then stretch your child’s thinking with deeper questions like “Why do you like the main character?” “How are you like/unlike the character?” “What would happen if…?” For non fiction, ask “What new thing did you learn?” “How do you know that?” “What do you want to find out?”
Write– Have your child write letters, grocery lists, notes, journals, stories, or even emails. Just remember that, as with reading, children will progress at different rates with their writing skills. Please provide many opportunities for your child to write every day. Here is a list of skills for children to work on as they progress to first grade:
Writing is organized from left to right, top to bottom, and is legible
Applies letter/sound knowledge to writing
Uses vowels in writing
Uses uppercase letters and lowercase letter where appropriate
Remembers punctuation and spaces between words
Is able to read own writing
Writes in complete sentences that make sense
Generates original ideas for writing
Uses details in writing (ex: “I see a dog” vs. “I see a little black dog”)
Varies sentence structure and complexity (ex: “I like ice cream” vs. “Ice cream is my favorite dessert because…”)
Experiments with word choice (ex: “The cake is good” vs. “The cake is delicious”)
Mathematics– opportunities to reinforce math concepts will arise naturally every day (sorting laundry, counting toys, patterning breakfast cereal, or even measuring when cooking). Here are some ideas to get you started:
Keep track of activities on the calendar. Count how many more days until a family event or vacation.
Measure and record how tall you child is at the beginning and end of the summer. Compare the two and see how much he has grown.
Cook together: Cooking involves reading numbers, counting, measuring ingredients, measuring time and sequencing
Read and follow maps at museums and zoos
Go on a number hunt- the mailbox, telephones, book pages, gas pumps, etc.
Create and solve number problems with family members.
And here are some more ideas to try:
Kindergarten Summer Fun Activities
30 Fun Things to do with kids this summer
Kick off your summer with a backyard campout. On June 28, 2014, Be Out There will be having their Great American Camp Out. It’s free and fun! Find out more here: http://www.nwf.org/Great-American-Backyard-Campout.aspx
Check out 27 creative and inexpensive ways to keep kids busy: http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/creative-and-inexpensive-ways-to-keep-kids-busy?sub=2244394_1197863
In the library this week, the students of WOS took pictures of books we would like to read this summer! Please enjoy our “book selfies.”
June is here and you can feel the heat of summer in the hallways. Days are longer, attention spans are growing shorter, and everyone is ready for summer break. Just because the school year is ending doesn’t mean the learning has to stop. Students who do not continue reading over the summer are likely to lose ground. Encourage your child to keep reading! This blog post is filled with recommendations, activities, tips, and resources to help you motivate your child all summer long! If you want to receive tweets about “Summer Reading” subscribe to @WOSNews! Don’t have a twitter account? Sign up HERE.
Don’t Miss the Summer Reading “Kick Off” Celebration, Tuesday, June 23, at ST. Catharine’s with Chip Bryant! Pick up a flyer at the event which will include summer programs from all 5 public libraries. Your child can visit and participate in any or all of the “Mighty 5 Libraries!”
Please Note: Your child will NOT be receiving a Summer Reading log from William O. Schaefer (WOS). The children can visit any of the Mighty 5 Libraries in our district to register for summer reading and pick up a reading log. Please have your child bring their Summer Reading log to school with them in September.
Check out all of the available “Summer Reading Events” at the Mighty 5 Libraries of South Orangetown!
Did you know the Mighty 5 Libraries of South Orangetown have eBooks and audiobooks? Listen to a book alone or with your family and add it to your reading log. Talk to the librarians and tell them about the books you have read!
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children and offers a Summer Reading list for Grades K-2.
Caldecott Medal and Honor Books, 1938-Present
Below are a few book trailers of Barnes and Nobile recommended top picks for grades 1 & 2.
Audiobooks are the perfect companion for a family road trip! Visit tryaudiobooks.com for FREE DOWNLOADS and suggested ways you can listen to audiobooks.
Booklists from the Brooklyn Public Library: Books for Kindergarten & Grade 1 AND Books for Grades 2 & 3
NY Public Libraries 100 Great Children’s books.
Incoming 3rd graders can access the Cottage Lane “Summer Reading” page HERE.
The word of the month for June is self-acceptance. Self-acceptance is acceptance of self in spite of deficiencies.
In the video below, Lupita Nyong’o helps Elmo deliver a message to kids about why they should love their skin. This message of self-acceptance and an informative lecture: Our skin protects us, it helps us touch and feel things, and – perhaps most importantly – it allows us to be tickled! “Skin comes in lots of beautiful shades and colors”! It’s important to love the skin you’re in.
Sing along as Will.i.am sings “What I Am” as part of Sesame Street’s 41st season.
Read: I Don’t Want To Be a Frog by Dev Petty, illustrated by Mike Boldt
Frog wants to be anything but a slimy, wet frog. A cat, perhaps. Or a rabbit. An owl? But when a hungry wolf arrives—a wolf who HATES eating frogs—our hero decides that maybe being himself isn’t so bad after all.
Make an Origami “Jumping Frog”. Follow the step-by-step instructions.