September Update

Kindergarten is officially in full swing!  I hope your child is have a great time making friends and developing their beginning reading & math skills.  Thank  you for all you who supported your child's academics by assisting them with their homework packet last week.  I am going to start sending a few (1-3) homework assignments a week.  This is a great way for you to see what we are working on in class.

Upcoming Reminders:

*  I will be placing the September Scholastic Book Club Order on September 20th.  Remember you can order online or send the order form into school with the check made payable to Scholastic Book Clubs.

*  Please take a few moment to review your child's behavior calendar with them nightly.  They are so excited to make it to pink and purple!

As always, do not hesitate to call or contact me via e-mail with any questions you may have!

  

In the Swing of Things

Thank you for all your at home support thus far in the school year.  I know that the transition from summer to school can be a difficult one, especially in kindergarten.  I feel like we are starting to fall into the swing of things in the classroom.  I hope the same is true for at home times.

I have just a few reminder:

Please remember to check you child's folder each night and empty out the graded papers and announcements.  It is extremely beneficial for you to review the graded papers with your child nightly/weekly.  This allows you to talk to them about what they are learning in school and see what is a struggle for them.

If you are sending in lunch/snack money please put it in an envelope with your child's first and last name.  Thanks :)

I know the students were excited to have P.E. for the first time this week.  Please remember to have your child wear tennis/athletic shoes on Tuesday and Thursday.  If they are wearing flip flops or sandals they will not be able to participate.

Throughout the week I have noticed that many students are struggling to write their first name.  We have been practicing this quite a bit in the classroom.  I will be sending home some name writing homework early next week.  Please take a few minutes to have your child practice their first name nightly.

Student Update

We now have 20 friends in our class!  Welcome to our new student!

Thank You Again & Some First Day Reminders

Thank you to everyone that attended orientation today, it was a pleasure meeting you!  I really appreciate everyone signing up to help out with the class snack schedule and classroom supplies.  I could use a couple more volunteers to make class play dough for September.  If you are interested in making some for the class please email me, drop a note in your child's agenda, or call the school.  All of your help is really appreciated.

There are a few reminders for the first day of school:

1.  Please either have your child wear their bus tag or place it in your child's folder.  It is VERY important that they have these for the end of the day.

2.  If you have not completed your student information form, class directory form, class volunteer form, or free/reduced lunch form; please complete them and return them to school at your convenience.

I am VERY excited for the first day of school and hope your child is excited too!  

Thank You!!!

Thank you to everyone that attended orientation today.  It was pleasure meeting all of you and your child today.  Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions throughout the year.  I really appreciate everyone that sign-up to donate a snack, play dough or other classroom item.

I am excited for a great year!

Welcome to Kindergarten!

I know that start of the school years is often a mix of emotions.  A combination of excitement and anxiety are common at the start of a new year, especially for kindergarteners and their parents.  I am going to use this blog throughout the school year to keep you informed about about what is going on in the classroom.

I hope that you find this blog a venue to connect to what is going on in the classroom.

Here's to a great school year!

Miss VanHorn

Second Grade Update

I can't believe that they year is already half over!  As we charge into 2013 I have made it a New Year's goal to be more diligent in updating my class blog weekly.

It was great to see so many of you at conferences recently.  I hope you had a chance to look around at all your child's hard work.  If not don't worry, in addition to blogging more regularly I am going to try and post photos of our class projects as well!

Reading:  In reading we have been focusing on non-fiction reading skills and comprehension through space related texts.  The students have loved reading about other planets and starting their own research.  In the coming weeks the students will be completing their own planet research report.

Writing:  In writing we have continued to work on persuasive, information, and narrative writing.  Each student wrote a letter to Mrs. Samerigo explaining why we should or should not have a Valentine's Day party.  They are turned out SUPER cute!

Social Studies:  We just just finished our study of basic economics.  You should see their tests coming home this coming Tuesday!  We will be taking a break from Social Studies to start our study of living things.

Mathematics:  Please continue to encourage your child to practice their math facts at home to help them gain fluency with basic addition and subtraction facts.  In our current math unit we are going to begin exploring fractions.

A special THANK YOU to all parents that helped and donated to our Let's Be Friends party on February 14th.  The kids had a great time!

As always, please let me know if there is anything I can do to help support your child's academic success at home.