In language arts and math class, we are in the midst of reviewing (for many) and introducing (for some) alphabet letters, shapes, and position words (such as over, below, beside, etc.) Most are writing their names independently, but we are teaching using a capital letter first, and lowercase for all the rest of the letters. We have started the beginnings of journal writing, and have already created two class books. We are also learning that environmental print means "Words All Around".
A parents asked me this week about kindergarten homework. The K-Team will begin sending daily homework sheets beginning on Monday, September 10th. There will be instructions sent home at that time regarding how and when it is to be done. In the meantime, make the local library a favorite spot for you and your child. Read, read, read every day. Also have them practice writing their names with capital and lowercase; writing letters, stories and shopping lists; or counting things around the house. With five-year-olds, those "teachable moments" happen naturally every day.
A few housekeeping notes as we close out Week 2:
--Please turn in all forms filled out as requested. It is vital that we have emergency information as well as health/allergy info.
--Your child must have a change of clothing here at school. Accidents of all shapes and sizes happen in Kindergarten, and it is best to be prepared.
--Thank you so much for all of the supplies that you provided!!! This helps our learning experience go much smoother.
--I will accept healthy snack donations at any time...just send or bring them in.
--Please begin teaching your child to tie their own shoes. I tell the kids every year, "I don't tie Kindergartener's shoes!!! Tie them yourself or ask a friend." With daily practice, your child will be sure to master it in no time!
Finally, here is a little video that I made for the kids to practice their environmental print. We will watch this in class later this week, and you could watch it with them at home as well. What other words can your child find in their environment that they already know how to read?
Great readers start out by recognizing and reading words in their daily environment, or environmental print. Can you read these words?