Welcome to the first newsletter of the 2012-2013 school year! The Kinder crew has spent the first few weeks getting to know each other and learning the classroom and school wide routines. They are a very spirited and fun group!

Language Arts

Kindergarten is all about literacy! We have been focusing on recognizing letters and their matching sounds, noticing words vs. letters, reading and discussing good books, singing songs, and writing our names. We have also been interviewing each student to help us learn about their names and more about each other.

Math

This month our math focus has been on counting and reading numbers to 30. We are exploring shapes and how circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles are both different and similar. We are learning to read a calendar to keep track of the days, and through the calendar we are also learning about patterns.

Character

Our crew has spent a good deal of time learning how to behave in class and out on the playground. We have come up with rules for our meeting area and our classroom in general. Using story books, discussions, and songs we have begun discussing the SIERRA norms of responsibility and adventure. This is an on-going process and the more you can talk with your children about how they act at school the better!

Expedition News

I am planning on introducing our first expedition next week! I have waited until the children are familiar with the classroom and school before overwhelming them with too many new concepts. Make sure to ask your kiddo about our expedition by the end of the week.

Important Dates

September 21: Our kinder students will attend their first community meeting with their 2nd/3rd grade buddies! Parents are welcome to attend and see what it’s all about.

October 15-19: Goal setting conferences, more info to be sent out asap.