Category: Weekly Newsletters

April 12, 2024 Class News

We were delighted to be back at school with all of our friends! The kids were excited to share about their Easter break adventures and seemed very happy to get back into the swing of school. Take a look at what else we were up to:

Star Student this week was Max. Next week will be Meraluce.

Sight Words: about and other

Phonics: This week we focused on consonant blends sp, sk, and sm. Ask your child if they can think of words that begin with these blends!

Literacy Centers: This week at the library center, students drew their favorite character from various pictures books. At the iPad center, students worked on sounding out CVC words, spelling, and letter formation. This week at the phonics center, went fishing for sight words! They recorded the sight word fish they caught on a special recording sheet. At the guided reading center, students continued to work on comprehension checks, CVC word games, and reading stories.

Writer’s Workshop: Students wrote all about their Easter break adventures! Wow has their writing improved since September! They are writing whole stories using complete sentences – this is huge! It has been so fun seeing their progress and gain the love for writing stories. Way to go room 1!

Math: This week we began Chapter 7: Composing and decomposing numbers 11-20. Students began this chapter by using tens frames to decompose numbers into groups of tens and ones, for example, we know that 10 and 2 more is 12! We continue to review our addition and subtraction facts to 10! Continue to practice addition and subtraction facts to 10 at home.

Science: This week we our unit on butterflies! We first created a KWL chart and wrote on sticky notes what we already know and want to know about butterflies. We read both fiction and non-fiction books to learn about caterpillars (and discovered that sometimes fiction stories are inspired by nonfiction facts). We learned the parts of a caterpillar– the head, antennae, mandible, thorax, and abdomen, as well as the butterfly. We also began taking a look at the lifecycle of a butterfly. Students read a story about the stages of a butterfly (eggs, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult butterfly) and then put those pictures in order. Ask your child about the lifecycle of a butterfly! Our class caterpillars will be arriving soon…we can’t wait!

Kelso’s Choice: Ms. Shaw joined us for our last Kelso Choice lesson! Students reviewed the choices they have learned, such as “Take a break” and “Small problem vs. Big problem.” Ask your child how to be a peaceful problem solver!

Common Core Standards we’re working on:

• I can read common sight words.
• I can count to 100 by ones and tens.
• I can write numbers from 0-20.
• I can count forward beginning with a given number within the known sequence (instead of starting at 1)
• Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.
• I can read emergent level text with purpose and understanding.
• With prompting and support, I can ask and answer questions about key details in text.
• I can spell simple words phonetically.
• I can read CVC words.
• I can speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings and ideas clearly.
• I can read the words in a book in the right order.
• I can tell how the words and pictures go together in stories.
• I can say the most common sound for each consonant in the alphabet.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can help my class learn about a subject and then write about it.
• I can print lots of upper and lowercase letters.
• I can tell who the author and illustrator are in stories.
• I can tell the characters, setting, and what happens in stories.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can change sounds in simple, one-syllable words to make new words.
• I can add and subtract numbers within 5.

Important Dates:

• Wednesday, May 1^st – Dress Uniform, Crowning of Mary
• Thursday, May 9^th – Dress Uniform, All School Mass
• Friday, May 10^th – Grand Day, Dress Uniform
• Friday, May 17^th – Field Trip to the Arboretum! More information to come!

March 29, 2024 Class News

We had fun in Kindergarten this week! Students were busy creating poems and writing stories. Check out what else we have been up to!

Star Student after Spring Break is Max.

Sight Words: Our two sight words this week were: up and will

Phonics: We began studying consonant blends – groups of two or three consonants in a word that make a sound. With a consonant blend, you can still hear the sounds of each letter, just blended together! Unlike a digraph (sh, ch) where two letters go together to make a whole new sound. This week we introduced the ‘st’ blend. Ask your child if they can tell you a word that begins with “st.”

Literacy Centers: This week at the phonics center, students opened Easter eggs and had to create the word families that were inside! At the sight word center, students wrote an Easter themed story using sight words from our word wall. Some extended their sentences into bigger stories by adding more detail. At the library center, students were detectives and had to find books that had animals, numbers, words, and people! At the guided reading center, we worked on reading in our decodables and writing CVC words. 

Writer’s Workshop: We are excited and preparing for Easter! On Monday students colored an Easter egg. As a class, we brainstormed adjectives to describe our eggs, such as colorful, oval, and sparkly! Using these adjectives students wrote a poem titled “My Egg.” Ask your child to describe their egg to you using adjectives!

On Thursday, we read a book about the Easter bunny and wrote a story using the prompt, “If I were the Easter bunny…” Ask your child what they would do if they turned into the Easter bunny!

Math: This week we “added up eggs!” Students answered addition questions and created an Easter basket using their “addition eggs!” We continue to practice our unit on subtraction within 10.

Religion: We continued to reflect on our Lenten journey. We finished learning about the Stations of the Cross in class. As a class, we discussed each station while we listen to how Jesus was feeling and doing during that time.

Kelso’s Choice: This week, Ms. Shaw taught us how to apologize! Everybody makes mistakes but sometimes these mistakes hurt peoples’ feelings. When this happens, we should apologize to try and make it better. Some phrases we learned were, “I’m sorry for…” “Next time I will…” and “How can I make it better?”

Common Core Standards we’re working on:

• I can read common sight words.
• I can count to 100 by ones and tens.
• I can count forward beginning with a given number within the known sequence (instead of starting at 1)
• Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.
• I can read emergent level text with purpose and understanding.
• With prompting and support, I can ask and answer questions about key details in text.
• I can spell simple words phonetically.
• I can read CVC words.
• I can speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings and ideas clearly.
• I can read the words in a book in the right order.
• I can tell how the words and pictures go together in stories.
• I can say the most common sound for each consonant in the alphabet.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can help my class learn about a subject and then write about it.
• I can print lots of upper and lowercase letters.
• I can write numbers from 0-20.
• I can tell who the author and illustrator are in stories.
• I can tell the characters, setting, and what happens in stories.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can add numbers within 5.

Important Dates:

• April 1^st – April 5^th – No School, Easter Holiday
• Wednesday, April 10^th – Dress Uniform, Class Pictures
• Wednesday, May 1^st – Dress Uniform, Crowning of Mary
• Thursday, May 9^th – Dress Uniform, All School Mass
• Friday, May 10^th – Grand Day, Dress Uniform
• Friday, May 17^th – Field Trip to the Arboretum! More information to come!

March 22, 2024 Class News

We had a busy week in Room 1! We celebrated the first day of spring and participated in our second Eucharistic procession! Take a look at what else we were up to in Kindergarten this week.

Star Student this week was Margaux. After Spring Break will be Max.

Sight Words: Our two sight words this week: if and their.

Phonics: Our phonics focus this week was reviewing the diagraphs – /ch/ /sh/ /th/ and /wh/. Students cut out their sort cards, glued them onto their graphic organizer and lastly drew and spelled our own words that begin with /ch/ /sh/ /th/ and /wh/. Continue to brainstorm words that begin with these sounds at home! How many words can you think of that begin or end with these sounds?

Literacy Centers: This week at the library center, students were detectives and had to tally sight words in picture books! At the iPad center, students worked on sounding out CVC words, spelling, letter formation, and some listened to and followed along with stories. At the phonics center, students played a CVC spelling boardgame. At the guided reading center, students continued to work on comprehension checks, CVC word games, and reading stories.

Math: We are continuing to master subtraction within 10 through a variety of strategies and tools. We discovered that even some of our favorite book characters use subtraction – Pete the Cat! We read Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons and then used the story pattern to create our own Pete the Cat subtraction problem!

Writer’s Workshop: We celebrated the first official day of spring by writing a ‘Spring’ acrostic poem. The class came up with very creative adjectives to describe spring. Sunshine, puddles, rainbows, and gardens are some examples of spring!

Science: This week we reviewed the water cycle and learned a little more about particular weather – wind! Students learned that a slight wind is called a breeze, a strong wind is called a gale, and the strongest winds are called hurricanes and tornadoes. We learned that wind can carry seeds and make waves. To show some objects that can fly in the wind, we created our own kites! Check out your child’s kite in their Friday folder!

We also “made it rain” in class! We used shaving cream and blue food coloring to represent clouds and rain droplets. We love being scientists in kindergarten!

Religion: We continue to reflect on our Lenten journey. We also continue learning about the Stations of the Cross in class. As a class, we discuss each station while we listen to how Jesus was feeling and doing during that time. Ask your child if they remember what Stations we have learned about so far.

Here is the link to learn more about how you can bring the CRS Rice Bowl to life at home: https://www.crsricebowl.org/about

Kelso Choice: This week, Ms. Shaw taught the students to “talk it out” when they are feeling frustrated with friends. They learned they can be a peaceful problem solver by letting the person know how they feel and what they need! Some phrases they learned were, “I feel…when…” and “Could you please”. For example, “I feel sad, when you scribble on my paper, could you please stop?”.

Common Core Standards we’re working on:

• I can read common sight words.
• I can count to 100 by ones and tens.
• I can count forward beginning with a given number within the known sequence (instead of starting at 1)
• Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.
• I can read emergent level text with purpose and understanding.
• With prompting and support, I can ask and answer questions about key details in text.
• I can spell simple words phonetically.
• I can read CVC words.
• I can speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings and ideas clearly.
• I can read the words in a book in the right order.
• I can tell how the words and pictures go together in stories.
• I can say the most common sound for each consonant in the alphabet.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can help my class learn about a subject and then write about it.
• I can print lots of upper and lowercase letters.
• I can write numbers from 0-20.
• I can tell who the author and illustrator are in stories.
• I can tell the characters, setting, and what happens in stories.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can add numbers within 5.

Important Dates:

• March 29^th – Noon Dismissal, Good Friday
• April 1^st – April 5^th – No School, Easter Holiday
• Wednesday, April 10^th – Dress Uniform, Class Pictures
• Friday, May 10^th – Grand Day, Dress Uniform
• Friday, May 17^th – Field Trip to the Arboretum! More information to come!

March 15, 2024 Class News

We had another fantastic week together full of discoveries and adventures in kindergarten! The highlights were learning all about the water cycle, planting seeds in the garden, and reflecting on Jesus’ journey to the Cross.

Star Student this week was Mabel. Next week will be Margaux.

Sight Words: This week we focused on the words how and do. Next week we will look at their and if.

Phonics: Our phonics focus this week was the two digraphs th and wh. Students cut out their sort cards, played memory match, glued them onto their graphic organizer and lastly spelled our own words and drew pictures that began with th and wh in their writing journals. Ask your child if they know what the word digraph means! Next week we will review all the digraphs we have learned so far: ch, sh, th, and wh.

Literacy Centers: Students were busy in literacy centers this week! In the library center, students drew the setting in a story of their choosing. At the iPad center, students read along to and listened to stories of the Bible as well as other fiction and nonfiction stories. At the phonics center, students “wrote the room” while writing St. Patrick’s Day themed sentences! At reading group, students continue to progress in their decodable books! Keep up the great work, kindergarten!

Writer’s Workshop: Since we have been experiencing first hand one sign up spring – rain, we wrote down what we like to do on a rainy day! Some students like to be cozy inside and some like to jump in puddles! Ask your child what they like to do on a rainy day!

This week, we were excited to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and pretended they were leprechauns! Students wrote, “If I found a pot of gold, I would…” Some would use the gold to buy toys, others would hide it! Ask your child what they would do if they found a pot of gold!

We continue to focus on including 4 things to make our sentences complete-

1. Capital letters at the beginning of a sentence.

2. Spaces between words.

3. Period at the end of a sentence.

4. Mostly lowercase letters.

Math: We continued our unit on subtraction answering the essential question: How can I use objects to subtract? We have also learned that when you use the number line in subtraction, you hop backwards. Continue to work on addition and subtraction facts at home with your child!

Science: This week we began our unit on the water cycle! Through songs, motions, diagrams, videos, fiction and non-fiction books we learned the stages of the water cycle. Ask your child to sing our song about the water cycle! You can use the song link below to help guide them. At home, you can ask your child to describe these scientific vocabulary words – evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

Last week reviewed the four seasons and talked about what weather patterns they have and then put those seasons in order! We are getting ready for the first day of spring!

Religion: We continue to reflect on our Lenten journey. We also continue learning about the Stations of the Cross in class. As a class, we discuss each station while we listen to how Jesus was feeling and doing during that time.

Kelso Choice: This week, we learned the Kelso Choice, “wait and cool off!” Sometimes we might be too upset to solve a problem right away. We learned four ways to cool off include: taking deep breaths, counting to 10, thinking of a happy thought, or relaxing their body. In this case, we can take a break, wait, cool off, then go back to our friends to talk about and solve our problem!

Common Core Standards we’re working on:

• I can read common sight words.
• I can count to 100 by ones and tens.
• I can count forward beginning with a given number within the known sequence (instead of starting at 1)
• Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.
• I can read emergent level text with purpose and understanding.
• With prompting and support, I can ask and answer questions about key details in text.
• I can spell simple words phonetically.
• I can read CVC words.
• I can speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings and ideas clearly.
• I can read the words in a book in the right order.
• I can tell how the words and pictures go together in stories.
• I can say the most common sound for each consonant in the alphabet.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can help my class learn about a subject and then write about it.
• I can print lots of upper and lowercase letters.
• I can write numbers from 0-20.
• I can tell who the author and illustrator are in stories.
• I can tell the characters, setting, and what happens in stories.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can add numbers within 5.

Important Dates:

• March 29^th – Noon Dismissal, Good Friday
• April 1^st – April 5^th – No School, Easter Holiday
• Wednesday, April 10^th – Dress Uniform, Class Pictures
• Friday, May 10^th – Grand Day, Dress Uniform
• Friday, May 17^th – Field Trip to the Arboretum! More information to come!

March 7, 2024 Class News

We had another terrific week in kindergarten! Your children are growing and progressing immensely! Think of how far they have come since the fall – way to go kindergartners!

Star Student next week is Mabel.

Sight Words: Our two sight words this week: she and which. Next week we will learn how and do. Can you use these words in sentences or spot them in books with your child?

Phonics: Our phonics focus this week was a review of the two digraphs ch and sh. Students cut out their sort cards, played memory match, glued them onto their graphic organizer and lastly spelled our own words and drew pictures that began with ch and sh. We also challenged ourselves to see if we could think of words that ended with sh and ch! Ask your child if they know what the word digraph means! Next week we will learn th and wh.

Literacy Centers: This week at the phonics center, students swatted sight word flies! Once swatted, they recorded the sight word on their whiteboard. At the iPad center, students listened to audio books and the stories of the Bible. At the sight word center, students used sight words to create St. Patricks Day themed sentences. During the reading center, students worked on reading our decodable books and simple sentences, as well as spelling CVC words.

Math: This week we began Chapter 6: subtraction! We learned that just like addition, subtraction has important clue words, too! These clue words are “away” and “are left.” We practiced telling subtraction stories with different numbers and objects and listened for those math words to tell us if it was a subtraction problem or addition problem. We learned how to draw a picture as a tool to add to our math tool belts to solve subtraction problems. We also introduced the minus sign and added number sentences to problems. We compared and contrasted addition and subtraction by looking at the symbols and words associated with each.

Science: We were very excited to learn about and observe clouds this week! We learned that a cloud is a form of condensation. We observed all the different types of clouds, and noticed that some are dark and some are light. The shapes of clouds and whether they are dark or bright can tell us what kind of weather they will bring! We know that clouds bring rain to plants and animals in need. We learned specifically about three types of clouds: cirrus, cumulus and stratus! We used cotton balls to show what each cloud might look like. Ask your child if they can remember the three different cloud types!

Religion: We have been learning the three pillars of Lent – Prayer, Fast, Give. We learned that we do these three things so that we can be more like Jesus! We learned that an extra prayer could mean saying an extra “Hail Mary”, but it also means spending time in quiet prayer and just listening to Jesus talk to you! We discussed that we fast from things we don’t need to free up space in our hearts and minds for Jesus. We discussed ways that we can give to others – give others our prayers, time, love, food or belongings.

Kelso Choice Ms. Shaw joined our class again this week to teach the next Kelso’s Choice lesson! This week we learned about taking turns. Students learned that it can be hard to take turns! While we are waiting for something they can think about something else, take deep breaths if they are feeling frustrated, and remind themselves that it’s ok to wait. Students also learned phrases they can use when they would like a turn, for example, “Can I use that now please?” or “Can we take turns?” Students also learned phrases they can say to offer someone else a turn! “You should have a turn now” or “Here, you can use it now” are some examples they can use.

Common Core Standards we’re working on:

• I can read common sight words.
• I can count to 100 by ones and tens.
• I can count forward beginning with a given number within the known sequence (instead of starting at 1)
• Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.
• I can read emergent level text with purpose and understanding.
• With prompting and support, I can ask and answer questions about key details in text.
• I can spell simple words phonetically.
• I can read CVC words.
• I can speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings and ideas clearly.
• I can read the words in a book in the right order.
• I can tell how the words and pictures go together in stories.
• I can say the most common sound for each consonant in the alphabet.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can help my class learn about a subject and then write about it.
• I can print lots of upper and lowercase letters.
• I can write numbers from 0-20.
• I can tell who the author and illustrator are in stories.
• I can tell the characters, setting, and what happens in stories.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can add numbers within 5.

Important Dates:

• Friday, March 8^th – No School, Staff Retreat
• March 29^th – Noon Dismissal, Good Friday
• April 1^st – April 5^th – No School, Easter Holiday
• Monday, April 8^th – Dress Uniform, All School Mass
• Wednesday, April 10^th – Dress Uniform, Class Pictures
• Friday, May 10^th – Grand Day, Dress Uniform
• Friday, May 17^th – Field Trip to the Arboretum! More information to come!

March 1, 2024 Class News

We had a great week in Kindergarten! We were especially excited to watch the Middle School musical. Take a look at what else we have been up to.

Star Student this week was Leith.

Sight Words: Our two sight words this week: an and each. Can you use these words in sentences or spot them in books with your child?

Phonics: Our Words Their Way lesson this week focused on a new digraph (two letters that go together to make one sound)! We reviewed the letters j and h and learned that the letters c and h together make the ch sound. During spelling, students cut out their sort cards, played digraph memory match, glued them onto their graphic organizer and lastly drew and spelled our own words that begin with j, h, and ch.

Literacy Centers: Students were busy once again during literacy centers this week! At the library center, students read picture books and drew the characters in the book. At the iPad center, students worked on reading stories and following along to the words. At the phonics center, students used word family word mats to create and write word family words! Students at the sight word center created sight word thunder bolts, with cotton balls for clouds. We continue to work on CVC words, read decodable books and work on comprehension at the reading center.

Reader’s Workshop: We continued Reader’s Workshop this week! On Monday, we reviewed what we have learned: Title, author, illustrator, and character. We then took a closer look at what the setting is – where the story takes place. We read the story, Arthur and His New Puppy, identified the setting, and drew and labeled it in our journals. We also looked at who the main character in the story is and who are the other characters! Using Arthur again, we talked about who the main character was versus who the other characters were. On Wednesday, we focused on fiction and nonfiction books. Students cut and sorted pictures of fiction and nonfiction book titles and glued them into their journals. We read two different books, one fiction and one nonfiction to understand the difference! When you read with your child, ask them what the setting is and who their favorite characters are. Ask them if it is a fiction or nonfiction book!

Writer’s Workshop: We were very excited to learn about and observe clouds this week! We see so many different shapes in the sky, from rocket ships to puppies! After reading the book It Looked Like Spilt Milk, students painted their own cloud shapes and finished the writing prompt, “Sometimes it looked like a _____, but it wasn’t. It was just a cloud in the sky.” Ask your child what their “spilt milk” cloud looked like!

We continue to focus on including 4 things in our sentences while writing stories in our journals using our “Fab 4 checklist.”

1. Capital letters at the beginning of a sentence.

2. Spaces between words.

3. Period at the end of a sentence.

4. Mostly lowercase letters.

Math: We have finished up our chapter on addition and will move to subtraction within 10 next week! This week, we wrote our own addition story problems using dominoes. Students were given a domino and used the dots on the domino to form their addition problems!

Our math specialist, Mrs. Olson, also came into our room this week and we practiced using a number line to solve addition problems. We know that we start with the bigger number, then “hop” or count on to the smaller number.

Religion: We continue to reflect on our Lenten journey. Ask your child if they are living out their Lenten goal! We continue to enjoy our morning prayer with the first and second grade. During this time, we listen for Jesus to come into our hearts and listen to Brother Francis’s daily Lenten reflections. We also attend Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 2:30 with our buddies. In class, we spend time learning about each station and have discussions about how we can learn from Jesus and others he encounters on his journey to the cross.

Kelso’s Choice: This week, Ms. Shaw taught us how to “walk away.” Sometimes when you have a problem with someone, you need to move away from that person! Ask your child if they remember the Kelso-choice they learned this week!

Common Core Standards we’re working on:

• I can read common sight words.
• I can count to 100 by ones and tens.
• I can count forward beginning with a given number within the known sequence (instead of starting at 1)
• Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.
• I can read emergent level text with purpose and understanding.
• With prompting and support, I can ask and answer questions about key details in text.
• I can spell simple words phonetically.
• I can read CVC words.
• I can speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings and ideas clearly.
• I can read the words in a book in the right order.
• I can tell how the words and pictures go together in stories.
• I can say the most common sound for each consonant in the alphabet.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can help my class learn about a subject and then write about it.
• I can print lots of upper and lowercase letters.
• I can write numbers from 0-20.
• I can tell who the author and illustrator are in stories.
• I can tell the characters, setting, and what happens in stories.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can add numbers within 5.

Important Dates:

• Friday, March 8^th – No School, Staff Retreat
• March 29^th – Noon Dismissal, Good Friday
• April 1^st-April 5^th – No School, Easter Holiday
• Monday, April 8^th – Dress Uniform, All School Mass
• Wednesday, April 10^th – Dress Uniform, Class Pictures

February 23, 2024 Class News

We had a short but wonderful week in kindergarten! See what we have been up to!

Star Student next week is Leith.

Sight Words: Our two sight words this week: use and there. Next week we will learn an and each. Can you use our past words in sentences or spot them in books with your child?

Phonics: This week we learned our first “digraph” – two letters that when together, make a whole new sound. We learned the digraph /sh/. We learned this digraph by sorting pictures that began with either /s/ /h/ or /sh/. In spelling, we cut our “sort” cards, sorted them by beginning sounds, glued them on a graphic organizer and lastly drew and spelled our own words that begin with either /s/ /h/ or /sh/. As homework, you could go on a hunt for /sh/ words! They could make a list of /sh/ words they hear or see!

Next week, we will introduce the digraph /ch/.

Literacy Centers: This week in the phonics center, students played with beginning sound dominoes! At the library center, students searched for the /sh/ digraphs in book and recorded words as they found them. At the iPad center, students listened to audio books, played “Teach your monster to read” and the stories of the Bible. At the guided reading center, I read with students one on one and worked on sounding out CVC words and letter sounds.

Reader’s Workshop: We began Reader’s Workshop this week! This is a time when we will focus on learning elements of a story to help us understand and enjoy what we read (comprehension)! This week, we reviewed the elements we already know – title, author and illustrator. We took a closer look at characters – the people or animals in a story. We learned that a main character is the person or animal that is most of the pictures and words. We read the story, Arthur’s Birthday, identified the main characters and other characters in the story, and drew and labeled them in our journals.

Writer’s Workshop: We continued to build sentences with our “All Write Club” friends. We know that sentences need a who/what and an action. We then created more detailed sentences that includes who/what, an action, and where/when/how!

Math: We continue to work on addition to 10! This week we created addition problems using words, pictures and chain links! Students are using the words “join” and “how many in all” to show it is an addition problem.

Religion: We continue to reflect on our Lenten journey. Ask your child if they are living out their Lenten goal! We continue to enjoy our morning prayer with the first and second grade. During this time, we listen for Jesus to come into our hearts and listen to Brother Francis’s daily Lenten reflections. We also attend Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 2:30 with our buddies. In class, we spend time learning about each station and have discussions about how we can learn from Jesus and others he encounters on his journey to the cross.

Lent: During Lent, as a school we will participate in the Catholic Relief Services, Rice Bowl project. This is something that your family can decide how you want to use. The church will collect your full rice bowls around Holy Thursday. In class, we will take a closer look at each week’s dedicated country. We will find the country on a map, watch a firsthand story of the people who live there and ultimately feel more connected to the service they are providing through the rice bowl project. Please click here to learn more about how you can bring the CRS Rice Bowl to life at home.

Common Core Standards we’re working on:

• I can read common sight words.
• I can count to 100 by ones and tens.
• I can count forward beginning with a given number within the known sequence (instead of starting at 1)
• Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.
• I can read emergent level text with purpose and understanding.
• With prompting and support, I can ask and answer questions about key details in text.
• I can spell simple words phonetically.
• I can read CVC words.
• I can speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings and ideas clearly.
• I can read the words in a book in the right order.
• I can tell how the words and pictures go together in stories.
• I can say the most common sound for each consonant in the alphabet.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can help my class learn about a subject and then write about it.
• I can print lots of upper and lowercase letters.
• I can write numbers from 0-20.
• I can tell who the author and illustrator are in stories.
• I can tell the characters, setting, and what happens in stories.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can add numbers within 5.

Important Dates:

• Friday, March 8^th – No School, Staff Retreat
• March 29^th – Noon Dismissal, Good Friday
• April 1^st-April 5^th – No School, Easter Break

February 16, 2024 Class News

We had another busy and exciting week in kindergarten! Students were excited to celebrate the first day of Lent at our Ash Wednesday Mass and attend Stations of the Cross on Friday. We also enjoyed handing out Valentines to our friends and celebrating our 100^th day of school! See what else we were up to.

Star Student this week was Kiera. There is no one next week.

Sight Words: Our two sight words this week: can and said. Next week we will learn use and there. Can you use these words in sentences or spot them in books with your child? Making flashcards is also a fun way for your child to keep practicing!

Phonics: During spelling this week, we focused on reading, spelling and brainstorming words in the –ip, -ig and -ill word families. Students observed that our word families always have a vowel and words within each family always rhyme. Students cut out their sort picture and word cards, and then read the words to match each word to a picture. They sorted the pairs into word family categories. Students memory match – trying to match words and picture cards with another in the same word family. Finally, students glued the sort cards into categories, and finally spelled our spelling words and thought of new –ip, -ig and -ill words to add to their list.

Writer’s Workshop: In honor of Valentine’s Day, students brainstormed people and things that they love, created a “heart chart,” and finally wrote about who and what they love in their writing journals! Some students wrote about different seasons, others wrote about their favorite activity! Ask your child who or what they wrote about.

Using our “Fab 4 Checklist,” students reflected and wrote their Lenten goals on feet, symbolizing the pathway to Lent. One student’s goal is to be more kind to their sibling and another student’s goal is to donate things they no longer need! Ask your child what their Lenten goal is!

Math: To celebrate our 100^th day of school, students sorted Fruit Loops in groups of 10, then strung them on a necklace!

Science: In our special Valentine science lab, we experimented with candy hearts. We placed candy hearts in vinegar, still water and sparkling water and observed what happened to the candy over time. We also made predictions if a candy heart would sink or float in water. Ask your scientist about the results!

Religion: On Wednesday, we celebrated Ash Wednesday by attending an all-school Mass. Students received ashes sprinkled on their heads as a symbol that we all have sinned, but God forgives us! As individuals, we set goals for ourselves to be more like Jesus during this Lenten Season. Every Friday at 2:30 we will gather as a school for Stations of the Cross to learn how Jesus felt during this time. We also read about Saint Valentine and his kindness toward others. We practiced kindness as we showed love for our classmates through Valentine cards.

Kelso’s Choice: We learned another part of the Kelso Choice wheel: Ignore! “Don’t react, don’t let it bother you. No biggie!” We know to ignore with our eyes, our mouth, our body, and our mind. Students will continue to practice “ignore it” throughout parts of their day.

Common Core Standards we’re working on:

• I can read common sight words.
• I can count to 100 by ones and tens.
• I can count forward beginning with a given number within the known sequence (instead of starting at 1)
• Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.
• I can read emergent level text with purpose and understanding.
• With prompting and support, I can ask and answer questions about key details in text.
• I can spell simple words phonetically.
• I can read CVC words.
• I can speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings and ideas clearly.
• I can read the words in a book in the right order.
• I can tell how the words and pictures go together in stories.
• I can say the most common sound for each consonant in the alphabet.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can help my class learn about a subject and then write about it.
• I can print lots of upper and lowercase letters.
• I can write numbers from 0-20.
• I can tell who the author and illustrator are in stories.
• I can tell the characters, setting, and what happens in stories.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can add numbers within 5.

Important Dates:

• Monday February 19^th – Tuesday February 20^th – No School, Winter Holiday
• Friday, March 8^th – No School, Staff Retreat
• March 29^th – Noon Dismissal, Good Friday
• April 1^st-April 5^th – No School, Easter Break

February 8, 2024 Class News

We had a fun week in kindergarten, including church with the primary grades! Take a peek at what we have been up to this week!

Next week Kiera will be our Star Student.

Sight Words: Our two sight words this week: when and your. Next week we will learn said and can. Can you use these words in sentences or spot them in books with your child?

Phonics: Word families -ug, -ut, -un. Students cut out their sort picture and word cards, and then read the words to match each word to a picture. They sorted the pairs into word family categories. Students played memory match – trying to match words and picture cards with another in the same word family.  Students glued the sort cards into categories, and finally spelled our spelling words and thought of new -ug, -ut, and -un words to add to their list.

Writer’s Workshop: This week, we revisited the “All Write Club!” We remembered our four characters that will help us learn how to write complete sentences. They are: B.Z. Beaver (organization), Neema Gecko (ideas), Finn Puffin (style/”the word bird”) and Jenny Ant (CUPS: Capitalization, Usage, Punctuation, Spelling). These four friends continue to assist us this year as well as in first and second grade! This week, Finn Puffin helped us build sentences that were not complete. Students learned they need a Who and What plus an Action to create a sentence!

We continued to work on our how-to stories! We learned the transition words first, next, then, and last! We also continue to write our own real or make-believe stories and adding details using our five senses to help give us ideas for details. We continue to focus on including 4 things in our sentences, using our “Fab 4 checklist.”

1. Capital letters at the beginning of a sentence.

2. Spaces between words.

3. Period at the end of a sentence.

4. Mostly lowercase letters.

Literacy Centers: This week in the phonics center, students played the beginning sound game, Pop and Match! They had three recording boards, along with one popper that had various letters. They took turns with their partner popping the dice and finishing words with a beginning letter! At the iPad center, students listened to audio books and taught their monster to read. At the sight word center, students used play doh to practice reading and writing their sight words. At the guided reading center, students used word family wheels to incorporate word family words into their own sentences.

Math: This week we showed addition using beads and drawings. We used two different colors of beads to make a problem equal 9, drew the problem, and then wrote the number sentence to match the beads. We practiced telling addition story problems using these clues and practiced math illustrations as a problem-solving strategy. We also spent time writing our own addition stories in our math journals using the words join and in all. We then wrote the math equations to go along with our stories.

Religion: This week we attended Primary Mass! Students were excited to be in church with Father Crispin, listen, pray, and show reverence.

Kelso’s Choices: Our school counselor, Ms. Shaw, also came into our classroom this week! This week, students discussed the difference between a small problem and a big problem as well as the difference between tattling and reporting. Students listened to a scenario and categorized it as a small problem that they should use a Kelso’s choice to solve, or a big problem where they need an adult’s help. We learned that tattling is when you tell an adult about a small problem that you can solve on your own with a Kelso’s choice. Reporting is when you tell an adult about a big problem! Ask your child to tell you the difference between a big problem and a small problem.

Common Core Standards we’re working on:

• I can read common sight words.
• I can count to 100 by ones and tens.
• I can count forward beginning with a given number within the known sequence (instead of starting at 1)
• Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.
• I can read emergent level text with purpose and understanding.
• With prompting and support, I can ask and answer questions about key details in text.
• I can spell simple words phonetically.
• I can read CVC words.
• I can speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings and ideas clearly.
• I can read the words in a book in the right order.
• I can tell how the words and pictures go together in stories.
• I can say the most common sound for each consonant in the alphabet.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can help my class learn about a subject and then write about it.
• I can print lots of upper and lowercase letters.
• I can write numbers from 0-20.

Important Dates:

• Friday, February 9^th – No School, Teacher In-Service
• Tuesday, February 13^th– Valentine’s Day Celebration (a day early due to Ash Wednesday Mass)
  • Your child may bring in one Valentine for each student in our class (22 students). No names please!
• Wednesday February 14^th – Dress Uniform, Ash Wednesday Mass, 9am
• Friday February 16^th – Noon Dismissal – Winter Holiday
• Monday February 19^th – Tuesday February 20^th – No School, Winter Holiday
• Friday, March 8^th – No School, Staff Retreat
• March 29^th – Noon Dismissal, Easter Break
• April 1^st-April 5^th – No School, Easter Break

February 2, 2024 Class News

We were busy kindergarteners celebrating Catholic Schools Week! We thanked our volunteers and showed our school spirit with our 7^th grade buddies. Thank you to those who were able to come in and speak about your vocation! Here is what we have been up to this past week.

The Star Student this week was Jude. We do not have one next week.

Sight Words: Our two sight words this week: we and were. Next week we will learn when and your. Can you use these words in sentences or spot them in books with your child?

Phonics: Word families -et, -eg, -en. Students cut out their sort picture and word cards, and then read the words to match each word to a picture. They sorted the pairs into word family categories. Students played memory match – trying to match words and picture cards with another in the same word family.  Students glued the sort cards into categories, and finally spelled our spelling words and thought of new -et, -eg, and -en words to add to their list.

Writer’s Workshop: We celebrated Catholic School’s Week and community day by writing thank you letters to our local firefighters! We thanked them for helping our community, saving our pets, putting out fires, and more! We even got to hear from a real firefighter, and ask him questions. He gave students the homework of practicing their escape plan in case of a fire, memorizing their home address, and memorizing parents phone numbers. Check out Ms. Wakefield in the fire fighter gear below!

We continued writing our own real or make-believe stories and adding details using our five senses to help give us ideas for details. We continue to focus on including 4 things in our sentences, using our “Fab 4 checklist.”

1. Capital letters at the beginning of a sentence.

2. Spaces between words.

3. Period at the end of a sentence.

4. Mostly lowercase letters.

Math: We continue to build our addition knowledge to work towards our end of the year goal – mastery of addition facts within 10. We learned that a math number sentence can go vertical or horizontal and you will get the same answer! This week we read the book Raining Hearts and created our own raining hearts, math and art project. Students chose an addition number sentence and represented it with hearts “raining” down from an umbrella!

Social Studies: We were so lucky to have parents come in and talk about their vocations! We learned that everyone has strengths, and when you grow up, if you work hard and set your mind to it, you can be whatever you want to be. Students wrote about what they want to be when they grow up. Ask your child what their vocation might be! Thank you to Ms. McKenna, Mr. Nick, Mr. Tom, Mr. Trevor, and Mr. Jason taking the time out of your day to celebrate your vocations with us!

Religion: This week, we learned different ways to share God’s love and care for others. Sharing on the playground, picking up toys, and praying before bed are other ways to show you care!

Common Core Standards we’re working on:

• I can read common sight words.
• I can count to 100 by ones and tens.
• I can count forward beginning with a given number within the known sequence (instead of starting at 1)
• Identify whether the number of objects in one group is greater than, less than, or equal to the number of objects in another group, e.g., by using matching and counting strategies.
• I can read emergent level text with purpose and understanding.
• With prompting and support, I can ask and answer questions about key details in text.
• I can spell simple words phonetically.
• I can read CVC words.
• I can speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings and ideas clearly.
• I can read the words in a book in the right order.
• I can tell how the words and pictures go together in stories.
• I can say the most common sound for each consonant in the alphabet.
• I can draw or write to help me share what I think.
• I can help my class learn about a subject and then write about it.
• I can print lots of upper and lowercase letters.
• I can write numbers from 0-20.

Important Dates:

• Wednesday, February 7^th – Dress Uniform, Primary Mass, 9am. Join us if you can!
• Friday, February 9^th – No School, Teacher In-Service
• Tuesday, February 13^th– Valentine’s Day Celebration (a day early due to Ash Wednesday Mass)
  • Your child may bring in one Valentine for each student in our class (22 students). No names please!
• Wednesday February 14^th – Dress Uniform, Ash Wednesday Mass, 9am
• Friday February 16^th – Noon Dismissal – Winter Holiday
• Monday February 19^th – Tuesday February 20^th – No School, Winter Holiday
• Friday, March 8^th – No School, Staff Retreat
• March 29^th – Noon Dismissal, Easter Break
• April 1^st-April 5^th – No School, Easter Break