November 8-12

This week we are continuing our Big O planner with a focus on patterns and story sequencing.
* We will also have a mini author study of Eric Carle.  We will read The Very Hungry Caterpillar (sequencing activity), Have You Seen My Cat? (character match), The Very Busy Spider (sequence the order characters were introduced), and Brown Bear, Brown Bear.
* During math we will focus on patterns with color, shape, position and sound.
* Our sight words this week are one, two and what.
* There is a homework activity in your child's folder this week.  The turkeys need a disguise so they won't get eaten on Thanksgiving!  Please help. but do not do it for your child.  Be creative!
* Our Thanksgiving Feast will be on Tuesday, November 23rd.  Each of the kindergarten classes is in charge of bringing something to share with all of kindergarten---plates, bread, fruit, veggies, pie or drinks.  Our class is in charge of bringing drinks.  In order to have enough for everyone, each family in our class needs to send in 2 jugs (gallons or liters) of something---juice, lemonade, punch, etc.  Please have these here by November 19th.
Thanks for your help!
-Sarah Eddlemon
ps  Just FYI, I will be at a teacher training on Monday, November 15th and the kindergarten teachers have PYP planning in the afternoon on Wednesday, November 17th.  Just wanted you to be aware.

The Big "O"

This week we started out second PYP Planner---The Big "O".  This planner focuses on organization.  We kicked off with Backwards Day on Monday.  The day was all mixed up and it made students realize that the organization and predictability of their day is comforting.  
This week and next we will focus on how organization makes us feel safe.  

We will read:

-I Pledge Allegiance

-We Are So Proud

-My Me Map

-Officer Buckle and Gloria

-Don't Talk to Strangers

We will do the following activities...

- Make U.S. flag

-Write our own safety tip

-Make a map of our day

-Create a community helper puppet

In math we will focus on teen numbers, days of the week, months of the year, and calendar skills.

Other Info:

* In this week's Tuesday folder you received the art fundraiser.  Many of the drawings were cropped incorrectly.  The company recognizes this error and is going to redo them.  If you are interested in buying your child's art, but it needs to be redone, please let me know so that I can make sure they fix it.

* Friday is an early dismissal day.  I will be having conferences that afternoon.  I think all but one time slot has been filled.  Please get with me to make arrangements if you did not get a spot on Friday.

* On Tuesday the students will be taking the NNAT.  This is a non-verbal test that is one of the things we use to identify students for the Gifted and Talented program.  Please make sure that your child is on time that day.

* Spooky Spaghetti is this Saturday!  It's going to be a great time!  Will and Scarlett's moms have been working hard on our booth decorations.  I can't wait to see how it turns out!  =)

Thanks for all you do!

FRIENDS

This week (and last) we are continuing our "All About Me" Planner with an emphasis on FRIENDS.  Some of the activities we will be doing are...

* Reading Friends and creating a storyboard to use to retell the story.

* Reading The Rainbow Fish and creating our own rainbow fish.  We will also write about sharing.

* Reading A Color of My Own and making a class book based on this story.

* Reading Ruby the Copycat and interviewing/introducing a friend to the class.

* We will continue writing in our journals all week.  

* We are working on the following sight words...little, to, a, see, have, is.  Please practice these words with your child.

* Math activities involving size comparison, number recognition, counting and graphing.

Other Informaiton and Dates to Remember

-  The "All About Me" posters are due Friday.

- Please send in a baby picture of your child if you have not already done so.

- Friday, September 24th is an early dismissal day.

- Our Class Party will be on Wednesday, October 13th.

- Friday, October 15th will be our "ME MUSEUM" from 8-9 am. Please plan to stop by and let your child show you what we have been learning about as our All About Me planner comes to a close.

***Don't forget to join the PTA!  We are shooting for 100% participation!***

How many ways can we make a hexagon?

Today we discovered that there can be more than one way to solve a problem.  We found 10 different ways to make a hexagon!

Families

This week we are continuing with our All About Me Planner with focus on families.
We will do the following activities...
* Read The Relatives Came and draw pictures of our families
* Read What Moms Can't Do and make a class book about things we do with mommies.
* Read Just Me and My Dad and make a class book with the prompt, "Me and my dad _____."
In math we will be focusing on graphing and shapes.  (See the following post about our exploration with pattern blocks today.)
This week we will begin learning our kindergarten sight words.  These are words that students should be able to recognize and spell correctly when writing.  This week's words are I, am and the.
You should have received the first homework project in the folder today.  Please help your child decorate this paper doll.  Remember not to do it for him/her!  =)
A big THANKS goes to Grayson's mom for putting together our photo directory that was sent home today.  (I forgive her for stretching my face out!)  Hopefully this will help you figure out who your child's new friends are.
Another THANK YOU goes to Brandon's mom for putting together our class directory.  We will get that to you shortly.
Keep collecting those BOX TOPS and don't forget about the book order if you are planning to order books!
That's it for now!  Let's make it a great week!

It's All About Me!

This week we will begin our first planner, IT'S ALL ABOUT ME! 

Activities:
* read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and make name tree
* read A My Name is Alice and make name plates
* read Chicka Chicka 123 and count coconuts on a tree

We will be doing various activities that focus on letters, sounds and name recogniton.  In math we will focus on graphing, counting, using 1-1 correspondence and routines.

We are getting used to the routines and life in kindergarten.  We are working on controling our bodies and listening during whole group lessons.  You have probably heard all about our behavior system and the famous PRIZE BOX!!!  I encourage you to talk to your child about how every choice they make has a consequence, whether it be good or bad.

Scholastic Book orders will go home tomorrow.  Feel free to order online @ scholastic.com/bookclubs.
The class activation code is GPMXP.  You may also hand in  your order with a check made out to Scholastic Book Clubs. 

There is a draft of the class directory hanging outside the classroom.  Please check to make sure that all of your information is correct.  Thank you Mrs. Hinrichs for putting this together for us.

Also, please start collecting BOXTOPS FOR EDUCATION.  There is a contest between classes to see who can collect the most Boxtops.  The winning class will get a pizza party at the end of the year.  For more information and a list of participating products, visit http://www.boxtops4education.com/.

Have a great week!

Meet the Teacher

My name is Sarah Eddlemon and I am very excited to be teaching at Mark Twain Elementary! I graduated from The University of Texas with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Learning and Development. I then taught kindergarten in Katy, Texas for 3 years and first grade in Spring Branch for one year. This will be my third year teaching kindergarten at Mark Twain Elementary.

I have been married to Eric for a little over 4 years. We have a 1 1/2 year old son named Miles who brings so much happiness to our lives.

In my free time I enjoy scrapbooking, baking, suduko, and chasing after Miles.

I am looking forward to a great year!