Introducing Ellie Grace Woinarowicz

Hello KB families! Mr. Woinarowicz and I have been joyfully busy settling into our new life and routine with our precious daughter! I apologize for not posting sooner. But she's here! 

Ellie Grace Woinarowicz born August 6th.

7 lbs 3oz 18inches

We are loving every minute with her and each day brings new discoveries and adventures! I cannot wait to bring her into class sometime in September and let your kiddos meet her!

Thank you for all the prayers and warm wishes!

Love, Mr. and Mrs. Woinarowicz 

Week 5: Sept. 3 - Sept. 7

Hello KB families!

We are completing August and getting ready for September.  Remember, there is no school on
Labor Day, Monday, September 2nd.  We hope you enjoy the long weekend!

We have been busy learning and writing our phonograms.  You can see on the homework page and blog which ones we're covering.  This is a good time to review these phonogram cards nightly.  The yellow book bags containing the first list of sight words went home day. This may also be reviewed during homework time and sent back to school daily.

Full day families received a sign-up genius for science supplies needed for next week.  We appreciate all your contributions!

Thank you for sharing your children with us.  They are such a joy!
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Here is what we will be learning next week:

Spalding: We continue to explore our first 26 phonograms.  This week we will work on : h, i, j, k. Homework will continue to introduce single phonograms by tracing them then writing them three times each.  Students should be reminded to say the sound of the letters while writing them each time. We will have a our first phonogram assessment on Friday, please review a, c, d, f, g with your child. We will say the sound and students will be expected to write down the correct phonogram.

  

Sight Words: he, was, for, on

Literature: The story for this week will be the folktale biography of Johnny Appleseed.   We talk about which parts of the stories are fact and which parts are fiction, observe how Johnny showed the virtue of citizenship, and even make our own pots to wear on our head just like he did!  Our poem this week will be Tommy. 

Math: This week in math we will continue to work on numbers 1-5. We will incorporate graphs and counting objects to 5. Students will represent the numbers in writing using the correct Spalding number formation. An assessment will be taken on Friday.

Science:  Using their five senses, students will give facts about apples.  They will discover how the senses of taste and smell work together, and create a craft that illustrates how we experience our sense of taste.  Students will put the life cycle of an apple in order.

Week 4: Aug. 26 - Aug.29

Hello KB families!

We had another great week of learning. Your children continue to surprise me with their wealth of knowledge and show of interest!

It was great seeing so many of you at curriculum night.  I hope you gained a better understanding of what your child will be learning this year.  If you could not attend, the information that was covered will be in your child's green folder.  There will be a curriculum workshop on Sept. 11th to provide more information and answer additional questions.  More information will be coming.

On Wednesday, our school counselor Mrs. Shunk, shared a presentation with us on feelings.  Ask your child how they can calm themselves down when they have "big" feelings.  Students also used different color crayons to color a heart which expressed their emotions of being happy, sad, mad, afraid and silly.
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We are in need of disinfectant wipes, if you are able to contribute.  Thank you in advance!

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Here is what we will be learning in the upcoming week.

Spalding: This week we will continue to work on clock letters  o, s, qu,and add two line letters, b, e. As a reminder, students should be working with their phonogram cards each night. Please continue to support your child during homework by ensuring they are using the correct pencil grip and making sure they are forming their phonograms correctly. 

Sight Words: in, is, you, that, it. A yellow sight word card will be sent home with your child in the next week. Please use this to practice at home and keep in your child’s backpack in their yellow book bag. 

Literature: We will explore Little Red Riding Hood this week. Students will work on recalling the story and working on story elements: Title, Setting, Characters, Problem, Solution. We will read a Chinese and an African version of the story then compare them to the original. Our poem for the week is A Dillar, A Dollar.

Math: This week, we will begin to introduce numbers 1-5. Students will count to five and recognize the numbers. They will be asked to recognize the number and also count out items for a specific number.  

Science:  Students will be able to identify which part of their bodies corresponds with each of the 5 senses.  This will include sharing 2 parts of the eye and how they’re used, giving 2 facts about their sense of hearing and telling 2 ways our bodies use the sense of touch.  Students will discover that we use our senses to learn about the world around us.

Week 3: Aug.19 - Aug. 23

Hello KB families!

I can't believe we are about to start the third week of school.  Your children continue to do a great job, as they learn new information and make new friends!

Please make note of curriculum night this Wednesday, August 21st.  The information is as follows:

Who: All lead teachers, assistants, and specialists; this is a parent only event.

What: The purpose of this event is to acquaint parents with their children’s teachers, the academy’s curriculum, and classroom procedures. Demo math, phonics, and grammar lessons will equip parents with the vocabulary and tools necessary to best support their children at home.

When: Wednesday, August 21nd (grades K-2) and Wednesday, August 28th (grades 3-5) from 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Where: Gather in the gym for the first 25 minutes, then parents will be dismissed to individual classrooms/MPR/remain in the gym for the next hour.

Curriculum Night Schedule K/2 (8/21)

6:00-6:15     Welcome and Thematic Goal (Mr. Gillingham)

6:15-6:18     Academy Giving (Mrs. Vaughan)

6:18-6:23    Specialists Share

• Ms. Weddle/Mrs. Kaye (1 min)
• Mr. Evans/Ms. Arce-Lindsay (1 min)
• Mrs. Touma/Mrs. Gebara (1 min)
• Ms. Warren/Mr. Gethings (1 min)

6:23-6:25     Dismissal Directions (Mrs. Mason)

• Kindergarten- Remain in Gym 
• 1st Grade- MPR 
• 2nd Grade- Individual Classrooms 

6:30-7:30    Grade Level Presentations

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Ask your child what our virtue of the month is.  Hopefully, they will say "responsibility"!
We read the story "Lily's Purple Plastic Purse" and discussed how the character could show responsibility. The students also wrote the word in their journals.  These examples are from Cambree and Vincent!

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Thanks to all of you who volunteered to help our class!  No activities or events have been planned yet.   When the time comes, our classroom mom, Mrs. Volker, will help me reach out to those of you who expressed interest in volunteering.
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Here is a look at the coming week:

Spalding:  Identify tall and short letters, begin learning the phonograms a, e, d, g, f, and learn the sight words the, of, and, a, to.

Literature:  We will read, "The Three Little Pigs" and discuss the different types of houses,along with the story sequence.  We will also learn the poem, "Star Light, Star Bright".

Math:  This week we will continue to classify objects by attribute and identify objects that do not belong to a particular set. Students will also match items by their function.  There will be math homework Monday-Thursday; please check your child’s work for accuracy.

History:  We will learn about the roles of community helpers including: firefighters, police officers, mail and delivery personnel.  Students will share what they want to be when they grow up.

Hello KB Families!

On Tuesday, your child will have their letter names/sounds assessment in their green folder.  This score will be used as a baseline to compare their growth during the year. It will also give you an indication of what they can work on at home. Enjoy your week!

Week 2: Aug. 12 - Aug. 16

Hello families!

It has been an exciting first week of school!  We have been reviewing and practicing many procedures and your children have done a fantastic job. We are so proud of their hard work!

As you know, the homework packet is sent home on Monday and is due back to school on Friday.  We recommend completing it daily so it does not become overwhelming for your child.  They will also get the consistent reinforcement they need.

Here is what we will be learning about this week:

Spalding: This week we will continue to work on feature formations of Spalding. This is a circle (clock), short line, tall line, line that goes below the baseline, diagonal line and short line above the midpoint.  Short letters stay under the midpoint and tall letters go just below the top line. By taking the time to do this practice it will help build muscle memory and help students are forming each letter correctly. 

Literature: Our story this week will be the fairy tale Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  We will compare and contrast different versions of the story, sequences the events,  and even try some porriage. We will do a listening and following directions activity and act out the story. 

Math: This week we will begin to use our math textbooks.  Our first unit will be exploring sets.  Students will identify objects as being the same, identical, different, or not the same (using those words).  Students will be shown two objects that are exactly the same and asked what makes them exactly the same (size, color, shape, etc.)

Science:  Students will discover what germs are and where they live. They will discover how germs spread and what we should do to prevent the spreading of germs.  We will practice proper hand washing skills and children will understand that being clean is very important to good health.  Students will discover the organs in the body and the important job they do. Students will be able to explain two reasons why sleep is important.

Here is proper pencil grip to be used for homework on Wednesday, August 7th!

We will continue to work on our "clock" letters.  Each letter starts at "2 on the clock" goes up to the midpoint, down to the baseline, and back up.  Students will be familiar hearing those words while writing.  Please be sure that you are watching your child hold their pencil and help them use this grip. Make sure students are starting at "2" and touching the baseline.  Persistent practice of this will ensure that they continue this rhythm throughout the year. Also please help your child ensure that they are holding their pencil the correct way. I will attach a picture for reference. Again if you have questions please do not hesitate to ask!

Start with the thumb on the bottom and the middle finger just above. These two fingers should form a "C" shape where the paint stops on the pencil.

The pointer finger then gently rests on the pencil. This takes some getting used to but with continually practice it becomes second nature.

First Week of School!

Happy Friday! I hope you all had a fantastic last weekend of summer break! Just a couple reminders before we begin Monday. It has been very hot outside and our kiddos need to stay hydrated. Please remember to send your child to school with their own water bottle and don't forget to label it! Please place your child's morning snack in the front pocket of their back pack. If you haven't had a chance to watch us read "The Night Before Kindergarten" you can share this link with your child.
  

 I look forward to seeing everyone's smiling faces as we start the school year. Remember to have your child here no later than 7:35. Please park and walk your child to the MPR for the first day. Each week on my blog I will post the topics we are covering and any other important information. I also like to add pictures of what we did the previous week. I am anxiously awaiting our first day together! Here is what we have planned this week.

Spalding: This week we will explain clock letters, short lines, tall lines and diagonal strokes. We will practice making these line strokes to get us ready for proper letter formation when we start to introduce phonograms. Students will learn how to sit in "scholarly position”, (Heads high, back straight, hips back, feet flat, arms folded, eyes on your teacher) this helps to ensure their bodies are ready to listen and learn. 

Literature: This week we will explore the story “Three Billy Goats Gruff.” We will learn the job of the author and illustrator and even practice making our own book cover. Our weekly poem will be “Rain,” by Robert Louis Stevenson.

 

Math:This week we will be introducing students to the idea of Math. We will be explaining our calendar time, and exploring colors. We will start the year off slow and allow students to gain a good background on topics before coloring them further. We are excited to begin the new year!