Ms. Nicky’s update 10-30-17

Ms. Nicky and Ms. Sydney’s News

Thank you to all of you who attended conferences!  I appreciate that you took time out of your busy day to talk with me about your child’s progress.  It was nice to have the opportunity to get to know everyone a little better!

We have started our STEM Unit of study on Nursery Rhymes.  Students are enjoying retelling the nursery rhymes we are studying in the dramatic play area so, hopefully, you are hearing some of them at home.  The first GOLD assessments are complete and I will be sending a report home in a few weeks for you to look over.  If you have any questions at that time, please let me know!

STEM Profile of the Month:  Respectful

“I show that I care for others, our world, and myself”.

Some books to encourage being respectful:

Mind Your Manners, B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra

Clifford’s Manners by Norman Bridwell

Home-School Connections

Please continue to read nightly with your child. Not only is it a great learning time, but the students love getting a prize from the treasure box for bringing in their completed reading log.  Students also get a prize each time they turn in 5 homework assignments.

I noticed while doing the GOLD assessments that many students have not yet grasped the concept of rhyming.  We are talking about this a lot right now with our Nursery Rhyme unit, but it would be great if you could also be talking about it at home.  Some  ideas for working on this include reading books that have a rhyming pattern and asking your child what rhymes they have heard.  You can also play a game in “I Spy” fashion and say, “I’m thinking of a word that rhymes with ____” and see what they come up with.  It’s okay if they come up with nonsensical words–the point is to just get them to hear the patterns within our language.  If this is too hard for them, you can also give them choices, like, “I’m thinking of a word that rhymes with sun.  Do you think it’s ball, fun, or car?  Listen:  sun/ball, sun/fun, or sun/car”.  Try to really stress the ending sounds.  

Lining up before class

I’ve noticed that many students are running around outside with their friends before class starts each day.  While I love that they are having fun with each other, they seem to be having trouble settling back down when they enter the classroom.  If you could please have them wait with you in line, it would be greatly appreciated.  

Dressing for the weather

Now that the weather is getting colder, please make sure your child brings a coat each day.  Please also work with your child at home to help them become independent at putting their coat on and zipping or buttoning it.  

Important Dates

November 2:  PBIS Reward-Obstacle course in the gym

November 2:  PTO Meeting (6 pm-8 pm)

November 7:  Spark! Spirit Night at Chick-fil-a (5 pm-7 pm)

November 7-8:  Bring your favorite stuffed animal to school for $1

November 9:  FREE Parenting Class (6:30 pm-7:45 pm)

November 15:  Picture Retake Day

November 20-24:  THANKSGIVING BREAK-NO SCHOOL  

Spark! Discovery Preschool