Ms. Amy, Ms. Hilary & Ms. Sam’s Monthly News
Happy Spring!! It was so nice having a warm end to winter. The kids loved being able to be outside on those very warm days, without their jackets. We are sending out our newsletter before Spring Break so that we can prepare you for April but also so we can give suggestions for great activities to engage your children over the break.
Our current unit is Simple Machines. We have worked hard to discover what simple machines are and even made our own catapults which was a fun hands on connection to what we have been talking about. Shortly after break we will be switching in to the Making Music unit which we are all really looking forward to.
Have a great Spring Break! We can’t wait to see you back in class Monday April 3rd.
Upcoming STEM Profile: Making Music
“Music is what feelings sound like.” -Unknown
· The science of sound
· Instruments
· How music makes you feel
· Genres of music
· A fieldtrip to Thunder Valley (TBA)
Important Dates
March 24 through April 2 – myOn Reading Challenge http://stvra.in/myonlogin
(Prizes awarded to the schools with the highest average minutes read per student)
March 27 through March 31 – SPRING BREAK
April 3 – First day back from Spring Break
April 5 – Butter Braid orders DUE
April 6 – Library
April 10 – All school movement
April 13 – Computer Lab & Butter Braid Delivery 3pm (Delivered to Spark!, must be picked up)
April 14 – PTO Carnival: 4 –7pm
April 16 – Happy Easter!
April 20 – Library & $1 PJ Day
April 27 – Maker Space & PDIS reward party
Day & Time TBA – Frederick Easter Egg Hunt
Day & Time TBA – Field Day (April or May)
Preparation for Kindergarten
For those moving onto Kindergarten or those who want additional challenging work, here are some things to work on over break and at home through the summer.
· Sight words (listed below) to assist in pre-reading
· Name writing, both first and last
· Letter recognition
· Recognition of consonants and vowels
· Rhyming
· Number recognition & counting
· Shapes and colors
· Following directions
Things to work on at home
· Name writing and lines/circles on the laminated sheets sent home
· The alphabet in and out of order: Flash cards are a wonderful tool
· Sight words:
A am my can in to see look you
I go the not is up and like do me
· Manner words: Please, thank you, excuse me, please pass the _____
· Self-help skills: Putting on own jacket and backpack, putting on shoes, washing hands, pouring water from a pitcher to cup, asking for help or what is needed.
Butter Braid Fundraiser
Dates: March 17th – April 5th
The proceeds go to indoor & outdoor play and learning equipment
Delivery date: April 13th
Check payable to: Spark PTO
Reminders
· School starts at 8:30 am & 12:25 pm each day. The time before class allows us to get the classroom set up for the day. If you choose to bring your child into the classroom at drop off (due to cold weather or needing the bathroom) please aim to by in class only 5 minutes early. Thank you for the understanding.
· Please check your child’s backpack daily and especially on Thursdays for important information.
· Remember to collect the items from your child’s Thursday folder and then to send the folder back on Monday. We put papers in it throughout the week.
· READ, READ, READ and fill out your monthly reading log as you do. Your student can turn in a completed log for a prize. MyON is also a great reading option. Your account information should be on the front of your child’s Thursday folder.
Donations
We are in need of:
· Small Dixie cups (5oz)
· Napkins
· Playdoh (store bought)
Ideas for Spring Break fun
· The kids loved making catapults and seeing what would “fling” the furthest. Instructional videos are easy to look up online and most the materials needed can be found around your house. Get creative and have fun with this learning activity.
· Compete in the district wide myOn reading challenge
· Go for a family bike ride. Did you know the wheel and axel are a simple machine?
· Playing I Spy: I spy something that starts with a B, I spy something with 5 leaves, I spy something yellow, I spy the letter M…. etc.
· Creating something simple and yummy in the kitchen. Young children love getting their hands messy and helping.
· Go check out the local library
· HAVE FUN!!