Mrs. Profaci S Kindergarten Class

Mrs. Profaci’s Kindergarten Class Room #27

September 21, 2012

Dear Families,

Hope all is well! We have had an exciting and busy week of being mathematicians, Scientists, Readers, Writers, and Poets. The children have explored many new material as well as visiting ones they may have already been familiar with. Our community of learners has flourished and friendships are blossoming. This is so beautiful to see!

This week during Morning Meeting, we sang This Old Man, which incorporates counting to 10. We shared favorite colors, ice cream and pets. If a child did not have a pet, they could choose ANY one they would want. We discovered most children had dogs! Our daily questions were: “Do you have a brother?”, “Have you ever seen a Monarch butterfly?”, “Are you a boy or a girl?”, and todays question was “Do you like popcorn?”

During Readers Workshop, this week, we read the big book My Name is Johari by Anne Sibley O’Brien. It is a story about a young girl who loves her name until she begins school and children make fun of it. We discussed Joharis’ feelings throughout the book. In the beginning, Johari is happy. In the middle of the story, she is sad. Then at the end of the story, she is happy again. This lesson introduced the children to that fact that stories have beginnings, middles, and ends. We also focused on the meanings of names. Johari means “jewel” in Africa. My first name, Iva, means “God’s gift” in Latin. What does your child’s name mean? Talk to your child about how you chose his/her name.

This week we engaged in activities revolving around the children’s names. We began “Star Name.” This is an activity in which each day I close my eyes and pick out a child’s name written on a star. We look at each letter individually. I write each letter on an index card and hand it out to a child to hold. Then each child holding a letter scrambles themselves up. Lastly, the remaining children have to unscramble the letters to spell out that child’s name! It is an awesome activity. It is engaging and kinesthetic! After doing this several times, the letters and the spelling of that child’s name becomes familiar to the children. And how special does the “Star name” child feels! I explain to the children that each day I choose one name and that everyone will have a turn. At the end of this part of the activity, each child creates a picture for the star name child and I make it into a book! Ask your child about “Star Name.” They can tell more about it.

In Writers Workshop, I introduced the children to Poetry Journals. One of the 2 notebooks that you sent in is used for poetry. Remember the listening song? Well, that is the first poem to go into the journal. The children can read it and sing it! Then, they illustrate the page it is glued onto. We will revisit poems and add news one throughout the year.

In Math, we explored with Geoblocks. They are a set of three-dimensional wooden blocks. They are used for counting, sorting and geometry activities. They are fun to create with! Also, I introduced the children to the “Counting Jar.” This is an activity that is right out of our math Investigations program. I use a recycled plastic jar, in which a specific number of items is placed in it. The items and number of items changes frequently. To begin the activity, I read the book Mouse Count by Ellen Stoll Walsh. This is a story of a hungry snake that sees 10 mice and counts them as he drops them in, one by one, into the jar for dinner. The mice find a way to escape the jar and “uncount” themselves (they count backwards as they escape). This sets the stage for our counting and recording the objects in our class jar. I used 3 paintbrushes yesterday and 4 color tiles today. The children are great mathematicians!

Today, we said “goodbye” to summer. I told the children that tomorrow they should say “hello” to fall!

We checked our caterpillars today and observed that there are 2. Every day we put fresh milkweed. As scientists we observe daily.

Please be sure to check your child’s folder each night for any mail.

Please note:  Monday, September 24th is picture day. The order forms went home yesterday.

 NO SCHOOL on Wednesday, September 26th.

 Open House is Thursday, September, 27th.

Thank you all for sharing your precious child with me! Have a magnificent weekend!

Warmly, Iva Profaci