Ms. Sinicropi's Wonderful World of Kindergarten

Our Hearts Are All A Flutter!

2012-01-31T04:38:00.000-08:00

Our Valentine's bulletin board...the kids loved decorating their own butterflies!

Jan. 30th - Feb. 3rd Newsletter

2012-01-27T15:41:00.000-08:00

January Newsletter

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Lunch Choices for Tuesday

2012-01-23T15:40:00.000-08:00

The lunch choices for Tuesday will remain Monday's choices:

Main - Tomato soup & toasted cheese sandwich
Alternate - Cheeseburger
Healthy Choice - Yogurt & Muffin
PB & J

Our Author's Celebration!

2012-01-21T19:43:00.000-08:00

"Thank You" to Mrs. Robinson's 2nd grade class for joining us for our author's celebration last week. We had a great time sharing our writing with you and enjoying the refreshments afterwards! :)

Eight Song

2012-01-20T16:35:00.000-08:00

(to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")

E-I-G-H-T spells eight,
E-I-G-H-T spells eight,
We are smart and we are great,
E-I-G-H-T spells eight!

Jan. 23-27th Newsletter

2012-01-20T16:34:00.000-08:00

January Newsletter

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What Do You Hear?

2012-01-18T13:43:00.000-08:00

Here is a fun song to do with your child that will give them practice identifying the sound heard at the beginning, middle, or end of a word.

(to the tune of "London Bridge is Falling Down")

What's the first sound that you hear,
That you hear, that you hear?
What's the first sound that you hear
in dog, dog, dog?

Change first to end or middle once they have the hang of it, which most of them do! We are practicing end sounds right now and have not been concentrating on middle sounds yet but many can do it.

Good Morning Rap

2012-01-18T13:40:00.001-08:00

I decided to change up our morning song to a good morning rap. The kids love it!

Hi! Hi! Hi!
Hello! Hello!
What a great day
For school, you know!

Hi! Hi! Hi!
Hello! Hello!
Time to get started.
Let's go, go, go!

Seven Number Song

2012-01-18T13:38:00.000-08:00

(To the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")

S-E-V-E-N spells seven,
S-E-V-E-N spells seven,
We're so hot we're sizzlin,
S-E-V-E-N spells seven!

Six Number Song

2012-01-18T13:37:00.000-08:00

(to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")

S-I-X spells six,
S-I-X spells six,
Number words are a trick,
S-I-X spells six!

Winter Is Snow Much Fun!!

2012-01-18T13:33:00.000-08:00

If you could design your very own snow globe, what would you put inside? The kids decorated theirs with their favorite winter scenes!

2 More Snow Days!!

2012-01-18T11:20:00.000-08:00

Oh my!!! 2 more days off to play in the snow!!! I hope to see you tomorrow!

Thursday's lunch choices will be as follows:

Main - Mac & Cheese
Alternate - Corndog
Healthy Choice - Muffin & Yogurt
PB & J

Enjoy your 3 day weekend!!

2012-01-13T06:54:00.000-08:00

Snow day!!!! Yay!!! I hope all of you have a blast playing in the snow today!!! Finally, we have enough for it to stick around. : )

* Monday's lunch menu will be Friday's choices due to the snow day.

Main - Personal Pan Pizza
Alternate - Chicken Sandwich
Healthy Choice - Yogurt & Muffin
PB & J

See you Monday!!

Jan. 16-20th Newsletter

2012-01-13T06:52:00.000-08:00

January Newsletter

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Jan. 9th-13th Newsletter

2012-01-08T16:47:00.000-08:00

January Newsletter

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Jan. 5th & 6th Newsletter

2012-01-05T04:30:00.000-08:00

January Newsletter

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Christmas Party Day

2012-01-01T07:57:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the slideshow of our Christmas Party Day!! It was also pajama day!!

Happy Holidays!!

2011-12-20T13:55:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Enjoy the break and see you January 5th!

Five Song

2011-12-19T12:58:00.000-08:00

(to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")

F-I-V-E spells five,
F-I-V-E spells five,
I can spell and I can jive,
F-I-V-E spells five!

December 19-23rd Newsletter

2011-12-16T13:28:00.001-08:00

December Newsletter

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The Sounds in the Word

2011-12-12T14:33:00.000-08:00

Here is a little song to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus" that we learned this week to work on blending sounds together into words.

The sounds in the word go /c/ /a/ /t/; /c/ /a/ /t/; /c/ /a/ /t/.
The sounds in the word go /c/ /a/ /t/,
Can you guess the word?

You can substitute any 3 letter words!

Four Song

2011-12-12T14:32:00.000-08:00

(to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")

F-O-U-R spells four,
F-O-U-R spells four,
I can spell even more,
F-O-U-R spells four!

Dec. 12-16th Newsletter

2011-12-09T15:03:00.000-08:00

December Newsletter

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Three Song

2011-12-02T13:08:00.000-08:00

(to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")

T-H-R-E-E spells three,
T-H-R-E-E spells three,
It's as easy as can be,
T-H-R-E-E spells three,

December 5-9th Newsletter

2011-12-02T13:07:00.000-08:00

December Newsletter

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Two Number Song

2011-11-27T16:26:00.000-08:00

(to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")

T-w-o spells two,
T-w-o spells two,
I can spell and so can you,
T-w-o spells two!

One Number Song

2011-11-27T16:25:00.000-08:00

(to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell")

O-n-e spells one,
O-n-e spells one,
Spelling numbers is such fun,
O-n-e spells one!

November 28 - Dec. 2 Newsletter

2011-11-27T16:24:00.000-08:00

November Newsletter

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Dime Song

2011-11-18T13:49:00.000-08:00

(to the tune of Ten Little Indians)

One little, two little, three little pennies,
Four little, five little, six little pennies,
Seven little, eight little, nine little pennies,
Ten pennies equal a dime!

Nov. 21-Nov.25 Newsletter

2011-11-18T13:48:00.001-08:00

November Newsletter

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Black Song

2011-11-13T14:18:00.000-08:00

(to the tune of "Put Your Little Foot")

B-L-A-C-K, B-L-A-C-K, B-L-A-C-K spells black!
B-L-A-C-K, B-L-A-C-K, B-L-A-C-K spells black!
George Washington's hat is black,
And some cats are black,
So if you really, really like black,
All you need to say is...
B-L-A-C-K, B-L-A-C-K, B-L-A-C-K spells black!
B-L-A-C-K, B-L-A-C-K, B-L-A-C-K spells black!

Nov. 14-18th Newsletter

2011-11-11T13:37:00.000-08:00

November Newsletter

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November 7-11th Newsletter

2011-11-04T16:48:00.000-07:00

November Newsletter

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Spaces Song

2011-11-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

We sing this song to remind ourselves to put spaces between our words.

(to the tune of Frere Jaques)

Check your spacing,
Check your spacing,
Between words,
Between words,
Mark it with a finger,
Mark it with a finger,
To help you,
To help you.

White Song

2011-11-04T16:44:00.001-07:00

(sung to the tune of the Little Brown Jug)

W-H-I-T-E, that spells white, sing with me.
Milk is white and so is glue,
Sugar is white and its sweet too!
W-H-I-T-E, that spells white, sing with me.
The clouds above, the snow below,
The teeth in our mouth, Oh Oh Oh!

Harvest Party

2011-10-31T16:05:00.000-07:00

Enjoy the slideshow of our Harvest Party!!

Veteran's Day Program Reminders

2011-10-30T14:05:00.000-07:00

Please remember to dress your child in red, white, and blue!

Please have your child to our classroom around 6pm, no later than 6:15pm.

Behavior Logs (Calendars)

2011-10-30T13:52:00.000-07:00

Please remember to leave your child's behavior log in their "Here and There" folder at all times, even if it is at the end of the month. I need them returned so I can see who has earned lunch with me in the classroom for October.

Anger Busters

2011-10-30T13:44:00.000-07:00

I made a poster for our classroom of a list of things we can do to channel our anger in a positive way. I thought I would share them with you to try at home!

- Take a deep breath
- Count to 10
- Do 10 jumping jacks
- Ask for a hug or ask to give someone a hug
- Talk to Ms. Sinicropi (Parent)
- Talk to a friend (or sibling)
- Take a break, ask to go get a drink
- Squeeze the pillow

Fall Bulletin Board

2011-10-30T13:29:00.000-07:00

We are nuts about fall!! Each student has an acorn with their name on it.

Conventions Song

2011-10-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

We have been learning about things we can do to make our writing better, especially when it is time to fix and fancy it up to share with others. Those things have been using sentence stoppers (periods, question marks, or exclamation marks), using capital letters, spaces, and stretching out our words to hear the sounds to write. Here is a song we have been singing to help reminder us of what we need to do.

(to the tune of The Hokey Pokey)
You put your periods in,
You check your spelling out,
You put your capitals in,
And you shake them all about.
You make your paper better
When you edit it just right.
That's what it's all about!

Brown Song

2011-10-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

(to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
B-R-O-W-N, B-R-O-W-N,
B-R-O-W-N, that's how you spell brown.

Big Trees are brown, big trees are brown,
B-R-O-W-N, big trees are brown.

And chocolate chips are brown, yes, chocolate chips are brown,
B-R-O-W-N, that's how you spell brown.

Pink Song

2011-10-28T10:12:00.001-07:00

(to the tune of Frere Jaques)
P-I-N-K,
P-I-N-K,
That spells pink!
That spells pink!
Bubble gum is pink,
Pigs and flowers are pink,
Pink, Pink, Pink,
Pink, Pink, Pink.

October 31-November 4 Newsletter

2011-10-28T10:08:00.000-07:00

October Newsletter

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October 24-28th Newsletter

2011-10-22T10:23:00.001-07:00

October Newsletter

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Community Helpers Song

2011-10-18T15:34:00.001-07:00

(to the tune of The Wheels on the Bus)

The doctor in the building says, "Check-up today,"
"Check-up today,"
"Check-up today."
The doctor in the building says, "Check-up today," all around the town.

The fire fighter in the building says, "Stop, drop and roll,"
"Stop, drop and roll,"
"Stop, drop and roll."
The fire fighter in the building says, "Stop, drop and roll," all around the town.

The police officer in the building says, "Safety first,"
"Safety first,"
"Safety first."
The police officer in the building says, "Safety first," all around the town.

The mail carrier in the building says, "Package for you,"
"Package for you,"
"Package for you."
The mail carrier in the building says, "Package for you," all around the town.

The trash collector in the building says, "Clean up your mess,"
"Clean up your mess,"
"Clean up your mess."
The trash collector in the building says, "Clean up your mess," all around the town.

Purple Song

2011-10-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

(to the tune of The Turkey in the Straw)
P-U-R-P-L-E
Can you guess what that spells?
P-U-R-P-L-E
Do you know what that spells?
Purple's what that spells
Like the grapes on the vine.
Purple's what that spells
Like the kool-aid in your glass.
P-U-R-P-L-E
Yes purple that does spell.
P-U-R-P-L-E
That is all I have to tell!

October 17-21st Newsletter

2011-10-16T08:53:00.000-07:00

October Newsletter

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Letters on the Bus

2011-10-12T16:35:00.001-07:00

This is a fun song to help with letter names and sounds!

The [A] on the bus goes
[/a/, /a/, /a/], [/a/, /a/, /a/], [/a/, /a/, /a/].
The [A] on the bus goes [/a/, /a/, /a/]
as in apple.

We use certain key words at school and I am sure they will let you know what they are! :) You can substitute any letter!

Orange Song

2011-10-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

(to the tune of Ten Little Indians)
O-R-A-N-G-E orange,
O-R-A-N-G-E orange,
O-R-A-N-G-E orange,
Orange like the juice you drink!
O-R-A-N-G-E orange,
O-R-A-N-G-E orange,
O-R-A-N-G-E orange,
Orange like the fruit you eat!

Oct. 10-14th Newsletter

2011-10-07T17:35:00.001-07:00

October Newsletter

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Kindergarten is the Place to Bee!!

2011-10-07T04:31:00.000-07:00

Here is the bulletin board I had ready for the kids at the beginning of the school year!!

Pumpkin Song

2011-10-05T14:58:00.000-07:00

(sung to the tune of "I'm a Little Teapot)
There's a little pumpkin on a vine,
With all the others, it grows in a line.
When it's big and orange, that's the sign -
I'll pick it and make it mine!

Klackle Orchards

2011-10-02T19:57:00.000-07:00

Check out the slideshow of pictures from our field trip to Klackle Orchards last week! We had a blast!!

October 3-7th Newsletter

2011-09-30T13:37:00.001-07:00

October Newsletter

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Baby Bumblebee

2011-09-26T17:18:00.000-07:00

I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee,
Won't my mommy be so proud of me,
(Cup hands together as if holding a bee)

I'm bringing home a baby bumblebee,
Ouch! It stung me!
(Shake hands as if stung)

I'm squishing up the baby bumblebee,
Won't my mommy be so proud of me,
("Squish" bee between palms of hands)

I'm squishing up the baby bumblebee,
Eeew! It's yucky!
(Open up hands to look at "mess")

I'm wiping off the baby bumblebee,
Won't my mommy be so proud of me,
(Wipe hands off on shirt or pants)

I'm wiping off the baby bumblebee,
Now my mommy won't be mad at me!
(Hold hands up to show they are clean)

*The kids should be able to help you with this tune. : )

Our Apple Songs

2011-09-26T17:13:00.000-07:00

Tiny Little Apple Seed
(to the tune of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider")
The tiny little apple seed
was planted in the ground,
down came the rain,
falling all around,
out came the sun,
as bright as can be,
and the tiny little apple seed
became an apple tree!

(sung to the tune of "This Old Man")
Four red apples, on the tree
Two for you and two for me
So-o shake that apple tree and watch them fall
One, two, three, four, that is all.

Rectangle and Yellow Color Songs!

2011-09-26T17:05:00.000-07:00

Rectangle Song
A rectangle has four sides,
A rectangle has four sides,
Two sides short
and two sides long,
A rectangle has four sides!

Yellow Song
(sung to the tune of "If You're Happy and You Know It")
Y-E-L-L-O-W spells yellow,
Y-E-L-L-O-W spells yellow,
Yellow is a pretty color and because you're a nice fellow,
I will tell you 'bout some things that are yellow.
Bananas, lemons, and the sun are yellow,
Bananas, lemons, and the sun are yellow,
Yes, all of these are yellow
And I hope you will remember,
Y-E-L-L-O-W spells yellow!

Sept. 26-30th Newsletter

2011-09-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

September Newsletter

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Sept. 19-23rd Newsletter

2011-09-19T15:57:00.000-07:00

September Newsletter

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Songs!

2011-09-19T15:32:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the songs we have been using in our classroom for fun and to help us learn colors, shapes, coins, routines, and much more! If a song is not to a certain tune, I am sure if you help your child with the words they will be able to help you with the tune. :)

Good Morning!
Good morning to you,
And how do you do?
We're all in our places
With bright smiling faces.
And this is the way,
we start a new day.
Good morning,
Good morning to you!

Today, Yesterday, & Tomorrow
Today is _______.
Today is _______.
All day long!
All day long!
Yesterday was _______.
Tomorrow will be ________.
Oh, what fun!
Oh, what fun!

Days of the Week Song
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
And then we start again...
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
There are seven days in a week!

Months of the Year
January, February, March, and April
May, June, July
August, September, October, November, December...
There are twelve months in a year!

Penny Song
There is a coin that worth one cent,
And penny is its name, oh!
P-E-N-N-Y, P-E-N-N-Y, P-E-N-N-Y,
And penny is its name, oh!

There is a coin that's brown and round,
And penny is its name, oh!
P-E-N-N-Y, P-E-N-N-Y, P-E-N-N-Y,
And penny is its name, oh!

There is a coin with president Lincoln,
And penny is its name, oh!
P-E-N-N-Y, P-E-N-N-Y, P-E-N-N-Y,
And penny is its name, oh!

Square Song
(sung to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
A square has four sides,
A square has four sides,
All the sides are the same length,
A square has four sides.

Circle Song
(sung to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
A circle goes around,
A circle goes around,
A great big wheel it never stops,
A circle goes around.

Triangle Song
(sung to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
A triangle has three sides,
A triangle has three sides,
Up the hill and down and back,
A triangle has three sides.

Red Song
(sung to the tune of 'Three Blind Mice')
R-E-D, R-E-D,
Red is the word,Red is the word,
Apples and strawberries both are red,
Tomatoes and cherries are also red,
R-E-D, R-E-D

Green Song
(sung to the tune of BINGO)
There is a color we all know, can you guess what it is?
G-R-E-E-N, G-R-E-E-N, G-R-E-E-N
And green is what that spells!
The grass and leaves outside are green, as green as they can be,
G-R-E-E-N, G-R-E-E-N, G-R-E-E-N
And green is what that spells!

Blue Song
(sung to the tune of Frère Jacques or Are You Sleeping Brother John)
B-L-U-E, B-L-U-E
That spells blue, that spells blue,
Blueberries are blue,
And big blue eyes are too,
Blue, blue, blue
Blue, blue, blue

I'm Being Eaten by a Boa Constrictor
I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor, a boa constrictor,
Oh, I'm being eaten by a boa constrictor and I don't like it one bit!
Oh no, he's up to my toes!
Oh gees, he's up to my knees!
Oh fiddle, he's up to my middle!
Oh heck, he's up to my neck!
Oh dread, he's up to my...GULP!

First Thing You Do is Write Your Name
The first thing you do is write your name on your paper, name on your paper, name on your paper,
The first thing you do is write your name on your paper,
So we will know it's yours!

Listening Song
(to the tune of Frère Jacques)
Are you listening? Are you listening?
Listen well.
Listen well.
When someone else is speaking,
When someone else is speaking,
Listen well.
Listen well.

Sept. 12-16th Newsletter

2011-09-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

September Newsletter

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Bucket Filling

2011-09-09T04:37:00.000-07:00

Bucket Filling in Ms. Sinicropi’s Class

This idea is based on a book by Carol McCloud called Have You Filled a Bucket Today? It promotes positive behavior through the encouragement of being kind, taking care of other’s feelings, and being appreciative. She explains that everyone walks around with an invisible bucket that contains our feelings. We feel great when our bucket is full and empty when it’s empty. She refers to bucket fillers as being those who say and do nice things for others. Not only are they filling other people’s buckets but their own as well. We can also be bucket dippers by doing or saying things that make other people feel bad.

We will be keeping track of our bucket filling as a class. We will start out with our bucket full and our goal is to keep it that way!! A pom pon will be removed when someone is a bucket dipper. However, they do get the chance to refill the bucket. We will discuss the status of our bucket at the end of each day. If our bucket stays full for a majority of the month, the class will get to take part in a fun activity of their choice (play time, movie, etc.).

Parents, please support your child in being a bucket filler. You can do this by practicing this idea, modeling bucket filling at home. Help them think of ways they can fill other people’s buckets.

Klackle Orchards Field Trip

2011-09-09T04:33:00.000-07:00

Klackle Orchards is located in Greenville, MI. The address is 11466 W. Carson City Rd., Greenville, MI 48838. I will have directions from the school printed up if anyone needs them. I can also print them up from a different address if need be. Let me know!

We will be leaving CCA on Wednesday, September 28th at 8:30am in order to get there in time for our 10am wagon ride. Please make sure that everyone going dresses appropriately for the weather. Family members are more than welcome to come along. Although, if you are planning on bringing a sibling, you will need to drive separate. It is ok for your child to ride with you there. Please make sure that I know that before the day of the field trip. It will be $8 for those riding the bus and $5 for those who are driving and meeting us there. Also, please keep in mind that we only have one bus and around 60 students. We may have to ask some of you to drive if we reach the capacity limit of the bus.

There are so many fun things to do at Klackle Orchards! Our wagon ride will take us through the apple orchard and pumpkin field. Your child will get to pick one bag of apples and one small pumpkin. After the wagon ride, we will get to check out the mill, have cider and donuts, and visit many of the activity stations they have around there. Somewhere in the mix of all of that we will eat lunch.

When the date of the field trip gets closer, I will send home a reminder. You can start sending permission slips and money in anytime. There is a chaperone sign-up sheet right inside the classroom door if you would like to volunteer! Or, feel free to write that you would like to on your permission slip and I will put your name on there for you.

* Remember, if you do not check yes on the permission slip for the school to provide a sack lunch that day for your child, you MUST pack them one and send it with them that morning.

Whew! I think I covered everything. If you find you still have a question or two, please ask! It is a very long bus ride for the kids, but it is so worth it! If you can’t tell, this is my favorite field trip. I think I have just as much fun as the kids!

* If you need help covering the cost of the field trip, please let me know!

*I have extra permission slips in the classroom if you need another.*

Sept. 5-9th Newsletter

2011-09-09T04:32:00.001-07:00

September Newsletter

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First Day of School!

2011-09-06T18:15:00.000-07:00

We had a fantastic and fun first day of school!!! Thank you parents for sticking around and helping out this morning. The mornings on the first day of school are always crazy! : ) I am looking forward to a great year with all of you!!!

Our classroom!!

2011-09-03T10:14:00.001-07:00

I thought I would post some pictures of our classroom so that your child can show it off to those that might want to see! :)

Beginning of the Year Bulletin Board

2011-09-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

I like to share our bulletin boards throughout the school year so family members that may not get a chance to make it into school too often can still get a glimpse of some of the fun things we do. Also, the kids might like to look back and see them after they have been changed. This one does not display work as it is the one I have up when the kids arrive for the school year. As the year goes on, keep your eye out for new ones monthly. The children will usually have a part in the creation of those. :)

Schoolwide CHAMPS Expectations

2011-09-02T15:56:00.000-07:00

Champs cca schoolwide

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Behavior Chart

2011-09-02T15:52:00.000-07:00

Behavior Plan

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Welcome Letter

2011-09-02T15:15:00.000-07:00

Welcome letter

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Reading

2011-08-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

CCA uses Open Court by McGraw-Hill and it is a theme-based literature series. This series includes instruction that incorporates phonemic awareness, phonics, and word knowledge concepts while teaching students comprehension and inquiry skills/strategies to be successful readers. Students also learn about different genres through this reading program. The themes that this series covers are listed below.

School
Shadows
Finding Friends
The Wind
Stick To It
Red, White, and Blue
Teamwork
By the Sea

Phonics

2011-08-22T13:16:00.001-07:00

CCA uses Saxon Phonics & Spelling as it's phonics program. This program presents information to students in small doses and builds upon previously learned concepts, which are reviewed daily for reinforcement. The year starts off and continues with phonemic awareness concepts to promote the growth of your child's literacy foundation. These concepts pertain to the awareness that words consist of separate sounds and the ability to manipulate those sounds. Also included under phonemic awareness are the concepts of rhyming words, syllables, and same/different word discrimination. A couple of other phonics concepts that will be covered are compound words and sight words.

Saxon Phonics & Spelling starts out by covering a letter a week and does not go in alphabetical order. When we are through with all 26 letters, we start learning about long vowels (short vowels are taught as a part of the 26 letters), vowel-consonant-e rule for words like gate and line, digraphs (ck, th, sh, etc.), letter combinations (qu, ar, er, etc.), and the k and c spelling rule (i.e. use k if before an e, i, or y).

This program has most kids reading and spelling before they leave kindergarten!

Writing

2011-08-22T11:49:00.000-07:00

In my kindergarten classroom, I use the Lucy Calkins Writing Workshop curriculum and supplement it with the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing model. The use of the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing is universal throughout CCA.

Lucy Calkins Writing Workshop

I use the Lucy Calkins Writing Workshop that is geared towards K-2 students and it has 7 units of study. Due to it focusing on a range of grade levels, I do not cover all of the units and adapt many of the lessons so they age appropriate. All 7 units are listed below. The units we cover completely are in blue. I do pluck lessons here and there from the other units of study and insert them where they are relevant. I also like to add my own unit of study on writing for real life purposes, such as lists, letters, etc.

Launching the Writing Workshop

Small Moments: Personal Narrative Writing

Writing for Readers: Teaching Skills and Strategies

The Craft of Revision

Authors as Mentors

Nonfiction Writing: Procedures and Reports

Poetry: Powerful Thoughts in Tiny Packages

Writing workshop consists of a mini-lesson to teach a writing skill or review one that children are having difficulty with, uninterrupted time for the students to write, conferencing between teacher and students to track their progression, and sharing time.

6 + 1 Traits of Writing

This model for writing is a way to help students improve their skills as writers and strengthen their writing. It goes along with the writing process and provides students with terminology to carry with them along the way that remains consistent. We do cover all of the traits in our writing instruction.

Ideas

Organization

Voice

Word Choice

Sentence Fluency

Conventions

Presentation

Spring Bulletin Board

2011-04-17T15:49:00.000-07:00

We've Gone Buggy About Spring!

Check out our new spring bulletin board. Each student made their own bug jar. They really enjoyed making the bugs because the bodies are their fingerprints!

March is Reading Month Bulletin Board

2011-03-27T16:58:00.000-07:00

Last Night I Dreamed a Circus...

Our March is Reading Month bulletin board is themed after the book Last Night I Dreamed a Circus by Maya Gottfried. Each student made a dream cloud to display how their dream would go if they dreamed a circus. I would have to say that if we all put our dreams into action we would have one magnificent circus!

Valentine's Day Bulletin Board

2011-01-30T12:32:00.000-08:00

We are crawling with love to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day!

We thought that saying would be perfect to go along with our heart lady bugs crawling all over our bulletin board. : ) This was the start to our many Valentine's Day projects to come over the next couple of weeks. It was a great kick-off and definately got the kids excited for the holiday!

What's your wish for 2011?

2011-01-16T19:18:00.000-08:00

New Year's is a time to celebrate the beginning of a new year and many people do so by making a resolution to make a change in their life or accomplish something they have been wanting to. We decided to make a wish for the new year instead of making a resolution. The kids wrote their wishes on wishing wells!

Handwriting

2010-12-15T17:37:00.000-08:00

CCA uses the handwriting program called Handwriting Without Tears in kindergarten. Each child is given their own workbook to work in throughout the year and its called Letters and Numbers For Me. This is a wonderful program that not only helps children learn how to write letters and numbers correctly but also teaches them the proper handwriting habits such as posture, paper placement, and how to grasp a pencil. The writing skills that are also emphasized with this program are letter orientation (no reversals), letter placement (on baseline), writing size, starting letters and numbers at the top, consistent sequence when making letters and numbers, control (neatness and proportion), and spacing.

To find out more about this program and what you can do at home to help support your child's handwriting development, visit http://www.hwtears.com

Social Studies

2010-12-15T17:33:00.000-08:00

CCA uses the Scott Foresman program for social studies. Here is what the program covers:

Unit 1: Who We Are

Unit 2: Communities

Unit 3: Work

Unit 4: Our Earth

Unit 5: The U.S.A.

Unit 6: Family Stories

Science

2010-12-15T17:14:00.000-08:00

CCA uses the Scott Foresman program for science. Each unit is accompanied by songs, poems, experiements, and investigations to help make learning more meaningful. Here is what the program covers:

Life Science
- Needs of Plants and Animals
- Growing and Changing
- Plants and Animals All Around

Earth Science
- Our Land, Water, and Air
- Weather and Seasons

Physical Science
- Matter
- Heat and Light
- How Things Move

Space and Technology
- Day and Night
- How Things Work

Math

2010-12-14T15:08:00.000-08:00

We use the Saxon Math program for kindergarten. Most of the lessons are enriched with hands-on learning through the use of manipulatives. Here are the different areas that are covered with this program in terms of what your child should be doing by the end of kindergarten:
o
o

Number and Operation

Number Sense and Numeration

- Counts by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s

- Identifies, reads, writes, and compares numbers 1-30

- Identifies numbers on a hundred number chart; estimates and counts collections of concrete objects to 100

- Compares sets of concrete objects; matches sets and numbers; identifies and describes equivalent sets with more, less, and the same

- Orders one- and two-digit numbers

- Identifies and describes the order and position of objects and numbers using terms before, after, and between; greatest and least; inside and outside; and more, same, and less

- Constructs, locates points, and counts forward and backward on a number line

- Identifies even and odd numbers

- Identifies ordinal position

Concepts of Whole-Number Operations

- Acts out and draws pictures to show addition and subtraction situations

- Uses concrete objects and pictures to model and solve addition and subtraction problems

- Divides a set of concrete objects; models and solves division problems

- Identifies and describes one more and one less than an object

- Identifies doubles

Fractions

- Divides a shape in half; identifies and compares fractions

- Shares a whole by separating it into equal halves

Money

- Identifies, describes, and counts pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and one-dollar bills

- Reads and writes money amounts to $1.00 using dollar and cent symbols

- Selects coins for a given amount and finds the value of a set of coins
o
o

Patterns, Algebra, and Functions

Patterns

- Identifies, extends, makes predictions about, and create patterns of color, shape, sound, and movement

- Identifies the missing shape, number, or design in a repeating pattern, sequence, or matrix

Geometry

Shapes and Spatial Relationships

- Describes, compares, and orders concrete objects by relative positions and attributes

- Identifies, describes, sorts, and compares one- and two-dimensional geometric shapes in concrete objects

- Explores transformations: slides, turns, and flips

- Identifies similar shapes

- Identifies and creates lines of symmetry and symmetrical designs

- Identifies right and left

- Solves spatial problems

- Makes and covers designs using pattern blocks

- Makes and copies designs on a geoboard

- Makes and covers designs using tangrams

- Identifies geometric solids including cones, cubes, spheres, and cylinders

Measurement

Time and Date

- Identifies and describes yesterday, today, and tomorrow

- Identifies and describes morning, afternoon, evening, and night

- Identifies and describes days of the week and months of the year

- Identifies days of the week when regularly scheduled events occur

- Sequences daily events

- Compares events according to duration

- Reads a calendar and identifies the date

- Tells and shows time to the hour

- Identifies seasons

Temperature

- Identifies hot and cold objects

- Compares differences in hourly temperature

- Compares differences in seasonal temperature

Linear Measure

- Compares and orders concrete objects by length and/or height

- Estimates and measures length using nonstandard units

- Estimates and measure distance using standard units

- Measures length using customary units (inches)

Weight (Mass)

- Compares and orders objects by weight

- Estimates weight (mass)

Capacity (Volume)

- Compares and orders objects by capacity

- Measures capacity using nonstandard units

- Measures to follow a recipe

Area

- Compares and orders objects by area

Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability

Data Analysis and Statistics

- Determine and poses information questions for a survey

- Records data on a chart or graph

- Makes a real graph

- Graphs a picture on a pictograph

- Identifies most, fewest, and same on a graph

- Identifies range and mode on a graph

Probability

- Describes the likelihood of an event

Problem Solving

Developing Skills for Problem Solving

- Classifies and categorizes information

- Makes predictions

- Communicates mathematical ideas through objects, words, pictures, numbers, and symbols

Strategies for Problem Solving

- Acts out or models a problem

- Draws a picture

- Guesses, checks, and revises

- Looks for a pattern

2010-12-13T14:24:00.000-08:00

Here is our festive bulletin board sending out "warm" wishes to everyone for the holidays. The kids LOVED sprinkling the glitter for their names at the tops of their stockings.

2010-11-21T08:01:00.000-08:00

We wanted to create a bulletin board to honor veterans and have it displayed for those to see that came to watch our Veteran's Day program. It turned out great! All the kids in kindergarten and first grade traced and cut out their handprints to be put together to make the American flag!

2010-11-21T07:57:00.000-08:00

I thought this bulletin board was a great way to welcome fall with a touch of Halloween flare. The kids loved getting their hands painted to make these spiders!

2010-11-21T07:52:00.000-08:00

We made owls when Oo was our letter of the week. I thought this was a cute way to display them!

2010-11-21T07:48:00.001-08:00

This is the bulletin board that was up for the beginning of the school year. Each child's name is on either a paw print or a dog bone.

Daily Schedule

2010-09-03T14:27:00.000-07:00

This is the tentative schedule for our classroom. Please keep in mind that there will be times where the schedule will not always follow this set-up due to special activities, interruptions, or other things of that nature.

7:45-8:15am – Breakfast & Morning Routine
8:15-8:50am – Calendar/Songs
8:50-9:10am – Phonics
9:10-9:40am - Reading
9:40-10:00am – RECESS
10:00-10:45am - Writing
10:45-10:55am – Wash Hands & Get Ready for Lunch
10:55-11:20am – LUNCH
11:20-11:35am – RECESS
11:35-11:45am – Bathroom/Story
11:45-12:15pm – Math
12:15-1:00pm – Work Stations
1:00-1:30pm – Handwriting (MWF) & Science/S.S. (T-Th)
1:30-2:00pm – SPECIALS
2:00-2:30pm – Color Behavior Logs/Pack/Snack/Jobs/Free Time (if earned)
2:30-2:55pm – RECESS
2:55-3:05pm – Show & Tell
3:05pm – Dismissal

Monday – Library 10:10-10:40am
Computers - TBA

Classroom Rules

2010-09-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

1. Listen when others are talking.

2. Follow directions.

3. Keep hands, feet, and objects to
yourself.

4. Work quietly and do not disturb
others.

5. Show respect for school and
personal property.

6. Work and play in a safe manner.

Show & Tell Schedule

2010-08-30T14:59:00.000-07:00

Monday
Andrew

Aubree

Trinity

PaulGreggory

Tuesday

Kaitlin

Ryleigh

Ian

Annie

Wednesday
Graham

Donny

Mackenzie

Tayshawna

Thursday
Oliviah

Evan

Hudson

Alex

Friday
Kevin

Mason

Isabelle

Sarah

Specials Schedule

2010-08-30T14:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a schedule of your child’s specials (art, music, and gym). Keep an eye out for when we have an out-of-uniform day and it is also the day your child has gym. It probably would not be a good idea to let them wear something that would not work well for gym. Fridays are tricky because we alternate the previous four days for the four weeks that make up the month.

Red Group's Schedule
Monday – Gym
Tuesday – Art
Wednesday – Gym
Thursday – Music
1st Friday of the month – Gym
2nd Friday of the month – Art
3rd Friday of the month – Gym
4th Friday of the month – Music

Yellow Group's Schedule
Monday – Gym
Tuesday – Music
Wednesday – Gym
Thursday – Art
1st Friday of the month – Gym
2nd Friday of the month – Music
3rd Friday of the month – Gym
4th Friday of the month – Art

Green Group's Schedule
Monday – Art
Tuesday – Gym
Wednesday – Music
Thursday – Gym
1st Friday of the month – Art
2nd Friday of the month – Gym
3rd Friday of the month – Music
4th Friday of the month – Gym

Blue Group's Schedule
Monday – Music
Tuesday – Gym
Wednesday – Art
Thursday – Gym
1st Friday of the month – Music
2nd Friday of the month – Gym
3rd Friday of the month – Art
4th Friday of the month – Gym

Book It Program (Also 20 Book Club)

2010-08-26T15:48:00.000-07:00

Book It is a reading program sponsored by Pizza Hut from October to March to get kids reading. Each month, your child will bring home a log sheet to record books read. Every time you read to your child (or they read to you J), log it on the sheet. If you are reading a chapter book, one chapter can count as one book read. Watch my weekly newsletters for due dates or as soon as the sheet is full, make sure your child’s name is on it, it is signed, and return it. At the end of the month awards assembly, your child will receive a “20 Book Club” certificate for filling up a log sheet and a pizza coupon good for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut. This is a great program and a wonderful incentive to make reading that much more exciting!

During the months of September and May, you will still receive a log to fill out even though the Book It reading program is not taking place. So that means Pizza Hut will not be giving out their free pizza coupons for those months. Your child will still get a “20 Book Club” certificate for filling up their sheet. They love the recognition and reading with you!!

Book Orders

2010-08-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

I will send 2-3 book orders home every month. These books are discounted considerably, so if you are looking at expanding your child’s library, this is an excellent way to do so. I receive points for books ordered and put them towards new books or educational materials for our classroom. This is where I will be able to get more books on CD/cassette for our listening center! However, please do not feel obligated to buy anything.

If you do want to purchase books, the due date will be stamped on the order form. I send the orders in ASAP after the due date, so if you want books and still need a couple extra days, please let me know. PLEASE do not send cash! Send a check or money order made out to Scholastic Book Clubs. If you are ordering from more than one book order form (even if they have different titles), you can make out ONE check to Scholastic Book Clubs.

You may also place your order online. I will send a sheet home later with more information on that.

Just a little food for thought….I want to let you know in advance that at the Christmas party we do a book exchange with a $5 limit. It’s a good way to nab a cheap book for that!

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Character Education

2010-08-12T07:28:00.000-07:00

There are many qualities that we believe children should learn to possess in order to become compassionate individuals. We incorporate the knowledge of and ways to display these qualities into our curriculum and classroom environment. The character qualities that CCA promotes are:

Respect
Responsibility
Diligence
Heroism
Generosity
Courage
Loyalty
Patience
Forgiveness
Friendliness
Self-Control
Self-Discipline
Patriotism
Joy
Wonder
Fairness
Empathy
Faithfulness
Trustworthiness
Graciousness
Courtesy
Charity
Honesty
Justice
Wisdom
Service
Stewardship
Initiatve
Perserverance
Mercy
Gentleness
Humility

Like Habits of Mind, we do not focus on all of these qualities in kindergarten. In kindergarten and first grade we work on the first ten qualities. We focus on one quality a month. At the end of the month at our awards assembly, a few children from each class are awarded for working the hardest to internalize and display the quality of the month. This is always an exciting time!

Habits of Mind

2010-08-12T07:16:00.000-07:00

Students throughout their elementary years will learn the following dispositions called “Habits of Mind” that reflect the belief that ability is a continuously expandable repertoire of skills and that through a student’s efforts, intelligence grows incrementally. Habits of Mind indicate that behavior requires discipline of the mind that is practiced so it becomes a habitual way of working toward more thoughtful, intelligent action. Those habits are:

* Striving for accuracy
* Applying past knowledge to new situations
* Remaining open to continuous learning
* Thinking interdependently
* Thinking flexibly
* Finding humor
* Creating, imagining, and innovating
* Managing impulsivity
* Listening with understanding and Empathy
* Thinking about your thinking: Metacognition
* Questioning and posting problems
* Persisting
* Gathering data through all senses
* Taking responsible risks
* Responding with wonderment and awe
* Thinking and communicating with clarityand precision

In kindergarten, we focus on the ones that are in red. We find it helpful to pair up the teaching of these habits with our character qualities. To learn more about our character qualities, please visit the Character Education link under Important Information.

CHAMPs

2010-08-12T07:04:00.000-07:00

At Crossroads Charter Academy Elementary, students work and play within a structure of expectations in order to be the best they can be. This structure is called CHAMPs. CHAMPs is a set of guidelines that specifically teaches students what is expected of them in all situations. The CHAMPs acronym stands for:

(C) Conversation - How do students communicate during the activity?
(H) Help - How can students get questions answered during the activity?
(A) Activity - What is the task/objective of the activity?
(M) Movement - How do students move about during the activity?
(P) Participation - What does appropriate student behavior for the activity look like or sound like?

The staff at Crossroads Elementary has developed CHAMPs expectations for all common areas around the building such as hallway, playground, bathroom, etc. Each classroom has a specific set of CHAMPs expectations for how to function within the classroom.

Morning Routine

2010-08-10T19:56:00.000-07:00

When the students arrive in the morning, they will be expected to complete the morning jobs neccessary for our day to begin. These jobs are listed below. The students get the hang of the morning routine fairly quick and I am always there to help keep them on track. : )

Put things away in your locker.

Bring in "Here and There" Folder and put it in the tan tub on blue table.

Make lunch choice.

Go to the bathroom and/or fill up water bottle.

Work on morning work at seat.

If morning work gets finished before we move to calendar, student may read a book or do something from the black crate.