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Summer work for incoming kindergarteners

6/20/2017

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 Write his/her first and last name.
Start by concentrating on the first name.  Be sure to encourage proper grip on the pencil or crayon!  Say each letter as you write.  Don't worry about writing on lined paper or making each letter perfect - it's not developmentally possible at three or four years old!  Help your child learn how to write first and last name and worry about making it look nice a little later.

. Identify all 26 letters - capital and lowercase.
This is a skill that would be great for your child to know when entering Kindergarten, by the truth is: it might be too much to know by September.  I would expect most children to know by January though.  Start with the first letter of your child's first name.  Whenever you see his/her name in print, point out the first letter and say its name.  Pick random letters as you encounter them: on a cereal box or license plate, in a book, on a toy…  Be creative.
*Hint: Capital letters are easier!

 Write all 26 letters - capital and lowercase.
A great way to practice writing the letters is by tracing them.  Write the letters on a piece of paper with plenty of space around each one.  Have your child trace the letters with a pencil, crayon, or marker.  After your child can trace them, see if he/she can do it without the tracing as a guide.  Again, start with capital letters.  There are even fonts available for download that print letters (and numbers!) with dashed lines for tracing!
*Hint: Use unorthodox materials to learn how to write!  Finger paint the letters, laminate a piece of paper and give your child a dry-erase marker, write in the sand at the beach or in a sandbox, make a letter with cheerios or veggies during meals…
. Know all 26 letter sounds.
This is obviously dependent on actually knowing the letters first!  Be sure to build up to letter sounds once your child can identify each letter.  This is a crucial skill as your child learns to read and must "sound out" a word.
*Hint: Want a great educational video to help?  Try Leapfrog's The Letter Factory. 

 Count from 0 - 20.
This is another skill that is essential!  Be sure your child knows at least 0 - 10 before starting Kindergarten.  Just like with the ABC's, you can count anytime!  Spend a minute here or there counting, point out how many of something there are ("Wow!  There are two doggies walking outside!") and eventually start asking your child to identify how many there are ("Look at the doggies outside!  Maia, how many doggies are there?")
*Hint: Many kids get confused after 10 so be patient!  Always correct your child's mistakes calmly and then move one!

Identify numbers 0 - 20.
As your child is learning the numbers, be sure to point them out when you see them in day-to-day life.  Point to and identify numbers in a recipe, on a sign, in a book, at the store, or write them yourself!

 Write numbers 0 - 20.
Again, start by tracing!  It's fun and it will help your child learn how to correctly form each letter.  Don't stress that each number is perfect - there is plenty of time to help them write on the lines later.  Developmentally, it just isn't possible yet!

 Basic sight words.
Sight words are a great way to give a child a "head start" in reading.  These words occur often in beginner reader books.  Knowing these words will eliminate the need to "sound out" every. single. word.  Help your child identify (and eventually spell) the following words: a, at, am, and, can, I, like, me, my, no, said, see, the, to.  Add to this list as your child masters the words.
*Hint: Heidi Songs makes GREAT videos that incorporate song and movement to help your child learn sight words.  We start each day in my classroom with a word or two from a video to reinforce what we were learning.

​Resources:
Websites
Literactive
Mighty Books
Leading to Reading
Literacy Center
ABCya
PBS Kids
Starfall
Read Write Think
Reading Rockets

Videos on You Tube
Vowel Bat
Hip Hop Alphabet
The Letter Sounds Song
2D Shapes
3D Shapes
Count to 100
Leap Frog Letter Chant
Numbers in the Teens
Numbers in the Twenties
Counting by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s


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Incoming Kindergarten supply list

6/13/2017

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Kindergarten Supply List 2017-2018
Large Markers: 2 packs
Crayons: 5 packs of 24 (Preferably Crayola)
Colored Pencils: 1 pack of 24
Jumbo Glue Sticks: 10 - 15 Glue Sticks
Pencils: 2 packs of 12 (Preferably Ticonderoga)
Expo Large Markers: 5
Paper Towels: 3 rolls
Kleenex: 1 box
Ziploc Gallon Bags (Last Name A-M): 1 package
Ziploc Sandwich Bags (Last Name N-Z): 1 package
Disinfecting Wipes: 4
Watercolor Paint Pack: 1
Folder: 1
Extra set of clothes
Backpack
 
Supplies are communal (do not label)
Please label backpack, folder, and extra clothes

​
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End of the year announcements

6/5/2017

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5th Annual Family Science Project  
Dear Kindergarten Families,
Over the next two weeks we will be learning about insects/butterflies. We are really excited to get this unit kicked off on Tuesday. For the first part of the week we will be looking at the structure of different insects and compare and contrast their body structures. For the rest of the week we will be studying all different insects including the lifecycle of the butterfly .  We will be discussing habitat, insect job, predator, diet, etc. We also have some fun insect math activities and great writing prompts planned too. On Friday, June 9th all the kindergarten classes will be holding a small science fair for each of the other kindergarten classes. The other classes will be walking around viewing each other’s chosen insect. Your child will have a chance to present their research and findings. So here is where you come in…you and your child are to research one insect (not spider) and create a small poster board showing and describing his/her insect. Here is what you need to include:
- Picture or drawing of insect
- habitat
- diet
- prey and predator
- job of insect
- 2 interesting facts

Have FUN with this science project!  Get creative with what the presentation will look like.  Also, we ask that your child write everything and be able to present their poster with confidence and knowledge…..so practice presenting at home.  (Remember that we spell phonetically in kindergarten)

The Kindergarten Team

Projects due: Friday, June 9th



End of the Year Activities
Save the Dates…

  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar Costumes Due: Monday, June 12th
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar Play: Friday, June 16th @ 9:30 a.m. All families are welcomed to attend, please be on time!
  • Kindergarten Picnic/Banana Split Party: Friday, June 16th @ 10:45 a.m. on the north playground. All families are welcomed to attend!
  • Beach Day: Monday, June 19th
    • Students should not wear bathing suits.  Dress for the weather.  They may bring goggles, scuba diving equipment, beach toys, towels, sunscreen, hats, and etc.
    • Please contact your teacher if you can donate popsicles and bubbles.
  • All School Picnic and Movie: Tuesday, June 20th.
    • Students may bring snacks and games to share.
    • Bring a towel/blanket, hat, sunscreen, water bottle, tied shoes, books, balls, anything for playing outside all morning.
    • Students should not bring anything valuable to play with.
    • Students will be served a picnic lunch outside but can bring their own if they’d prefer.
    • Students with summer birthdays can bring birthday treats to share.
    • All families are welcomed to attend!
    • Report Cards and Kindergarten Certificates will be given out at the end of the day. ​

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