What a great group of kindergarteners we have! It seems like any anxieties about the "newness" of school has disappeared. We are having lots of fun learning all about our routines each day. We have begun our groups in language arts and math. In language arts, we are learning all about letters t, b, and f. We are starting with the lowercase letters and learning the sounds that they make. See if your child can tell you. In math, we are getting to know our numbers. We learned a new number game called "gotcha" - ask your child to tell you how to play. We are also being introduced to graphing. We are just finishing our unit "All About Me" and will be beginning our "Five Senses" unit next week. Please remember to send in a smock for art if you haven't already done so. Together we will make your child's kindergarten year the best ever!

Our class walks into the room smiling and ready to go! Plenty of apple fun this week with apple juice voted as the favorite way to enjoy apples. We examined the graph after each child voted and used math vocabulary to explain the results using terms equal, more than, less than and zero. One project that is taking days is making an apple tree for each season which requires dabbing paint and using tiny fingers to get that glue to come out of the bottle at the right speed and into the right spot! We have started some sequencing activities which is another opportunity for children to use their vocabulary to explain what is happening. In our sensory bin, the children have pulled apart sunflowers to find the seeds inside the bloom and now  have filled the bin with pine cones they found when we walked over to check the church's apple trees. So much to see, touch and explore around our campus!  Thanks for labeling all those fall jackets and sweaters.

Our class is up and running at full speed this week!  We have changed jobs and some of us now are on 'vacation'! We have started working on the alphabet and have begun working in our Handwriting without Tears work book.  Apple slice paintings are in the hallway, and crayon drawings are decorating the classroom. We made our first 'recipe', apple slices with yogurt dip, and it was a big hit! Most all of them tried the 'dip' (just vanilla yogurt, cinnamon, and a touch more vanilla).  Cleaning up, listening during circle time, and focusing on being kind classmates are all important skills and we will be working on them all year.  Your children are enthusiastic, curious, and active. It promises to be a fabulous year! 

Kara and I are so sorry we will not be with you at the Wine and Cheese Party on Friday (We will be dancing at Kara's wedding!). It has always been a lovely time to meet the other parents in the class and relax! 

Happy new school year 5 Day 3s Parents! We are off to a great start. The children have been getting accustomed to a new routine and are adapting marvelously. We  are still working on learning the rules, our new friends and teachers names and the children have been very excited to begin going to specials classes.  This year our class will have art, values, music, gym and chapel. We have begun learning about the letters A & B, apples, trees, circles, the color red and Mary Had a Little Lamb and so much more! 

In the first few weeks of school we are focusing on how to develop friendships and how to be a helpful member of the class. We are also learning about poems and songs aside from our Rhyme of the month, such as Way Up High. We are examining what the poems mean and why we should learn about them.  We have also begun to slowly introduce our rug time routine by gradually adding information each day, such as learning the months, days of the week, and even the big number.. the year! During this time, we work on the calendar, daily weather, and our expectations for the day.  Throughout the day we are working on listening skills and being patient. It is great to see these skill developing already.  

Terri and I are excited for a year full of exploration and fun. Thank you all for sharing your children with us! It is a joy getting to know your children not only as learners but as the terrific people they are. 

Happy first week of school to the Arrup Two's!  All of the boys and girls had a fun time exploring the classroom, playroom and playground.  They have even enjoyed getting to know one another! This month we will be working on sharing, taking turns, and learning our daily routine.  During our circle time we will talk about emotions, apples, the color red and circles.  Mrs. Yanega and I are excited for a fun-filled year with your children!!!

The Wyatt 2s are off to a great start.  Mrs. Zuidema and I enjoyed meeting everyone, and we cannot wait for an awesome year.  We are truly amazed at how well everyone is settling into the school routine.  The children are getting to know their classrooms, playground, and new friends.  During September, we will focus on the color red, emotions, and apples.  We have been playing a fun game sorting happy, sad, nervous, and angry faces.  We are also looking forward to making applesauce later in the month.  Thank you for sharing you children with us.