This was sent home last week in home/school folders. Here is a digital copy. :-)
Social Skills - This has been a focus since day one in kindergarten. We play games, role play situations, read books and discuss ways to solve problems, develop respectful behavior and build friendships. Our school uses PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) to encourage and recognize positive behavior. We earn links, light light bulbs in the lobby and earn celebrations as a class and as a school to recognize positive and respectful behavior. 
Reading- We use Units of Study by Lucy Calkins for both reading and writing. In reading we use a workshop model. Teachers present a mini-lesson to students focusing on an aspect of reading each day. For example, a mini lesson might focus on using the pictures to help figure out the words (“picture power”), or using “sound power” by looking at the letters and connecting the sounds to figure out the word. The students read to self, read with a partner and/or read with the teacher. They might also read to a stuffed animal or retell a story. We find many fun ways for students to engage with books and learn to read and comprehend.
Writing- During writing time we often begin with a mini lesson about writing and then send students off to write. Most of the time they choose what to write about. Students have been writing real stories from their lives with a beginning, middle and end. Some students are writing sentences, some are writing words, some are writing letters and some are dictating to an adult. Kindergarten students have also learned to label pictures. They write in other subject areas (science, math, etc.) as well as during writing time. 
Math -In the beginning of the year our math focuses on counting, recognizing and writing numbers. Students have been playing games, working alone and with partners to increase their math knowledge and skills. We also have been measuring objects with cubes, popsicle sticks, etc. Kindergarteners are learning to check their work for accuracy and to make sure their work is clear and organized. We are working a great deal with a ten frame (two rows of five rectangles). This helps us organize our counting, build numbers and find combinations that equal 10. Math work at this time of year also focuses on number relationships such as what is one more or one less than a certain number.
Science- This trimester we have been working on an Organisms unit. We observe, research and discuss to find out what animals and plants need to survive. We look at the impact plants and animals, including humans, have on the earth. The third part of the unit focuses on how we can reduce the impact we have on the earth. Throughout the year kindergarten students also observe weather and discuss how it affects us and the earth.
Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you.
Marian Mumford, Ileen Gilbar & Kristin Darling
RES Kindergarten Teachers
