December News
Kindergarten Division 4
Dear Parents,
This has definitely been the shortest term I’ve ever experienced. The children have had 36 full days (September, October, November) of school, not including December. Despite this, the children are doing their best to remember the routines and rules of school and are working hard to build their school stamina.
We will continue to focus on one letter a day and make a lower-case letter that helps your child make a connection to the sound associated with that letter. I will try to have all the letters completed by mid-January, so that each child can take home a complete sensory, phonetic alphabet.
In Math, we are learning about patterns and, as an enrichment activity, we will also be touching on the concept of sorting. This will be incorporated into Math Stations.
We briefly talked about our Rights and Responsibilities (at school and at home). We will discuss the concept of Wants and Needs, in December
Social Responsibility
Lately, the topic of interrupting has been discussed. Kindergarten children are working on Self-Regulation and waiting for a turn to talk is one way they practice this. We have discussed how it feels when we are interrupted; and also, when it would be appropriate to interrupt ( B-Emergency : Bathroom, Barf , Blood). In addition, the children are learning how to interrupt politely :
1) Say ‘Excuse me
2) WAIT
3) After the person has addressed you say, ‘Sorry for interrupting but ……….’
I have taught the children ‘wait’ in sign language and I sometimes use this, when a student is interrupting, as a reminder.
Water bottles and Winter Clothing
Please, please, please do not send in water bottles with an open top. Children this age, knock over things often. One water bottle spill during our eating time, can create many soggy and uneatable lunches (or result in a VERY soggy, wet backpack). Thank you for your consideration in this matter. 😊
It is helpful if your child can manage their own clothing independently. I cannot zip up 20 coats, pull out sleeves, tie shoes, pull mitts/gloves over hands, wrap scarves AND, help with zippers that get caught, referee minor squabbles, and apply band-aids when requested. LOL
I teach the children these steps when they are dressing up in their winter clothing: 1) Snow pants 2) coat 3) boots 4) scarf/hat 5) Mittens or gloves
Extra practice, at home, would be appreciated.
Christmas
There will not be a Christmas concert, again, this year. Sometime in the last week of school, I will post a video of the children singing a few songs on our website.
Christmas Gifts
Each year, many parents and children choose to give me a Christmas gift. These gifts are very much appreciated, but I would like to suggest an alternative. Please consider donating to the Flood Relief or the Food Bank, or to any charity of your choice, in lieu of a gift. I am so blessed and there are many others in the world who are in great need. Thanks!
Important Dates for our Classroom
Dec. 9 report cards issued for my class
Dec. 16 Send in a small bag of candy for your child to use to decorate a frosted cookie. (Because of allergies, we cannot share candy.)
Dec. 17 Last day before Christmas Holiday.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Johnston
Kindergarten Division 4
Dear Parents,
This has definitely been the shortest term I’ve ever experienced. The children have had 36 full days (September, October, November) of school, not including December. Despite this, the children are doing their best to remember the routines and rules of school and are working hard to build their school stamina.
We will continue to focus on one letter a day and make a lower-case letter that helps your child make a connection to the sound associated with that letter. I will try to have all the letters completed by mid-January, so that each child can take home a complete sensory, phonetic alphabet.
In Math, we are learning about patterns and, as an enrichment activity, we will also be touching on the concept of sorting. This will be incorporated into Math Stations.
We briefly talked about our Rights and Responsibilities (at school and at home). We will discuss the concept of Wants and Needs, in December
Social Responsibility
Lately, the topic of interrupting has been discussed. Kindergarten children are working on Self-Regulation and waiting for a turn to talk is one way they practice this. We have discussed how it feels when we are interrupted; and also, when it would be appropriate to interrupt ( B-Emergency : Bathroom, Barf , Blood). In addition, the children are learning how to interrupt politely :
1) Say ‘Excuse me
2) WAIT
3) After the person has addressed you say, ‘Sorry for interrupting but ……….’
I have taught the children ‘wait’ in sign language and I sometimes use this, when a student is interrupting, as a reminder.
Water bottles and Winter Clothing
Please, please, please do not send in water bottles with an open top. Children this age, knock over things often. One water bottle spill during our eating time, can create many soggy and uneatable lunches (or result in a VERY soggy, wet backpack). Thank you for your consideration in this matter. 😊
It is helpful if your child can manage their own clothing independently. I cannot zip up 20 coats, pull out sleeves, tie shoes, pull mitts/gloves over hands, wrap scarves AND, help with zippers that get caught, referee minor squabbles, and apply band-aids when requested. LOL
I teach the children these steps when they are dressing up in their winter clothing: 1) Snow pants 2) coat 3) boots 4) scarf/hat 5) Mittens or gloves
Extra practice, at home, would be appreciated.
Christmas
There will not be a Christmas concert, again, this year. Sometime in the last week of school, I will post a video of the children singing a few songs on our website.
Christmas Gifts
Each year, many parents and children choose to give me a Christmas gift. These gifts are very much appreciated, but I would like to suggest an alternative. Please consider donating to the Flood Relief or the Food Bank, or to any charity of your choice, in lieu of a gift. I am so blessed and there are many others in the world who are in great need. Thanks!
Important Dates for our Classroom
Dec. 9 report cards issued for my class
Dec. 16 Send in a small bag of candy for your child to use to decorate a frosted cookie. (Because of allergies, we cannot share candy.)
Dec. 17 Last day before Christmas Holiday.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Johnston