Educational Apps!

I borrowed this listing from this blog: http://aplacecalledkindergarten.blogspot.com/2010/08/i-love-my-new-ipad.html

 

Robot Reader (free) a robot voice tells you the letter, sound, word and definition of something that starts with that letter

1 2 3 Color ($1.99) I love this app! It is basically a fancy color by number, letter or color picture. The letter, number or color only disappears if you choose the right one.

Letters A to Z ($.99) This is the app that I am going to use first. It is letter and sound flash cards with cute illustrations.

iWrite Words ($2.99) Great app for practicing writing upper and lowercase letters, numbers and words. Love how you have to send the letters down a "hole" when you are finished.

Letter Lab ($2.99) Great app for writing upper and lowercase letters.

Pocket Charts! Beginning Sounds ($1.99) Match a letter to a picture of something that starts with that letter. The only thing I do not like about this app is that the pictures are shown in alphabetical order.

Pocket Charts! Vowel Sounds (($1.99) Identify short and long vowels. Great app.

Learn Sight Words ($.99) This is an iPhone app, but it is worth it because you can flag the sight words that you use or sight words that a child is having trouble identifying for practice.

ABC Sight Words Writing ($2.99) Good app for practicing spelling and writing sight words.

Memory Zoo ($.99) Love the pictures on this app. This is an animal memory game.

Week of Oct 31

Mrs. Barr’s Shining Stars News

October 31, 2011

Mrs. Barr’s Message:

The 1^st quarter of school ends this week! There will be no school for students on Friday as this is a teacher work day to complete report cards. Kindergarten does NOT receive a grade for the first quarter. We will have a conference to discuss your child’s strengths and weaknesses next week. As of right now we are scheduling families with multiple students. Once those are complete I will send home your child’s conference time. Remember- this is the sponsor’s “place of duty” at that time. If your commander/1Sgt will not let you off for your child’s conference please let me know.

Unit 1 tests are complete! Math testing is going on this week. All results will be discussed at your conference time.

Donations needed this week: Egg cartons (10-12ct please).

Thanks for all you do!!!

IMPORTANT DATES:

11/1: Principal’s Coffee- 9am

11/3: End of 1^st Quarter

11/4: No school for students

11/5: Craft Market Fundraiser

11/9-11/10 Parent Teacher Conferences (no school for Elem. students

11/11: No school Veteran’s Day

11/21: School wide Continuous School Improvement mtg

3pm

Monday 10/17 Art

Tuesday 10/18 Host Nation

Wednesday 10/19 PE

Thursday 10/20 Music (in the AM)

Friday 10/21 PE

!!!REMINDER!!!

Library is on Friday

Check out information, resources, kid web sites, and pictures on our classroom blog:www.mrsbarrshiningstars.blogspot.com

Homework is not mandatory but highly recommended!!

Writing:

Sight words: have, is

Review: am, I, little, it, a, the

KE1a.9: Listen to and say consonant-vowel-consonant (cvc) sounds and blend the

sounds to make words.

KE1a.14: Match all consonant sounds in simple words (such as mad, red, pin,

Science:

Animal Habitats

KSb.1: Recognize what organisms need to stay alive (including air, water, food, and shelter).

Reading:

Letters:  reviewing all

Families: -at

Reviewing character, setting, sequence, and sorting/classifying.

Life in an Ocean

KE1a.14: Match all consonant sounds in simple words (such as mad, red, pin,

Math:

K.M.2c: identify, reproduce, describe, extend, and create color, rhythmic, shape, number, and letter repeating patterns with simple attributes;

K.M.3a: name, describe, sort, compare, and draw two-dimensional shapes;

Books:

3 Billy Goats Gruff

Math math and more math books!!!!

Plus many more!

THIS WEEK’S POEMThis week we focus on the /a/ in the middle of
wordsIt’s Time to Go Camping

It’s time to grab a handy map,

It’s time to pack a bag too!

The ride is long; we’ll take a nap,

It’s time to go camping!

Dad packs all the pots and pans,

Gram packs Sammy, the cat, too!

Ann lines up at the yellow van,

It’s time to go camping!

COLOR OF THE WEEK:

(don’t forget Show-n-Share on Friday! It

must be the color of the week!)

Orange

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

(Leader)
We're going on a bear hunt!
(Group)
We're going on a bear hunt!

We're gonna catch a big one!
We're gonna catch a big one!
I'm not afraid!
I'm not afraid!
Are you?
Are you?
Not me!
Not me!

Here comes the gate
" " (Group Echos)
Now we're on a bear hunt " "
We're gonna catch a big one " "
I'm not afraid " "
Are you? " " Not me! " "

We're coming to a tall mountain " "
It sure is high " "
It sure is wide " "
Let's climb up it " "
Well, there's nothing over there " "
Nothing over there " "
Nothing back there " "
Hey! Wait! I think I see something
Quick! Everybody run down!

We're going on a bear hunt!
We're going on a bear hunt!
We're gonna catch a big one!
We're gonna catch a big one!
I'm not afraid!
I'm not afraid!
Are you?
Are you?
Not me!
Not me!

We're going thru the tall grass " "
We're going thru the short grass " "
Hey! Look! There's a little tree " "
Well, let's shinny on up it
Whoa! It gets a little skinny up here at the top
See anything over that way? " "
Anything over that way?, Uh, oh!,
Oh, no! Whoa! Agh! let's get down!

We're going on a bear hunt!
We're going on a bear hunt!
We're gonna catch a big one!
We're gonna catch a big one!
I'm not afraid!
I'm not afraid!
Are you?
Are you?
Not me!
Not me!

Oh, no! " "
It's a big puddle of mud " "
Can't go around it " "
Gotta go right thru it " "
Yeuk! " "
Well, let's go.
Squish, Sqwish, Blaaahh.

We're going on a bear hunt!
We're going on a bear hunt!
We're gonna catch a big one!
We're gonna catch a big one!
I'm not afraid!
I'm not afraid!
Are you?
Are you?
Not me!
Not me!

We're coming to a wide river " "
And there's no bridge going over it " "
No tunnel going under it " "
It's just plain old water " "
And we're gonna have to swim " "
All right, dive in!
Start swimming
Do the back stroke
Do the side stroke
Do the doggie paddle
Try the little cat paddle
OK Jump out, shake yourself off

We're going on a bear hunt!
We're going on a bear hunt!
We're gonna catch a big one!
We're gonna catch a big one!
I'm not afraid!
I'm not afraid!
Are you?
Are you?
Not me!
Not me!

Shhh, it's a cave " "
Looks like the kind of cave that B-bears live in " "
I don't know if I want to go in there
You think we oughta go in?
Are you nuts?
There's probably a bear in there
All right I'll go in, You stay here,
And if I find a bear, I'll come out and get you
And we'll all go in and grab him together
Now, quiet, don't make a sound while I'm in that cave,
Cuz if you wake him up, I'll be in trouble
Bears are awful ornery when they first wake up, you know
OK, I'm going on in
Oooo, It's dark in here
It's really dark in here
I can't see a thing
Agh, there's spiders webs
Ooo, what was that???
What's this??.... it's soft, uh oh,it's kind of fuzzy

Ahg!!!!!!!!! Run! Everybody run!!
I saw a bear!!!!
Jump in the water! Swim fast!!
Do the backstroke!
The sidestroke, the doggie paddle
Jump out of the water
Run through the mud!
Forget the tree!!
Go through the tall grass
The short grass
Quick! Go up the mountain
Down the other side
Go thru the gate
Into the house, under the bed
Under the pillow
Hide!!!!!
Uh, it's awful quiet around here
I'm not afraid
I'm not afraid
Are you?
Are you?

 

Calling all computer techies!

I am trying to insert a book preview for you all to see. It is a word document though and I don't know how to link it so you can open it at home. Anyone know how??

Week of Oct 24

Sorry parents, no fancy newsletter this week!

In language arts we will be reviewing EVERYTHING we’ve learned up to this point: letters, sight words, sequence, characters, setting, writing the sounds we hear in words, etc. Instead of reading groups (during our “centers” block) they will be taking their Unit 1 test this week. We will also be giving the new reading assessment at the end of the week to those children who have already begun reading. As I finish testing your child I will send home results for you to review.

In math we will be reviewing all that we have learned up to this point plus learning shapes. I know most of the children know their basic shapes but we are learning ALL 2-D shapes- trapezoids, hexagons, pentagons, etc! We will take a shape walk through the school to draw the shapes we see and make shape collages.

This week we will also have fun Fall/Halloween activities for the children to do- if they choose to! If they don’t want to do something Halloween related we will have things for Fall- and ALL are fun! I figured with writing/publishing a book and all the “testing” they need to have a little fun!

The children have ALMOST earned a “popcorn/movie” party by filling our classroom bucket (ask your child about this!) so encourage best behavior and I bet we can fill that bucket by Halloween!

Donations needed: candy corn, dried leaves, ribbon in “fall/Halloween” colors

Happy Birthday Kevin!

Week of Oct. 17

Mrs. Barr’s Shining Stars News
October 17, 2011

Mrs. Barr’s Message:
This quarter is flying by! Only 3 weeks left. This week we will finish our first unit of our reading curriculum. We will be taking a unit test at the end of the week. When reading each night, talk with your child about the characters, setting, and sequence of the story. Please review the letter names and sounds. For game ideas please see the class website.
We will create our class book “I am thankful for…” this week as part of journal and reading group time. Talk with your child about what being thankful means and what they are thankful for. Have them draw pictures of what they are thankful for. Have them say the word slowly and write down the letter sounds they hear. Correct spelling is NOT important at this stage in writing!!! Always praise your child for any attempts at writing letters/words. We have practiced this in our journals and they are doing great! Be on the lookout for the order form for your hard back copy of the class book. Thanks for participlating!
Thanks for all you do!!!

IMPORTANT DATES:

10/20: Bingo/Pizza fundraiser in the MPS @ 1800

11/3: End of 1st Quarter

11/4: No school for students

11/5: Craft Market Fundraiser

11/9-11/10 Parent Teacher Conferences (no school for Elem. students

11/10: Principal’s Coffee- 9am

11/11: No school Veteran’s Day

Monday 10/17
Art
Tuesday 10/18
Host Nation
Wednesday 10/19
PE
Thursday 10/20
Music (in the AM)
Friday 10/21
PE

!!!REMINDER!!!

You may keep a spare change of clothes in your child’s backpack. We can store them in the room if you don’t want them to carry them back and forth. Accidents (and mud puddles) happen!

Library is on Friday

Check out information, resources, kid web sites, and pictures on our classroom blog:
www.mrsbarrshiningstars.blogspot.com

Homework is not mandatory but highly recommended!!


Writing:
Sight words: to, a
Review: am, I, little, it, is, the

Please review these sight words for our unit test!!!
KE2a.1: Discuss ideas to include in a story.
KE2a.3: Write using pictures, letters, and words.


Reading:

Letters: X, Y, Z, vowels
Review: A-W

Reviewing character, setting, sequence, and sorting/classifying.

Dig, Dig, Dig

KE1c.3: Identify characters, settings, and important events in a story.
KE1a.14: Match all consonant sounds in simple words (such as mad, red, pin, top,
sun) to appropriate letters.


Math:
We are making number quilts!
K.M.1a: identify, write, and name numbers up to 20
K.M.1b: using one-to-one correspondence, count the number of objects in sets up to 20;


Books:
1, 2, 3
Where’s my teddy
Horris and Morace but mostly Delores
Ten, nine, eight
Today I feel silly
Boys and Girls of the world
Today is Monday
Mama, how much do you love me?
Just so thankful
Thanks a million

Plus many more!


Children need to hear and say the words that one day they will read and write. Have fun with the following songs and rhymes… word play leads to word power!
KE3b.2: Recite short poems, rhymes, and songs.


COLOR OF THE WEEK:

(don’t forget Show-n-Share on Friday! It
must be the color of the week!)


Gray


Look at them go
(tune: wheels on the bus)
The diggers dig with a scoop, scoop, scooping
Scoop, scoop, scooping,
Scoop, scoop, scooping
The diggers dig with a scoop, scoop, scooping
Look at them go

V2: The fire hose sprays with a swoosh, swoosh, swooshing
V3: The tractors plow with a squelch, squelch, squelching
V4: Garbage trucks are good at gobble, gobble, gobbling
V5: The cranes carry pipes that are spin, spin, spinning
V6: The dump trucks dump with a rumble, rumble, rumbling

Letter Games/Ideas!

Write your letters in/use:
Sand
Salt
Shaving cream
With glue (and then cover with glitter!)
Pasta
Dried beans
Playdough
Coins
Parents: call out the letter SOUND and let your child make the letter he/she thinks it is. If it is incorrect try saying, “Hmm if I were to make an ‘h’ I’d make it like this” then demonstrate for your child. They’ll want to fix the mistake without you even asking! You can also demonstrate by writing on a magnadoodle or dry erase board.

Make letter writing fun. Try using every color in your crayon or marker collection. See how many colors you can write “a” in and so on.

Make your own letter bingo game by writing random letters on a 5x5 grid. Make several different boards so your child can play many times. Make corresponding letters on cut out squares that you use to draw from. You draw a card with a letter and call out the letter name or sound and they cover the letter if it is on their board. Then let them call letters or sounds for you!

Make your own letter puzzles. Using a dark colored marker, write a letter very large on a piece of paper. Cut the paper in a simple way (into 4 squares, into 4 strips, etc). Have your child put the letter puzzle together and tell you the name and sound. They can save the puzzle to play again or glue it to a piece of construction paper. Increase the number of times you cut the puzzle to make it harder. Let your child try making a letter puzzle.

“Alphabet Soup” place some magnet letters or paper letters into a pot. Use a spoon or ladle to scoop out a letter and name it. If you get it right it goes in your bowl. If not it goes back in the pot.

www.starfall.com has letter games, stories, and movies for children.
www.pinterest.com has ideas for parents. Try searching “letter games” “kids games” or “learning letters”

“Alphabet Hunt” can be played any where! Call out a sound or letter name and your child hunts for it. This is great for the commissary. “Bobby I need a vegetable that starts with the /g/ sound” and let him bring you a can of green beans! Make it hard by leaving out the vegetable clue. This is wonderful to play with more than one child- make it a competition!

Make your own tongue twister using a certain letter. Aunt Annie ate an alligator! Busy bees buy bread! Silliest one wins!

Keep a running list of words that start with a letter. You could write the letter in dark marker at the top of a page on a notepad. As your child thinks of or finds words that start with the letter help them write it on the letter page. Start out by having them write the first letter and you finish the word (while sounding it out slowly for them to hear) but then, as they improve, have them start writing all the letters they hear and know.

Turn those lists into a letter book! Fold a piece of paper in half (“hamburger style”) and write one word from the list on each page and let your child illustrate it.

Google: “letter games” for a LOT of fun online games. “kindergarten letter games” gets you letter songs, online games, and activities you can do at home.

If you would like to, purchase letter stamps, letter beads, or letter games on Amazon.com The possibilities with stamps and beads are endless!!!

Photos

Working hard!

Fire Safety Week:

Week of Oct. 11

Mrs. Barr’s Shining Stars News
October 11, 2011

Mrs. Barr’s Message:

Our IT man, Mr. Voce, would like me to remind you that GradeSpeed is only available for students in grades 4-8. Please do not request an account for a child in any other grades. Thanks!

We will not have a Halloween party. We will do Halloween and fall crafts that week as well as enjoy some popcorn and candy while watching “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” to go along with our fall and nocturnal animals unit.

Kindergarten does not receive formal progress reports. I will send home checklists and work that shows you where your child is and what they need to work on. Report cards come out the week of Nov. 7.



Thanks for all you do!!!

IMPORTANT DATES:

10/11-14: Fire Prevention Week

10/13: Flu vaccines for K

10/13: Principal’s Coffee 9-10am

11/3: End of 1st Quarter

11/4: No school for students

11/9-11/10 Parent Teacher Conferences (no school for Elem. students

11/10: Principal’s Coffee- 9am

11/11: No school Veteran’s Day


Monday 10/10
NO SCHOOL
Tuesday 10/11
Host Nation
Wednesday 10/12
PE
Thursday 10/13
Music (in the AM)
Friday 10/14
PE


!!!REMINDER!!!

Check out information, resources, kid web sites, and pictures on our classroom blog:
www.mrsbarrshiningstars.blogspot.com

Homework is not mandatory but highly recommended!!


Writing:

Sight words: to, a
Review is, it at home!

www.handwritingforkids.com is a great place to get homework sheets!


Reading:

Letters: T, U, V, W
Review A-S

Reviewing character, setting, sequence, and sorting/classifying.

Julius

KE1c.3: Identify characters, settings, and important events in a story.
KE1a.14: Match all consonant sounds in simple words (such as mad, red, pin, top,
sun) to appropriate letters.


Social Studies:

KSS5.b: Describe different kinds of jobs that people do at work and home.
KSS4.c: Explore the role of students in the school community


Math: identify, sort, and classify a set of objects by color, shape, size, number, and other attributes;
identify, reproduce, describe, extend, and create color, rhythmic, shape, number, and letter repeating patterns with simple attributes,


Books:
Leo the Late Bloomer
Words are not for hurting
Flower Fairy Alphabet
Bully Bear
Cliffords Pals
I’m Gonna Like Me
A children’s Zoo
Friends at School

Plus MANY more!


COLOR OF THE WEEK:

(don’t forget Show-n-Share on Friday! It must
be the color of the week!)


Yellow

Week of Oct 3

Mrs. Barr’s Shining Stars News
October 3, 2011

Mrs. Barr’s Message:
We have begun working hard at reading groups. Some groups are working on their letters, others have moved on to word work, and a few are even reading books to/with Mrs. Barr! We all need practice with our names so each group will do a little bit of that as well. Small groups take place during center time. I pull students who need to work on the same skill to my table for 5-10 minutes and then they go back to centers. The time with me will increase as the year (and attention spans!) progresses.
I will be out on Thursday to have some dental work done so if you are able to come in and volunteer I know Mrs. Walker and the substitute would really appreciate it. Note that there is no school next Friday or the following Monday.
Blankets/towels have come home for washing. Please return them on Monday.
Donations needed: buttons and dry pasta of all shapes, sizes, and colors! We need these on MONDAY! 
Thanks for all you do!!!

IMPORTANT DATES:

10/7: No school for students

10/10: Columbus Day- No school

10/13: Principal’s Coffee 9-10am

11/3: End of 1st Quarter

11/4: No school for students

11/10: Principal’s Coffee- 9am

12/8: Principal’s Coffee- 9am

12/19-1/2: Winter Holidays


Monday 10/3 PE
Tuesday 10/4 Music (in the AM!)
Wednesday 10/5 PE
Thursday 10/6 Art
Friday 9/30 NO SCHOOL


!!!REMINDER!!!
Send a healthy snack every day!

Check out information, resources, kid web sites, and pictures on our classroom blog:
www.mrsbarrshiningstars.blogspot.com

**NEW**
I have sent home a “homework” calendar. This is not mandatory but highly encouraged. If your child wants me to “check” any of their work I’d be happy to do so. You will receive a simple homework assignment most nights. Some nights you will receive work we were not able to finish in class. Again homework is never mandatory but it will help your child progress quicker!


Writing:

Sight words: is, it
Review the, little at home!

www.handwritingforkids.com is a great place to get homework sheets!


Reading:

Letters: P, Q, R, S
Review A-O

Reviewing character, setting, and sequence. Introduce sorting and classifying.

Miss Bindergarten Goes on a Field Trip

KE1c.3: Identify characters, settings, and important events in a story.
KE1a.22: Identify and sort common words in basic categories.


Math: identify, sort, and classify a set of objects by color, shape, size, number, and other attributes;
identify, reproduce, describe, extend, and create color, rhythmic, shape, number, and letter repeating patterns with simple attributes,


Social Studies:

KSS5.b: Describe different kinds of jobs that people do at work and home.
KSS4.c: Explore the role of students in the school community


Books:
Have you filled a bucket today?
The crayon box that talked
My mouth is a volcano
Boys and girls of the world
Bernstain bears forget their manners
It’s ok to be different
Horace and Morris but mostly Delores
Beep Beep Vroom Vroom
Secret Birthday Msg


Children need to hear and say the words that one day they will read and write. Have fun with the following songs and rhymes… word play leads to word power!
KE3b.2: Recite short poems, rhymes, and songs.

COLOR OF THE WEEK:Green

(don’t forget Show-n-Share
on Friday! It must be the color of the
week!)


Baby Bumblebee
(song)
I’m bringing home a baby bumblebee,
Won’t my Mommy be so proud of me?
I’m bringing home a baby bumblebee,
OUCH! It stung me!

I’m squashing up my baby bumblebee,
Won’t my Mommy be so proud of me?
I’m squashing up my baby bumblebee,
EWWW! It’s yucky!

I’m wiping off my baby bumblebee,
Won’t my Mommy be so proud of me,
I’m wiping off my baby bumblebee,
UGGHH!! It’s all OVER me!

I’m washing off my baby bumblebee,
Won’t my Mommy be so proud of me,
I’m washing off my baby bumblebee,
*Sigh* That’s better!

Apple Week photos!

New Information!

Parents:

We were just informed that the new kindergarten class will be starting next Thursday! While we will be saying goodbye to four of our friends it’s hard to be sad because they are going to an awesome teacher. Mrs. Tracey is a new teacher with her master’s degree in education. She has been subbing for the last year. I am very excited to be working with her and to be her “neighbor.” I’m sure we’ll be working together with our classes in many ways over the year. What does this mean for you? Not much! You can rest assured that now our class sizes will be smaller (for now!) which means more individualized instruction for your child. However because we’ve added a new teacher into the schedule, the specials classes have had to change. Therefore beginning on THURSDAY we have new specials and times (12:10-12:45) so your newsletter is no longer correct. Here are the new specials:

Thursday 9/29: Art
Friday 9/30: Host Nation

The specialists schedule for Kindergarten is on a five day rotation (A-E). It is NOT scheduled by day (i.e. PE is always Monday, etc). Here is our schedule:

A day: Music with Mrs. Grace (we will have this right before lunch time 9:55-10:30)
B day: PE with the new half time PE teacher
C day: Art with Ms. Oliverson
D day: Host Nation with Frau Hohenhaus
E day: PE with the new half time PE teacher


PS: For parents whose child is moving to Mrs. Tracey, her specials on Thursday (C) AND Friday (D) will be PE with Ms. Steele just so you know to send them in comfortable clothes! :-)

Week of: September 26, 2011

Mrs. Barr’s Shining Stars News
September 26, 2011

Mrs. Barr’s Message:
I apologize to those of you who were not receiving the newsletter through your email. Always check our class website on Friday or the weekend for updates concerning the next week.
We have started our classroom jobs to help us learn responsibility. The jobs in our room are: door holder, center checker, bathroom checker, nap checker, lunch checker, calendar, weather, supply person, scrap monster (cleans scraps off the floor), and desk checker. We are rotating through jobs daily until everyone has gotten to try each job and then we will rotate jobs weekly. Ask your child what job they had each day!
Volunteers are always welcome. Advance notice is not needed but appreciated (so we can plan for you)! Mrs. Walker always has projects needing to be completed and I can always have you work with students who need extra practice.
Thanks for all you do!!!

IMPORTANT DATES:
Sept. is National Honey Month!

9/26: Johnny Appleseed Day!

10/10: Columbus Day- No school

10/13: Principal’s Coffee 9-10am

11/3: End of 1st Quarter

11/4: No school for students

11/10: Principal’s Coffee- 9am

12/8: Principal’s Coffee- 9am

12/19-1/2: Winter Holidays


Monday 9/26
Host Nation (German class)
Tuesday 9/27
Music
Wednesday 9/28
PE
Thursday 9/29
Art
Friday 9/30
Host Nation

!!!REMINDER!!!

Send a healthy snack every day!

Check out information, resources, kid web sites, and pictures on our classroom blog:
www.mrsbarrshiningstars.blogspot.com

**NEW**
Each week we will work with a different color. On Fridays I would like to have “Show N Share” BUT the item must be something that is the color of the week to participate.

This week our color will be: Blue


Writing:

Sight words: the, little
Review I, a, and am at home!

www.handwritingforkids.com is a great place to get homework sheets!


Science:

None


Reading:

Letters: K, L, M, N, O
Review A-J

Reviewing character and setting and introducing “retelling”- first, next, last

Plaidypus Lost

KE1b.2: Use pictures and context to aid comprehension and to draw conclusions or
make predictions about story content.
KE1c.2: Retell (beginning, middle, end) familiar stories.


Math:
K.M.4a: compare and order objects according to length
K.M.1a: identify, write, and name numbers up to 20;
K.M.2b: identify, sort, and classify a set of objects by color, shape, size, number, and other attributes;


Social Studies:

KSS5.b: Describe different kinds of jobs that people do at work and home.
KSS4.c: Explore the role of students in the school community


Books:

Johnny Appleseed
Shiver Me Letters
A tree can be
Bernstain Bears Go to School
I Knew You Could
Friends at School
Sheila Rae the Brave
When Sophie Gets Angry
Just the Way You Are
Bad Case of Tattle

Plus MANY more!


Children need to hear and say the words that one day they will read and write. Have fun with the following songs and rhymes… word play leads to word power!
KE3b.2: Recite short poems, rhymes, and songs.


THIS WEEK’S POEM

We have been unable to complete poems of the
Week so we will resume this later in the year.


COLOR OF THE WEEK:


Blue


Purple Platypus
(tune: Baby Bumblebee)

I lost my purple platypus today,
Searched around the market,
Couldn’t find him anywhere,
My grandpa peeked in a bag of groceries,
Look! We found him!

Poem:
Platypus, platypus touch your nose.
Platypus, platypus touch your toes.
Platypus, platypus touch your head.
Platypus, platypus go to bed.

Oh my! Oh No!
(tune: Rockabye Baby)

“Oh my! Oh no!” Little Duck quacked.
“Someone has moved my little pink sack.”
“Oops! I’m so sorry!” Mother Duck said.
“Your little pink sack is right over your head!”

Week of Sept 19

Mrs. Barr’s Shining Stars News
September 19, 2011

Mrs. Barr’s Message:
This is APPLE WEEK! We will be learning all about apples, life cycles, and using apples for math such as graphing and patterning.
Please send 1 apple with your child by WEDNESDAy. It can be any color and any type of apple. We will use the apples for different activities Wednesday-Friday.
Donations are needed for apple week! I would like to do caramel apples with the children on Friday. Individual caramel candies/melts or caramel sauce is needed as well as toothpicks. If you could help with this it would be greatly appreciated. Please email Mrs. Barr.
This week we are reviewing the letters A-J and really focusing on handwriting. I thought something fun to do would be having a snack that starts with the letters we are doing that day. If you would like to participate this week then please send something that starts with the letters A-J. Original packaging is preferred so we can add to our word wall!
Thanks for all you do!!!

IMPORTANT DATES:

9/19-9/20: Picture Day!

9/26: Johnny Appleseed Day!

10/10: Columbus Day- No school

10/13: Principal’s Coffee 9-10am

11/3: End of 1st Quarter

11/4: No school for students

11/10: Principal’s Coffee- 9am

12/8: Principal’s Coffee- 9am

12/19-1/2: Winter Holidays


!!!REMINDER!!!

No uniforms on Picture Day (Tuesday)!!!

Check out information, resources, kid web sites, and pictures on our classroom blog:
www.mrsbarrshiningstars.blogspot.com

**NEW**
Each week we will work with a different color. On Fridays I would like to have “Show N Share” BUT the item must be something that is the color of the week to participate.

This week our color will be: RED


Writing:

Sight words: I, am, a

Make sure you are FORMING the letters correctly!
That means letters start at the top or middle if they are supposed to.
Watch your child write!


Science:
KSb.5: Recognize that all organisms go through stages of growth and change called life cycles.
KSe.1: Classify objects by observable properties


Reading:

Letters: REVIEW WEEK!
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J

KE1a.5: Distinguish letters from words.
KE1a.6: Recognize and name all capital and lowercase letters of the alphabet.


Social Studies:

KSS1.a: Follow rules, share, take turns, and cooperate.
KSSK1: Follow directions.

Following directions the FIRST time is key! Homework: practice this at home!


Math:

K.M.1a: identify, write, and name numbers up to 20;
K.M.2b: identify, sort, and classify a set of objects by color, shape, size, number, and other attributes;


Books:

10 apples up on top
I am an apple
Arnold’s Apple Tree
Life Cycles: Apple Trees
How do apples grow
Picking apples and pumpkins
The Apple Pie that Papa Baked
An apple’s life
10 red apples


Children need to hear and say the words that one day they will read and write. Have fun with the following songs and rhymes… word play leads to word power!
KE3b.2: Recite short poems, rhymes, and songs.


THIS WEEK’S POEM

We have been unable to complete poems of the
Week so we will resume this later in the year.


COLOR OF THE WEEK:


Red


Tune: If You're Happy and You Know It
“b” would be said “buh”- “c” would be said “kuh”-etc

If you're happy and you know it,
Bounce around "b" "b"
If you're happy and you know it,
Bounce around "b" "b"
If you're happy and you know it,
Then your face will surely show it
If you're happy and you know it,
Bounce around "b" "b"

Catch a ball "c" "c"...
Dance with me "d" "d"...
Fall down "f" "f"”...
Gallop like a horse "g" "g"...
Hop on one foot "f" "f"...
Jump so high "j" "j"...
Kick in the air "k" "k"...
Laugh out loud "l" "l"...
March in place "m" "m"...
Nod your head "n" "n"...
Paint a picture "p" "p"...
Run in place "r" "r"...
Sit on the floor "s" "s"...
Talk to me "t" "t"...
Vacuum the rug "v" "v"...
Walk around "w" "w"...
Yawn right now "y" "y"...
Zip your zipper "z" "z"...

1st week photos

Week of Sept 12

Mrs. Barr’s Shining Stars News
September 12, 2011

Mrs. Barr’s Message:
Parents this has been a wonderful week!! You have very kind and bright children. During the next week I will begin my beginning of the year assessments so I can guage what your child already knows. As I finish the assessments I will send home the results so you know what you can work on at home. These do not go on your child’s “permanent record” as I explained at home meetings. They are just a tool to help me teach better! 
I appreciate all of your help with the pick up at the green gate issue. It is already running smoother and I want to thank you so much for that!
As you notice things that could be improved or if you have constructive criticism for me please share. I’m always willing to modify and better myself as a teacher!
All of our children could use handwriting help- this is normal for the age! So I will be sending home handwriting for the letters we have learned so far as well as for our names.

IMPORTANT DATES:

9/11: Grandparent’s Day

9/19-9/20: Picture Day!

9/26: Johnny Appleseed Day!

10/10: Columbus Day- No school

10/13: Principal’s Coffee 9-10am

11/3: End of 1st Quarter

11/4: No school for students


Monday 9/12 Host Nation (German class)
Tuesday 9/13 Music
Wednesday 9/7 PE
Thursday 9/8 Art
Friday 9/9 PE


!!!REMINDER!!!

Don’t forget your healthy snack!

Check out information, resources, kid web sites, and pictures on our classroom blog:
www.mrsbarrshiningstars.blogspot.com

Don’t stick to boring worksheets to practice the letters and names. Switch it up and write your letters in shaving cream, salt, or sand. Use dried noodles, beans, coins, or chocolate chips to form the letters. The more hands on and enjoyable an activity is the better your child will complete it!


Writing:

Sight words: I, am

Make sure you are FORMING the letters correctly!


Science:
We are describing properties of things.

KSe.1: Classify objects by observable properties


Reading:

We are reading “Fix it Duck” about a duck who really wants to help fix things but usually ends up making things worse. We are learning about setting this week and reviewing characters.

Letters: f, g, h, i, j

KE1a.5: Distinguish letters from words.
KE1a.10: Say rhyming words in response to an oral prompt.


Social Studies:

KSS1.a: Follow rules, share, take turns, and cooperate.
KSSK1: Follow directions.


Math:

Review ordinal numbers: first-sixth
K.M.1c:
position and identify the order of objects using ordinal numbers


Books:

Curious George Goes to School
How full is your bucket
Tell me again about the night I was born
Ira sleeps over
I am not going to get up today
But I waaant it!
Froggy Goes to School
My nose, your nose
Chester’s Way
Just the way you are


Children need to hear and say the words that one day they will read and write. Have fun with the following songs and rhymes… word play leads to word power!
KE3b.2: Recite short poems, rhymes, and songs.

THIS WEEK’S POEM

Five Cows All Black and White

Five cows all black and white,
Chewed their cud from day to night.
So they could give milk sweet and pure
Squirt! Squirt!
One left the barn one day
So she could find more hay.
Then there were four cows
All black and white
MOO! MOO!


That’s what friends do
(tune: Farmer in the Dell)

We can help each other out,
we’re friends without a doubt,
That’s what friends do,
Why don’t you help too?
Let’s help Bill repair a leak,
If the ladder’s not too steep,
That’s what friends do,
Why don’t you help too?

If all the raindrops (song)

If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gumdrops?
Oh what a rain that would be.
Standing outside with my mouth open wide.
Ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh.
If all the raindrops were lemon drops and gumdrops?
Oh what a rain that would be.
If all the snowflakes were candy bars and milkshakes?
Oh what a snow that would be.
Standing outside with my mouth open wide.
Ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh.
If all the snowflakes were candy bars and milkshakes?
Oh what a snow that would be.
If all the sun beams were bubble gum and ice cream?
Oh what a sun that would be.
Standing outside with my mouth open wide.
Ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh-ahh.
If all the sun beams were bubble gum and ice cream?
Oh what a sun that would be.

Week of Sept. 6

Mrs. Barr’s Shining Stars News
September 6, 2011

Mrs. Barr’s Message:
Welcome to the new school year! On Tuesday morning all parents are able to come in through the green gate with their child. Look for the K sign on the green fence and stand by Mrs. Barr’s sign. We will all come to the classroom together and you can help your child unpack their supplies then have them sit at their desk. Please leave the snack in the cubby and towel in the book bag. All other items will have a bucket to go in outside of our room. Please do not label any items except the towel (and of course clothing, book bag, lunch kit). Hang up your child’s backpack and have them put on their name tag and take the paper from their cubby into the classroom with them. We will use this for an activity so don’t lose it/bend it! Don’t forget your camera! We ask that you leave as soon as you get that first picture so that we may start the day free from distractions. (**If I did your home visit on Mon/Tues this is different what I told you and I apologize**).
Thanks for all you do!!!

IMPORTANT DATES:

9/6: First Day!

9/8: Principal’s Coffee 9-10am

9/8: Open House 4:30-5:30pm

9/11: Grandparent’s Day

9/19-9/20: Picture Day!

9/26: Johnny Appleseed Day!

10/10: Columbus Day- No school

10/13: Principal’s Coffee 9-10am


Tuesday 9/6 Music
Wednesday 9/7 PE
Thursday 9/8 Art
Friday 9/9 PE

!!!REMINDER!!!

Don’t forget your healthy snack!

Check out information, resources, kid web sites, and pictures on our classroom blog:
www.mrsbarrshiningstars.blogspot.com

We need your child’s lunch pin on the first day!!!


Writing:
We are working on our name as well as labeling family members: mother, father, brother, sister, etc.

Sight words: I, am

Make sure you are FORMING the letters correctly


Science:

We will touch a little bit on animals and their offspring (cat-kitten). We will revisit this topic in more depth later in the year.


Reading:

We are reading “The Little School Bus” for our lessons and talking about how we come to school and discussing characters in a story.

Letters: a, b, c, d, e

We are also working on rhyming words such as hat, cat, bat.

KE1a.5: Distinguish letters from words.
KE1a.10: Say rhyming words in response to an oral prompt


Math:

Ordinal numbers: first-sixth

K.M.1c:
position and identify the order of objects using ordinal numbers


Social Studies:
We are learning about our families as well as our classroom rules: Be ready, respectful, responsible!

KSS1.a: Follow rules, share, take turns, and cooperate.
KSSK1: Follow directions.


Books:
First Days of School
Emily’s First 100 Days of School
Will I have a friend?
This is the way we go to school
Chrysanthemum
Lunch Bunnies
First Day Jitters
The Secret Shortcut
**These are only a FEW books we will read. We are reading LOTS of books about manners, differences, and rules!**


Children need to hear and say the words that one day they will read and write. Have fun with the following songs and rhymes… word play leads to word power!
KE3b.2: Recite short poems, rhymes, and songs.


THIS WEEK’S POEM

First Day of School

I wonder
if my drawing
will be as good as theirs.

I wonder
if they'll like me
or just be full of stares.

I wonder
if my teacher
will look like Mom or Gram.

I wonder
if my puppy
will wonder
where I am.


A Bus Comes Along Every Day
(song to the tune of “If you’re happy and you know it”)
Oh a bus comes along every day,
Oh a bus comes along every day,
At our curb it does arrive,
and it takes us for a ride,
Oh a bus comes along every day!
You Are My Mother
(to the tune of “You Are My Sunshine”)
You are my mother, my dear sweet mother.
You show you love me in many ways.
You give me hugs and lots of kisses,
Please know I love you every day.
Oh, My Daddy
(tune: “Clementine”)
Oh, my daddy. Oh, my daddy.
Oh, my very special dad,
I will always be so thankful,
for my very special dad.

Homework Help for Parents!

http://monkeysee.com/play/13523-how-to-help-your-child-with-homework

This is a GREAT site with video clips that gives parents ideas on working with their children on homework. I especially like the ones about the "fidgety" child and the child who gets emotional. I think these were beneficial for the classroom so I hope you enjoy them and can use them as well!

There's also "related videos" that talk about a variety of topics such as discipline, picky eaters, ADHD, whining,and potty training- I'm definitely using this one!! :-)

What should 5 year olds be able to do?

Ms. Edwards, another kindergarten teacher here, recommends this book for parents. I personally have not read it but flipped through and loved the checklists it provides. Obviously most of your children have mastered these things but just in case you're wondering (or you have younger siblings) here you go! I have scanned an example about fine motors. If you are interested in seeing more of the checklists leave a comment and I can post them as well! (thinking skills, social skills, gross motor, etc).



Below is a paper I sent out when the children started in my room but just in case you didn't get to see it here it is again.

How to Tie Your Shoes Step By Step for Kids

Below are simple instructions for tying shoes. However the catch is to use a jump rope under your child's knees while you sit behind them. This way your child can clearly see what you are doing. Stop after each step and practice it over and over until it is mastered. I hope this helps many of you!


Once a child reaches the age of 5, he has usually developed the dexterity necessary to learn how to tie his shoes. Teaching a child to tie his shoes is a frustrating---yet rewarding---process. The skill takes a lot of practice, not to mention patience. Work through these steps with your child, showing him how each step is done before he attempts it.

Instructions
1. Start with the shoelaces hanging down to the sides of the shoe. Pick the shoelaces up and make an "X" with them.

2. Bring the top shoelace down to the bottom of the X and draw it through, then pull the laces tight.

3. Make a loop out of the right lace with your right hand. Hold it tight, then make another loop out of the left lace with your left hand. The laces will look like two floppy bunny ears.

4. Cross the right loop in front of the left loop, making another X.



















5. Pull the right loop over the left loop. Bring it back and through the bottom of the X, then pull the loops tightly.

Read more: How to Tie Your Shoes Step By Step for Kids | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5943746_tie-shoes-step-step-kids.html#ixzz1JicGF5JH

Free Phonics Flashcards

Below are direct links to some FREE phonics flashcards and mini-posters. I hope you find these helpful when working with your child. If you are unable to print from home please let me know and I can print black and white copies for you at school.

Flashcards:

Beginning Blends
http://www.mes-english.com/phonics/files/begblend_flash.pdf

Ending Blends
http://www.mes-english.com/phonics/files/endblend_flash.pdf

Digraphs
http://www.mes-english.com/phonics/files/digraph_flash.pdf

Digraph Vowels
http://www.mes-english.com/phonics/files/digraphvowel_flash.pdf

R controlled vowels
http://www.mes-english.com/phonics/files/rcontrolledvowels_flash.pdf

“Posters”

Beginning Blends
http://www.mes-english.com/phonics/files/begblend.pdf

End Blends
http://www.mes-english.com/phonics/files/endblend.pdf

Digraphs
http://www.mes-english.com/phonics/files/digraph.pdf

Digraph Vowels
http://www.mes-english.com/phonics/files/digraphvowel1.pdf

R controlled vowels
http://www.mes-english.com/phonics/files/rcontrolledvowels.pdf

Leveled Reader Databases

Please remember that books for reading independently (without teacher support) are best selected from a lower level. We are using the Guided Reading Levels (A-Z) in our classroom. Please e-mail me or respond to this post if you have any additional questions. I hope you find these sites helpful in leveling some of the books in your child's personal library. Enjoy!

http://bookwizard.scholastic.com/

http://books.atozteacherstuff.com/leveled-books

http://www.fountasandpinnellleveledbooks.com/default.aspx (There is a charge for the use of this site.)

Sight Word Help!

A BIG THANK YOU to those of you who are studying those sight word lists I sent home last week. Several children have been BEGGING for quizzes and earning those stickers left and right.

The spelling city website offers games to help learn sight words. This site can also quiz your child on the words. I hope you find this helpful!


http://www.spellingcity.com/dolch-words.html

DoDEA Curriculum

Just in case you didn't catch it in the previous newsletter, this is the website where you can see the standards for all grades.

http://www.dodea.edu/curriculum/

Choose a subject, click standards (it's a tab towards the right of the screen), then click K (or any grade you're curious about).

These standards are what your child is responsible for knowing by the end of the year.

Math Terminology

Our Math Terminology
These are the math terms that are age appropriate for kindergarten


Adding “togetherwith”
3+2 would be read “3 ogether with 2”

Subtracting “take away”
3-2 would be read “3 take away 2”

Multiplying “taken _ times”
3x2 would be read “3 taken 2 times”

Division “shared out _ times”
15 divided by 3 would be read “15 shared out 3 times”


YES some of the kids in our class are ready to start multiplying and dividing using manipulatives! If you would like a demonstration on how I will be teaching any of these things come on by during one of my breaks (11:00-11:45am or 1:45-2:10pm) or after school!