Kindergarten Update
Dear Parents, April 1, 2022
Reading groups are going well. Here is some background information on the guided reading approach:
The guided reading approach to early literacy is a method that involves teaching small groups of students with similar reading abilities.Teachers who use guided reading groups gather kids of similar reading abilities together — usually creating groups of no more than six students. The goal is to create small groups that the teacher can then work with directly, rather than teaching a whole class of 20-plus kids whose abilities may vary drastically. Choosing texts that are at a level that’s at or just slightly above the reading levels of the students in the group, teachers will introduce the text to their guided reading group to help the students develop a contextual framework. That can mean anything from going over illustrations to discussing headings, to encouraging the kids to predict what they think will happen. Students are nurtured with the small group approached and challenged to problem-solve in the guided reading process.
Our students are grouped according to skill level and rotate through four stations each time. One station is IPADS, one station is independent work and two stations are with the teacher or teacher’s aide.
The students participated in a Virtual Author’s Faire this past week. Students in Grades K-5 took part in a Community Read. A Community Read is like a book club where two or more grades read the same books and do follow-up activities that enhance the reading experience. Kindergarten students read Bitty Bot’s Big Beach Getaway, by Tim McCanna. Each class was provided with worksheets as a follow up to the book reading. A bulletin board will be put together after April 1, containing pictures of the books and authors, and possibly some student work/crafts.
In addition to the Zones of Regulation to help students with their social and emotional growth, we will now begin teaching lessons from a program called Second Step.
Second Step is a program that helps students in identifying feelings, managing strong emotions, solving problems, and getting along with others. These lessons will take place the week of April 25.
Mrs. Foster has begun to practice “The Story of Moses” with the students in preparation for the Seder. The video will be shared with families on 4/14.
Our SuperKid this week is Kailyn. Thanks to Lorenzo for sharing his things.
What’s Going on in the Classroom?
ELA/ Language Arts/ Writing- skills will concentrate on writing a research project on a nonfiction animal book, gathering information, constructing web of details, spring vocabulary, leveled reading and comprehension questions
Math-Decomposing numbers to 10
Social Studies- Famous Americans- Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell
Religion- Lenten Calendar, The Story of Moses
Looking Ahead
Monday, April 4th-Friday, April 8th- Kindergarten Students read their books to classmates
Monday, April 11th- Thursday, April 14th- Holy Week
Thursday, April 14th-“The Story of Moses”-Seder Meal-Holy Thursday- MINIMUM DAY
Friday, April 15th-Good Friday- No School
Monday, April 18th- Friday, April 22nd- Easter Vacation- No School
Monday, April 25th- Return to School
Mrs. Foster and Mrs. Halkias