Here are the Math Facts Fluency pages we’ve been working on in class. In Kindergarten, students need to be able to solve math facts within 10 and fluently within 5 (1+4, 2+3, 0+4, 5-2, 3-1, etc.). We’ve included facts within 10 in these timings, to help prepare them for first grade. (You’ll find all of them by clicking on the tabs at the bottom).

Some students have shown interest in working on these at home (yay!). Our goal is to complete 25 facts/minute. (The only exception is adding and subtracting 0; they need 30 in a minute). For some students, the hardest part isn’t the facts, but forming/writing the numbers quick enough, so practicing writing numbers might be a good place to start.

Tip:If you slip the timings into a sheet protector and use a dry erase marker, they can practice over and over without making lots of copies.

*If you’re unable to see the timings, please email me lteichert@questac.org and I will share the google sheet with you directly.

Looking Ahead:

• March 1- Dr. Seuss Day (Students are invited to wear Dr. Seuss inspired clothing or dress as their favorite Dr. Seuss character)
• March 15- Spring Pictures (Students will be allowed to wear the clothing of their choice for photos, so this will be a free dress down day for all students.) 
• March 15- Daddy/Daughter Dance 6-8 pm
• March 15- 3rd Term Ends- Report Cards available online in Aspire
• March 22- Mother/Son Dance 6-8 pm
• March 29- Yearbook Sales Deadline (Yearbook sales are still open. All purchases are online only and may be made through this link HERE.  Elementary ID code: 15110624)
• April 1-5- Spring Break- NO SCHOOL

Here’s a quick overview of new things we learned this week:

Comprehension strategy/skill: “Make, confirm, and revise predictions”/”Problem and Solution” . We read different stories to go along with our theme “How do you take care of different kinds of pets?”

2 New High Frequency Words (Power Words): “of” and “they”

New sound, spelling and handwriting: /g/ Gg and /w/ Ww

Vocabulary: responsibility, train, compared, depend, social

Math: Lesson 18 Compose and Decompose 6 and 7

Science: This week, our lesson was called, “How can you find animals in the woods?” We learned how every animal has the need to seek safety. When we see animals in the wild, very often they are seeking safety.

Looking Ahead:

• February 19- NO SCHOOL (President’s Day)
• February 23- $1 Dress Down Day
• March 15- Spring Pictures (Students will be allowed to wear the clothing of their choice for photos, so this will be a free dress down day for all students.) 
• March 15- Daddy/Daughter Dance 6-8 pm
• March 15- 3rd Term Ends- Report Cards available online in Aspire
• March 22- Mother/Son Dance 6-8 pm
• March 29- Yearbook Sales Deadline (Yearbook sales are still open. All purchases are online only and may be made through this link HERE.  Elementary ID code: 15110624)
• April 1-5- Spring Break- NO SCHOOL

Here’s a quick overview of new things we learned this week:

Comprehension strategy/skill: “Reread”/”Fact & Opinion” . We read different stories to go along with our theme “How are some animals alike and how are they different?”

2 New High Frequency Words (Power Words): “for” and “have“

New sound, spelling and handwriting: /u/ Uu

Vocabulary: appearance, behavior, exercise, plenty, wander

Math: Lesson 18: Compose and Decompose 6.

Science: Animal Needs: Shelter. This week we read about a girl, Sofia, who wonders where animals live and goes for a walk in the woods to find out. She finds a squirrel and learns about their habitat. We explored other animal homes as well.

We had a great day of giving and celebrating our friendships. Thanks so much for all the thoughtful Valentine’s! What a sweet class we have! -Ms. Lisa and Ms. Olya

We are now beginning Unit 7 in Language Arts. Here are the sight words, oral vocabulary words, letters, and sounds we will be mastering during the next 3 weeks. In addition, we continue to read decodable books and passages. You can listen to us read on SeeSaw and encourage us to read the passages we bring home each week. We are also working on writing sentences. We ask ourselves…Does it have a capital? Does it have a space? Does it have punctation in its place? Don’t forget the rest are lowercase!

In math, we will be composing (putting a number together using it’s parts) and decomposing (break down numbers into parts) 6, 7, 8, and 9. Individually, the students are working to master their current selected math standard. Ask them about their Nearpod lessons. We are also working on becoming fluent with our math facts. Talk with with your child about which math facts they are currently working on.

And in science and STEM, we will be exploring animal shelters and how animals seek safety in order to survive.

Thank you for attending Parent Teacher Conferences! Your support is amazing and I’m so impressed with all you do to help your children be successful in school!

Looking Ahead:

• February 14: Valentine’s Day Party (we have 21 students in our class)
• February 19- NO SCHOOL (President’s Day)
• February 23- $1 Dress Down Day
• March 15- Spring Pictures
• March 15- Daddy/Daughter Dance 6-8 pm
• March 22- Mother/Son Dance 6-8 pm
• April 1-5- Spring Break- NO SCHOOL

Here’s a quick overview of new things we learned this week:

Comprehension strategy/skill: “Visualize”/”Events: Sequence”. We read different stories to go along with our theme “How can you stay safe in bad weather?”

Review High Frequency Words: “my”, “are”, “he”, “with”, “is”, “little”, “she”, and “was”

Review sound/spelling of the vowels: a, e, i, o and /k/ Cc, Kk, and _ck (spelling for /k/ at the end of words).

Vocabulary: safe, prepare, celebration, notice, enough

Math: Lesson 15: Number Partners for 10

Science: This week, we learned about animals and their survival needs. Our lesson was called, “Why does a woodpecker peck wood?” We learned how every animal has the need to find food. When we see animals in the wild, very often they are looking for food.

100 Days of School Celebration: We loved seeing what 100 of different things looked like (stickers were the smallest and turtles were the biggest) and we learned that counting out 100 Froot Loops takes longer than we thought! 🙂

We will be celebrating the 100th Day of School on Friday, February 9.  We will be counting out 100 Froot Loops and making a necklace. Also, each child is welcome to bring a collection of 100 items that day to school if they would like (100 buttons, 100 signatures, 100 pom poms…) It’s fun to see what 100 of something looks like!  Just a couple guidelines:  

* Please let your child only bring in a collection that they can carry and manage by themselves 

* No food items (per Quest policy)

*Have fun thinking of a creative or unique collection you want to bring 🙂

Looking Ahead:

• Friday, February 9: Kindergarten celebrates 100 Days of School
• Wednesday, February 14: Valentine’s Day Party (we have 21 students in our class)
• February 19- NO SCHOOL (President’s Day)
• February 23- $1 Dress Down Day

Here’s a quick overview of new things we learned this week:

Comprehension strategy/skill: “Visualize”/”Events:Sequence”. We read different stories to go along with our theme “What happens in different kinds of weather?”

2 New High Frequency Words: “she” and “was”

New sound/spelling and handwriting: /k/ Kk and _ck (spelling for /k/ at the end of words)

Vocabulary: predict, temperature, clever, storm, drought

Math: Fluency Timings Introduction (“I can add and subtract fluently within 5”)

We will be celebrating 100 days in our Kindergarten Class on Friday, February 9 and our Valentine’s Party will be Wednesday, February 14th. Treats will be involved with both.

For your student to participate please complete this online Valentines/100 Days form.

Valentine’s Helpful Hints:

1. We have 21 students in our class (if students choose to bring Valentine’s to share, please make sure they bring one for everybody in the class).
2. Only write who the Valentine is FROM. Do NOT address Valentine’s to each student (this will help the students distribute their Valentine’s faster).
3. We will be making Valentine’s bags (and providing the supplies to do so) in class for the students to collect their Valentine’s. No need to make a Valentine’s box this year.
4. Students are able to bring a store-bought wrapped treat/candy for their peers on Valentine’s Day. These treats will be sent home to be consumed under parent supervision. Non-food Valentine items are wonderful as well!

Looking Ahead:

• Wednesday-Thursday, January 31-February 1: Parent Teacher Conferences
• Friday, February 2: NO SCHOOL
• Friday, February 9: Kindergarten celebrates 100 Days of School
• Wednesday, February 14: Valentine’s Day Party

Here’s a quick overview of new things we learned this week:

Comprehension strategy/skill: “Visualize”/”Events: Sequence”. We read different stories to go along with our theme “How are the seasons different?”

2 New High Frequency Words: “is” and “llittle“

New sound/spellings/handwriting: /b/ Bb and /l/ Ll

*To reinforce high frequency words, phonics and fluent reading, please keep reading decodable stories that are sent home. Thank you!

Vocabulary: weather, seasons, migrate, active, spot (as in: notice or find something)

Math: Lesson 14: “Compose and Decompose 10”

Science: This week we learned why birds lay their eggs in the spring and made bird nests. We watched how birds make their nests and raise their chicks.