I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!
Class Mascot Just FYI our class mascot is the panda (Mrs. Pugliese's Pandas). I'll let the class know this new information this week and we will read some books about pandas. I wasn't sure if the kinder teachers had class mascots, but when ordering our class tshirts I discovered they do!
Thank you so much to those who have signed up to be a center helper in our classroom. We still have many slots to fill though! I hope you will consider coming in to help with a center. Whether you volunteer regularly or just once, it's a great way to meet your child's classmates and engage with what they are learning in class. If you have any questions about volunteering please let me know. If you haven't filled out your Union School District Volunteer Code of Conduct Form, remember to complete that at least a week before you first volunteer, to allow time for it to process. As of last week, Union School District is no longer requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to volunteer. You simply have to fill out the Code of Conduct form once, and do the daily symptom check each time you volunteer. Thank you for your cooperation with this.
In language arts, we continue introducing letters and letter sounds using the Fundations reading program. We are introducing another vowel this week, Oo, as well as a consonant, Cc. Fundations uses a multi-sensory approach, emphasizing the correct formation of the letters while practicing them on a whiteboard and repeating aloud the letter name, sound, and key word (a picture that starts with the sound). You can get some valuable parent tips that include several ideas for practicing different skills with your child here. If you're also interested in further review of the letter sounds with your child, you can find the letter sound video we watch in class, called "The Better Alphabet Song" here. Our sight words this week are on and not. Previous sign words are I, in, it).
Math
In math, we will continue with the topic Numbers to 10. This week, we will have some math centers that focus on counting as well as number formation. More information on this topic can be found here.
SEL
Coming home in this week's Wednesday Envelopes are our Zones of regulation poster. I hope your child can explain what the colors mean and you can hang your poster somewhere in your house so that you can start using that language to talk to your children about how they are feeling. This week, we will introduce our first Kimochi (Kimochi means "Feeling" in Japanese), Lovey Dove, who will teach your child about the feelings proud, kind, and friendly. Lovey is the Character who is sweet and nurturing. She is very wise and calm. She likes to cuddle and make everyone feel better when they are upset. But sometimes Lovey Dove worries. Children who have a temperament like Lovey’s can benefit from staying compassionate and learning to worry less. Lovey taught your child how important it is to greet people using their name and a “Friendly Signal.” Friendly Signals are communication tools, such as a smile, wave, head nod, or saying hello. Being friendly is a rewarding habit that children can learn to develop and use throughout their lifetime.
