December 2009
Dear Parents,
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a great track out! It
is good to be back and the students have been very busy! Our December units
revolve around Symbols of the Season. This week the students have been
learning all about the Hanukkah and Kwanzaa symbols. We even have a special
speaker coming to tell us more about Hanukkah.
Our next two weeks will involve Christmas symbols and gingerbread fun.
During this time we will also be having our economic wants and needs unit.
The students will learn the difference between what is a "want" and what is
a "need". The students will be making several crafts during centers as
well. Thanks to all of the parents who have volunteered to help with these
extra centers! For each craft the students make, they are paid using husky
bucks. Then on our craft factory buying day, stores filled with these crafts
will be set up around our room. The students will use the money they earned
to buy holiday gifts for their family. Parents are invited to attend the
special snack we will have after the students finish buying their crafts (at
about 3pm).
The students are also learning how to write notes using their sight word
and letter sound knowledge. Each day we choose two students. The class then
writes notes to those students telling things they like about them.
During our Gingerbread Fun unit we will be reading and comparing several
versions of the book The Gingerbread Man. This unit will conclude on
December 16th with the students making their very own gingerbread houses.
Notes have been set home to let you know supplies that are needed to make
this project successful. This is usually a lot of fun for the students and
we appreciate your help in gathering the supplies!
We also have a new behavior reward system for just the month of
December. It tends to be a lot of fun for the students and they are rewarded
on a daily basis for their good behavior. Each student has made a stocking
which is hanging on the wall. At the end of every day, if your child has a
good behavior day (does not move a bear), he or she will get a special treat
placed in his or her stocking. On the last day of school before winter
break, the students will get to bring their stockings home, filled with all
their goodies. Thanks to all of the parents who sent in items to be used to
fill these stockings!
Please be on the lookout for your child's report card to be sent home on
December 18th. You will need to sign the envelope and return it to me. you
may keep the report card. Please contact me if you have any questions.
As you can see December is a month filled with lots of fun and learning
for our students!
As always if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to
contact me.
Special Points of Interest-
* Dec. 2nd - Early Release - students are dismissed at 1:15pm
* Dec. 7th - Dec. 11th - Craft factory centers
* Dec. 16th - Making gingerbread houses from 1:30-2:30pm. All parents are
invited to attend.
* Dec. 17th - Holiday craft buying. A specail snack will be had by students
at about 3pm. All parents are invited for this snack.
* Dec. 18th - Report cards set home
* Dec. 19th - Winter break begins
* Jan. 4th - students return from winter break
* Please remember to send a change of clothes for your child to keep at
school. A pair of pants and a t-shirt is perfect for any season. Accidents
often happen during the kindergarten day that require students to change
clothes.
* The children will go out to recess everyday unless it is raining or
extremely cold. Please keep this in mind when helping your child select
clothing for the day. In order to play on the playground equipment, your
child must wear closed-toed, covered-heel shoes (sneakers or tennis shoes
are best).
* We will have snack in the afternoon everyday. Due to our early lunch, the
students tend to be very hungry by this point. Please be sure to send a
healthy snack with your child each day. It is also important that you make
sure you child is able to easily open or manipulate the containers in which
you send food. Spend time practicing this at home.
* Each month a specials calendar will be sent home. Please look this over so
you will know when to return library books and when to wear sneakers for PE.
* Please make sure to check your child's backpack everyday for work or notes.