Sunday, September 18, 2016

Hi Parents of this fabulous JK class!

Week three has shown us many talents and favorites of our friends, as we presented our “All About Me” posters in class, giving the students another opportunity to practice their public speaking and lead the class questions about their posters. We have been reading about all sorts of different occupations and books about being unique as well as about our bodies.  We graphed our eye color and used non-standard units of measure to determine the length of our written names. 

The students worked together to sort and wash animals at the sensory table and made tissue paper replications of our version of Elmer the Elephant.  Elmer demonstrated to the students the amazing effects one elephant could have by being his colorful self and not trying to be like every other.  We also read about Pete the Cat and designed our own school shoes.  The message of taking things in stride was introduced, as was individuality.

Each student spent time in their writing group, practicing reading from left to right with their magic finger, underlining each word as they took turns “reading” the A and B books in our series.  They were all excited to “read” to their classmates, and will continue to practice reciting and following along word for word until the memorization of the text is replaced by actual reading.  Whether that happens this school year or not, they are all building the proper foundation.    

Our handwriting continues to improve each day, as their tiny muscle control increases as well as their knowledge and use of the lower case letter formation.  Please click on this most excellent article, which offers information and suggestions about building those muscles to develop better fine motor skills/handwriting.

Why Handwriting is a Struggle for Today’s Children:
http://yourot.com/parenting-club/2016/8/12/why-handwriting-is-a-struggle-for-todays-children

We will be finishing our “All About Me” theme and moving into Apples, Johnny Appleseed, and autumn.  This is one of my favorite times of the year, as the summer begins to fade and the thoughts of fires in the fireplace, football, leaves falling and pumpkin patches emerge.  










Mrs. Massey



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