Weekly Newsletter #4

August 30-September 3, 2010

From Mrs. Hicks' desk… This Weeks' Focus Language Arts This week we will conclude our Chicka Chicka Boom Boom unit. We will incorporate some science into this unit with utilizing all of our senses to learn about coconuts. We will continue our study of bears and their habits, habitats, etc. We are also practicing working in small groups for reading rotations. It will take a little while to learn the system but your children are doing well so far. We will read Plaidypus Lost for our Scott Foresman unit. Amazing Words platypus, market, groceries, lost, found, around Sight Words the, little Math Our focus this week will be on the number Two, the color Yellow and the shape Square. We will graph our like or dislike of coconut and practice math sets with "coconut trees and coconuts"! Don't forget to wear yellow on Friday!

Important Dates! Monday, Sept. 6: Labor Day No School! Friday, Sept. 10: Scholastic subscription money due ($5.00) Friday, Sept. 13th: Picture Day Homework All written homework is due on Friday. 1. Read Scott Foresman booklet with your child and complete. 2. Complete Four Day Homework. 3. Continue to practice tying shoes, please. 4. Continue practicing lunch numbers, also. Many children were forgetting their number by Friday! If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 428-7125 or jhicks@hsv.k12.al.us. You may also check my website http://hicks-thealphabetgarden.blogspot.com/.

First Days of School 2010

A scrapbook by Smilebox

Weekly Newsletter #3

 

August 23-27, 2010

From Mrs. Hicks' desk… This Weeks' Focus I want to compliment you all on how well you have obviously raised your children as their behavior this past week was amazing. Cards were still pulled but overall, the children remained focused and worked very hard to turn in their best work. They are learning how to be Kindergarteners beautifully!   Language Arts We will begin Week Two of Unit One with our Scott Foresman Reading Program by reading the story Duck Fix-It. We will discuss the setting and characters of the story and learn our week's amazing words. We will also read Brown Bear, Brown Bear and learn about types of bears, their habitats, food, etc. We will also work on story sequencing skills, colors and the concept of small, medium and large.   Amazing Words repair, leak, steep, ladder, puddles, shed   Math Our focus this week will be on the number One, the color Blue and the shape Circle. Please have your child wear the color blue on Friday!   If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 428-7125 or jhicks@hsv.k12.al.us. You may also check my website http://hicks-thealphabetgarden.blogspot.com/.

Important Info! Grading System You will have a packet of your child's work sent home this week. I have begun grading their papers with the following system: S-Satisfactory (Super!) P-Progressing (Pretty Good!) N-Needs Improvement (Not so Good!)   At this point, I am looking for your child to complete their work in a timely manner to the best of their ability. Neatness counts! Please practice name writing at home. Coloring and cutting are very helpful in improving your child's small motor skills which in turn leads to more controlled handwriting. Any extra practice at home makes a noticeable difference!   Homework All written homework is due on Friday. 1. Please complete the name writing practice sheet. Remember that only the FIRST letter of your child's first and last name is capitalized. 2. Four Day Homework Page 3. Practice tying shoes. Parents, I truly need your help with this. With 23 students, it is very difficult to tie 46 shoes! Thank you very much for your help. J 4. Practice identifying Lunch Numbers. (Each child that is able to enter their number independently will be able to go to the Treasure Tub!)

Weekly Newsletter #2

August 16-20, 2010

From Mrs. Hicks' desk… What a wonderful first week of school! I was amazed at how well your children picked up on our procedures-wow! I did pull a few cards but I think everyone will get the hang of it, it just takes time. I'm very excited about getting to know your boys and girls, they have some fun personalities! This Weeks' Focus Language Arts We spent a great deal of time learning about nocturnal animals-like Chester. We also learned the difference between being a good little monkey or a naughty little monkey like the Five Little Monkeys. We will begin our study of letters and sounds using the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. We will also begin Unit One of our Scott Foresman reading program. Please help your child practice their Sight Words and ask them about this week's amazing words! Sight Words I am Amazing Words first second third fourth fifth sixth

Important Info! Please remember to send any notes regarding afternoon transportation changes or lunch money in your child's pouch in the BEE binder. Thank you! J Thank you to everyone for diligently getting all of this paperwork completed and turned in-I do appreciate it! Homework All written homework is due on Friday. 1. Please complete the name writing practice sheet. Remember that only the FIRST letter of your child's first and last name is capitalized. 2. Complete Homework Page (labeled for Monday-Thursday). 3. Practice tying shoes. 4. Practice Identifying Lunch Numbers. Math We will begin learning about the color red, circles and the number one. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 428-7125 or jhicks@hsv.k12.al.us. You may also check my website http://hicks-thealphabetgarden.blogspot.com/.

Newsletter #1 10-11

 

August 9-13, 2010

From Mrs. Hicks' desk… Wow-the first week of Kindergarten is here! I realize that a great deal of information is being sent home this week and it can be quite overwhelming. You may read my Handbook and turn in the signature page by next Monday to give you a chance to read it carefully-it will answer many of your questions! Please return my Student Information card (lime green half sheet) as soon as you are able. I am very anxious to get to know each of your children-I know we will have a wonderful year!   This Weeks' Focus Our main focus this week will be to help your child adjust to Kindergarten. We will spend the week learning and practicing procedures and establishing a classroom routine. Five year olds work well and feel more secure with a great deal of structure. Language Arts We will read The Kissing Hand, Wemberly Worried, The Five Little Monkeys, The Gingerbread Man and The Gingerbread Baby. We will have many activities and projects supporting our reading. At the end of the week, we will even have a Gingerbread Hunt to learn our way around the building. You never know what surprise might be waiting for us when we return to our room! You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man! Math This week we will begin to work on calendar concepts. Our calendar routine incorporates many math skills/concepts such as: Calendar Vocabulary (i.e. days, months, weeks, year, etc...) Coin Recognition Weather Tally Marks Number Recognition Counting Patterning Ordinal Numbers (i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc…) Addition

Important Info!   I look forward to this first full week of Kindergarten. I have many fun activities planned for the next few weeks to help your child feel comfortable in their new "job"! Due to problems with the copier, it will be a few days before my Kindergarten Handbook will go home. I do have a copy online for you to see. Check my blog for this and lots of other information! http://hicks-thealphabetgarden.blogspot.com/     Homework All written homework is due on Friday. Language: 1. Please complete the My First Day page with your child and send it back to school in the BEE binder. Other: 1. Practice tying shoes! Pleeeeeease!!! 2. Practice Identifying Lunch Numbers (your child's number will be sent home as soon as we receive it).   If you have any questions, please contact me at 428-7125, jhicks@hsv.k12.al.us or http://hicks-thealphabetgarden.blogspot.com/