October+16,+2008

We have had a busy two weeks in our kindergarten classroom. The children are now knowing the daily and weekly routines and most of our time is spent on learning activities. It is a wonderful to watch children progress from not knowing routines and expectations to becoming excellent workers and supportive community members. We are now able to concentrate on learning activities and our work times can be extended. There is the occasional forgetting of behavior expectations and when this occurs, a short “break” is needed. When the child is ready to focus and be a “learner”, he/she may come back into the activity on his or her own. This is not a “time out” or a punishment but rather a time to get back into control and rejoin the activity.

Perhaps you heard about our cooking experiences with apples. We made applesauce one day and then apple crisp on another day. The class enjoyed the cooking and want to do more. Our next cooking will involve pumpkins.

We have made frequent visits to the computer lab. On Mondays and Tuesdays, our writing workshop time is in the lab where we draw pictures and write descriptions of the pictures on the computer. This work will be shared on our blog. Attached to this memo is a note that requests permission to set up individual blogs for each child. I have done this for my past two classes and you can see examples from last year, on the classroom blog. Click the link to KinderKids 2007 on the right hand side. My hope is that every child will have their own blog where their work can be posted for you to see and to give feedback. Please return the form as soon as possible so that I can begin to set up the blogs.

Another set of book order forms is in your child’s folder. If you wish to purchase some books as presents and would rather that we not send them home with your child, let us know in writing. We will find a way to deliver the books to you without your child knowing. There is also the option of ordering online. Several families found that to be an easy way to order. To order online, go to the Web site below and enter our class’s personalized user name and password. www.scholastic.com/parentordering Class User Name: mkneeclass Password: mknee Remember, placing your online order is completely safe and secure. Your credit card payment is sent directly to Scholastic.

When you shop online, you can take advantage of exclusive online-only offers and choose from an expanded selection of books and software. Of course, you can always use the printed flyer instead and have your child hand in a Club order form and payment at school.Thank you again for ordering and for continuing to help our classroom earn FREE books, software and learning materials. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Check our blog for classroom pictures. I continue to update and will add more on Sunday. You will see we have many international visitors who are interested in our work. Please make comments to let the class know that you have seen their work.

 =**Kindergarten News**=