Newsletter 3/14

Featuring kindergarten kids' news from Ms. Goldman's Class

Dear Families,

Spring is in the air. We have started brainstorming what is a part of spring. Today we created "Spring is..." pictures, shamrocks, and umbrellas. Next week, the children will guess what is in the mystery box containing signs of spring and create pussy-willows
Reading / Writing Workshop
Hearing and blending onsets and rhymes
If children can hear the first and last parts of words as syllables within words and blend them together, they have taken the first step toward word analysis by letter and sound.
Hearing and substituting sounds
As children become more aware of the sounds in words, they learn to isolate and identify the first sound they hear. This helps them connect initial sounds and letters, a skill that help readers begin to decode words.
Science
In our rock unit we will be investigating where we can find rocks. We will learn that rocks are hidden in many places by soil and plants. We will also learn that we find rocks in deserts, mountains, and cliffs by the sea. Rivers wear away the rocks and make deep valleys.
Math
The children are learning new attribute names such as dull, shiny, dotted, rough, smooth, and round, to name a few. They are sorting lots of rocks by these properties.
Social Studies
We are learning about the customs and legends of Ireland and St. Patrick's Day. We will be reading fiction and nonfiction books about Leprechauns and Ireland.
Ms. Goldman's Corner
Now that it getting warmer, take your children out for a nature walk. Since March seems to be the month when weather is a major topic of discussion, try to include these words when you are outside: wind, breeze, air, sky, water, kite, storm, cloud, rain, evaporate, and condense. Happy walking!