Kindergarten Corner
It has been a VERY busy couple of months for Kindergarten. The students are working extremely hard and getting ready to become First Graders in just a few more months!! The children will see their workload become more challenging .It is a very exciting time for them, but it can be daunting as well. Extra work may come home from time to time to 'hone' a few skills they will need to make their transition to Grade 1 a bit easier.
Religion: The Lenten Season is upon us. Students are learning that Lent is a special time of prayer and loving God and others. We've entered into the Lenten Season with the mark of ashes on our foreheads. During these 40 days, we are all trying to live as Jesus did and listening to His words. Please remember the Lenten homework packet that came home this week. Each child is to color a 'smiley face' when they follow Christ's word. This could be listening to a parent, not fighting with a sibling, being kinder to a friend, etc. Lent represents the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert preparing for His ministry through Fasting and Prayer. This truly is the Holiest of seasons.
Math: Kindergarteners are really become Math Wizards. We have reviewed Ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.)and some Algebra!! Children learned 1:1 ratio (by matching one baseball to one bat for example.) We've learned to identify groups of "more or less" and all this has led to Kindergarten's introduction to addition. We will use various 'manipulatives' such as counting cubes. At home, you can use Goldfish crackers, Cherrios, M&M's, anything to make addition fun. For example, "If Mommy has 4 cherrios and you have 5 cherrios, how many would we have all together?" Who knew Math could be so fun and so delicious?
Reading: We are just about to wrap up our Letter Book "E". The sound for "E" is the short vowel form, in words such as 'egg', 'elephant' and 'elf'. The story, "Ed's Sled", introduces this sound to your child. The stories will get longer as we progress towards the end of the school year. Words to study will come home quite frequently and practice at home becomes crucial. Blending sounds is again, difficult for some, so have patience when practicing at home. Children are also working on their handwriting in the form of "Morning Message" and other sentences. These will begin daily and it will help the children better prepare for the seat work they will do in Grade 1.
ALL the students are making great strides this year and we are very proud of each and every one of them.
Keep up the good work, parents!! Thank you for your support and for sharing your children with us.
Warm Regards,
Mrs. Calamita
Mrs. Feldman