Thursday, April 12^th, 2007

Dear Kindergarten and First Grade Families,

            Welcome back!  All students seem well rested and happy to be back with their classroom friends.  Both groups have been introduced to a new story and they will participate in many activities throughout the week as part of our shared reading part of the day.

            During conferences I got many questions about whether or not the kindergarteners would be asked to do homework.  I got the impression that it might be good for them. So, next week Monday I will start giving homework to the kindergarteners in the same way I give it to the first graders.  They will be in charge of writing the homework on a homework sheet and bringing it home to you in their folder.  On the homework sheet there is an area for you to sign letting me know they completed the assignment.  If the specified area is not signed they will stay in during recess and I will help them complete the work.  Please have your child bring in a 2-pocket folder by Monday morning.  This will be their homework folder.  Thank-you!!

            Monday, April 16^th we will be starting our science units.  I will have a science center set-up in the classroom for students to observe different objects, write about the object and draw the object.  If you or your child has something they would like to bring in to be part of this science center I would appreciate it!  Be sure it is something you can give up for about 1 month.

Mrs. N and I have made arrangements for my first grade students to come into her classroom to learn the first grade science units.  I will stay in my classroom to teach my kindergarten units and Mrs. N will stay in her classroom along with Mrs. Zajac or Mrs. Cook, our Title 1 personnel to help her.  All the science concepts are exploration.  This will be a great opportunity for all first graders to work together.  In order to make this schedule work; I had to change 1 kindergarten enrichment class. 

Next week the first graders will begin Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS). The format will be similar to our magazine tests.  We will test in the mornings only.  Please be sure your child is to school on time and has had a good breakfast.   We will test on Monday - Thursday.  Due to ITBS test, there will be no spelling test or homework for the week of April 16^th – 20^th. 

Instead of having library on Wednesdays the kindergarteners will have library on Thursdays. This new schedule will give me the opportunity to do science or any other activities needed to better prepare the kindergarteners for next year.